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.
Obituary for Michael Simmons
Please click here to view an obituary for Michael Simmons, who passed away on September 15, 2024.
Young Clergy Event Cancelled/Postponed
Unfortunately, though there was some interest in a fall gathering of young clergy, it was not enough to meet the minimum required attendees and so we had to cancel the fall event. Those who had previously registered and paid will be reimbursed. If there is to be a gathering in the Spring of 2025, someone will be reaching out early in January.
On behalf of the planning team, we hope that you have a blessed fall season.
Happy Anniversary!
On September 29, 2021 the FSLDW Region became an Affirming Region. Please click here to read a letter from the Chair of the Affirm Committee, Pix Butt.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
“On September 30th we observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or Orange Shirt Day. We witness and honour the healing journey of survivors, and families of the residential school experience, and we remember those who didn’t make it home…There is still a very long journey ahead of us as we seek to make things right. Racist or colonial policies continue to harm Indigenous children and their families.” (UCCAN) How can you embrace “Every child matters.”
Are you encouraging people to wear orange? We have an opportunity to be come better educated, to live into truth and reconciliation, to live in peace and friendship. Visit The United Church website for Indigenous Worship material. This is an Indigenous prayer adaptation of the Lord’s Prayer by Shane Goldie
Great Spirit, our Creator, who is in all places,
Sacred is your name.
May your wisdom guide us,
Your will be done in our lives, as it is throughout Creation.
Provide for us today the nourishment we need,
And forgive us our wrongs, as we forgive those who have wronged us.
Lead us on the path of understanding and respect,
And protect us from ignorance and harm.
For you are the source of all power, beauty, and love,
From generation to generation, forever and always. Amen” Keep making a difference. 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.
Fall 2024 granting round with United Church Foundation
If you’re curious whether your project is eligible for a grant, need support with your application or would like to discuss which program is the best fit, this is the perfect time to explore it together. Go right to our team’s calendar and schedule a time to chat via a video or phone One-on-one calls! Explore how the United Church Foundation might help
One Day’s Pay — Truth Then Reconciliation
We started as a small group of friends and colleagues, both settlers and newcomers, who wanted to do more than reflect on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – we wanted to act. We knew we were not alone in this. We have started the One Day’s Pay campaign to actively support Indigenous Non-profits across the land.
Please join us by donating one day’s pay or donating what you can to Women of First Light in eastern Canada to share native spirituality and traditional teachings. Their purpose is to heal their communities, families and society by remembering and returning to the the traditional ways of our ancestors.
https://www.womenoffirstlight.com/contact-8
Clergy Day for Rest and Renewal
A Clergy Day of Rest and Renewal will take place on Friday November 8th at Sackville UC from 9:30am-4:30pm. Cost is $25/person, including lunch. Only 20 spaces available! To register contact Natasha Pearen at 506-529-3527 or rev.natasha.nb@gmail.com by October 18th. A great opportunity to relax with colleagues before taking in the Moderator’s Flourishing Workshop in Moncton on Nov. 9th!
Click here for a poster of the event.
Seniors For Climate Action – Later is too Late!
There is a climate emergency: Antigonish is joining Seniors across Canada for a day of climate action with a multigenerational event on Tuesday, October 1 beginning at 11:45 AM at the corner of Main and Hawthorne. We will be walking along Main Street with stops at the Town Hall and at the MPs office with music at locations along the way. Everyone is welcome to join us. Our Facebook group is Seniors for Climate-Antigonish. A documentary is being made of all the Canadian communities participating including ours.
Seniors and Climate – Later is too Late!
There is a climate emergency – Later Is Too Late!
Seniors For Climate!
October 2nd we will be part of a National event on Seniors and Climate (mostly on) Oct 1, 2024 in 60+ locations across Canada. You are invited to come to an event in Halifax!
Date and Time: Wednesday Oct 2nd, 2024 12pm – 4pm
Location: St Andrews, United Church Hall — 6036 Coburg Rd (At Robie) Halifax
Speaker Topics: The NS Situation, Carbon In the Ocean, Energy Future and Affordability, Using the law to fight climate change, Fighting increasing pension investment in fossil fuels and carbon production.
See Exhibits with info and actions (not a complete list): Council of Canadians, Epilog, East Coast Environmental Law, Save Our Old Growth Forests, KAIROS Halifax, Coastal Protection Act, Save Our Wetlands, and more…
Halifax Facebook Event listing: https://www.facebook.com/events/528488506253907
Sponsored by KAIROS and NS Federation of Union Retirees.
Adult Discipleship Growth
There’s still time to enroll your community of faith in AST’s exciting new Atlantic School of Discipleship! Designed in consultation with Regional staff, this year-long program provides a solid foundation in Christian knowledge focussing on what difference that makes in the lives of followers of Jesus. Designed for congregational groups (up to five) or individuals, you will learn in the company of AST’s world class, ecumenical faculty. Registration deadline is fast approaching. More information and registration at Atlantic School of Discipleship.
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
Please register by Sept. 30th
Click here for the event poster.
Covenanting Service
A covenanting service between Candidate Huanyun (Julia) Ye, the Moncton-Sackville Collaborative Ministry and the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council will be held at Central United Church, 150 Queen St., Moncton, N.B. on Sunday, October 20th, 2024 at 2 p.m. This service will also recognize the covenant between the communities comprising the Collaborative which are Central United, Sackville Unted and Visions United. All are welcome.
May God richly bless this ministry between the newly formed Collaborative, Candidate Ye and our Region.
Covenanting Service
A covenanting service between Rev. Alicia Walls, St David’s United Church and the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council will be held at St David’s United Church, 7 Gondola Point Rd, Rothesay, N.B. on Sunday, October 27th, 2024 at 3 p.m. A reception will follow. All are welcome.
May God richly bless this ministry between the Rev Walls, St David’s and the Region.
Discipleship Webinar Series lead by Rev. Dr. I Ross Bartlett
The Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee of the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region is pleased to announce a series of weekly Webinars lead by Rev. Bartlett starting on Monday October 21st at 7pm Atlantic through to November 11th; each session will be approximately 1 hour in length with some time following for general discussion afterward. Registration information will be forthcoming, in the meantime the registration fee for the series will be $40. There is no text book for the series however Rev. Bartlett’s book “On Holy Ground – You and Your Faith Story” is a recommended companion/resource for the series; this book may be ordered at the time of registration for $10 plus $5 postage and handling or it is readily available, in several formats, from Amazon.ca. A link for registration will be provided in next week’s announcements.
Program Overview: For followers and disciples of Jesus Christ, recognizing and understanding the workings of God in our lives and the world is both gift and challenge. The gift of trusting that we are not alone and that this is God’s world and the challenge to see the work of God in creating and re-creating our lives, our communities, and all creation. But how do we do celebrate that presence and understand that work? In this four-part series, participants will be introduced to a number of ideas and practices designed to facilitate spiritual reflection on our experiences and events in the world around us. They will gain greater clarity on their spiritual journey to this point and develop a comfort in talking about their faith in gentle and inviting terms. The program will combine small group conversation, opportunities for personal reflection, as well as input, ideas and challenges to grow in our walk as followers of Jesus.
About the Instructor: After 35 years of congregational ministry, the Rev Dr Ross Bartlett was appointed United Church Formation Director at Atlantic School of Theology in 2018. He has been involved in lay education and retreat direction for more than 25 years as well as working with ministerial candidates. A spiritual director and certified life coach he is committed to helping individuals recognize the presence of the Divine in every life. Ross is the author of several books and is frequently sought out as a speaker, workshop leader, and preacher.
Flourishing Workshop: Nov. 9 Visions United Church
Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities.
Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (local time).
9:00am -9:30am Registration and coffee/tea
9:30am – Welcome and Introductions
Please click here for a further description of the workshop.
Registration (deadline is November 5, 2024)
The Mod on The Road
The Flourishing Project
Orchard Valley United Church Seeks a passionate Youth, Young Families & Senior Minister
Orchard Valley United Church in the beautiful Annapolis valley of Nova Scotia is looking for a Student or newly ordained/commissioned/recognized individual who falls in the UCC Salary Categories A or B. If you are a more seasoned Minister and wish to only work 30 hours per week then let us know. Our ideal individual will be passionate, enthusiastic and joyful about Youth, children and Young families. The position encompasses 55% to programming work. This will include a large focus on our younger generations but also some work with our seniors in supporting their needs. The position will spend 30% of their time with our current Minister for Pastoral Care mainly in our senior populations. Outreach will be another passion that our ideal candidate.
You can find our profile on Churchhub.ca. We look forward to hearing from you.
Minister Job Description
Profile Team Report
Rural Ministries Town Halls Connecting Us Nationally and Regionally
Rural Ministries and Rural Town Halls Connect Us Nationally and Regionally
On CHURCHx (the United Church’s online learning platform), register for free here: Course: Rural Ministry Town Halls (churchx.ca)
Upcoming dates: Wednesday, September 25, 1-2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, November 27, 1-2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, January 22, 1-2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, March 26, 1-2:30 pm ET
Wednesday, May 28, 1-2:30 pm ET
*Please log on up to 30 minutes prior to the start of any meeting to have some social time!You can share information, updates and questions on CHURCHx between town halls.
Contact Bronwyn Corlett, Rural Ministry Coordinator,
bcorlett@united-church.ca416-231-7680 | 1-800-268-3781 | ext. 3022
New from Prayer Bench for Creation
In this creation retreat, we draw on the profound insights of Emily Carr, a West Coast Canadian artist and author, exploring her deep connection to the landscape and the powerful sense of place she found in nature.
Learn more about Canvas of the Soul: https://prayerbench.ca/product/canvas-of-the-soul-retreat/
Use this resource:
as a worship resource for season of creation;
as a resource for a fall gathering of leaders or clergy cluster;
print or email and share with friends or a community of faith;
as a retreat day — personally — or with a group;
as a basis for a Con Ed days.
Pricing: $20-$40. See: https://prayerbench.ca/product/canvas-of-the-soul-retreat/ or email: Janice (at)prayerbench.ca
Greetings from Regional President
Hello/Bonjour,
I was so pleased to have participated in the recent covenanting service for David-Roger Gagnon, held at St. Paul’s United in Riverview, NB. What an uplifting service! Rev. Audrey Lounder presided and Claudette Derdaele delivered a thought-provoking message about the meaning and importance of “covenant” within our faith. There was much music, and those gathered sang in English and French. David-Roger has been involved leadership roles in our Church for many years as a lay person, and is now close to realizing his dream of becoming an ordained minister. Bravo!
I mentioned in my last message that there is a need in our Region to re-focus on Mission and Service. Were you aware that camps and university and hospital chaplaincy services (to name but a few) are supported by M&S? I have read that the United Church avoids third parties in the projects we support; we focus instead on initiatives where there is a UCC person or affiliate directly involved “on the ground”.
I would be interested in your ideas/best practices for fundraising in support of M&S at home and abroad. At my home church once every month we have “Nanny’s Purse” – I came across an old purse full of correspondence from the 1930’s that belonged to my grandmother. She was a devout and community-minded woman, and I was inspired to offer the purse as a receptacle for “a little extra for M&S”. We raised an additional $1,000 in the purse last year.
Photos of the covenanting service and “Nanny’s Purse” are attached. Please send ideas for M&S, choir photos and planned ministerial retirements to me by email at susalemaistre@gmail.com.
In faith,
Sue
2025 United Church Calendars
The United Church Bookstore is taking pre-orders for the 2025 United Church Calendar.
The cost of the calendars are $6.75 for an order of 10 or less and $6.50 for an order of 10 or more. This price includes taxes and shipping will be extra. Get your orders in early as we have only ordered a certain number.
First United Church, Bathurst, N.B.
First United Church in Bathurst is an established, welcoming, and theologically progressive community of faith with a long history of spiritual development and community engagement in the Bathurst area. This congregation always fully engages in the support of an identified and well-articulated community need.
We are currently seeking the services of full-time ministry personnel.
Our Mission statement states that:
We are living in an ever-changing world, in which we strive to be a visible sign of God’s presence and love.
We are a practical, yet caring, ministry, with members and adherents who possess many gifts and talents and who seek to make God and Christian living personally relevant, while addressing current needs of both our and the wider community.
If interested, please check out our Community of Faith Profile on the Church Hub or submit a letter of interest to firstunitedsearch2024@gmail.com
North Highlands Pastoral Charge Seeking
We are seeking a minister to journey with us along the beautiful and world famous Cabot Trail. We three churches are small but mighty and invite you to share your faith journey with us. We even have a manse for you to live in!!! Check out our profile on the Church Hub. Our search is now listed. We look forward to hearing from you.
Forms and Reports – A Reminder to submit
There are a number of Pastoral Charges that have not yet submitted their 2024 Pastoral Charge information forms and Annual Reports for 2023.
Please click on the link below to complete the 2024 Pastoral Charge form (if you have not already done so). If you have not had your annual meeting, and have the same people serving in the governing body, we ask you to still fill out the information forms.
FSLDW – Pastoral Charge 2024 Information Form
Annual Reports for 2023 – any pastoral charge still to submit their 2023 Annual Report is asked to email the report to the Regional office Info4RC14@united-church.ca at your earliest convenience.
We thank all Pastoral Charges who have already provided these documents to Regional Office, if unsure if your pastoral charge has submitted the form/report please email Info4RC14@united-church.ca.
Camp Director Job Posting
Camp Quin-Mo-Lac, a United Church camp in southeastern Ontario, is seeking a full time, permanent Camp Director — someone who is excited to lead a hardworking and fun-loving team, make a positive difference in the lives of children and young adults, and continue making Camp Quin-Mo-Lac the best camp ever! The Camp Director oversees camp operations and programming throughout the year. For more information, please see the PDF attached or go to https://quin-mo-lac.org/camp-director-job-posting. The deadline for applying is October 14, 2024.
