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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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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 – Scott Martin
Our condolences are extended to Max Martin and family on the death of his father, Scott Martin, who passed away this morning on July 24, 2024. An obituary will be posted once it is available.
Gospel Song Workshop at St. Andrews in Lockeport led by Patricia Watson
Patricia Watson and Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song invite everyone to a Gospel Song Workshop on Saturday July 27, 2024 10:30 – 12 at St. Andrews United Church 83 Hall St. Lockeport NS. This is a free event at the festival and supported by the church.
“Where Olive Trees Weep”
There will be a viewing of the film, “Where Olive Trees Weep,” at St Andrew’s Hfx on Sunday, July 28th at 7pm.
“Where Olive Trees Weep” offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice.
We follow, among others, Palestinian journalist and therapist Ashira Darwish, grassroots activist Ahed Tamimi, and Israeli journalist Amira Hass. We also witness Dr. Gabor Maté offer trauma-healing work.
You can register to come, or just drop in.
Noel Pastoral Charge 150th Anniversary Celebration
This year we are celebrating 150 years of ministry at Noel United Church.
To celebrate we are planning two services on August 4, 2024. The first is at our regular service time of 10:30am. We will welcome a former minister as a guest speaker with a pot luck meal to follow. We will also celebrate at 7:00pm with a historical presentation recalling the many changes over the years. Lunch provided afterward.
Everyone welcome to help celebrate
Please RSVP to:
Betty Miller, Chair of Anniversary Committee
5784 Highway 215 Noel Shore NS B0N 1T0
Email: betty.miller@ns.sympatico.ca
Opera and Pop Community Concert – August 11 at 7 pm at Stairs Memorial, Dartmouth
Save the date of Sunday, August 11th for an amazing night of opera and pop! We would love to have you come and support Rita and Dunnery. If you are unable to come, please share this post for us! We greatly appreciate all the support! Stairs Memorial is offering this event to the community as we are so blessed to have Marharyta (Rita) Sharko, an opera student from Kharkiv, Ukraine. She has recently moved to Nova Scotia, but is from a small town in Ukraine, and her love for music started there. She has been studying music for almost 15 years and still continues. She loves performing and has participated in many concerts all over Ukraine, in the rest of Europe, and also in Alberta, where she had been living for 2 years. She hopes to continue sharing her love for opera and Ukrainian Folk Songs by performing here, in Halifax, as well as around Nova Scotia. Opening for Rita is local musician and singer, Dunnery Bond, who attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. Calling Nova Scotia home, he continues to sing and play with a band and pursue other musical endeavors. We are so excited to have them both!
Please see the poster for details!
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
How are youth finding welcome and belonging when coming to our community of faith? Colleague and fellow growth animator Rev. Tori Mullin attended the Rendezvous Audacious Hope gathering of 450 youth and their leaders from the United Church of Canada and the Presbyterian Church, in early July. Youth are experiencing not being welcomed or belonging at communities of faith. They are concerned if their friends would be welcomed if invited. Read Tori’s blog: https://united-church.ca/blogs/round-table/boldly-welcome-young-people
As we think more deeply about how we are bold disciples, share this article with your leadership or congregation, How might we ensure the belonging we yearn for is really happening? Let’s talk about it! 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.
Reminder of Care from your Clergy Assoc. and The Retiree’s Support
A friendly reminder to all members of Bermuda/Nova Scotia Regional Council that we are the Church and as such we need to care for our members especially in times of illness, difficulties, and grief. As chaplain for the Association of United Church Clergy, I endeavour to reach out whenever I hear of such times but as in congregational life, if we don’t know of such times, people can get overlooked. So this notice is to remind us ALL to email me if you know of anyone who might need a note, a call, or even a visit. Also this applies to not only members of the aUCC but to all clergy and retired clergy. In the case of retired clergy, it would be appreciated if you would reach out to Rev. Stephen Mills as the chair of the Regional Retirement Support Committee.
Our contacts are: Rev. Gloria Churchill gloriaechurchill@gmail.com
Rev. Stephen Mills jogginsboy@yahoo.ca
2025 Mission Support Grant Applications
The 2025 Mission Support Grant applications are now available here. Deadline for completed application and supporting documentation is Friday, September 20, 2024 and can be forwarded to: jwhittemore@united-church.ca or mailed to the Regional Office.
The United Church of Canada Foundation’s Fall 2024 grant round is now open!
Seeds of Hope grants support unique and innovative ventures that are ready to make an impact in our United Church and beyond. We are excited to learn what you’re up to!
The Joint Grants Committee is now welcoming applications for new, unique projects which are:
• Providing innovative seniors’ ministry
• Celebrating and encouraging children and youth
• Addressing environmental and social justice issues
• Looking at new ways to provide ministry and support during transition periods
• Facilitating experiencing faith and spirituality
Also granting this round are the Rowntree Scholarship, Alvin Dixon Memorial Bursary, Promotion Project Fund, Centennial Granting Fund and United, we.
Seeds of Hope applications are due October 15, 2024; other deadlines vary, so please check the terms before you apply. Learn more: http://unitedchurchfoundation.ca/grants/seeds-of-hope/
3 New United Church of Canada Foundation Grant Opportunities
The United Church of Canada Foundation is thrilled to announce 3 exciting new grant programs that will commence this Fall!
United, we
Introducing a huge boost to our trust-based granting program: “United, we”, our new dedicated trust-based granting stream!
In each of the next two years (2024 and 2025), up to $100,000 will be available through ‘United, we’ to support impactful existing work at United Church organizations and partners who otherwise would not qualify for funding through current granting programs.
Centennial Granting Fund
As we approach the United Church of Canada Centennial, many communities of faith will be eager to hold services and activities in celebration. This program will provide funding for events marking the milestone, emphasizing the importance of uniting to commemorate this historic achievement.
Communities of faith and other organizations planning special events to commemorate the Centennial can apply for grants of up to $5,000.
Promotion Project Fund
Owing to the generosity and creativity of a Foundation donor, this program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to support congregations in their marketing efforts as they seek to attract members, promote their vital ministries, and retain a strong community presence.
Learn more and apply now: https://unitedchurchfoundation.ca/united-church-of-canada-foundation-new-grant-programs/
Godly Play Core Training
Oct 18-19 and Nov 15-16, Sackville NB
Training is offered in modules over two weekends:
Friday 4-9pm to Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm.
We will explore Godly Play as a creative approach to nurturing children’s faith. A workshop to empower and inspire.
For more information and to register, and please contact:
godlyplaymaritimes.com or
registrargodlyplaymaritimes@gmail.com
Click here for a poster of the event.
https://godlyplaymaritimes.com
Preparing people for elections
Here is a wonderful resource to use when candidates for election come calling. It’s a little primer on basic income which will help you ask important questions of each candidate This is the opportunity not to be missed. Please click here to view the resource.
