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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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www.ucceast.ca
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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.
Growth Ideas 101: Invite Them Back
Many people have shared that people who were active in communities of faith have not come back after Covid. Can you relate? Often after people are away for a time, they don’t know how to come back. They are concerned about what the experience might be, fill the time with other things, and yes, wonder why no one from their church has taken initiative to call. Communities of faith often wonder what happened to those people, but rarely has a follow-up yet been done! Take the initiative! Consider an event happening in your community of faith that you can make a phone call, check in on them and invite those people back! Perhaps it’s the September start-up, blessings of backpacks, a welcome back BBQ, or other special happening at your church. Get together with some others and figure out who those missing people are. Review data base information, directory, or use other strategies to figure out who you have not seen in a long while. Determine who the people in your community of faith might be the best people to make friendly phone calls, with the purpose to check-in and to invite them back. Connect with me if you want to discuss ideas about “inviting back,” covering all in prayer and increasing opportunities for connection.
Contact your growth animator, Sharon Ballantyne at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
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!
Rural Routes Through the Holy: A Day Away
This year RRTH is adding something new: A Day Away. We’ll be gathering on October 18, 2025 from 9:30 am to 3:30 in the historic church of St. Anne’s Anglican, just outside Sackville NB. We’re working on workshops and conversations that will nourish you and Tom Urbaniak will be with us to read from his book, You Are Loved. There will be copies to purchase. Morning coffee and lunch are included. More to come, just save the date. Visit us at: https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca
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).
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.”
Abingdon Worship Annual 2026
The United Church Bookstore is taking orders for The Abingdon Worship Annual 2026.
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2026 is a practical, lectionary-based resource for leaders responsible for planning worship. This thoughtful sourcebook offers a weekly theme with meaningful prayers and fresh litanies following a traditional order of Christian worship: Invitation and Gathering Proclamation and Response Thanksgiving and Communion Sending Forth Liturgies and prayers are also included for special days, including New Year’s Day, Ascension Day, All Saints Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve.
The Annual includes helpful reminders for Christian-year planning—including liturgical colors—and a scripture index. The authors also provide in-depth guidance and practical ideas for this new age of worship, helping readers understand and weigh their options for worshiping in digital spaces and unconventional places.
The Abingdon Worship Annual 2026 is a must-have sourcebook offering countless opportunities for planning meaningful and insightful worship.
The cost is $43.95 tax included. If you are interested in ordering a copy, please contact Leona at llaundry@united-church.ca or 709-399-0834.
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
