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.
To view upcoming events at the the Centre for Christian Studies please click here.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Committee Volunteer form.
Condolences: Rev. Robert -Bob- G Hutcheson
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Robert -Bob- G Hutcheson who passed away on October 19th.
Please click here to view the obituary.
Condolences: Gail Golding (a Diaconal Minister)
Our condolences are extended to the family of Gail Golding (a Diaconal Minister) who passed away on October 16th
Gail’s funeral service will be Friday, October 25th at 2:00 at St. John’s United Church Halifax (6025 Stanley Street). Reception to follow.
Please click here to view the obituary.
Upcoming Covenanting Services
• Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m. Bethany United, Halifax with Martha Martin
• Sunday, November 3, 2:00 p.m. Woodlawn United, Dartmouth, with Kevin Little and Bethe Benjamin
• Sunday, November 10, 1:00 p.m. Knox United, Lower Sackville, with Interim Minister Tom Woods
• Sunday, November 24, 2:00 p.m. Crossroads Pastoral Charge (at Trinity, Timberlea), with Kevin Cox
• Sunday, December 1, 2:00 p.m. Middle Musquodoboit (at Middleton United), with Annika Sangster
Annual Meetings – Save the Date
The Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council will meet online May 14-15, 2025 for the business portion of their meeting. On May 30-June 1, 2025 the Region will join Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council in Sackville, NB, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of The United Church of Canada.
Save the dates and as more information becomes available it will be posted to the 2025 Annual Meeting webpage. (2025 Annual Meeting webpage)
Celebration of a New Minister
Celebration of a New Minister: A covenanting service will take place in the community of faith of Bethany United Church for Rev. Martha Martin who has been called to serve as Supply Lead Minister. We lift our thanks for the blessing of her service. Do join us.
3pm – Sunday, October 27, 2024, Sanctuary –
Bethany United Church, 7171 Clinton Avenue
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Linda Yates
Living Faith Stories Workshop – CANCELLED
Unfortunately, due to low registration numbers, the upcoming Living Faith Stories workshop, planned for Saturday, Oct. 26th at Orchard Valley United Church, has been cancelled.
We hope to run a Zoom version of this workshop in the early part of 2025.
So, stay tuned for details regarding that event.
If you are looking for specific guidance or support as you and your congregation craft and utilize your Living Faith Story, you are welcome to reach out to the Faith Stories and Community Covenant Committee directly, by contacting Rev. Daniel MacDonald at centralminister@bellaliant.com
Blessings on your ongoing ministry!
“Faith in a Time of Genocide” – UNJPPI Conference
“Faith in a Time of Genocide” November 1-2, 2024 is the United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel (UNJPPI) national gathering in Toronto. There is a hotel room discount available until October 4th. Scholarships are available for students. People can also register for the pre-conference: a training on the Palestine Land Exercise. Please register here.
We have an exciting line of up of speakers and leaders for the conference, including Shadia Qabti, Tarek Al-Zoughbi, Ilan Pappé, Allison Tanner, Bailey Eastwood, Rabbi David Mivasair, Beisan Zubi and Ron Dart.
Profiles of the speakers and more information can be found here.
Video License Applications Now Open
Video license applications are now open for annual licenses from January 2025 to December 2025. Many churches benefit from the opportunity to show films and clips during worship and at events, and require a public performance license (or video license) to do it legally. The United Church of Canada offers discounted access to annual licenses from both Audio Ciné Films and Criterion Pictures. To access more information about the licenses, including pricing, please visit: https://rtps.ca/UCC/Categories/license.php. If you have not had a chance to register for Buying United, please do so using the code united (all lowercase).
Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/6u3DdenSF8
Applications Due by November 6th, 2024
Youth & Young Families Ministry Position at Orchard Valley United
Have you recently graduated from one of our theological schools? Are you excited about working with Children & Young families? Do you enjoy Pastoral Care? Then Orchard Valley may be a great fit for you! Orchard Valley United Church is looking for a Full-time (Category A or B) minister to guide our Youth & Young Families programs. We are a vibrant Faith community and we are excited about building on the programs we have and supporting those in our community that need that extra care. We have a strong outreach program that you would be involved in as well. Please reach out to us and get to know us.
You can find out more about us at our website.
Job Description: and Church Profile
Please contact our Search Team Secretary: Jane McDonald, email: jemcdonald56@gmail.com or by phone: 902-670-5514
Learning Events:
As a commitment to providing connection and learning, Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council has asked committees to take a turn hosting webinars. Our November learning event is being hosted by the Affirm Committee: Please see information and registration below.
Zoom Webinar November 13, 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Are you looking to learn more about the letters in 2SLGBTQIA+?
Join us for a workshop offered by a representative from our Affirm team, Katie Logan. Katie is a candidate for ordered ministry serving on the South Shore of NS and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Katie will be offering an introductory workshop on romantic and sexual attraction & orientation. This workshop encourages brave discussions and questions to foster a space for learning why it’s important for us to recognize and respect people’s identity. This workshop aims to be accessible for those who are unfamiliar or those seeking to learn more about 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.
Register Now! Click HERE to register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email, containing information and links to join the event.
Happy Ha Ha Holidaze
Sing along to some of your favourite Christmas music and laugh away your cares with some quirky characters. The Caper Holidaze crew is set to deliver a unique seasonal celebration full of good feelings and some down home East Coast Christmas spirit.
Happy Ha Ha Holidaze is a music and comedy Christmas experience that invites you to enjoy over two hours of your favourite (and new!) Christmas sounds, stories and characters.
Featuring Jenn Sheppard, Heather Rankin, Terrance Murphy, Stephen Muise, Fred Lavery, Colin Grant & Emily Dingwall.
Tickets available through eventbrite.ca
Tickets $40/person (plus fees)
Knox United Turkey Supper
Knox United is hosting a Turkey Supper on Saturday, November 23, 2024. This annual fundraiser is always a favourite and features a full turkey supper; turkey, dressing, vegetables, roll and apple crisp.
Tickets are on sale now by calling the church office between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Adults $20 Child $15
Dine-in from 5 – 6 p.m.
Take-out from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
An Anniversary Afternoon of Song
oin the celebration as Knox United celebrates 133 years of worship and a newly renovated Casavant pipe organ! Our Knox Choir, under the direction of John Lindsay-Botten, is pleased to present an afternoon of song both sacred and secular. There will be special guest musicians and soloists and a hymn sing as well!
We look forward to seeing you at Knox United in Lower Sackville.
(567 Sackville Drive)
Who Will Remember? Poetry and Songs from the First World War
Mark Remembrance Day by honouring the service of the soldiers of World War I. Features songs from both the music halls and trenches – recruiting songs, marching songs, drinking songs and more. Songs that took soldiers to battle, kept their spirits alive and helped them lament their losses along with poems that capture the gritty reality of warfare from the perspective of those who served. Their voices are as relevant today as ever.
One performance only on Sunday November 10th, 3 pm, at Aylesford United Church, 2414 Highway 1, Aylesford. Wheelchair accessible. Admission is a free will offering. Funds raised will support Doctors without Borders and Aylesford United Church.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Regional Affirm Committee Facebook Page
The Bermuda Nova Scotia Regional Affirm Committee would like to announce that we now have a Facebook Page! To find and follow us, please go to Bermuda Nova Scotia Regional Affirm Committee in your FB browser and click the “follow” button.
Building a Better Present: SCOCANS fall gathering
Join the Ecology Action Centre and the Spiritual Coalition on Climate Action in Nova Scotia (SCOCANS) for a fall gathering! The focus of this free event is to bring people of all faiths together to share knowledge, to learn and to take action on climate issues.
SCOCANS is dedicated to advocacy for environmental and social justice through supporting faith groups interested in reducing their environmental footprint and providing a platform for exchange between participating groups and individuals.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Grace Chapel (255 Ross St, Halifax, NS, B3M 4B3)
Accessibility: There is a large parking lot for onsite parking, direct access via Halifax Transit bus and the building is wheelchair accessible. The event will be held on the main floor.
This is a free event with lunch and snacks provided. Registration required through the link below.
https://ecologyaction.ca/get-involved/events/building-better-present
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
What creative ideas do you have to get to know others in the neighbourhood work world around you? Do you know your neighbourhood service providers, retailers, the gifts of people who provide goods, services and meet the needs of those around you? A local meat market recently provided meat for a church fundraiser as they appreciated the community outreach and food bank the church supported. The generosity of human caring, kindness, compassion, the “golden rule” that is reflected in all religions may provide opportunities for neighbours to support neighbours in your local context. One community of faith is widening their welcome and strengthening invitation, sensitive to challenges faced when trying to find workers who offer reasonable, reliable and quality work. inviting people in their community of faith to share their work if they offer goods or services, and to share about people in the neighbourhood who they have experienced as trustworthy. The idea is to work towards gathering permissions to create a directory of local providers. One member of the fundraiser team of that community of faith, kicked it off with telling the community of faith about their business, and offering a five-per cent donation from work done, if the client/customer indicated they had heard about their work through the church. Every community of faith will be different in its geography, its needs and possibilities. If you’ve not been on a prayer walk or prayer drive recently, it might be a great time to have a small group observe and offer prayers as you tour your local neighbourhood afresh. 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.
Environmental Justice Guest Preacher
Hi Green Enthusiasts! Your passion and dedication to repairing our environment are inspiring. Every small action you take contributes to a larger movement towards a sustainable future. Remember, change often starts with one person, and your efforts can motivate others to join the cause. Keep advocating for renewable energy, conservation, and sustainable practices. Together, we can make a difference—every step counts! Stay hopeful, stay active, and keep believing in the power of collective action! 🌍💚
Every day and every season is a good time to reflect on and to find ways to act for climate and environmental justice. We have been blessed with the wonders of God’s creation of nature and entrusted with its stewardship. If your church is open to a guest speaker on a Sunday morning or any other time of the week, you may want to invite Rev. Charles Bull to speak. Meet and talk with him about your interest and find a time that works for both of you.
GUEST PREACHER
I am a retired Anglican Minister with a vocation to help people become engaged in environmental issues. I would be pleased to come and preach some Sunday on an environmental theme at any United Church within an hour’s drive of Halifax. I present an interactive Good News message, in order to give hope and motivation to those who are concerned about the state of the world but may be feeling a little hopeless and helpless. I would discuss the sermon with the Minister ahead of time, to tailor it to the congregation with regard to their attitudes and level of engagement with environmental issues. Please email me at charlesbull97@gmail.com or call 902 210 9371.
The Rev. Canon Charles Bull
Let’s get the conversation going!
“A Sentimental Journey ~ Songs of the War Years”
On Sunday, November 3 @ 2 pm, Pictou United Church (Pictou NS) will host “A Sentimental Journey: Songs of the War Years” in tribute to our veterans and performed ahead of Remembrance Day services on November 11th.
This captivating two-hour show encompasses some of the most beloved songs associated with the war years with periodic news bulletins throughout the program following the Canadian Forces’ efforts in the European theatre of war.
The presentation originally ran throughout the province for twenty years and features some of Pictou County’s best-known singers.
Tickets are $25 and are available @ PUCoffice@pictouunited.com or by calling the church office 902 485-8081.
Come and Enjoy an afternoon filled with the most beloved and remembered songs and music of the war years.
FIRST UNITED TRENTON INVITES YOU TO A BAKED BEAN & BROWN BREAD DINNER
Saturday, November 16th, 2024
4:00pm-6:00pm at First United Church Trenton
81 High Street, Trenton
$15.00/person: includes baked beans, brown bread, pie, tea/coffee/juice
Eat In or Take Out
Baked-Beans-Brown-Bread-November-2024
Celebration of A New Ministry (Covenanting Service)
A Covenanting Service between the Berwick Trinity United Church Pastoral Charge and the Rev. Mary Jo Harrison is scheduled for Sunday, November 27th at 3PM at the Berwick Trinity United Church, 240 Commercial Street Berwick. Guest Speaker/Presider: Rev. Don Sellstead. All are welcome!