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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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It’s Your Call – Podcast
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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 – Stephen Andrew Sollows
Our condolences are extended to Janet Sollows (Past President of Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council, 2019-2021) and family, whose husband Stephen Sollows passed away on July 21, 2025. A link to the obituary can be found here.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Pastoral Relations News – July 2025
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Donna Kelly with LaHave New Dublin Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, September 1 to December 31, 2025, during the sabbatical leave of Neil McEwen.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Brenda McKay, retired, with Newport Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 7 to October 6, 2025.
- Approved the Appointment of Tambudzai Vhembo, Admissions applicant, with Walton Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 14, 2025 to July 12, 2026. David Hewitt, Liaison.
- Approved the Appointment of Bill Drysdale, DLM, with Cumberland Pastoral Charge, 3 hours/week, September 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
- Approved the Appointment of Norma Mills, retired, with Waterview Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1 to December 31, 2025.
- Approved the Appointment of Beverly Thompson, Candidate, with Ste. Croix Ellershouse Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, June 22, 2025 to June 21, 2026.
- Approved the position description for collaborative ministry with Northumberland Pastoral Charge (BNS) and Baie Vert Port Elgin Tignish Bridge Pastoral Charge (FSLDW). Search for half-time ministry personnel is authorized.
- Next meeting: Friday, September 5, 2025. Please contact dhewitt@united-church.ca for additional information.
Regional Representatives and Stewardship Committees
We can all learn the spiritual discipline of giving. We either learn it in our families or our church community. In the gospels Jesus talks about money yet we in the church are hesitant to mention it. Generosity and stewardship go together.
Our Regional Stewardship team wants to communicate with our communities of faith about generosity. By practicing faithful stewardship of creation and using what we have been given there is enough for all. The problem is we become self-absorbed in our own world. Let’s break the cycle of thinking stewardship is fundraising. Stewardship encompasses all that God has entrusted to us.
Wanalda Parsons she/her, Chair Stewardship Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council, can be reached at wanalda@hotmail.com
Growth Ideas 101: Creating and Creation Time
Before you know it, we will be in the fall season of creation time. Immersing ourselves in the joys of summer blessings, have your phone ready to capture the awe and wonder of God in creation. Invite others in your community of faith and wider community to capture nature’s bounty and to share how experiencing some moment from nature has made you feel. Connect with your local tourism area, your local media, other communities of faith to capture all the summer activities. Host a summer travels event in the fall inviting people to share stories of their adventures. Host a seasonal moments events, perhaps pairing with a local orchestra or band to share slide show of photos. Host a mindfulness/contemplative moments time for reflection, offering the many nature photos, paired with calm and peaceful music. Use photos to inspire a writer’s workshop experiencing God moments. Host a photography workshop inviting people to learn more on how to make those photos capture the best of the moment using a cell phone camera. Perhaps it can be a kick-off pilot to start a photo sharing opportunity in each season of the year Explore other ways to promote creativity – and engage your neighbourhood –– creative cooking, music, arts, card making, workshops based on people’s hobbies, home entrepreneurial interests, other “how to, opportunities. As you observe creation season, host educational events about climate crisis. Reach out to neighbours offering fall clean-ups and other outside beautification supports. Invite gardeners to divide and share plants that can be split and transplanted, outdoor painting projects, small repairs, at your church buildings and as outreach to neighbours. Consider ways to support back to school for students, staff and faculty, supporting families.
Share your ideas with me.
Contact your growth animator, Sharon Ballantyne at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
Are you looking for something to do when you’re in Halifax?
Did you ever wonder what lies behind the striking Gothic green doors at Fort Massey United Church at the corner of Queen and Tobin Streets in Halifax?
This summer, the doors of the historic 1871 masterpiece designed by David Stirling, are opening for public tours, from Tuesdays to Saturdays (10:30 to 1:30 and 3:30 to 5:30). Visitors will learn about famous members of the congregation including Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anna Leonowens, and financier Lord Beaverbrook plus the sacrifices of 12 young men from the Stairs family in the First World War.
The church has been a beacon overlooking the harbour for more than 150 years and the story of the city is written on its plaques and windows. Visitors may also be treated to a sample of music from the church’s magnificent Casavant Freres organ.
“The more time you spend exploring this space, the more details you notice,” tour guide Lilli Knorr says. “I’m amazed at the things I’ve discovered since the tours began.”
Covenanting Service, St. John’s Middleton
St. John’s UCC, Middleton will be holding a celebratory covenanting service for our newly appointed minister, the Rev. Elisabeth Bachem-Jennings on TUESDAY, AUGUST 12th, 2025 AT 7:00PM. Guest preacher shall be the Rev. Paul Jennings, recently retired Anglican priest and spouse of Rev. Elisabeth Bachem-Jennings. Region Liaison, the Rev. Brenda McKay.
All are warmly welcome!
North Highlands Pastoral Charge Welcomes New Minister
North Highlands Pastoral Charge’s three congregations..Ingonish, Pleasant Bay and Aspy Bay welcomed our new minister Heather Cronhelm with a joint service at Aspy Bay United on July 6th. We look forward to our journey of faith with her. The covenanting service is scheduled for Sept 14 at 2:30 at St. Andrew’s in Pleasant Bay.
Items Available from Upper Stewiacke Springside Pastoral Charge
As Upper Stewiacke Springside Pastoral Charge prepares to sell its church building, there are several items that may be of use to other Communities of Faith. These include (but are not limited to) worship banners, a sound system, and a small lectern.
If your Community of Faith is interested in any of these items, please contact Rev. Michael Henderson, Pastoral Charge Supervisor, at mikewahenderson@gmail.com or 902-305-4620 (please leave a message).
Certificate in Stewardship at AST: Special Fall Cohort Rate!
We are offering our Certificate in Stewardship at a reduced rate of $300 for fall 2025 cohort participants.
The cohort group will meet via zoom and the sessions will be facilitated by The Rev. Cathy Lee Cunningham.
Participants will meet Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm starting 23 September.
Visit our website to see what this program can offer individuals and parishes.
For more information, contact Lydia Hood: lydia.hood@astheology.ns.ca or 902.430.7662
Bedford United Church is looking for a Music Director
Bedford United Church is searching for a Director of Music. This is a 20 hour per week position which includes UCC Pension and Benefits. BUC is a vibrant and inclusive community of faith that enjoys a wide variety of musical offerings!
All inquiries and expressions of interest can be sent to Searchteam@bedfordunited.com.
The position description can be viewed on the Bedford United Church website.
Camp Hill Worship Leadership Needed
The Camp Hill ecumenical chaplaincy is looking for available United Church clergy to lead an occasional, generic, 30-minute Sunday Service at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial Building, Halifax. As far as the individual officiant is able to provide it, this Service is non-denominational in character and should reflect a variety of mainline Protestant traditions simultaneously. The officiant must be comfortable functioning in a dementia context. $150 stipend, parking provided. Contact Rev. Tim Parker, Staff Chaplain, Camp Hill VMB. Tim.Parker@nshealth.ca 902 219 0659.
