NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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It’s Your Call – Podcast
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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 Pastoral Relations News – November 2024
• Approved the Call of Kathleen Anderson with Hope United Church, full time, effective November 1, 2024. David Hewitt, Liaison.
• Approved the Profile for a Supply ministry position with Fort Massey United Church and authorize Search.
• Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations from Dana Pardy of Petite Riviere Pastoral Charge, effective June 30, 2025.
• Approved the Profile and position description from Boularderie Pastoral Charge and authorized Search for a 25 hours/week position. Dianne Kempt, Liaison.
• Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of Retirement from Jim Webber-Cook of Saltspring Scotsburn Lyons Brook Pastoral Charge, effective July 1, 2025.
• Next meeting: Friday, December 13, 9:00 a.m.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Ministry and Personnel Committee Workshop
M&P 101
An introductory workshop for lay members of Ministry and Personnel Committees 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 to assist in planning and meal preparation.
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
Condolences – Rev. Jim Crooks
Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Jim Crooks, who passed away on September 22, 2024. A celebration of life was held on Sunday, November 17, 2024 on the stage of the Imperial Theatre in Saint John from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Please click here to view the obituary now made available.
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.
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.
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.
Monthly Ecumenical Clergy Gathering
Clergy are invited to the Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica glebe house at 11am on Thursday 28 November for coffee and conversation.
Drive in at 5221 Spring Garden Road and park between the church and the red brick house. Come to the door under the canopy.
Please contact me at bmacmillan@halifaxyarmouth.org if you wish to receive reminders for future gatherings.
Father Brian Macmillan
Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
A small planning group is working on a series of services in HRM for WPCU 2025 using resources from here.
Sunday 19 January All Saints Anglican Cathedral.
Monday 20 January Resurrection Lutheran
Thursday 23 January Northwood Long Term Care
Sunday 26 January Saint Benedict Roman Catholic Parish
A UCC preacher has been identified and now we are looking for a UCC venue for Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. We think this is important as it is your centennial year. Please get in touch with me if you can host on one of those days. The host church arranges for the service and the planning group can suggest a preacher from another denomination.
PAX
Father Brian Macmillan
Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
Basic Income Guarantee (BIG-NS) / Guaranteed Liveable Income (GLI)
Come to a “Lunch and Learn” to find out how a Basic Income Guarantee could work to address poverty in our communities, and how we can be part of this economic change.
Guest speakers: Catherine Sweet, secretary of BIG-NS (big-ns.org) and instructor at DAL, and Waye Mason, former councillor with the Halifax Regional Municipality.
When: Sunday, Nov 24th at noon in the sanctuary.
Where: St Andrew’s United, Halifax (corner of Coburg and Robie)
RSVP: as a light lunch will be provided – (our Facebook link), or for those who don’t have FaceBook access, email andreaharrison.ucc@gmail.com.
Questions for Election Candidates
When candidates come to your door or phone you for your support does your mind go blank on questions you would like them to answer? As people of faith, we would like to have candidates that reflect our values about respecting people and all of God’s Creation. For many elections, Grace United Church and Christ Church (Anglican) of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia have jointly hosted an All-Candidates Forum. Unfortunately our planned All Candidates Forum for Dartmouth South was cancelled as we were not able to get agreement from all candidates to participate. The questions we had developed, supplemented by some background information, are being made available as we feel strongly that questions about social justice need to be asked. If any church has an interest in conducting an All Candidates Forum, we would be pleased to share our experience and process with you. Please contact Shirley Hazen at shazen@gracedartmouth.ca.
Please click here to view the questions!
GLI and the NS Election
– GLI and the NS election
Friends as the NS election campaign get in full swing in the Province, there will be multiple opportunities to speak to the candidates on various issues. One that must have priority for all of us is poverty with NS one of the provinces statistically with the highest rate. It is an excellent chance to raise the matter of Guaranteed Livable Income to address the Poverty curse.
Below we are copying a message we received from Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird of BIG-NS. She has offered some very helpful suggestions if you are attending a candidate’s meeting, or if a political candidate comes to your door. Please share these as widely as you can. (Hal and Karen Llewellyn)
Here are some things you can do before the election on November 26th:
1. Show your support for a BIG (Basic Income Guaranteed)
1. Hang a poster in your window. You can make your own (e.g., “This household supports a basic income guarantee for Nova Scotians”) or download and print a poster from the Basic Income NOW website.
2. Sign the Basic Income NOW, Atlantic Canada consensus statement.
2. Discuss BIG with candidates and/or canvassers
1. Hang our door-hanger on your door and have candidates sign it.
2. Have a discussion when they come to your door or drop by their campaign office to talk.
3. Ask what candidates’ positions are on BIG. Explore their reasons for supporting or not supporting BIG.
4. You can use this Talking Points document to help you with discussions.
5. Ask candidates to sign the Basic Income NOW, Atlantic Canada consensus statement. You can sign it too!
We have many helpful resources available to support your efforts:
• The basic income we want: Definition and Principles
• FAQs
• Cases for Basic Income series
• Short video
• BIG Infographic and other great infographics developed by NS Community Health Boards
• Municipalities that have passed resolutions supporting a BIG. Over 78% of Nova Scotians live in municipalities that have passed resolutions!
Keep an eye out for other opportunities: If there is a candidate debate in your area, can you ask the moderator to add a question about BIG? If not, pose a question about BIG from the floor!
Elizabeth Kay-Raining Bird
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
We may be thinking about Advent, but it’s time to think summer, to apply for a summer student to support you in 2025. You provide the work and apply for Canada Summer Jobs funding to provide the finances. Explore full-time opportunities on your own, in cooperation with other communities of faith or with other community partners. A CSJ student might help you in reaching your neighbours, connecting with community, hosting events, supporting communications, tech needs, keeping website and social media current, expanding your reach, and bringing fresh opportunities. The annual Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program Call for Applications will be launched during the week of November 18, 2024, and will close on December 19, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Don’t wait to apply! This year the CSJ Call for Applications will end before the new year. Don’t risk missing the deadline and apply early for Canada Summer Jobs funding!
The CSJ program will once again aim to support
70,000 quality jobs for youth during the 2025 summer season. Not-for-profit employers can receive a wage subsidy up to 100% of the current provincial or
territorial minimum hourly wage.
You can read more here.
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding/canada-summer-jobs/apply.html
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.
Advent Planning Resources
The last run through of the theme as a whole is Thursday Nov 21 at 2pm on zoom. We’ll also go over a “to-do” list for the season so nothing catches you off guard.
Please click here to go to the registration for Thursday:
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