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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 – Alice Elaine Burns
Condolences are extended to the family of Alice Burns, widow of Rev. Carman Burns, who passed away on April 20, 2024. An obituary can be found here.
Annual Meeting Information Webinar Recording Posted
The recording of webinar #1 has been posted to the Annual Meeting web page. The recording for webinar #2 will be posted Friday, May 3, for those who are unable to attend to watch prior to coming to the Annual Meeting.
Reports to Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
The Reports to Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council is available for downloading, please click here. Check back regularly as updates will continue to be made until May 8 (note date on PDF file).
Celebration of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region Becoming An Affirming Ministry
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. Due to limited space, we invite you to join us online on the UCC East YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ucceast7807/streams). The service will be held on Saturday, May 11th at 8:30am.
Pastoral Charge Information Form
The 2024 Pastoral Charge Information Form can be found on our Regional Council website under forms.
If you have had your annual congregational meeting and have elected your governing body for 2024, please click on the link below 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 forms.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Pastoral Relations News – April 2024
- Approved the Call of Kevin Little with Woodlawn United Church, full-time, effective July 1, 2024. Betsy Hogan, Liaison.
- Approved the Appointment of Beth Benjamin-Cameron with Woodlawn United Church, full-time, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2028. Betsy Hogan, Liaison.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Elisabeth Bachem Jennings, retired, with St. John’s United Church, Middleton, 20 hours/week, May 1 to December 31, 2024.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of David Hart with Bedford United Church, 20 hours/week, April 1 to September 30, 2024.
- Approved the Call of Katie Aven back to the permanent position of Minister of Congregational Care at Bedford United Church, 20 hours/week, effective April 1, 2024.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of David Lutes, retired, with New Germany Pastoral Charge, 13 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Carol Joy Shatford, ordinand, with West Bay Pastoral Charge, 30 hours/week, May 16, 2024 to June 15, 2025. Jack Canning, Liaison.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Keith Wiseman, DLM, with St. Peters Grand River Loch Lomond Pastoral Charge, full-time, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Jim MacNaughton, ordinand, with River and Lakeside Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, May 15, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Sandi Irving, DLM candidate, with St. David’s United Church Port Hastings, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Dianne Kempt, ordinand, with St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025.
- Approved the Call of Cathie Crooks with First United Church, Truro, full time, effective July 1, 2024. Linda Atkinson, Liaison.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Barbara Blois MacNaughton, candidate, with St. Mark’s United Church Port Hawkesbury, full-time, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Norma Mills, ordinand, with Waterview Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Approved the Provisional Appointment of Ruth Gamble, ordinand, with the collaborative ministry of River Phillip Pastoral Charge and Springhill Pastoral Charge, 30 hours/week, July 1 to December 31, 2024.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Dale Crawford, DLM, with St. John’s Pastoral Charge, Inverness, 20 hours/week, May 15 to November 15, 2024.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Rhonda Schofield, candidate, with St. John’s United Church, Halifax, full time, April 30 to June 30, 2024.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Natalie Buchanan Rutherford with Shubenacadie Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Gary MacDougall, retired, with Noel Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Sandra Cox, retired, with William Black Pastoral Charge, 13 hours/week, June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025.
- Moved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region approve the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of Retirement from David Steele of Wesley Methodist Church, Hamilton, Bermuda, effective August 1, 2024.
- Moved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region approve Trenton Pastoral Charge as a Supervised Ministry Education (SME) learning site. Jim Webber-Cook, Liaison.
- Moved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region approve the Profile and position description for Berwick Trinity United Church, and authorized Search. Don Sellsted, Liaison.
- Moved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region approve the extension of Appointment of Tom Woods with Knox United Church, Lower Sackville, to June 30, 2024.
- Moved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region approve the updated Profile and position description for Hope United Church, Halifax, and authorize Search to begin once clearance is offered by the Executive Minister. David Hewitt, Liaison.
- Next meeting: Friday, May 31, 9:00 a.m. For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
What specifically are you hoping a Growth Animator will be able to support or resource with you and your community of faith, pastoral charge, cluster or other ministries, that your current ministry and lay leadership is not able to do? Your Annual General Meeting is fast approaching in your region. I plan to be at your AGM in-person and I want to connect with your delegates. If you are not a delegate, but are reading this, remind your ministry personnel and lay delegates to seek me out at the AGM. Before your AGM, have some conversations with your governing body, teams or committees, outreach ministries, your congregation, your local community partners
• Describe who you are and why you are. What is the story you celebrate? Who do you want to be in 3, 5, 10 years?
• Describe your neighbours and neighbourhood. How does the leadership speak about your neighbours and neighbourhood? How does your congregation speak about your neighbours and your neighbourhood?
• What groups and individuals currently use your building apart from your congregation?
• How do people on leadership and within the congregation speak about these groups and your connection to them?
• Are you currently working with other UCCan congregations, ecumenical partners, the regional council(regional pastoral relations minister or regional committees), your Stewardship staff (Roger Janes), CYAYA staff (Catherine Stuart), JMO staff (Shepherd Munikwa), UPRC/Kindred Works or any other such group?
• How are you strengthening invitation welcoming all to belong?
• Describe the ways you are living into deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice. How are you growing or hoping to grow?
Bring your stories, your dreams, your ideas and questions to your AGM. Come find me and let’s begin or continue conversations. 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
Financial Assistance for Ministerial Candidates
First United Church Trenton has a memorial fund that provides financial assistance to Ministry Candidates. The Fund is able to grant up to $1,500.00 to accepted ministerial candidates for the United Church of Canada who are studying in an approved School of Theology. If the congregation does not have a Ministry Candidate the Pastoral Charge has graciously opened the grant to other Ministry Candidates in the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region.
Applications for assistance should go to:
EBS Miller Fund
First United Church
PO Box 325
Trenton NS B0K 1X0
Discover stories from the Bermuda – Nova Scotia Region: Rooted in Faith Growing in Leadership
We’re excited to announce the release of our Mission and Service Stories booklet, featuring inspiring narratives that highlight the incredible work of our faith communities in the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region. Inspired by this year’s Regional meeting theme of ‘Rooted in Faith, Growing in Leadership,’ these stories celebrate the transformative impact of faith in action. Whether for worship, meetings, or personal reflection, feel free to explore the digital version of the booklet available for download. Click the link below to access it now!
https://ucceast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Regional-Meeting-Stories-Book.pdf
Getting Started: Becoming an Affirming Ministry
Our April 18th webinar, led by Kim Curlett, is now available on the FSLDW Website under Resources or Affirm. Here is the link: https://ucceast.ca/84652-fsldw-affirm-getting-started-becoming-an-affirming-congregation
Our Affirm Committee will offer a workshop at the Annual Meeting, sharing some insights from the experiences of those who have been in, or are working through, the Affirming process.
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.
It’s Time to Support the PEI Basic Income Project
You could help Coalition Canadian in your capacity as a faith group leader. Last November we published the PEI Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) report. This report has changed the landscape for guaranteed basic income advocacy. It has addressed key issues on how to implement a GBI. This has led to many serious conversations with senior policy people and politicians. It has led, for example, to a window opening between a federal and a (PEI) provincial Minister for an early stage ‘working group’ to be established to discuss data, administrative, and tax issues. This is huge step for GBI. Policy Options/IRPP has published an article about the work.
In a few weeks we will be sending a letter to a small number of MPs who will be involved in the election platform planning process for each Federal political party, asking them to put the PEI GBI demonstration project on their party’s platform. Your support is important. It will indicate to the MPs the breadth of support from people and organizations who understand how a GBI could affect the lives of people.
Please read and sign the letter. If you can, please share with your colleagues in the faith community.
Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvgQbs_WEYhjV9Nr60UKzsZfVhK03hv997bdp3YszgmZLPhQ/viewform
Sherbrooke Lake Camp Clean Up and Spring Splash – May 4th, 2024!
Spring has sprung and we are getting ready for a beautiful summer ahead! Camp has been in hibernation and we are SO excited to get some people out to enjoy the gorgeous grounds at Sherbrooke Lake! And this year we’re excited to pair that with our SPRING SPLASH!
This year’s annual camp clean up is May 4th from 10 am – 4 pm. We will be providing Camp Coffee, tea and hot chocolate for all who join us! At 12:00 noon, we will pause for a bite and we invite you to bring a packed lunch or picnic to enjoy on site while you’re here! At 3:00pm we invite folks to come to the beach to celebrate and cheer on the participants of our Spring Splash!
RSVP and register at the link here and check out our event
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>.
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.
Learning Opportunity!
This program is suitable for ministry leaders, admin staff, lay leaders, and students (in any program) … come learn with us!
What’s next for you and your organization? Are you trying to solve a problem, run an effective meeting, guide a special project, or help a group make decisions to advance from “A to B”? Do you need some further coaching and encouragement to help you move things forward?
Join Dr. Shawn Jolemore for a practical, three-part webinar series (May 9, 16, and 23) designed to explore the challenges of leadership, organization, and facilitation of “strategic convenings”. Shawn will offer real-world personal and professional insights while exploring tools, mindsets, and methodologies that will help you deepen your collaborations and achieve meaningful results. [IF YOU MISS A SESSION, IT WILL BE RECORDED FOR YOU.]
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
May is Gaelic Nova Scotia Month
May is Mìos nan Gàidheal | Gaelic NS Month and a host of events are planned.
For more information on Gaelic Month happenings or on Gaelic culture, please visit Comhairle na Gàidhlig The Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia’s website.
Taing mhòr.
