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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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www.ucceast.ca
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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: Elizabeth (Betty) Gray Lewis
Our condolences are extended to the family of Elizabeth (Betty) Gray Lewis, who passed away on Monday, May 12, 2025. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: Iain MacDonald
Our condolences are extended to the family of Iain MacDonald, married to Lois Miller, who passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The funeral will be held at St. John’s United Church, Fall River, on Friday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation also at St. John’s on Thursday, May 29 from 2-4 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. David Hann presiding. Obituary will be included in the announcements when available.
Celebration of the Life and Ministry of The Reverend Kendall Harrison
We invite you to join us on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Mount Allison University (MTA) Chapel at 10am to celebrate and remember The Reverend Kendall Harrison.
Celebration of Ministries Service
Please click here for a memo from Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, with information regarding the Annual Celebration of Ministries Service being held in Sackville, NB, on June 1, 2025.
For those unable to join us in person for the services, we invite you to join through livestreaming using the link below.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ucceast7807
In-Person Gathering Shuttle
There will be a shuttle available to transport people between Mount Allison University and the Tantramar Veteran’s Memorial Civic Centre during our in-person gathering May 30-June 1. The shuttle will pick-up/drop off at the crosswalk on Main Street by the Campbell/Windsor residences and loop to the Civic Centre. There will be a shuttle schedule posted on the annual meeting webpage by Tuesday, May 27.
Centennial Gathering Casting Call!
Telling our story, singing our song! Will you be attending the Centennial Gathering of BNS and FSLDW Regional Councils in Sackville NB, May 30 – June 1? Do you enjoy play-acting and storytelling? During the the Centennial Gathering five short plays will be presented – each one reflecting a 20-year period in the United Church’s 100-year history. An enthusiastic cast of volunteer actors is required to bring our story to life, so please, pitch in! There will be an opportunity to read-through each script via zoom rehearsals, held prior to the Centennial Gathering. Interested? Contact Robyn before May 1st at RBrown-Hewitt@united-church.ca.
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.
Structural Change Evaluation Survey
In 2019, the United Church undertook a major restructuring moving from four courts to three councils with a commitment to evaluate the change against its intended outcomes after five years. That process is now underway and a survey has been forwarded to:
- All pastoral charges—to be completed at a meeting of the Board/Council;
- All ministry personnel;
- All regional council staff, Office of Vocation staff, and General Council staff impacted by the change.
We have engaged Credence and Co., a consulting firm, to collect and analyze the data on behalf of the Structural Change Evaluation Steering Group to protect anonymity and prevent bias in reporting.
People have asked why there is not a section for comments on the survey. The tabulating and analysis of comments on this number of surveys would have been cost-prohibitive.
If you did not receive the survey, please check your junk email. Also please ensure that the correct email address is attached to your ChurchHub profile.
The survey will be open until June 15, 2025. Please be sure to make time to respond. Your input is vital.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Pastoral Relations News – May 2025
• Approved the restatement of Call of April Hart to Community United Church, formed from the amalgamation of St. David’s Bible Hill and Coldstream Pastoral Charge, full time, effective January 1, 2025.
• Approved the Supply Appointment of Meggin King, retired, with Milford Lantz Gays River Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, May 1 to October 31, 2025, to cover the sabbatical leave of Gerry Kerr.
• Approved the Provisional Call of Barbara Blois MacNaughton, ordinand, with St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury, full time, effective June 1, 2025.
• Approved the extension of Supply Appointment of Jeff Chant with Fort Massey United Church, Halifax, full time, to July 31, 2025.
• Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Bob Biggar, retired, with Donkin Morien Birch Grove Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026.
• Approved the Supply Appointment of Helene Burns, retired, with Sambro Jollimore Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, February 14 to August 31, 2025.
• Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Sandra Cox, retired, with William Black Memorial Pastoral Charge, 13 hours/week, June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
• Approved the Provisional Call of Jessie Crabtree, ordinand, with St. Paul’s United Church, Mount Uniacke, 20 hours/week, effective July 1, 2025.
• Approved the Provisional Call of Angela Clifton, ordinand, with Shelburne Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, effective July 1, 2025.
• Approved the Collaborative Ministry Agreement of Baddeck Pastoral Charge, Middle River Pastoral Charge and St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge.
• Approved the Provisional Appointment of Dale Crawford, ordinand, with the collaborative ministry of Baddeck Pastoral Charge, Middle River Pastoral Charge and St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge, full time, July 1 to December 31, 2025.
• Approved the revised position description and increase to full-time hours for Supply ministry at Bethany United Church.
• Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Martha Martin, retired, with Bethany United Church, full-time, May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026.
• Approved the Profile for Carman United Church, Sydney Mines. Encouragement is offered for the collaborative discussion with Boularderie Pastoral Charge.
• Approved to make an alternative proposal for Interim Ministry to United Protestant Church, Sydney River.
• Approved the position description for Supply ministry with St. Matthew’s United Church, Halifax, and authorized Search for full-time ministry personnel to begin.
• Approved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Region make bursaries available for Interim Ministry training.
• Approved the Profile and position description for St. John’s United Church, Fall River, and authorized Search for full-time ministry personnel to begin. Kathy McKay, Liaison.
• Next meeting: Friday, June 27, 2025.
• For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt.
Breaking the Silence coffee order for Annual Meeting
As in previous years, bags of Breaking the Silence Coffee (12 oz. and 2lb. bags) will be available at the Breaking the Silence table, along with liturgical stoles and gorgeous crafts from a wonderful Guatemalan women’s cooperative.
I am willing to order boxes (6 12oz. bags) of Breaking the Silence coffee for churches to purchase at the wholesale price of $72. As you may know, the global price of coffee has risen to its highest level ever, thus the price hike to ensure that small producers receive a fair price.
I need to know by Friday, May 23rd, if you want me to order boxes from Just Us! Kathryn Anderson.
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.
Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Thurs. May 15th 7:30pm St. Andrew’s United Church. Sun, May 18th, 10:30am St. Andrew’s worship service
Mahone Bay Fri. May 16th 7pm St. James Anglican Church
Membertou/Sydney Tues. May 20th 1:30pm Membertou Trade and Convention Centre. 7pm. Eltuek Arts Centre
Nalikitquniejk/Antigonish Wed. May 21st 7pm Coady Institute, STFX
Piktuk/Pictou Thurs. May 22nd 1pm Pictou Library/DeCoste Centre
Truro Fri. May 23rd 11am Brunswick St. United Church
Takumegooch/Tatamagouche Fri. May 23rd 7pm Tatamagouche Centre
Charlottetown Sun., May 25th 1pm Spring Park United Church
See-dahn-sis/Fredericton Tues. May 27th, 7pm Wilmot United Church
Kwipew/Sackville Thurs. May 29th 7pm Mount Allison University, Grand Room, Windsor Bldg.
Moncton Friday May 30th 11:30am (In French, translation provided, if needed.
Event – Documentary Screening and Discussion
Please see the poster, providing all the necessary information, for the event.
MAY 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 22 May for coffee and conversation.
Drive in at 5221 Spring Garden Road and park between the church and the red brick house.
PAX
Father Brian MacMillan
Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
bmacmillan@halifaxyarmouth.org
Workshops on Diversity and Mission of the Church
To Our Communities of Faith,
Rev Dr Shepherd Munikwa – Minister for Justice Mission & Outreach.
I am available to offer deeply reformative, rejuvenating, restorative, and vision-casting workshops, designed to renew our sense of purpose, reawaken hope, and reimagine the Church’s role in today’s world.
“Diversity: How Can Our Churches Be Radical, Intentional, Welcoming & Inclusive in Today’s Global Village?” In a world that is changing rapidly, where borders blur, cultures intertwine, and new neighbors knock at our doors, our Church finds itself at a crossroads. Many of us are tired, worn down by dwindling numbers, uncertain futures, and the slow fading of what once was. But in this very place of exhaustion, there is an ember of hope.
“The Mission of God (Missio Dei) is the Mission of the Church.” You may feel like all the strength has been poured out and that the story of your congregation is drawing to a close. Remember, God’s mission is not finished. And neither are you. Let’s discover new life through the gifts within and around us.
New Resource on Living Faith Stories
The Faith Story and Community Covenant Committee has created a new resource on the creation and importance of Living Faith Stories.
This is meant to serve as a guide for communities of faith as they create, review and revise their Living Faith Stories, regardless of whether they are engaged in a pastoral relations process or not.
This resource will shortly be sent out to every pastoral charge in the Region, but click here to see it on the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region website.
The committee is also available upon request for further support and engagement with any community of faith that might have questions about the Living Faith Stories process. If there is interest, we can even organize in-person or online workshops on the topic.
If you have any questions about Living Faith Stories or would like additional support from the committee, reach out to Regional Minister, David Hewitt, who will put you in touch with the Committee Chair.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
Thank you for your creativity and energy to commemorate and celebrate the United Church of Canada’s centennial. Be sure to capture your events, with photos, stories, social media, on your website, blogs, local media contacts, and as individuals share your experiences with family, friends, neighbours, coworkers. Invite them to join you. Be sure to also share your activities with Sharon, your growth animator.
For organizers of events, as you engage wider community, be ready to invite all who gather to come to your future events. As you thank participants, invite them to the next event(s). Contact Sharon, your growth animator, for some brainstorming about your future events.
It’s not too late to apply for a centennial grant. If you applied before, consider applying again. The final grant application due date is June 15. Applications are for a maximum of five thousand dollars. You can get more information here
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.
Atlantic Stories of Hope Needed
Annual general meetings facilitate people connecting, coming together and sharing their ideas, stories and plans for what’s next. Let’s keep the stories of hope, encouragement and support going. Please contact your growth animator Sharon Ballantyne, to share what is bringing you hope, individually, as a community of faith, pastoral charge, or as you connect with neighbours around you.
We’ll share ideas through the regional council weekly newsletter. “Alive we thrive!” Call Sharon at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
June 19 Conflict, Hunger and Humanitarian Access Webinar (World Refugee Day)
Rev Dr Shepherd Munikwa – Minister for Justice Mission and Outreach.
Join us for a heartfelt Canadian Food grains Bank Webinar as we explore how together we’re ending global hunger.
Discover inspiring stories, learn how your support makes a difference, and find new ways to get involved.
Register now and be part of the change!
Stewardship Update for May 2025
Please click here to read the stewardship update for March.
AI in Ministry: Tools you can use, Theology you can preach
Join us for an exciting opportunity that will explore the use of AI as a ministry tool! Dr. Erin Green will lead this continuing education opportunity over three sessions: AI in Ministry: What it is and what it can do; Theological Reflection: What does AI mean for doing theology?; and Preaching the Present-Future: AI in the pulpit.
For full details, please click here.
Non-Denominational Gaelic Service
St. Columba Catholic Church
Iona, Cape Breton
Sunday, May 25, 2025 3:00 – 4:00 pm
All are warmly welcome!
There will be refreshments following the service.
Rural Routes Through the Holy: 2025 Life, Land, Leadership: Loving With Your Feet
Registration closes May 29th for our 2025 gathering in Sackville NB, from June 12 – 14th
The team is pretty excited about all we have planned for ou gathering. Rob Fennell and Shawna Lucas will present our theme, Loving With Your Feet and we have our usual banquet of tasters, little bite-size 30 minute presentations by people who love what they’re doing and want to share. Who knows what ideas you might take home with you. Worship, conversation, workshops, prayer practices, great food and a Maker’s Market (bring what you make to sell.)
Please click here to learn all about Rural Routes Through the Holy, see the schedule, register for the gathering and meet the team.
A One-Day Conference for paid church Administrators/Secretaries.
United Church paid 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 lead by Zack Ingles. This workshop will cover the foundations of building effective and sustainable communications practices, discerning which tools will be most effective in your unique context, getting buy-in from leadership and communities, a group discussion on your struggles and successes, and a question and answer segment. In the afternoon we will connect around the variety of people skills needed and experiences we have managed so far in our work. This will be a round table discussion.
We will use a combination of in-person and Zoom participation for the morning while the afternoon session will be for in-person attendees only.
We encourage attendance in person as an important part of the conference is the comradery and community we build throughout the day. Fees: $30 suggested for in person attendance and $15 suggested for online (Zoom) attendance. Online registration form available here.
For information/questions contact Jennifer Johnson, Bedford United Church office@bedfordunited.com. Deadline to register: June 6th @3pm.
The Heart of the Matter Event – Hillside United Church June 3 – 6:15 pm
Hillside United Church
12 Flamingo Drive, Halifax
Join us for a session exploring the differences between heart attack and cardiac arrest, including how symptoms can vary between men and women. We’ll also provide a hands-on demonstration of CPR and AED use, along with training on Naloxone administration. All are welcome. Please call 902-443-2947 or email seriouslycheerful@gmail.com to register.
