NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
It’s Your Call – Podcast
News from the Pews Newsletter
To view upcoming programs at the Tatamagouche Centre please click here.
To view upcoming events at the Atlantic School of Theology please click here.
To view Continuing Education opportunities at the Atlantic School of Theology please click here.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Committee Volunteer form.
Executive Minutes
The minutes from the October 24, 2023, December 5, 2023 and January 8, 2024, were approved at the January 23, 2024 Executive meeting and are now available on the BNS website.
Annual Declaration of Criminal Records
Dear colleagues in ministry,
You’ve made it through another intense Advent and Christmas season! We know, and appreciate, how much you have put into your ministry as you enter this season of Epiphany. Of course, there are always more tasks and ministry waiting for you in 2024.
The Annual Declaration is one of those required administrative tasks that Ministry Personnel are asked to prioritize each year.
The Annual Declaration is a mandatory process, where Ministry Personnel declare whether or not they’ve been charged with a criminal offense in the past year. This is a simple process that must be done through ChurchHub, by logging in to your account at churchhub.ca.
As per the Police Records Checks policy, if the Annual Declaration is done by the deadline, you will not be asked to obtain a new formal level 1 and level 2 Police Records Check.
Please remember that even if you were late in completing the form for 2023, it still needs to be done on schedule this year.
If you have any questions about this process, please contact your Vocational Minister Andrew Richardson (ARichardson@united-church.ca ). Need help accessing ChurchHub? Please contact ministry@united-church.ca
Complete your Annual Declaration for a Chance to Win
Complete your Annual Declaration by February 16 and your name will be included in a draw for a $50 gift card of your choice. There will be five lucky winners!
The deadline for the early bird draw is February 16, 2024.
The first Regional Council to achieve 100% completion will be recognized at the September GCE meeting with a message of appreciation!
Don’t delay, complete your form today!
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
Want to learn more about how your community of faith can save money on your building costs? Little things add up. Updating exit sign lightbulbs to LED lights can save 12 weeks off your electricity bill for the exit sign lights. Who knew? I learned this and more at a Faithful Footprints program webinar. Eliminate fluorescent tubes and save. Explore grants to help your building become more fuel efficient. As part of the United Church of Canada’s climate commitment, Faithful Footprints can help your community of faith make improvements to become greener and save money. Perhaps solar panels are needed or heat pumps might be a great cost saver, and may be possible through support of grants. Contact Faithful Footprints to learn specifics for your community of faith. Discover what communities of faith across the country are doing. Visit their website at www.faithfulfootprints.org or email them at info@faithfulfootprints.org
Do you have other growth ideas and inquiries?
You can reach me by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca or by phone 705 875-8837. Let’s grow together with deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice
Social Enterprise training
The Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and PEI is offering a webinar series on developing Social Enterprise, beginning on February 1. Please click here for more information.
Circle of Maritime Progressives – Zoom gathering
We will gather on Zoom on Feb 6 (Tuesday) 3:00-4:30 – here is the link to register.
Our facilitators are Joanne McFadden and Christine MacLeod, who volunteered to bring us together again after the Nancy Steeves event.
We’ll ponder and discuss the Lent/ Easter Story. What speaks to you out of this story at this time?
This is a good conversation for those planning services; and for those hoping for meaningful time through the season. Feel free to bring professional and personal resources to share.
We hope you can join us!
Interfaith Harmony Halifax – Save the Date!
Save the date! The 2024 Interfaith Harmony Halifax Week events will be held February 1-11. A wonderful opportunity for Continuing Education or adult study, youth, or confirmation groups. During IHH, all are welcome to visit different Sacred Spaces and join with diverse faith communities in worship, prayer, conversations, panel discussions and shared celebration. If you would like to register for the (free) Interfaith Engagement Program, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with other IHH participants before IHH begins (to prepare and build community) and after (to reflect on your experience).
Stewardship Update – January 2024
Please click here to read the Stewardship update.
Reimagining Church-Reclaiming your Call (for Lay People only)
Live Sessions
February 10, 24, March 9, 23, April 6, 20, 2024
1:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Register at United in Learning https://churchx.ca/local/shop/product.php?id=132
Imagine your community of faith as a fellowship of disciples (instead of a floundering institution);
Imagine following in the footsteps of our radical Teacher (instead of being ground down by budget shortfalls and petty conflicts);
Imagine being part of a Christian community that understands the essence of our identity and call as people of God.
Fall in love with your faith all over again!
Please click here for more details on this program.
The Manual, 2024
The Manual, 2024, can now be found under the Resources tab on the Regional website.
Christ in the rubble webinar, A prophetic call to justice for the Global Church
- Screening of Palestinian pastor Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac’s ‘Christ in the Rubble’ sermon
- Palestinian-Canadian Christian speaker
- Report by Chris Ferguson, United Church of Canada minister, Canadian member of the recent international Christian delegation to Palestine
Upcoming Event at Emmanuel College Chapel (in-person or Zoom)
Book Launch for Prof. Mona Tokarek LaFosse, Wednesday, January 31, 4:30-6 p.m., Emmanuel College Chapel
Click here to read more and learn how to register.
Beloved Is Where We Begin: An Online Conversation With Author and Artist Jan Richardson
You are warmly invited to join us for an amazing online conversation with author and artist Jan Richardson on Saturday, February 17th, 2024 from 9:30 am – 12:00 PT. This event is co-hosted by Oasis United Church and Naramata Centre, and registration is now open! If you register between now and January 26th, there is a 20% discount. For more information, please click on this link.
Grief Radio – A Podcast About Grief
Grief Radio – A Podcast About Grief is a soon-to-be-launched podcast offering Support/Education/Links for training & research and upcoming events. It is being launched by Rev. Ian Smith, a retired, ordained United Church of Canada clergy person residing in Ontario and Dr. Vivianne LaRiviere, residing in Nova Scotia. To read the full details, please click here.
