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.
Condolences: Graham Matthew Hutchinson
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Roland and Anna Hutchinson, whose son, Graham, passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The obituary can be viewed here.
Photos for Rev. Kendall Harrison’s Celebration of Life
In preparation for the Celebration of Rev. Kendall Harrison’s Life and Ministry that will take place on Friday, May 30th at 10am at the Mount Allison University Chapel, we are looking at putting together a slide show of photos. If you have photos of Kendall over the years, please submit them to info4RC15@united-church.ca by Friday, May 16th. Many thanks.
Display Spaces Available – Celebrating 100 Years of the United Church of Canada
We’re getting ready for a big celebration—and we’ve got room for 10 display spaces as part of the event! If you’d like to set something up, just let us know. It’s first come, first serve, so don’t wait too long! Deadline to requests your space is May 9.
You can grab a spot by filling out this quick form here.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Nominations are Open for President-Elect-Deadline May 2, 2025.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council is seeking nominations for President-Elect. This position is for a total of three years: one year as President-Elect, one year as President, and the last year as Past-President. The President-Elect will serve as a member of the Regional Executive, leading our Region in its work and ministry, within the bounds of the Region. Serving the Region in this way offers many unique and exciting opportunities to engage in its work and life. More information on the role of President-Elect, President, and Past-President can be found here.
As this election will take place through the Annual meeting held online, no nominations will be accepted from the floor, due to the nature of the online voting process. All nominations must be received by May 2, 2025 at midnight. Nominations are open to all members of the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council, including ministry personnel and lay representatives. To submit your nomination, please fill out the form here.
Each nomination must include the names of two people who will move the nomination. These people must be members of Regional Council. The nomination does not need to come from the governing body of your local community of faith, it just needs to be 2 people from the Region who support the nomination.
If you have any questions, please contact Nominations Chair, Angela MacLean.
Forms Related to Retirees and Jubilarians
Please click here for a memo from Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, with information regarding forms related to Retirees and Jubilarians.
Centennial Worship Travel Subsidy – Apply Today!
This year will mark The United Church of Canada’s 100th anniversary—an opportunity to learn from our past to prepare for the future!
On Sunday, June 8, 2024, a special National Centennial worship service will be held at Gower Street United Church, St. John’s, Newfoundland. All are welcome to attend, and the service will also be live streamed for all to enjoy!
In order to encourage members from the region to attend in person, the Regional Council Executive have agreed to offer two $500 travel subsidies to any member of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council interested in attending this historic event. If you would like to be the recipient of one of the two travel subsidies, please submit a letter (no longer than 1 page) to the Executive Minister, Faith March-MacCuish, at fmaccuish@united-church.ca stating what this experience would mean to you. Expressions of interest will be accepted until April 30.
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, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 1944 Church St, Westville, NS B0K 2A0. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Freewill donation appreciated. 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 click here to register in order to assist in planning and meal preparation. The deadline for registration is Friday, May 16, 2025.
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
Diana Butler Bass in Halifax!
Tickets are now available to attend live lectures with Diana Butler Bass in Halifax on May 7 & 8! Butler Bass is a renowned author speaker, and public theologian known for her insightful and accessible work on spirituality, religion, and culture. Full details, including lecture titles, can be found here
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear her speak in person and engage in meaningful conversations!
Seeking Full-Time Minister
The Saltsprings-Scotsburn-Lyons Brook Pastoral charge is seeking a full-time minister. This combined pastoral charge is rural in character, but minutes away from the towns of Pictou and New Glasgow, and short drives from Truro and Antigonish. The area is teaming with history. The congregation is supportive of ministerial, church, and community initiatives and hopes to attract a candidate that will bring combined appreciation of church teachings with guidance for modern times.
Please check us out at our community of faith profile at ChurhHub.ca or pass the word to your friends and contacts. Questions and expressions of interest can be emailed to us at search.sssblb@gmail.com
Bethany’s Bargain Bonanza & BBQ
COME HAVE SOME FUN IN OUR WELCOMING COMMUNITY SPACE AND DISCOVER SOME “NEW TO YOU” GOODIES AT A BARGAIN. THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY FUNDRAISER!
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025, 10AM – 2PM
GENERAL ADMISSION: $2.00 (12 & UP)
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH – 2669 JOSEPH HOWE DRIVE, HALIFAX, NS
PARKING AT 7171 CLINTON AVENUE CHURCH LOT
Click here to view the poster and for more information.
WHAT YOU WILL FIND… GENTLY USED GOODS, A BBQ, AND ACTIVITIES FOR ALL-AGES. MORE INFORMATION CALL, 902-455-0521, X.221 OR VISIT US AT WWW.BETHANYUNITEDCHURCH.CA
Bedford United Church is hiring two short term CDM positions
Bedford United Church is hiring two short term lay personnel to provide administrative coverage for the Minister of Congregational Care while she is on Sabbatical from June 1st to August 31, 2025 . The second position is to provide administrative coverage for the Lead Minister while on vacation from August 1st to August 31st, 2025.Both positions are 10 hours per week.
Both the Ministry Leader and the Congregational Care Ministry Leader are Congregational Designated Ministry (CDM ) positions.These positions are primarily focused on the day to day administrative tasks associated with the functions of the Congregational Care Minister and the Lead Minister. (Lay persons only are eligible to apply.)
Please submit your resume electronically by May 7,2025 to: jillannewilson@gmail.com
Summer Employment Opportunity
BETHANY UNITED CHURCH WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER YOUTH SUMMER EMPLOYMENT THIS YEAR. WORD WAS RECEIVED FROM CANADA SUMMER JOBS THAT AFTER ASSESSING OUR APPLICATION, THEY WERE EXCITED TO INFORM US THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO OFFER US FUNDING AT THIS TIME. YAY!!!
Apply to be our
Older Adult Ministry Leader
WE ARE MOST GRATEFUL TO HAVE FUNDING SUPPORT FOR THE SUMMER OF 2025.
LEARN MORE BY CLICKING HERE.
Deadline to apply – Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:59pm.
APPLY WITH A COVER LETTER AND RESUME TO OFFICE@BETHANYUNITEDCHURCH.CA
Save the Date! One-day Conference for church administrators/secretaries.
United Church Office Administrators, Church Secretaries, Administrative Assistants (however you are named!) are invited to attend a one-day conference on Monday, June 16th at St. John’s United Church, Fall River, NS. In the morning we will focus on the increasing variety of expectations on us for Communications and in the afternoon we will connect around the variety of people skills needed and experiences we have managed so far in our work.
The morning session will be a hybrid of in-person and Zoom participation while the afternoon session will be for in-person attendees only.
We encourage anyone in this role to attend in person as an important part of the conference is the comradery and community we build throughout the day. Lots of information to follow! For information contact Robyn Brown-Hewitt rbrown-hewitt@united-church.ca. For now, just save the date and plan to attend!
Annual Meeting Delegates, don’t miss Marie Wilson Book Launch Thurs., May 29th 7pm
The FSLDW and B-NS Regions Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee, along with the Mount Allison University Centre for Indigenous and Critical Canadian Studies, is honoured to host a book launch for North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner on Thursday evening May 29th, 7pm in the Grand Room, Windsor Bldg. 1st floor. Marie Wilson will read from her moving, personal account of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Don’t miss this privileged opportunity to hear from Marie Wilson, as we live out our Residential School Apology.
New schedule for Marie Wilson book launch tour, author of North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner, speaks in the Maritimes May 15th-30th
North of Nowhere, Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner by Marie Wilson May 15-30 Maritimes Book Launch Tour
The Maritime Regions Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee and Women of First Light are honoured to host the Maritimes book launch tour for North of Nowhere: Song of a Truth and Reconciliation Commissioner. Marie Wilson will read from her moving, personal account of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which recorded the history of forced residential schooling for Indigenous children.
Don’t miss this privileged opportunity to hear from Marie Wilson, as we live out our Residential School Apology. See her updated itinerary below. Please announce this in your bulletins and from the pulpit, strongly encouraging people to attend.
ITINERARY *Books are available for purchase and signing at all locations.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
Theological Banquet, a free five-part workshop series each Wednesday
If you missed theological banquet session one last week, it is not too late to sign -up. Contact Bronwyn Corlett, rural ministries coordinator, email bcorlett@united-church.ca to get the missed workshop video and join in the remaining Wednesdays!
Please click here to find more detail on the course page
You are invited to participate in 5 sessions to use and get to know the Theological Banquet resource!
April 23 – May 28, 2025 (the 6th week is our monthly Rural Ministry Town Hall to debrief and reflect on how to use the resource going forward).
If you are able to attend these sessions, you will also gain access to the resource to use following these sessions with your community of faith. We will not be recording these sessions but if you are unable to attend one of the sessions, you can access the relevant material afterwards so that you can catch up before the next session.
Please share this with others.
Engage in interesting conversations. Discover more about the theological banquet in each of our communities of faith. You may also want to check out Janet Gear’s book “Undivided Love “which the workshop series is based on. 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!
Join Rambles 2025
Join Prayer Bench & Kereru Publishing (NZ) this May for Rambles. Explore shades in the garden, forest, water, and street as we walk beaches, woods, bush, and neighbourhoods together.
Mondays in May: Receive a beautifully curated digital scrapbook page to inspire your weekly ramble.
Thursdays: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes email conversation between Janice and Caroline.
Sundays: Reflect with a guided email based on the week’s theme.
All week: Share stories and photos in our Ramble Facebook Group—and help create a final community scrapbook on May 26.
Sign up by May 5. Learn more here.
Financial Services your Church may Need
In case you didn’t know there is an Incorporated Ministry called the Financial Services of Maritime Conference. This organization can help your Community of Faith with investing their funds in an ethical, secure and supporting way. If you have interested in further information you can check out their services available from either the Fundy St Lawrence Dawning Waters or Bermuda Nova Scotia’s Cross Region page and then under Financial services.
