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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.
Condolences – Rev. Denis Matheson
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Denis Matheson who passed away on April 13, 2024. An obituary can be found here.
Nominations are Open for President-Elect – Deadline Friday April 26, 2024
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council is seeking nominations for President-Elect. The President serves for a total of 3 years: as President-Elect, President, and Past-President. The President-Elect will serve as a member of the Regional Executive, leading our Region in its work and ministry, within the bounds of the Region. Serving as President of the Region offers many unique and exciting opportunities to engage in the work and life of the Region. More information on the role of President can be found here.
The election will take place at the Annual meeting. In order to post bios of the nominees and allow for printing of meeting materials, please submit nominations by April 26, 2024 at midnight. Nominations can also come from the floor of the meeting at which time nominations will close at the close of the Friday night session. Nominations are open to all members of the Regional Council, including ministry personnel and lay representatives. To submit your nomination, please fill out the form here. The nomination form must include the name of the mover and seconder of the nomination. The Nominee, the mover and seconder must be members of Regional Council. If you have any questions, please contact Nominations Chair, Alicia Cox.
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.
Communities of Faith Annual Reports – Reminder
A reminder to all Communities of Faith who have yet to send in their Annual Reports. Please email to your Regional Council as soon as they are available using the following email:
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council: info4RC15@united-church.ca
If you are unable to submit by email please mail one copy of your report to:
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
21 Wright Street
Sackville, NB E4L 4P8
If you have already submitted your Annual Report, there is no need to resend.
President’s Monthly Message – March 12, 2024 to April 11, 2024
This was my 10th month as your President.
Recovering from this illness, I was able to attend my first in-person funeral as well as the following Zoom meetings.
I attended via Zoom on March 20, 2024, my Division of Services and Support Meeting, as I chair the Stewardship Committee in this Division for the region.
On your behalf via Zoom, on March 21, 2024, I attended the Annual Meeting Planning Committee as we prepare for our upcoming AGM at Dal AC, Truro, NS in May.
On your behalf, on March 28, 2024, I attended the funeral of Rev. Shelagh McCulloch-Taylor (retired), at Trinity United Church, Timberlea, NS and brought condolences on behalf of the Executive Council, Staff and all Communities of Faith. Shelagh was a student minister at my home church of St. James, Dartmouth in 1985 and 1986. We shared a long friendship and a deep love of our church.
I was unable to Chair the Executive Meeting on April 11, 2024 and I wish to thank our Past President, Dr. Sandra Tomsons for stepping in for me.
My doctors found from extensive blood work that my body was depleted due to this virus, so we are now on a regiment of medications to boost my immune system.
Please take care of yourselves and those around you. Life is truly precious!
In Peace and Hope,
Shauna MacDonald
President
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
Who did you notice this week? Who noticed you? Who were you able to call by name? Who called you by name? Being seen, being acknowledged, known and remembered helps us build community. Do you notice the name tags worn by employees when you are going about your daily lives? Being called by our name is gift we can receive and gift we can give. Perhaps there are people you regularly see but don’t know their names. Notice after you find out their name the difference it makes in brightening your day and someone else’s day! Talk directly to a person. If a child, someone using a wheelchair, someone sitting down, meet them at eye level so they don’t have to always be looking up. Building relationships can start with learning each other’s name. How can you add to the knowledge, a kind question? Offer a complement or acknowledgement of appreciation? Keep building beloved community! In your community of faith, are people wearing name tags? Beyond name tags, how does your community of faith intentionally create community that invites and welcomes everyone to know they are needed, valued, belong, able to be themselves, to be comfortable, and to be safe? 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
Order Breaking the Silence coffee, stoles by May 3rd. Pick-up at Annual Meeting
The Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network, longtime partner of the United Church and supported by the Mission and Service Fund, is once again offering churches the opportunity to buy the Just Us! Breaking the Silence brand of coffee wholesale. $58.50 for a box with 6 12. oz bags of ground coffee. Your purchase supports small farmers and the Highlands Committee of Small Farmers, who are courageous defenders of land and labour rights. As well Guatemalan liturgical stoles (rainbow, red, green, blue, purple) are for sale. $45. If you want to be sure to have the colour you want, please order ahead. For both coffee and stole orders, contact Kathryn Anderson <kathrynande@gmail.com> no later than May 3rd.
We will also have stunning crafts from UPAVIM, an inspiring Guatemalan women’s cooperative for sale at the Annual Meeting.
Reimagining Communities: the Potential of a Basic Income in NB
Communities are facing many challenges; everything from the stresses of precarious work, job loss from AI, disruptions from climate disasters and pandemics, sky rocketing economic inequality, inflation and lack of affordability for basic needs, global disruptions due to conflicts, and rising food insecurity.
It is apparent that the Canadian social safety net is no longer working. Community residents are looking for help that preserves their dignity and provides adequate support for themselves and their families.
Many have called for Basic Income, an income floor for all to ensure better health outcomes, adequate housing, nutrition, increased educational attainment and child development, as well as, ensuring positive psychological well-being.
How can we reimagine a new way forward?
· What is, and isn’t, Basic Income?
· Why is it important?
· How do we move forward?
Friday, May 3
Panel Discussion 1:00 – 2:15 pm
Reception 2:15 – 3:00 pm
Wilmot United Church, 473 King Street, Fredericton
Available livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@WilmotUnitedChurch
For more information and to register, click here.
Gibson Memorial United Church (Fredericton) 150th Anniversary
On May 5th, Gibson Memorial United Church will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the congregation in Fredericton, NB. Former members and friends welcome.
Thurs., May 9th, 2:45pm A Privileged Opportunity! Learn from Mi’kmaq elder, Gerald Gloade, at the Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail near Truro
You’re invited to join highly respected Mi’kmaq Elder Gerald Gloade as he shares his deep spiritual and ecological knowledge, at the trailhead of the Mi”kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail, 20 minutes west of Truro. This special opportunity has been arranged for Thursday, May 9th, 2:45pm, enabling delegates to the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region Annual Meeting in Bible Hill to participate. However all United Church people from both Regions are very welcome to attend! We need to know how many are coming and provide you with detailed information, so please register with Kathryn Anderson <kathrynande@gmail.com>.
Celebration of Bermuda Nova Scotia Region Becoming An Affirming Ministry-Saturday, May 11th 8:30 AM
The Affirming Committee of Bermuda Nova Scotia Region would like to invite everyone to join in celebrating this region becoming an Affirming ministry within the United Church of Canada. This worship service will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 8:30 AM, as part of our Regional Meeting’s scheduled list of events. All are welcome, and all are invited to come to the service dressed in their brightest colours, as a celebration of the “rainbow” of humanity that we are always seeking to be in our life and work in this Region. Details about the location of this service will be announced closer to the date. Hope to see you there!!!!
Spring Program STROLL Starts Soon
Whether you’re based in Canada or Aotearoa New Zealand or in any other part of the world, whether you’re a seasoned Stroller or have never Strolled with us before, you’re invited to join us this May. We Stroll independently but are linked together in a connection that spans the globe. This year we’re bringing all Strollers together in one Stroll experience and hosting it May 19 – June 8, 2024.
We live in changing and challenging times. Stroll provides a spaciousness and restfulnesss and invites us to take pause and reflect, to get outdoors or look outdoors and enjoy the work of our Creator God. The theme of Stroll this year is “Seasons of Change.”
During Stroll you receive a daily email over three weeks with a reflection and invitation to action and response. While written with the wider intent to encourage Strollers to get outdoors for a walk, jog or cycle, eyes open to the world around us and our Creator God, Stroll is inclusive of those who are less mobile. Strollers might prefer to Stroll by sitting on their porch or beside a window.
For those who enjoy interacting with other Strollers, we have an optional extra Stroll Facebook group where anyone who is Strolling can share their thoughts or photos of their Stroll. Details on how to join the group will be included in the registration email.
You can buy an Individual Stroll subscription at Prayer Bench. Visit: https://prayerbench.ca/product/stroll-individual-2/
A GROUP subscriptions is only offered through Kereru Publishing this year. Gather three or more friends together for a shared subscription.
Stroll is a collaborative program written by Janice of Prayer Bench and Caroline at Kereru Publishing, New Zealand.
Berwick Camp 2024
Berwick Camp will be holding its 152nd encampment this summer from July 26 to August 4. This year we will be welcoming our United Church Moderator, the Right Rev Dr Carmen Lansdowne, as Minister in Residence. She will be conducting the service on Sundays at 10am, and Monday to Friday evenings at 7pm. We’d love to welcome members of congregations from all over the Maritimes and beyond to spend some time with us this year. If your church is in the Berwick area, we would love to have the whole congregation celebrate Sunday services under the hemlocks with us. Have further to travel? We are hoping that churches from outside of the area will pool for transportation for a day visit, and stay for the evening service. Or, come and experience the whole week! Registration is now open. More information can be found on our website (https://www.berwickcamp.org), including the link for registration and the daily schedule (with more details on events to come as we get closer). So come check it out!
We are sending along here a promotional video giving a bit of a snapshot of what Berwick is all about. If you are able to show this at your churches on camping Sunday (or any time!), please do! Many churches have campers that attend that would be happy to answer questions about the camp experience.
Link to video: https://youtu.be/aDoCbTSbSK8
Hope to see you there!
Seeking 50 % Ministerial Position Crossroads Pastoral Charge
Crossroads Pastoral Charge, a 2-point Charge, is seeking a 50% minister effective September 1, 2024. Trinity United in Timberlea and St. James United in Goodwood are approximately 20 km from each other. Both churches are in close proximity to Halifax, a location that provides shopping, access to services and recreational activities. The position is posted to the ChurchHub. We are encouraging any interested persons who feel they can meet our needs to consider this opportunity. We are embarking on a new path, seeking a candidate who can assist us along the way. To that end the minister will provide services every other Sunday. The time freed up from service preparation and delivery on alternate weeks will allow the Minister to assist the congregations to meet the Crossroads Pastoral Charge goals as identified in the posting. During those times when the minister is not responsible for conducting worship services, the minister will work with the Changing Church Committee to work through what a new church life will look like within the context of Crossroads Pastoral Charge. With only two service Sundays a month, two Sundays will be open for the congregation to try something new. What “new” looks like will depend to some degree on finding a match between the interests of the congregation and the interests of the minister. Though the minister may not be physically present for these Sundays, we do look to the minister to help the committee brainstorm, design, and resource these Sundays so that there are worthwhile activities available to the congregations for those days. This is why we are seeking someone with creative ways to meet the spiritual needs of both congregations through Christian development (Bible Study, discussion groups, community outreach activities, etc.). Please see ChurchHub for additional details on this position. Closing date for applicants is May 10, 2024. As well we invite anyone to visit our website to view our Community of Faith Profile. Any questions can be directed to Ellen Mclaughlin at ellen.mclaughlin@crossroads-ucc.ca
Orchard Valley Pastoral Charge is Seeking Additional Ministry Personnel
Orchard Valley United Church is actively searching for a Part Time (30 hours/week) Minister to support our Youth, Young Families and Seniors.
Orchard Valley is located in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. We are a family oriented, multigenerational Affirming congregation that wants to grow and thrive. We are looking for someone that can bring their compassion, energy and imagination to our congregation. We have a dedicated congregation that supports various activities and our committees of the church. We strive to be innovative and want to build our relationship with our community. If you feel that call to try something new in a newly renovated building housing an eager faith community then we want to hear from you!
The profile and position details available on ChurchHub. For more information contact jemcdonald56@gmail.com
Bridges to Hope: Connecting Spirituality and Imagination
ASTE 2024 invites you to a time of deepening spirituality. Daily we experience spiritual angst and despair arising from; climate collapse, wars, illness, personal and/or global discord. Presenters from Celtic and Indigenous perspectives will explore the potential of our innate ability for imagination and spirituality to lead us out of despair and into hope. This is an opportunity to explore the topic Bridges of Hope: Connecting Spirituality and Imagination in depth in a safe and supportive environment under the guidance of The Rev. Dr. Teresa Burnett-Cole, The Rev. J Ivan Gregan and the ASTE2024 community.
Have questions, have answers, join us – Tatamagouche Centre, June 17-20, 2024; ASTE2024
