![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.
Covenanting Service, St. John’s Middleton, Tuesday, August 12
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!
St John’s United Church, Fall River is calling a Full Time Minister
St. John’s United Church Fall River (Waverley Pastoral Charge) is seeking a full-time minister to join our Affirming, multigenerational congregation just outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. You’ll serve in a team ministry alongside a part-time children and youth minister, supported by dedicated lay leaders, a strong music program, and a congregation committed to outreach and compassionate care.
We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw people—surrounded by lakes, forests and friendly neighbourhoods. Only 20 minutes from downtown Halifax and 10 minutes from the international airport. With ongoing residential growth in our area, we can refer you to well-respected and knowledgeable local realtors.
We’re seeking a collaborative, spiritually grounded leader to help us deepen our faith, strengthen connections, live more fully into our Affirming identity, and guide a path of faithful stewardship and long-term sustainability. Learn more about us and the position at https://sjucfr.ca/ or on Church Hub.
Please spread the word, and reach out with questions or applications to searchteam@sjucfr.ca. We look forward to starting a conversation with you! Deadline: August 31, 2025.
BNS Committee Vacancies
Dear friends in faith,
We are writing with an open heart and a hopeful spirit to invite you to consider sharing your unique gifts in service of our community. The Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region of the United Church of Canada is currently seeking passionate, dedicated individuals to step forward and volunteer for several key roles.
These positions are more than just vacancies—they are opportunities to nurture our collective ministry, strengthen our connections, and help guide the church into its next chapter. Every role, big or small, contributes meaningfully to the work we do together.
Please take a moment to look over the list of opportunities. Pray on them, reflect on where your talents and energy might be most needed, and consider saying “yes” to something new. Your time and gifts can make a profound difference.
At the moment there are several vacancies. If I may, I would like to lift up the Licensing Committee, Faith Story Community Covenant Committee, Future Directions, and Faith Formation as places that can use your time, gifts, and talents.
If you feel called—or even curious—we would love to hear from you. Please reach out to me at angelamaclean@hillsideunited.org or Tony Orlando at tonye.orlando@gmail.com.
With gratitude and hope,
Angela MacLean
Nominations Chair
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region
United Church of Canada
General Council 45 — Hold all in Prayer, Tune in Virtually
August 7 to 11, 2025 is the hybrid offering of GC 45, Visions and Dreams, at the TELUS Convention Centre in Calgary AB. The plenary sessions will be livestreamed at the United Church YouTube channel
There are five candidates who are nominees for Moderator who will be elected by commissioners by August 9, and installed August 11.
The apology to 2SLGBTQIA+ will take place Friday August 8 in a special livestream worship service. Anyone can join via Zoom. Register here
Hold all in prayer.
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.”
Growth Ideas 101: Video Discussion Starter for Visions, Dreams, Imagining Church in 2035
What are your hopes for your community of faith, imagining the next decade? In an eleven-minute video, participants from the Moderator’s (re) generate program offer their hopes for the church in 2035. You can watch it here.
The video was shared at the June 28 virtual meeting of GC 45.
You might invite people to have a watch party and follow-up discussion in your own context. Share the video as a sermon message or with one of your teams, committees or small groups. Let’s talk about your fears and your hopes. I am happy to set up a zoom call 1:1 or with a group. We could have a phone call. You could send me a video clip or an email sharing your feedback. Contact your growth animator, Sharon Ballantyne at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
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.
