FSLDW Weekly Announcements - November 6, 2024

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)

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.

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

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

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!

Diversity Workshop

The Greater Saint John region is hosting a Diversity workshop on November 24 at 1:30pm at Quispamsis United Church. Please click here to view the poster for details.

Inclusion Seminar for Greater Saint John Area

Please see poster attached

Workshop Poster

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.

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.

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.

Greetings from Regional President

Hello all/Bonjour à tous,

On Nov. 21st, a lovely fall day, I attended the funeral of Rev. Robert (Bob) Hutcheson, held at Spring Park United in Charlottetown. Rev. Darin MacKinnon officiated, a large choir was present (see photo attached), Rev. Bob’s son spoke with love and humour on behalf of the family, and I brought greetings from our Region. One of Rev. Bob’s legacies was his dedication to Camp Abbey on PEI – he led a fundraising campaign in recent years, which garnered over $500,000 in funding for the camp!

I attended a day-long PEI Gathering for ministry personnel, retirees and lay leaders on Oct. 29th, with Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator Atlantic, as our special guest. Her words and wisdom, focussing on growth through collaboration and innovation, were most inspiring. Three other sessions were offered: one with a focus on our new hymn book “Then Let Us Sing”, a second on inter-generational worship and a third on Camp Abbey and outdoor ministry. There was plenty of social time with sharing of worship, food and song. An entirely uplifting day, with plans for more to come!

I am still on the lookout for choir photos, innovative ideas for Mission and Service, and would also appreciate hearing of ministerial retirements. Please send them to me at: susalemaistre@gmail.com

In faith/Avec foi,

Sue.