NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
Emergency Response Memos for Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW)
It’s Your Call – Podcast
Spark 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.
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW) Committee Interest form.
Card for Rev. Kendall Harrison’s Family
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Thank you as you continue to hold Kendall’s wife, Carmen, his son, Isaac, and Kendall’s extended family and friends in your thoughts and prayers at this tender time.
If you would like to send a card or a note of support to Kendall’s family, please send all cards to the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council, 21 Wright Street, Sackville, NB E4L 4P8. We will make sure the cards are delivered to them.
Thank you for your compassion and support as we come together to honor Kendall’s memory.
Annual Meeting Registration is Open
Registration is open for the online business annual meeting and in-person gathering. Please read the memo sent from the Executive Minister. Visit the annual meeting webpages regularly for the latest updates and information on the upcoming online business meeting and in-person gathering. Please note that the MTA number noted in the above memo is incorrect. The correct number for MTA Conferences is 506-364-2247.
NOTE: There currently is an issue with the Regional website not sending notifications following registrations. If you saw the confirmation screen following submitting your registration it has been received by the Regional Office. Once the website notifications are working again, we will send you a copy for your information.
Online Business Annual Meeting Information Webinar
Please click here to read the memo from the Executive Minister, Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, that provides information on the Online Business Annual Meeting, including webinar dates/times.
Youth @ Region 2025!
Calling all Youth, between grades 6-12! Registration is now open for Youth@Region!
Y@R is a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between grade 6 and grade 12, meet from across Bermuda, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspe. It will take place during the Centennial Gathering of Bermuda-Nova Scotia and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Councils at Mount Allison University, Sackville NB.
The group creates an inclusive, diverse and safe community for youth in the name of Christ. We provide a place for youth to explore their faith and to learn more about the United Church of Canada while sharing in music, worship and fun in a spirit-filled community.
We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, please email Catherine Stuart cstuart@united-church.ca
Register here!
Elected Members to Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council
Please click here for a memo from Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, with information regarding elected members to the Regional Council.
Webinar – In Peace and Friendship (Calls to the Church- Next steps together)
April 17 2:00-4:00pm (Atlantic); 2:30-4:30pm (Newfoundland)
Centre for Ethical Land Transition with Women of First Light and Tatamagouche Centre
Tatamagouche Centre was first approached by Indigenous people to work together around racism and exclusion of Indigenous people over 25 years ago. The United Church of Canada (UCC) has consistently shown leadership on Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action. The UCC was one of the first to apologize to Indigenous peoples for colonization in 1986 and Residential schools shortly thereafter. Tatamagouche Centre has played a key role in that bold leadership. It has been a long journey of friendship, harm, repair.
This is an opportunity for UCC leaders, Ministries, Pastoral Charges and friends to step into Treaty responsibility, justice and faith grounded in love and spirit. We have invited land justice facilitators from Centre for Ethical Land Transition to share their insights from other “reparative land” initiatives, particularly how settlers of faith can step into their sacred roles and meet this moment.
Click HERE to register now for this webinar.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Words from Regional President
Hello/Bonjour,
It has been hard of late for me to find words to share with folks in our Region…
We have lost Rev. Kendall Harrison, whose vocation it was to minister to Ministers of FSLDW who, of all people, are in need of someone to help shoulder them in difficult times. Our sincere condolences go out to his partner and family, and to all those whose lives and work were touched by Rev. Kendall throughout the United Church of Canada.
We are also surrounded by the “war” word — talk swirling of trade wars, wars for which peace talks fail and wars that may be just over the horizon.
I recently came across these words from Mother Teresa: “There is a tremendous strength that is growing in the world through sharing together, praying together, suffering together, and working together.”
We must find hope in togetherness! Our own “New Creed”, created long after Mother Teresa’s words, assures us as well that we are not alone. Thanks be to God.
In faith/Avec foi,
Sue LeMaistre
susalemaistre@gmail.com
FSLDW REGIONAL COUNCIL GOVERNANCE EVALUATION – THE LAST WEEK
Thank you all those who have filled out the surveys for the Governance Evaluation. This is the last week so please have your say about whether and how your regional council is living into its potential for enhancing call and ministry in its relationship with communities of faith and faith leaders.
To date the following surveys have been received.
| Survey Form – focus group | |
| Community of faith – filled out following conversation at Board/Council | 34 |
| Community of faith representatives to the regional council – individual perspective. | 24 |
| Ministry Personnel – active and retired– individual perspective | 35 |
| Appointed to FDEE Governance – committee, Executive members – individual perspective | 12 |
If you have questions, including wanting a print copy or the questions in another format, please contact Seyi Adeyemo at sadeyemo@united-church.ca or 1 506 306 0494.
The report will be presented at the regional council annual meeting May 24, 2025.
Earth Week Activities for Communities of Faith
Earth Week is around the corner. Churches can play an impactful role in celebrating Earth Week from April 20-27, 2025, by focusing on creation care, environmental stewardship, and the interconnection of faith and nature. What are your plans as a Community of Faith. Why can’t you try this?
Please click here to view the earth week activities for Communities of Faith.
An Invitation from the Atlantic School of Theology
The Atlantic School of Theology is preparing an application for a major grant from the Lilly Endowment to assist the school in responding in a focused and supportive way to the current ministry (lay and ordered) needs of churches. The Rev. Dr. Steven Chambers is consulting with the school on the preparation of this application and invites you to a conversation at Mount Royal United Church, 106 Mt. Royal Blvd., Moncton, 9:30 on Thursday, March 27. Parking at the church. For more information contact: steven.chambers@astheology.ns.ca.
“Earth Week 2025: Together for the Love of Creation Earth Week 2025”
Eco-Justice Working Group.
Dear Beloved Church Family,
As we celebrate Earth Week this year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the profound responsibility we have as stewards of God’s magnificent creation. From the tiniest seed to the tallest tree, from the vast oceans to the majestic mountains, God has entrusted us with the care of this beautiful planet. Let’s unite in action. Our faith calls us not just to speak of compassion but to live it, and one of the most powerful ways we can show love for our Creator is by caring for the Earth He has given us. Let us share our activities with the wider church from coast to coast to coast.
Please click here to view more information on the ” Earth Week 2025″.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
What new thing are you experimenting with? What’s one dream, one change you are making or want to make happen? Who will it take? What is needed? When and where will it happen and how are you going to work together to make it happen? Spring into action with thoughtful communication, invitation and planning. Ensure your whole congregation, neighbourhood and community partners are part of your action plan.
Make experimenting, trying a thing, embracing a pilot part of your DNA in your community of faith. Lean into Lent as we draw closer to God and respond to possibilities.
Let’s get growth animated together. Call Sharon at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca as together, we keep being bold, deep and daring!
International Ministry Position Posting
Neil Parker is a United Church minister, currently serving in an international, ecumenical congregation in Europe. He is retiring (again!) and wants United Church colleagues to know about this exciting ministry opportunity. Please contact Neil for more information: neilianparker@gmail.com
The VCC is accepting applications for the position of Pastor at the Vienna Community Church in Vienna, Austria. You will find the relevant information by clicking here.
(Please note that there are pension and benefits implications to accepting a position in a denomination unaffiliated with The United Church of Canada.)
Faithful Footprint Atlantic Roadshow – Sackville NB
After a very successful first event at Carman United in Unama’ki Cape Breton last weekend, we will be in Sackville United Church, 110 Main Street, Sackville in New Brunswick at on April 5th from 12pm to 2pm
All are invited to attend and hear stories directly from the congregation on how they proceeded with their energy retrofit as well as learn more about the Faithful Footprint program, take a building tour, and ask any questions that you have about the grant and energy retrofits. Light snacks, coffee and tea will be served.
The Ecology Action Centre is doing a Roadshow across the Maritimes in the next 2 months to celebrate the many Atlantic churches who took part in the Faithful Footprint program and encourage other United Churches to apply for the grant. Our next stops are Montague PEI on April 12th, Charlottetown on April 13th, Lunenburg on April 27th, Dartmouth May 11th. The Faithful Footprint program is a grant program by the United Church to encourage United Churches to retrofit their buildings and help them to be more energy efficient and get off oil.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Shreetee at shreetee.appadu@ecologyaction.ca or 902-429-2202 ext 152
