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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: Elizabeth Janes
Our condolences are extended to the family of Roger Janes, whose mother, Elizabeth, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025. We will share the obituary when it is available.
Annual Meeting Evaluation Form- Deadline Friday June 13
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.
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.
Structural Change Evaluation Survey- Deadline June 15
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.
A One-Day Conference for Paid Church Administrators/Secretaries- Deadline June 6
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.
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.
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
Property Inventory Update
The BNS property inventory list has been updated, this inventory lists property (buildings, cemeteries, lands) currently registered to your pastoral charge. All forms and amendments received up to May 26, 2025 are included. Pastoral charges who do not hold property will not appear on the list. Please take a moment to review and ensure your pastoral charge details are correct, you can review by A-Z property name or by postal code using the link below and submit a form if there are any additions or amendments.
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.
Courage to Lead® Program–Tatamagouche Centre
We warmly welcome you to join us August 7-9, 2025 for an upcoming Courage to Lead® program at the Tatamagouche Centre.
Whatever personal or societal challenges we face, the resources we need to transform our lives and the world can always be found within us and between us – in the human heart and in community. When we fully embrace the genuine within ourselves and honour the inherent worth and dignity of every being, we unleash the power to build a better world. This retreat is modelled on the Circle of Trust® approach developed by Parker J. Palmer and the Center for Courage & Renewal. You can learn more about “Circles of Trust” or in Parker Palmer’s book, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life.
For questions contact Tara Reynolds at: tandemtruthsconsulting@gmail.com or by phone at 802-917-4485.
Faith in Motion – Installing EV Chargers in your Parking Lot
Join faith groups across the province in exploring the benefits of installing EV Charging Stations in your faith building parking lot as a way to support your community, reduce GHGs, and visibly strengthen the NS charging network. Faith in Motion is providing 30 site assessments to faith-based communities this summer. You will gain access to EV charging, new revenue opportunities, and sustainability benefits while providing your local community with increased public charging access, reduction in emissions, and improved air quality.
To learn more:
Register here for a webinar (or email EVCharging@NavigateEnergy.ca) on Wednesday June 18, 3pm-4pm.
JUNE 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 26 June for coffee and conversation.
Walk in at 2551 Spring Garden Road between the church and the red brick house. come to the door under the canopy. Parking is very limited in the courtyard due to construction but there is parking available in the main parking lot which is accessed from Grafton Street.
PAX
Father Brian MacMillan
Ecumenical officer for the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
bmacmillan@halifaxyarmouth.org
902-222-1419
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
What will be your 101? Keep completing this sentence starter “United Church can …” How are you identifying as a disciple, a follower of Jesus, one who knows about Jesus and seeks to be like Jesus, being active in the transforming of our world.? As communities of faith have celebrated the first one hundred years of the United Church, and many will do at events through the summer, now we are in our 101st year, what are your 101 commitments? As an individual, as a community of faith, as people of faith reaching beyond your walls? We think of “101” often as the basics, the foundations what we need to know. How is that being lived out in your faithful presence in your context.
Beside my name and pronouns on my zoom profile it says UCCAN. I do this to indicate United Church of Canada as UCC can be confused with United Church of Christ when among other faith groups. On a call this week, in which I was the only one from Canada and our denomination, a participant asked me if we ever used it as “United Church can…” Keep coming up with all the ways you do complete the sentence. “United Church can…and in what new ways? Invite your congregation, users of your building, neighbours, family, friends, coworkers, local faith groups, through your social media, to finish the sentence. Keep learning what the United Church presence in your location is doing and might be needing. Contact me as we brainstorm ideas into actions.
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.
Camino Nova Scotia
Since 2014, as part of the educational outreach of the Atlantic School of Theology, Camino Nova Scotia has “made pilgrimage local.” Pilgrimage is spiritual travel for transformation. Camino Nova Scotia offers guided group walking pilgrimages in—you guessed it—Nova Scotia!
This summer we are offering Caminos along the South Shore of Nova Scotia and on the Western shore of Cape Breton Island, both of which highlight the seaside beauty of our beautiful province. Join us on pilgrimage and discover more about yourself in community, as you also discover the Gaelic, Mi’kmaq, and Acadian histories of the Land under your feet.
Visit www.caminonovascotia.ca for more information.
Invitation to Peace & Friendship Gathering Tatamagouche Centre- Next step in our Long Journey of Reconciliation
Grounded in the Peace and Friendship Treaties of the 1700s between the British Crown, these Treaty-based gatherings emphasize Treaty education and responsibility, relationship building, land Rematriation and ceremony. Let’s celebrate our next powerful step in our Calls to Truth and Reconciliation built on decades of deep journeying together. The poster can be viewed here.
Click here for more information.
