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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: Iain T. M. MacDonald
Our condolences are extended to the family of Iain MacDonald, married to Lois Miller, who passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The obituary is now available and can be viewed here.
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.
Annual Meeting Sunday Worship Service, June 1
If you are in need of worship suggestions for Annual Meeting Sunday, June 1, the Worship Team has put together the full service with reflection and options for music, as well as the bulletin version. These are posted on the Shared Annual Meeting webpage under the “Sunday Worship Service” header.
Annual Meeting Evaluation Form
We would ask everyone who attended the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council annual meeting online or the in-person gathering to take a few minutes to fill out the evaluation form. We would ask that you complete the form by June 13.
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
YOUR INPUT is IMPORTANT.
The time has come to evaluate the impact of the restructuring of the United Church from four courts to three councils. Did it accomplish what was intended? As part of the evaluation, a survey has been developed to invite wide participation from across the church. It has been sent via email, using email addresses in ChurchHub, 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.
The Structural Change Evaluation Steering Group has engaged Credence and Co., a consulting firm, to collect and analyze the data to protect anonymity and prevent bias in reporting.
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 to ensure you receive reminder emails which will contain the necessary link.
The survey will be open until June 15, 2025. Please make time to respond as a comprehensive and useful evaluation depends on input from across the church.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
Discover some free United Church of Canada based resources for children. Explore the link to the resources on Jesus, Glue and Glitter.
You’ll find free downloads you can print at home with faith-filled ideas to use in summer worship, at your VBS, for at home family activities, or for great take-a-ways to use while on vacation. This summer children and families can also explore the new web app, BibleWoolies, created by founder, Rev. Tori Mullin, in New Brunswick. Watch the one-minute promo video, or share it in your Sunday worship.
BibleWoolies is packed with all sorts of content from across the United Church of Canada, with stories, printables and games designed for early elementary learners. Visit the BibleWoolies.ca and have a special time of exploring faith when you connect with little ones.
Contact your growth animator Sharon to explore ideas to nurture and nourish our young people, and be sure to connect with our children youth and young adults minster Catherine Stuart (cstuart@united-church.ca)
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.
Conversation about Church Planting and New Ministries in Your Region
Are you interested in church planting, or starting new ministry initiatives within Bermuda-Nova Scotia and FSLDW Regions? During the In-person Centennial Gathering in Sackville, NB, clergy and lay people are invited to join Regional Growth Animator Rev. Sharon Ballantyne and Rev. Penny Nelson of Avon United Church (B-NS Region) to connect, share, and dream together about how we might animate growth of the United Church in our regions!
When: Saturday, May 31, Breakfast (starting at 7am)
Where: Cafeteria at Mt. Alison
Questions? Call Rev. Penny Nelson at 902 890-0608
Atlantic School of Discipleship
The Atlantic School of Discipleship is designed for congregations and parishes to support their lay education and faith formation efforts. The program runs for ten months on a very manageable schedule, introducing those with no formal theological training to the basics of faith and tradition as they apply to everyday discipleship in the world. Empower the adult faith formation in your congregation and learn from Atlantic School of Theology’s world-class teachers in the comfort of your own community. Cost: Group (1 leader + 4 participants from the same community of faith)$1,000 or individual $300 More information and registration at www.atlanticdiscipleship.com
100th Anniversary Celebrations in Halifax Regional Municipality
The United Churches of Dartmouth at Woodlawn United Church
Sunday June 8 at 10 am
It’s gonna be rocking! Joint choirs, communion, coffee and community time afterwards.
St Luke’s in Tantallon
Sunday June 8 at 10 am
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary in Sunday morning worship.
Bethany, Hope, and St. John’s at Bethany United Church
Sunday June 8 at 3 pm
A celebration service on Sunday afternoon. Three choirs participating, and a reception afterwards.
Downtown Halifax, with St Andrews, St Matthews, and Fort Massey at St Andrews
Tuesday June 10 at 7 pm
A gathering with vignettes from the history of the United Church, music new and old, door prizes, and a reception catered by the UCWs.
