![The United Church of Canada | Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council [logo]](https://ucceast.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/BNS-Logo-300px.png "BNS-Logo-300px"){kind=logo}
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.
2026 Mission and Service Grant Application
The 2026 Mission and Service Grant application is now available here. The deadline for completed application and supporting documentation is Friday, September 19, 2025 and can be forwarded to: jwhittemore@united-church.ca or mailed to the Regional Office.
General Council 45
General Council 45 is being held in Calgary on August 7-11. To read the material being brought to the meeting, please click here.
Executive Minutes
Annual Meeting Draft Minutes
The Theological Banquet – Rev. Janet Gear
At the 2025 Regional Meeting, Janet Gear offered a language and lens for talking effectively and compassionately about the various ways our faith is lived out in our churches. Her accessible Theological Banquet workshop series is available for use across the church. Watching the videos, engaging in discussion, and using the accompanying booklet with your community of faith, council or cluster fosters language, identity, and understanding in navigating differences and setting faith-based directions together.
The Theological Banquet – LeaderShift contact Michelle Slater
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
Concert for Canada at Bethany United Church, Halifax, NS
Enjoy an evening of Canadian Music and More to Celebrate Canada’s 158th Birthday.
Featuring:
The Chester Brass
George Morrison, conductor
with Jodie Alcorn-Miller, soprano
Shawn Whynot, organist/pianist
Click here for further information or visit our website.
aUCC Association of United Church Clergy
A reminder that our association provides pastoral care to any clergy who might feel they need a listening ear. We are living in difficult and stressful times and often we might need a safe space in which to be heard. Whether you have issues regarding your ministry or personal issues, please feel free to contact our chaplain, Rev. Gloria Churchill, for a completely confidential conservation. Gloria can be reached through email at gloriaechurchill@gmail.com or at 902-579-1936
Greetings Growth Seekers from Growth Animator Sharon
What are some church basics you can refresh and review or share for the first time with visitors and those new to church? Ask some people who do not go to church what they think happens at church. It might generate some interesting ideas to discuss. Integrate in worship some sharing of why you do what you do, and when your community of faith does it. We can have a tendency of assuming people know and understand about Jesus, Bible, what a worship service is. Some communities of faith are exploring additional ways to reach people, such as sharing ideas about coming together to be able to sing, to gather for fellowship, build community, to talk about how ancient wisdom informs our everyday lives. We come as we are to share our joys and concerns and be together, people of all ages.
Have you recently done a walk around your building inside and out, making sure directions to doors, signage for events is current and up to date? Is it time to look at your website and see what people who visit will learn? Is that current? Visit websites of churches you don’t know and see what questions you have as a visitor. It is easy to assume everyone knows each other and the ways unique to your community of faith. Revisit your own community of faith’s website, social media, and signage or other communication. Do you know anyone who does not attend church who might join you to take a look? What improvements can you suggest?
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.
Hillside United Church – Music Director Job Opportunity!
Hillside United Church, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, is seeking to fill the role of Music Director. We are open to applications from either a single individual who can conduct and accompany, or a team of two (conductor + accompanist) applying together.
We are a recently amalgamated, inclusive, and vibrant congregation with a strong musical tradition and an appetite for both creative renewal and pastoral leadership in worship through music. Our sanctuary is well equipped with a Yamaha baby grand piano, a Casavant organ,
technical equipment and a volunteer technical support team. We currently have a Men’s Choir, a Senior Choir, and significant interest in involving children and youth in our music ministry. Please click here for more information.
This is a part-time, 15 hour a week position. Preferred start date: Sept 1, 2025. Deadline to apply is July 11, 2025. Please send cover letter and CV/resume to info@orchardviewcoaching.com
Promoting Ecumenical Shared Ministries toolkit
We’ve previously shared information with Pastoral Relations and Community of Faith Support colleagues about the Ecumenical Shared Ministry (ESM) Toolkit, developed by our partners at the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism. As communities of faith explore opportunities for collaboration and ecumenical ministry, this toolkit offers practical guidance and resources that may be helpful for ministry personnel and leaders.
Please click here for more information.
We Are Not Alone… but sometimes we forget that. Cluster Ministry
We are not alone… but sometimes we forget that.
In 2024 the BNS Regional Council voted to make “the development of local clusters a priority in its life and work.” Clusters are simply gatherings of United Church ministers and members who share a common location or a common interest. They are intended to be communally, emotionally and spiritually nutritious. Clusters provide mutual support and encouragement, improve communication, and contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and communities of faith. Communities of faith, Regional Council Representatives and ministry personnel are encouraged to contact the BNS Cluster Animator, Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt for more information and assistance establishing a cluster in your area. We are not alone, let’s remember that.
