NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
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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.
To view upcoming events at the the Centre for Christian Studies please click here.
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW) Committee Interest form.
Pastoral Relations Committee – November 12, 2024
• Approved the appointment of Rev. Audrey Lounder to the Mount Royal United Church effective April 1 to June 30, 2025.
• Approved sacramental privileges for DLM David-Roger Gagnon.
• Approved the closure of the Wellington Community of Faith effective December 1, 2024.
Advent Message from the President of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council
November 25, 2024
Hello to you all/ Bonjour à vous tous,
As we approach Advent, with winter closing in, I am reminded of my childhood and the feelings evoked by the Season: waiting, anticipation, excitement, twinkling lights, the prospect of presents, but especially the mystery of it all!
We kids had questions, particularly about the circumstances surrounding the birth of Baby Jesus…how could a lady on a donkey survive the cold on the long road to Bethlehem? What would it have been like to have a baby in a barn? What kind of huge star could have led wise men to visit from so far away? Why would angels bother to come to men looking after sheep in the fields to announce the birth?
These questions were eventually answered, some back then, and some more recently. We learned that Bethlehem was a warmer place than where we lived. As to having a baby in a barn, we ourselves had plenty of experience lying in comfy hay and feeling quite cozy from the heat of the horses, even when it was freezing out and the snow was flying. Then, in our early teens, my brother and I attended a “Star of Bethlehem” show at the Dow Planetarium in Montreal – apparently, there really was an exceptionally bright stellar phenomenon all those years ago.
Aging has helped me gain my own understanding of lowly shepherds and kings alike being awed by this particular birth. For Jesus’ teachings of love, inclusion and neighbourly compassion are for every one of us.
And, as the Holy Spirit is available to those of us who look for it, is this not the meaning of Christmas, which has survived these couple of thousand years? I believe so!
May it also be so for you and yours throughout Advent, Christmas and beyond.
In faith/Avec foi,
Next FSLDW Affirm webinar: Understanding Guaranteed Livable (Basic) Income
Our next webinar is today Nov 27 at 7 p.m. We have all been hearing about Guaranteed ( or Basic) Livable Income…. We want to spend some time getting some facts and having good discussion. Lauren King from the GLI working group will be our presenter.
Please sign up here.
St. Andrew’s UC New Richmond 185 Birthday
St. Andrew’s United Church
185th Anniversary Celebrations!
The cornerstone of our church was laid on November 30th, 1839, so this year marks 185 years of faith and service in our community. We are planning several activities to celebrate this achievement and hope that you, whether a regular church attendee or not, will come and celebrate with us.
For all who are and have been a part of St. Andrew’s, on November 30th, between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, we will gather in the church hall with music, coffee, tea and sweets while we share stories of our memories of the church through the years.
On December 1st at 10:00 am our service will celebrate 185 years of faith and service and will include Holy Communion. All who have helped us through the years to be of service in the community are invited.
For more information, please contact us at: st.andrewsuc@telus.net
Click here to view the poster.
Greetings from Regional President
Hello/Bonjour,
Winter is in the air, and that magical season of Advent is approaching….
Since becoming Regional President I have learned so much, and have been invited to many special events. Most recently (Nov. 17th) I was asked to bring greetings on behalf of all of you in our Region to the installation of a “Minister Emeritus”. Rev. Ches Boutilier was conferred this title by the Margate Pastoral Charge, PEI, where he served many years until his retirement. This title is bestowed to someone who is “retired and retaining one’s title as an honour”. Ellen Locke, Candidate Supply Minister on the Charge, officiated and delivered a touching message to a full congregation at Southwest River United Church. Those gathered shared a lovely cake at the reception following the afternoon service. A photo of Rev. Ches is attached.
Rev. Elizabeth Stevenson, Past Regional President, attended two events in my stead recently. She presided at the Covenanting of Rev. Alicia Walls with St. David’s United Church in Saint John, NB, with Rev. Sally Budge preaching – congratulations to Rev. Alicia, and may the Holy Spirit be with her and her Community of Faith as they begin their journey together. As well, on Nov. 2nd Rev. Elizabeth attended the Anglican Synod meeting held in Fredericton, as an ecumenical guest.
Please continue to email me choir photos, notices of retirements of ministry personnel and any interesting fundraising activities for M&S, at susalemaistre@gmail.com.
In faith/Avec foi,
Sue
Advent Planning Resources
The last run through of the theme as a whole is Thursday Nov 21 at 2pm on zoom. We’ll also go over a “to-do” list for the season so nothing catches you off guard.
Please click here to go to the registration for Thursday:
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Your Faith Formation and Education Committee is here to help.
Don’t have a plan for Advent/Christmas liturgies yet? Not quite happy with what you do have? We’ve got you covered!
FSLDW’s Faith Formation and Education Committee is sponsoring the work of Annika Sangster, The Stories We Share, to help you with this very busy season all the way through to Epiphany. Clergy, worship leaders, and/or congregations in FSLDW are welcome to sign up for the program, or any parts that will be helpful, and the cost will be covered for you.
We encourage joining the full program so you can participate in the Zoom conversations and find additional inspiration.
See the attached infographic for the link to more information and how to order or join. And be sure to mention that you are from Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region.
We hope this will help you all to experience a meaningful Advent Season and joyous Christmas.
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Opportunity in beautiful PEI – FT Minister for Single Point Charge
We are still searching for a full time Ministry Personnel position to join us. We are an accepting and welcoming, multi-generational community of faith in rural Prince Edward Island. St. Andrew’s United Church is a single-point charge located in Vernon Bridge, centered between two growing towns: Stratford and Montague. The work we do at St. Andrew’s is connected to our Christian faith. We believe that as we work to connect the Church and our Christian values to the surrounding communities and the people within them, we are acting as disciples of Christ by making it a place where all people can come together to join in worship and prayer. Our attitude of acceptance and neighbourly conduct is a pillar in the way we worship. All are welcome in our church. Find our advertisement in Church Hub, email the search committee for our Community of Faith Profile saintandrewssc2024@gmail.com or view our Facebook profile.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
There are seven parts and seven Activities.
Each Activity is a series of questions.
The video link is https://youtu.be/hg-pPuTjSPM
People might want to watch it individually in order to think about best use. A two-hour block with about ten minutes for each of the first six activity sections and the seventh activity a take-away to come back and meet about at another time is one way to plan your time. Some might want to use it over seven gatherings, perhaps as spiritual conversation. Some may want to use only a single clip that focuses on an area of interest, to get some conversations started. Please contact me to get the accompanying handout and to discuss how I can come alongside and support you.
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.
General Council Youth Forum 2025
General Council Youth Forum is an opportunity for young people to participate in the education, decision-making, and community of General Council 45 of The United Church of Canada. Its aim is to ensure that young people have a voice in the denomination-shaping issues and decisions for the next three years in the life of the church. It’s an opportunity to speak to issues that matter to young people, to share ideas, and to connect with peers and other members and leaders of the General Council. Click the link to the FAQ for more information, or email Catherine Stuart cstuart@united-church.ca Applications are due December 20, 2025.
Register here!
Hillsborough United Church Online Auction and Sale
Hillsborough United Church Online Auction and Sale (Facebook Page) We are all set to go live with our online auction on Sunday, December 8 at 1 pm. Visit our Facebook public group to see all the items and baked goodies available for bidding and purchase! The auction and sale will run until Wednesday, December 11 at 8 pm. All money raised will be designated to the Mission & Service fund and outreach projects! Visit the Facebook group page (Facebook Page), place some bids and join in the ‘fun’draising! If you have questions, drop us a line at huc1862@gmail.com
