Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Weekly Announcements – October 30, 2024

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL

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.

Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Pastoral Relations News – October 2024

• Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Brenda McKay, retired, with Newport Pastoral Charge, September 26 to December 31, 2024.
• Approved the Supply Appointment of Dana Feltmate, retired, with the collaborative ministry of the three Glace Bay churches: Knox, Newsom and Warden/Chalmers, full time, October 1 to December 31, 2024.
• Approved the Supply Appointment of Mary Lynne Whyte with Stairs Memorial United Church, 20 hours/week, November 1 to December 31, 2024.
• Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Jenny Eisner, Ordained Supply, with Waverley Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, November 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Further Appointments for Rev. Eisner would require commencement of the Admissions process.
• Directed the Interim Ministry Transition Team at United Protestant Church to state distinct and clear initial interim goals to include in the position description.
• Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations of Linda Marcotte of Orchard Valley United Church, effective November 24, 2024.
• Approved the position description for a Supply minister at Riverview United Church, Elmsdale, and authorized Search.
• Next meeting: Friday, November 15, 2024.

Upcoming Covenanting Services

• 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)

Covenanting Service for Woodlawn United Church in Dartmouth

Woodlawn United Church invites you to a celebration of ministry as Bethe and I Covenant with our faith community in a more formal way on Sunday, November 3rd at 2 pm in our sanctuary at 54 Woodlawn Road. We hope you can come, there is no need to RSVP.

Finally, here is some exciting news, the preacher at this Covenanting Service is usually a UCC minister, but Bethe and I have opted instead to invite Shaureen Taweel, our foodbank coordinator, to deliver the sermon that afternoon. We are very excited she said yes! Shaureen is a lay member of St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Dartmouth.

If you ever have any questions for me, my cell is 902-817-2782, email kevinlittle@woodlawnunited.ca. You can find Bethe’s contact information on our website. Peace, Kevin Little

Joel Plaskett in Concert!

Thanks to a partnership with the Marigold Centre, First United Church in Truro is thrilled to be hosting the incredible Joel Plaskett on Thursday, November 7th at 7:30pm. Get your tickets early; seats are selling quickly, and are available at: https://tproatlantic.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/1618446160?aff=mcc

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 6^th, 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.

turkey-2024

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.

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!

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

Next FSLDW Affirm webinar

Our next webinar will be on 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. Watch for the sign up next week.

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 Wednesday, November 27th at 3PM at the Berwick Trinity United Church, 240 Commercial Street Berwick. Guest Speaker/Presider: Rev. Don Sellstead. All are welcome!

Minister Emeritus Service

On Sunday, November 17th at 2 pm, the Margate Pastoral Charge will bestow the honorary title of Minister Emeritus upon the Rev. Ches Boutilier at Southwest River United Church and will continue to celebrate afterwards with refreshments. All are invited to attend.

Bridgewater United Church Music Director Position

Are you looking for an opportunity to share your musical talents in a creative and innovative spirit-filled environment?

If you are a caring teacher, passionate musician, well organized and looking to create something diverse, new and dynamic with your talents and the music community we are looking for you!

Bridgewater United Church; Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, an Affirming Church Community within the United Church of Canada, has undergone a process to review and revitalized its vision for the Music Ministry at our Church. As such this new position and the successful candidate will inspire the congregation in worship with highly executed, planned, appropriate, diverse and modern approaches to music to facilitate the spiritual experience of all ages by engaging and encouraging members musical talent, rehearsing musical groups, finding external musicians for worship and by providing caring musical direction to our musicians!

https://www.bridgewaterunited.ca/employment-opportunities-at-b-united

Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon

Spread your joy in loving music, and embrace all those experiences where music can connect us with spirit. Consider “Singing through the Century” as a centenary celebration activity. Reach out to neighbours and help commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the United Church of Canada. Consider sharing music for each decade, or perhaps a quarter century. You might make a single event of it, or find a series of events works best. Perhaps pair with clothing and foods of the era. Music is a timeless gift. Apply for a centenary grant. What other groups can you join with to share the work and increase your celebrating and reaching your neighbours? What are you thinking about for Advent and Christmas? Could you do an ecumenical music event inviting all the community to get involved? Maybe you want to do a simple hymn sing and together increase invitation to more neighbours. Perhaps a talent show is in order. Perhaps explore different celebrations. Some communities of faith invite people to bring in their creches for a special event. Consider connecting with local multi-faith and multi-cultural groups to share music around the world, perhaps with foods from around the world as well. Feed your musical appetite.
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.

Candy Prayers To Share

Here is a list of candy prayers you might consider using with some of your treats. You might think of other ways to add prayerful opportunities with other treats and gifts. Share your ideas.

The Skittles Prayer Red: pray for someone you love Orange: pray for a friend or neighbour Green: thank God for one good thing in your life Yellow: pray for a leader or someone in charge Purple: pray for yourself – something you are sorry for, worried about, or need help with

The M&M Prayer Red: pray for someone you love Orange: pray for someone who is sick or hurt or needs healing Green: thank God for one good thing in your life Yellow: pray for a leader or someone in charge Blue: pray for a friend or neighbour Brown: pray for yourself – something you are sorry for, worried about, or need help with
The Smarties Prayer
Red: pray for someone you love Orange: pray for a neighbour Green: thank God for one good thing in your life Yellow: prayer for a leader or someone in charge Blue: pray for a friend Pink: ask forgiveness for something Purple: pray for something you are worried about Brown: ask God for something.

Job Opportunity – Executive Director, Tatamagouche Centre

Tatamagouche Centre is seeking an Executive Director; For full details of the position, please click here. The closing date for applications is November 22, 2024.