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.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Ministry and Personnel Committee Workshop
M&P 101
An introductory workshop 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
Condolences: Shirley Marion Fraser
Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. James Fraser on the passing of Shirley Marion Fraser on November 19, 2024.
The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: Barbara Nita MacAlpine
Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Susan MacAlpine Gillis on the passing of her mother Barbara Nita MacAlpine on November 17, 2024.\.
The obituary can be viewed here.
2025 Salary Schedule available
The 2025 United Church Salary Schedule for ministry personnel is available on the General Council website: (Minimum Salaries & Reimbursements for Ministry Personnel (2025) ). It is the responsibility of ministers and Treasurers to work together to ensure that annual pay changes are implemented appropriately for the first pay in January. Please note:
1. All salary categories have been increased 3% from 2024.
2. Travel remains at $0.55/kilometre.
3. The day rate for visiting personnel becomes $254/day.
The Bermuda Nova Scotia Sunday Supply Policy remains in effect. The remuneration for Sunday Supply remains at a day and a half at the current day rate. Therefore, Sunday Supply in 2025 should be remunerated at $381 plus expenses.
David Hewitt, Regional Minister, dhewitt@united-church.ca
Advent Message from the President of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
November 25, 2024
The fall pumpkins have been dealt with, and the first signs that people have shifted to the next season of celebration are beginning to show. After dusk, coloured lights share a message of hope. This year, the proclamation of light shining through the darkness feels profound.
It is no coincidence that Advent comes in the darkest time of the year, for into that darkness we welcome the newness of light among us. This year, the darkness has an ominous feel to it. The struggles and fears are real, and evident in our domestic lives, in our community connections, and in the political world we inhabit. Often, as we feel tension around us, we move into self-preservation mode, just to keep from being injured. That is not the way of Jesus. When the difficulties in life are more than we can cope with alone, that’s where the spirit of Jesus, becomes a guide for the journey. It helps a lot if your community of faith encourages each other along the way.
This might sound a little cliché right now, but I really do believe that the things we can do and can control, are tucked into the messy package of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. You will note that I didn’t say “Christian.” That is because things proclaimed and given press by the “Christian Right” feel far from the perspective Jesus took as he moved about his work, including and welcoming especially those who had been rejected.
So, in this message to you who are part of the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region, of The United Church of Canada, I offer this. Look for the light. Be the light. Point others to the light. It is what all of us are called to do in the simplest of ways; reflect the message of Jesus, through our actions, and words and intentions. Take courage that others have proclaimed the good news of Christ among us, in tough times too and be grateful for that great communion of saints. During those moments, rely on the source of inspiration, the stories passed down to us through a legacy of faith. There are so many good examples. So many people lived with the hope that they might wait through the darkness, to see a faint beam of light illuminating the way
The stories that find their way into our hearts as we prepare and wait for Christmas are not only found in Hallmark Christmas movies. They do not all have happy endings either. But the stories all point to “God With Us”, while we wait, when we celebrate, and when we practice our faith in everyday life. I give thanks to God, and thanks for you, the people of faith who hold the stories and the hope! You are more important and valued than you will ever know. The world is better for your presence and participation in it.
Blessings of the season, friends.
Next FSLDW Affirm webinar: Understanding Guaranteed Livable (Basic) Income
Our next webinar is today 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.
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
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
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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Are you considering retirement?
If you are considering retiring or have retired since our last annual meeting, please see our Regional retirement resource. If you have made the decision to retire please fill out the form.
Thank you.
Opportunity in beautiful PEI – FT Minister for Single Point Charge
We are still searching for a full time Ministry Personnel position to join us. We are an accepting and welcoming, multi-generational community of faith in rural Prince Edward Island. St. Andrew’s United Church is a single-point charge located in Vernon Bridge, centered between two growing towns: Stratford and Montague. The work we do at St. Andrew’s is connected to our Christian faith. We believe that as we work to connect the Church and our Christian values to the surrounding communities and the people within them, we are acting as disciples of Christ by making it a place where all people can come together to join in worship and prayer. Our attitude of acceptance and neighbourly conduct is a pillar in the way we worship. All are welcome in our church. Find our advertisement in Church Hub, email the search committee for our Community of Faith Profile saintandrewssc2024@gmail.com or view our Facebook profile.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
There are seven parts and seven Activities.
Each Activity is a series of questions.
The video link is https://youtu.be/hg-pPuTjSPM
People might want to watch it individually in order to think about best use. A two-hour block with about ten minutes for each of the first six activity sections and the seventh activity a take-away to come back and meet about at another time is one way to plan your time. Some might want to use it over seven gatherings, perhaps as spiritual conversation. Some may want to use only a single clip that focuses on an area of interest, to get some conversations started. Please contact me to get the accompanying handout and to discuss how I can come alongside and support you.
General Council Youth Forum 2025
General Council Youth Forum is an opportunity for young people to participate in the education, decision-making, and community of General Council 45 of The United Church of Canada. Its aim is to ensure that young people have a voice in the denomination-shaping issues and decisions for the next three years in the life of the church. It’s an opportunity to speak to issues that matter to young people, to share ideas, and to connect with peers and other members and leaders of the General Council. Click the link to the FAQ for more information, or email Catherine Stuart cstuart@united-church.ca Applications are due December 20, 2025.
Register here!
