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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.
In-Person Centennial Gathering Theme Hymn
Click here to download a copy of the theme hymn.
Invitation to Covenanting Service
The congregation of Orchard Valley United Church warmly invites friends in faith from across the region to celebrate with us in the Covenanting Service between Orchard Valley United Church and Max Martin on Sunday the 22nd of June at 3:00 pm. Reverend Katie Logan will be preaching. A time of fellowship will follow. All are welcome!
You can find Orchard Valley United Church at 130 Cornwallis Ave., New MInas, NS
Annual Meeting Evaluation Form
We would ask everyone who attended the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters 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.
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.
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.
Sherbrooke Lake Camp Golden Getaway Weekend – July 18–20
Looking for all the FUN of summer camp, with the freedom to do it your way? Join us for Golden Getaway Weekend—an unforgettable retreat for those 50 years young & over! Whether you’re in for a swim, a hike, star-gazing, yoga, crafts, or simply a good book and a cozy nap, this weekend is yours to enjoy at your own pace. With great food, cabin camaraderie, campfires, and a few light duties sprinkled in, it’s the perfect mix of nostalgia and relaxation. Don’t forget your crafts (BYOC) and get ready for a weekend full of joy, connection, and maybe even a slice of cake!
Click here to view our website.
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
How does your planning include designating people to intentionally mingle, chat and offer listening and relationship building, connecting with the visitors at your events? Whether it is that flea market/yard sale you are hosting, plant sale, summer concert, carnival, guest speaker event, community BBQ, or something else, take time for deep listening. Ensure your planning allows for people to engage beyond passing out the refreshments. Go have refreshing talks at the tables. Introduce yourself and take time to visit. I received this note on May 31, from someone, currently without a church home, observant and curious, who attended an outdoor plant sale at a church in their neighbourhood on Saturday: “Church had free coffee, tea and muffins inside. Was fascinating to watch. Church members were very hospitable in offering food and drink but then nothing. I assumed that there would be some outreach to perhaps grow their church community but members seemed unable to go beyond the sharing of food. They answered questions but seemed uninterested in engaging with anyone other than church members.”
Another community of faith welcomed six hundred to eight hundred neighbours to their recent one day carnival event. Not even the downpours of rain dampened spirits.
How can we be intentional and focused on neighbours who support our outreach activities? How do we increase opportunities and possibilities to invite, welcome, connect and create belonging and grow? How are visitors included at worship?
Reach out to me and let’s talk about ways to increase your connections and ensure we are energized and engaged.
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.
Record Keeping Reminder
The Archives, Records and History Committee want to remind the Governing Body of the Communities of Faith that all church records belong to the United Church which have historical and legal value. The records of the Historic Rolls, Communion Rolls and Registers (marriage and burial) Should be reviewed and up date on a regular basis, at least annually. Records that are no longer regularly needed should be placed in the archives.
Then Let Us Sing – Hymn Book
The United Church Bookstore is taking orders for the following
Sing Freely. Inspire deeply!
Then Let Us Sing! is an exciting initiative to help the church sing faithfully. Curated by a dedicated team of volunteers from across the church to embody United Church Ethos and Theology, the Then Let Us Sing! development team is excited to share over 150 NEW pieces of music from diverse voices around the world.
Available in two editions; Full Music Edition is 6″ x 9″ with perfect binding intended for choir use and the Accompanists’ Edition is 8.5″ x 11″ format with spiral binding, ideal for organists and other musicians.
Full Music Edition $34.95 Tax Included
Accompanists Edition $51.95 Tax Included
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
Hillside Summer Student Position – Archives Clerk
Looking for a summer job that lets you dive into history while gaining hands-on experience in archival work? Hillside United Church, 12 Flamingo Drive, Halifax, is hiring a Summer Archives Clerk! This is your chance to preserve the past, organize historic records, and bring church history to life. You’ll assist in cataloging documents, digitizing materials, and ensuring our archives remain accessible for generations to come. If you’re a detail-oriented student with a passion for history and organization, this role is your opportunity to make a real impact while building valuable skills. Apply today and help safeguard the stories that shape our community!
For more information, and to apply, please contact our Office Administrator, Sylvia Thorne at office@hillsideunited.org
Please click here for a detailed job description.
