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.
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 view the updated 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 Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
Please click here for a memo from Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, with information regarding elected members to the Regional Council.
Executive Minutes
Minutes of the BNS Regional Council Executive meetings, December 05, 2024 (RC33-RC44); January 21, 2025 (RC45-RC47); and February 06, 2025 (RC48-RC50), as approved at the March 13, 2025, meeting of the Executive are now available on the BNS website.
Windsor United Church Covenanting Service
Covenanting Service, Windsor, NS
The congregation of Windsor United Church extends a warm welcome to friends in faith to celebrate with us in the Covenanting Service between the Reverend Chris Matheson and Windsor United Church Pastoral Charge. Holy Communion will be celebrated. This special service of commitment and celebration will be held on Sunday April 6th, at 2:30pm. Fellowship and refreshments to follow in the Church Annex.
RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary.
Windsor United Church, 613 King Street, Windsor NS, B0N2T0
windsorunited@ns.sympatico.ca
902-798-2667
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.
BNS 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. | 26 |
| Ministry Personnel – active and retired– individual perspective | 32 |
| Appointed to FDEE Governance – Committee, Division, Executive members – individual perspective | 28 |
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 15, 2025.
March Ecumenical Clergy Gathering
Clergy in the Halifax area are invited to come to the Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica glebe house at 11am on Thursday 27 March for coffee ad 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.
This year as we mark the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will meet in Turkiye at the site of the council. And this year as Eastern and Western churches celebrate Easter on the same date the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth is looking forward to connect with clergy of the Eastern churches in the Easter season.
PAX
Father Brian MacMillan
Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
bmacmillan@halifaxyarmouth.org
HRM Regional Youth Event
The Cole Harbour Woodside United Church Youth Group would like to invite other local youths and youth groups to join us for a craft & game night on Friday, March 28th from 7pm to 8:30pm. This will be held in our hall at 15 Bissett Road, Cole Harbour, NS. We welcome all youths between the grades 6 and 12.
Please forward this information to any youths or youth group leaders who might be interested.
Registration is required. Please click here to register.
We encourage participants to bring their own snacks and water bottle. We will have water available.
We will have several tables or “stations” set up with various crafts and games such as handmade cards, origami, water colour gift tags and bookmarks, and several choices for board games.
A great chance to see friends from Rendezvous or Youth@Region!
Please contact Nathalie Poirier with any questions (lallie11@yahoo.com)
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.
We’ve got your sermon for Camping Sunday!
Camping Sunday is the Sunday after Easter this year, and we’ve got you covered! With help from the UCCFoundation, Pine Hill Divinity Hall and our Regional CYYA, Rev. Katie Aven has created a professional quality, 15 minute video sermon that lifts up the amazing ministries of the three camps in our region.
Interested in having a representative from camp worship with your congregation? Camp staff and volunteers bring their energy and enthusiasm, answer questions and build bridges between communities of faith and our incredible camping ministry! Be in touch with Rev. Katie Aven (katie.aven@bedfordunited.com) if you’d like to explore having a camp representative in your service on April 27.
This video will be made available in early April, and can be used together with Camping Sunday resources found on the United Church website. Keep your eyes open for the video drop!
Availability of Licensed Lay Worship Leaders (L.L.W.L.)
Ministry Personnel and Communities of Faith: Are you looking for someone to lead Worship while your Ministry Personnel is on vacation, study leave, sabbatical? Or perhaps at the present time you are searching for a new minister? Licensed Lay Worship Leaders are available to provide Pulpit Supply. In case you are not aware here is the link for the License Lay Worship Leaders that are available in our Region. If you have considered becoming a Licensed Lay Worship Leader for our Bermuda and Nova Scotia Region, please be in touch with the chairperson, Joan Griffin or secretary, Jim Webber-Cook to inquire about the process. Joan Griffin may be reached at joanbgriffin@hotmail.com or 902-891-0556, Jim Webber-Cook may be reached at jimwebbercook@hotmail.com or 902-752-3766.
“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!
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
