NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
Emergency Response Memos for Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW)
It’s Your Call – Podcast
Spark 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.
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW) Committee Interest form.
Annual Meeting Registration is Open
Registration is open for the annual meeting. Please read the memo sent from the Executive Minister. Visit the annual meeting webpage regularly for the latest updates and information on the upcoming meeting.
Kitchen Party at the Annual Meeting
I’m sure you have heard about all these talent shows made especially popular with the dawn of the “Reality Show” era… but did you know that the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters has the equivalent at our Regional AGM? That’s right… it is called the Kitchen Party and it will be co-hosted by Rachel Campbell and Catherine Ann Dickson. Held on Saturday night after all the business is done we get the opportunity to share our talents. So sign up to share your talent (when you register you will be asked about a talent for the Kitchen Party), attend to cheer everyone on and well basically have a blast. Don’t miss 2024 Kitchen Party at UPEI. Do we have talent? You tell us.
Youth @ Region 2024
Calling all Youth, between grades 6-12! Registration is now open for Youth @ Region!
Y@R is a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between grade 6 and grade 12, meet from across New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspe. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council (FSLDW), which is a gathering of representatives who make decisions and set policies for the United Church of Canada. The group creates an inclusive, diverse and safe community for youth in the name of Christ. We provide a place for youth to explore their faith and to learn more about the United Church of Canada while sharing in music, worship and fun in a spirit-filled community.
We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, please email cstuart@united-church.ca
Register here
Annual Meeting Draft Agenda
The annual meeting draft agenda can now be found on the Annual Meeting webpage. As information for the meeting becomes available it will be posted on this page.
Elected Members to Regional Council 2024
Please use the below link to complete the elected members form to Regional Council for 2024, thank you to those who have completed it already. Without completing this form elected members will not be able to vote at the Annual Meeting.
FSLDW Elected Members to Council Memo
Younger Ministry Personnel Spring Retreat
Once again, the younger ministry personnel (under 50-ish) of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region are organizing a time of retreat.
Please join our spring retreat as we come together to be together. This retreat is designed to be a time of rest and reflection for all those 50ish and under in the Atlantic Region, and will include a special worship to laugh and to cry as we remember and lament our dear friend and colleague, Alison Etter. Please join us at 1 pm on April 4, at the Tatamagouche Centre, for this special 24-hour retreat.
The spring retreat will be held at the Tatamagouche Centre on April 4th and 5th, at a cost of $170 per person. This cost includes all food and accommodations. There is a reduced rate of $150 per person for those who are interested in sharing a room.
More details will be shared closer to the date, but registration is now open.
Visit the UCC Regions East website here to register today!
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Daniel MacDonald
Intergenerational Worship Education Series
The Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region invites you to participate in a 4 week program exploring Intergenerational Worship. Designed for lay persons who provide worship leadership within their own congregations, the sessions will be offered via Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 April 9-30 inclusive. Join presenters Rev. Catherine Stuart, Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults; Paige Fraser, Families Ministries Leader at Bedford United Church. Rev. Dr. Karen MacLeod-Wilkie of South Shore Pastoral Charge in Prince Edward Island and Rev. Rick Gunn, minister of St. Luke’s United Church, Upper Tantallon NS. There is a cost of $25.00. Click here to register for the series.
From Struggling to Thriving: How to Revitalize Canada’s Medicare System
Join Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and respected health journalist André Picard. As a keynote event in the Moderator’s Flourishing initiative, Picard will reflect on which changes would transform medicare from a “sickness care” system to a “health care” system.
April 11, 6:30 p.m., Canadian Museum of Immigration @ Pier 21, 1055 Marginal Rd., Halifax, NS. Registration and tickets available on Eventbrite.
Is Your Church Flourishing?
Moderator Carmen Lansdowne and Cameron Fraser, Director of Growth for The United Church of Canada, will conduct a free workshop for congregations with a view to dreaming great ideas into reality. Spend the day reflecting and engaging in energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities (Flourishing Project)
Open to everyone. Invite your friends, too.
April 13, 9:30-4 p.m., Bedford United Church, 1200 Bedford Hwy, Bedford, NS. Free registration.
Save the date – Next Affirm Webinar
Our next FSLDW Affirm Webinar will be on April 18, 2024. Getting Started Toward Becoming an Affirming Congregation. Our presenter will be Rev Kim Curlett, the Atlantic representative for Affirm United. We’ll have time for questions and conversation about your particular congregation’s wonderings. Watch for the registration details in these announcements in the next weeks. Hope to see you there!
UCW Annual Meeting Registration Deadline Approaching
The Maritime UCW Annual Meeting “Pass on Beauty – Spiritual Practices for These Days ” April 26-28 at St James United Antigonish is fast approaching. Registration Deadline is March 26th, 2024. Registration can be found on the UCW ministries webpage.
News From Pastoral Relations – March 2024
Approved the request for a change in Pastoral Relations from Rev. Karen MacNeil effective April 30, 2024.
Approved the request for a change in Pastoral Relations from Rev. Eunkyu Ji effective April 22, 2024.
Approved the request for a change in pastoral relations due to retirement from Rev. Neal Palmer effective June 30, 2024.
Approved the community of faith profile of the Hampton United Church.
Approved the community of faith profile of the Carleton-Kirk United Church.
Approved the community of faith profile of the Mount Stewart-Morell-St. Pater’s Bay Pastoral Charge.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
We make the road by walking…how is your community of faith making its road? What great things are you celebrating through your skills and special talents? What ideas are you trying for outreach to connect with others? A pastoral charge shared with me about “spiritual health” pastoral visitation teams their small rural charge started, equipping each visiting team with a box of Kleenex to take to their visit. Doesn’t that sound like an invitation to share, to risk vulnerability and show interest in hearing someone’s story. I think of tears as wet prayers. As bold disciples how are you connecting with the hearts of others, or dreaming about strengthening capacity to do so? I heard from another group that has a traveling picnic basket, intentionally inviting sharing food and conversation. Maybe you have a picnic basket ministry waiting to be born? Another community of faith started a pantry table as a midweek offering to the wider community, putting out items they wanted to give to others. While this one was food based it could be a wider “give and take” ministry. A side benefit is people are coming for conversation and fellowship, like an unplanned drop-in” ministry to visit and build relationships together. Are you talking with other communities of faith, within our denomination, ecumenically or interfaith? Plan a time when people can come and share. You may discover ways to support each other and reach neighbours around your neighbourhoods. Reach out and share your ideas with me. 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.
Palestinian Land Exercise
On February 17th, individuals from across our three regions gathered at the Dalhousie Campus in Truro for Facilitator training in the Palestinian Land Exercise. Modelled on the Kairos Blanket Exercise, this education tool will help participants understand the historic conflict between Palestinians and the State of Israel. It is an experiential tool that will put you into the shoes of those who experienced it.
The first version… the UNJPPI version of the Palestine Land Exercise began in 2015 under the title “Just Work in Progress” by Doug Rigby. It was renamed and rewritten in 2018 by the Mennonite Central Committee to include personal stories based on the work of Mennonites on the ground in Palestine. This version, the version we are working with, was then edited and updated by the Halifax Just Peace Group.
During our day – After an introduction, participants and trainers got into character before beginning.
The participants each took on a role as a participant but also practices their role as a facilitator as the teams prepared to take the exercise back to their communities. The time ‘on the ground’ was followed by a debrief session. Each presentation of the exercise will be followed with this opportunity to talk about the experience.
We were then fortunate to hear Linda, Doug and Magi speak. Each shared information about the situation in the Middle East and helped those gathered to integrate the days learning.
If you are interested in having the Palestinian Land Exercise come to you, please contact a member of the Just Peace for Palestine and Israel Working Group, part of the Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee of your region.
Nova Scotia Pastoral Charge Seeking New Minister
Windsor United Church is actively searching for an Ordained Minister to lead us in meaningful worship.
Windsor United is a unique, growing, family-oriented church located in the Annapolis Valley area of Nova Scotia. We are a vibrant multi-generational congregation with a strong foundation of over 100 years of ministry. There exists a very active support system within the church that enables the various committees to meet their commitments, thus assisting the ministerial staff with their responsibilities.
The profile and position details available on ChurchHub. For more information contact WUC_searchteam@outlook.com
Communities of Faith Annual Reports – Reminder
It’s that time of year again where we request your Annual Reports. Please email when they are available (electronic files are preferred) to your Regional Council using the following email:
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council: Info4RC14@united-church.ca
If you are unable to submit by email please mail one copy of your report to:
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council
21 Wright Street
Sackville, NB E4L 4P8
Pastoral Charge Information Form 2024
The 2024 Pastoral Charge Information Form is now live. The completion of this form is important to the region in order to have current contact information for staff and committees as we attempt to provide you with current communications relevant to your Local Board, Council or Committee. If you do not have some of these officers in your community simply mark that section as N/A (non-applicable). It is essential that each Pastoral Charge completes and submits this form.
If you have had your annual congregational meeting and have elected your governing body for 2024, please click on the link above to complete. If you have not had your annual meeting, and have the same people serving in the governing body, we kindly ask you to still fill out the information form. The form should be completed and submitted immediately after your annual meeting or by April 30th at the latest, with information current at that time. The form can then be updated following your 2024 annual meeting with any new information.
Thank you for your attention to this important request. In the past the response to this request has been low and a complete response from all charges is critical.
You are reminded that electronic copies of your annual report can now be uploaded to your Church Hub site, as well as emailed to the Regional office (info4RC14@united-church.ca).
Stewardship Update – March 2024
Please click here to read the Stewardship update.
Would you share? Please!
Montreal Dio – French for Ministry Intensive Course
Montreal Dio is offering a one week French for Ministry Intensive Course starting May 6, 2024. To read more about the details, cost, and how to register, click here.
Time for action
Your Regional Affirm committee is discussing how we can be supportive to our trans youth in this time of political debate and decision making that is impacting their lives. Our suggestions…
- stay up on the information…. egale.ca -national group with up to date info ; peersalliance.ca (a PEI support organization); pflagcanada.ca – for 2SLBGTQ+, families, friends and allies. Chapters in Grand Falls-Windsor and St John’s NL; Halifax, Southwest NS, Sydney-Cape Breton and Truro; Fredericton, Sackville and Saint John, NB. Chromanb.ca in Saint John, NB area.
- attend public gatherings supporting trans youth
- encourage your congregation to have P.I.E. events – that’s Public, Intentional, Explicit actions of support for 2SLGBTQ+ people
- follow Affirm United on Facebook… share posts that help educate and support our youth.
we all need to be doing our part…. join this call to action.
Join Campaign Against Using Trans People as a Wedge Issue
As part of PIE Day, Grace United Church in Dartmouth has started a letter writing campaign against the use of wedge politics; in particular, using trans people as a wedge issue whether under the guise of parental rights, women’s safety or fairness in sports. By making them the “other”, it becomes more dangerous for this vulnerable population. We encourage people to write to the leaders of political parties. See the social justice page on our website for more information including a sample letter to download.
