NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
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.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Ministry and Personnel Committee Workshop
M&P 101
An introductory webinar for Ministry and Personnel Committee members will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Berwick Trinity United Church, 240 Commercial Street, Berwick. Lunch will be provided. The workshop will be facilitated by Regional Minister David Hewitt.
Topics will include:
• Purpose and function of M&P Committee
• Confidentiality and Accountability
• Record keeping
• Annual Reviews
• Conflict
• Leaves
• Resources
• Q&A
Please register here in order to confirm numbers for lunch and other arrangements:.
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
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
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.
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!
Next FSLDW Affirm webinar: Understanding Guaranteed Livable (Basic) Income
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.
Please sign up here.
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
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.
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!
Covenanting Service for Rev. Nick Phillips and the St. John’s Pastoral Charge
The St. John’s Pastoral Charge invites you to join with us in celebrating the covenanting of Rev. Nick Phillips with our churches and community. The service will be November 17, 2pm at St. Matthew’s United Church, 78 Church Street, Inverness, with a light lunch following. The guest preacher will be Rev. John Tapscott.
Stewardship Update – November 2024
See the attached file here.
Church Property Network
The Church Property Network is an initiative led by the United Church of Canada and the United Property Resource Corporation (UPRC) to support communities of faith with property solutions. Starting November 13th, this monthly webinar series will explore topics to help increase the vitality of your church property. Topics covered will range from increasing revenue through rental strategies to energy efficiency, to how to start tackling that leaky roof. Bring all your questions to the Church Property Network so we can learn together.
What Can You Expect?
Monthly workshops and webinars
Peer-to-peer learning through discussion forums
Q & A where no question too big or too small
Expertise from United Church partners, such as The Toronto United Church Council and Faith and the Common Good
When?
2nd Wednesday of the month at 7 pm ET
Upcoming
November 13: Kick-Off Session – What are we asking? What are we hearing? What is most helpful?
Please click here for more information.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
As temperatures drop, and you might even have had the odd snowflake, what is warming your heart for activities to bring people together? Have you considered gathering in homes, perhaps of those who cannot get out to church? intentionally gathering in seniors centres? care facilities? community centres, and public spaces that create opportunities for people to come together who might not usually gather? Some communities of faith are thinking about winter challenges such as who is missing, snow removal, not being reliably able to gather in the regular morning time, heating costs and are creatively planning alternatives. What would it mean for you to plan for worship in an afternoon? Plan events back-to-back to save costs for heat? relocating and combining with others? Communities of faith that are working with others in their neighbourhood and geographical areas are turning obstacles into opportunities, Create connections. Address our challenges of being lonely and our longing for socialization. Break bread together for fun and fellowship. Ask your neighbours what they need. How might you warm the heart of another, bring a moment of joy and laughter, brighten the day of another? What new thing can you experiment with? 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.
