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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.
Covenanting Service Sept. 28th for Beverly(Bev)Thompson at Ste, Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge
Join us on Sunday Sept. 28th at 2:00 at Ste. Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge in Ste. Croix, Nova Scotia for the Covenanting Service for our new minister Beverly (Bev)Thompson. Rev. Chris Matheson will deliver the message. Come and help us welcome Bev. There will be a lunch after the service.
Covenanting Service
Covenanting Service between The Rev Beth W Johnston and the Collaborative Ministry between Springhill: St Andrews Wesley and Collingwood United Church . Sunday October 5 at 3pm. Collingwood United Church, Wyvern Rd. Collingwood Corner NS . Refreshments to follow. Harvey Gullon, Regional Council Liaison, and the Rev. Michele Smith, preacher.
2026 Mission and Service Grant Application-Deadline September 19
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.
The Institute for Health, Joy and Excellence Presents For Everyone Born: Clergy Symposium and Retreat 2025
The Institute for Health, Joy and Excellence invites you to the For Everyone Born: Clergy Symposium and Retreat 2025, taking place from October 20 to 24, 2025, at Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp in Bishop’s Falls, NL.
Rev. Oliver Dingwell will lead the symposium in 2025. Rev. Oliver Dingwell and Rev. Shepherd Munikwa will lead the retreat.
Join us and be part of the community. Help us welcome everyone.
Please click here to register and find more information.
De-commissioning Service – Milford-Lantz United Church
The De-commissioning Service for Milford-Lantz United Church is scheduled for September 28, 2025, at 2:00pm. The building and property have been sold. All are cordially invited to attend. A reception will be held following the service.
Looking to live out your land acknowledgement?
A congregation in Hamilton, Ontario was inspired to learn how Indigenous ministry students at Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre in Manitoba are showing the broader church a path to reconciliation. The congregation decided to celebrate UCC’s 100th anniversary with a gift that supports these students and a hopeful future for our church. They challenge you to do the same!
Click here to learn more.
Growth Ideas 101: Gratitude and Peace
Here is the link to the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, the Growth Animator, for September 17, 2025.
Contact your growth animator, Sharon Ballantyne at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
Everyone is reminded to also join our casual virtual drop in each Wednesday morning on Sharon’s zoom 9:45 Atlantic and 10:15 NL for thirty minutes. Contact Sharon if you need the link.
Free Season of Creation Planning Resource
Looking to try something different this fall? The Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee has purchased rights for Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional use of the All Ages Curriculum: “Creating a Culture”. Each week offers Prayers for Worship, Theme Suggestions, Printable Pew Activities, and alternating “Sunday School” or “Outreach Project” lesson plans for all ages. Join the theme for the season anytime before Thanksgiving and receive a discount code for 50% off of the Advent Package “Welcome to the Family.” Find more information, download the resource or request a resource intro session here, and use the code B-NS Free to purchase the full package for FREE ($150 value).
A Day Away; Rest, Refresh, Connect
Rural Routes Through the Holy, is an initiative that began in 2019 to nourish, support and connect members of rural (or small) communities of faith. You can read all about us by clicking here!
On Saturday, October 18th from 10 am to 3 pm (with coffee/tea available at 9:30 am), we’re hosting a one day gathering at St. Ann’s, Westcock. Together we’ll worship, share a meal, listen as Tom Urbaniak, read from and invite disccussion on You Are Loved, a tribute to Alison Etter (see below), hear the story of Coffee in the Church Woods, make a micro pilgrimage on a nearby trail and learn from one another in small group and circle conversations. You can read more and register here under Events. Lunch is provided. If you have questions, please email Catherine, ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com
Invitation to GLEE (Generations sharing Lived Experiences and Education) Club at St. Andrew’s Halifax
Ever wanted to ask someone about the gadget they’re wearing or a button on their bag but was afraid to ask for fear of offending? Wonder what it was like coming of age as trans, queer, and ally in the 1970s? 1990s? 2010s? Sick of searching for answers big and small on Reddit and want to talk to someone in the flesh? Don’t know how Reddit works? Separated from your family by geographical or emotional distance and looking for support or information from a Gen-Zer or a Boomer? How do we form and maintain close bonds as we move through all stages of life? If any of the above applies to you, we cordially invite you to St. Andrew’s GLEE—Generations sharing Lived Experiences and Education—Club.
As an Affirming Church, St. Andrew’s Halifax wants to support members of the queer community isolated from younger and older generations. St. Andrew’s GLEE Club provides a sober, well-lit, safe space where trans, queers, and allies from all walks of life can gather to share lived experiences. The first meeting is September 21 at noon. Contact the office at office@saintandrewshfx.ca for more information.
Invitation: Seniors for Climate Action – DRAW THE LINE
Rev Dr Shepherd Munikwa – Minister for Justice Mission & Outreach – UCC East
Beloved friends,
In every generation, God calls forth witnesses to justice, compassion, and care for creation. Today, that calling rests upon us. The earth, our common home, groans under the weight of exploitation and neglect (Romans 8:22). Yet we are not without hope. For the Spirit still breathes renewal, and the wisdom of elders, seasoned by life, faith, and perseverance can shine as a prophetic light in this urgent hour.
Earlier this year, on Earth Day, we gathered in hope. Now, through our documentary Later is Too Late, we have sounded the alarm. And in September, we will stand together, elders drawing the line for life, dignity, and the flourishing of creation.
We invite you to join Seniors for Climate Action, for the historic DRAW THE LINE mobilization on September 20, 2025. This is the largest gathering of seniors in Canadian history for the sake of climate justice. This movement is not only about policy or politics; it is a sacred act of stewardship, rooted in the biblical call to “seek the welfare of the land” (Jeremiah 29:7) and to love our neighbors, including the generations yet unborn. Check the posters for actual date and time for your local gathering. Click here to view the Seniors for Climate Tantramar Facebook page.
Come, add your voice, your presence, your prayer, and your wisdom. Let us rise with courage, knowing that in Christ all things can be made new (Revelation 21:5). Together, we can bear witness that faith does not end with words but takes form in action, for the sake of our children, our grandchildren, and the future of all God’s creatures. You can view the poster here for more information.
Later is too late. The time is now. Join us.
You Are Loved: a book inspired by Rev. Alison Etter
Rural Routes Through the Holy is honoured to welcome Tom Urbaniak to A Day Away, on October 18th, 2025. Tom will share readings from You Are Loved, a moving tribute to his late wife, Rev. Alison Etter.
Copies of You Are Loved will be available for purchase, with all royalties donated to the Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund at the Atlantic School of Theology, supporting those who carry forward Alison’s work and values, across all faith traditions.
You can read more by clicking here. Check under the companion announcement Events/A Day Away: Rest, Refresh, Connect. You’re also welcome to email ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com
While we hope many of you will register and spend the day those who would like to drop in just for Tom’s presentation (11 am – 12 am), without registering, are welcome too. We’d love to see you and we hope you spread the word.
Public Prayer Webinar
Let us pray. Sometimes those are intimidating words for lay persons. Join Janice MacLean of Prayer Bench to explore prayers for worship. Janice offers this description: “Prayer gathers us in, carries our joys and sorrows, and sends us into the world with blessing. In this three-session series, we explore the prayers that shape worship: gathering words, intercessions, blessings, and more -while learning the art of crafting them with care and leading them with confidence.” This program is presented by the Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee of Bermuda Nova Scotia Region. Sessions will be held by Zoom on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 October 13, 20 and 27. Registration is $30.00 and can be paid to the Regional Office. Please register by October 10 2025.
Seeking Full Time Minister
“SHARING AND LIVING THE GOOD NEWS” IN ST. JOHN’S, MIDDLETON
Lazy, Crazy Days of Summer”??
Not for the folk at St. John’s United Church, in Middleton, NS. They have been busy as bees, maybe even busier than the bees in Rev. Elisabeth’s beehives, and, like them, we are producing sweet results.
The highlight of the summer took place on August 12 when the Covenanting Service was celebrated for our new minister, The Rev. Elisabeth Bachem Jennings.
The special guest speaker was none other than The Rev. Paul Jennings, who thankfully didn’t hold back his first-hand knowledge of his wife’s many fine attributes. Presiding over the event was The Rev. Brenda McKay. The entire evening was lovely and very special for Rev. Elisabeth and the many in attendance, including representatives from our local cluster churches.
Unquestionably the most moving portion of the service was the chanting in the original Hebrew of the passage in Isaiah by Rabbi Karen Soria, followed by the English translation by her spouse, The Rev. Major Heather Smith. It was hauntingly beautiful as it transported us back to a time and place thousands of years ago.
Back to the future once again, our thoughts and actions were with modern-day Israel and vicinity and the tragic events occurring in that part of the world, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Each Sunday, members quietly placed rocks on a cairn to honour the thousands of Israeli and Palestinian children, who have been innocent victims of the ongoing war. Rev. Elisabeth solemnly read aloud 50 symbolic, but actual, names ( supplied by friends at our latest Region AGM) and ages each week as the congregation bowed in silence, perhaps thinking of their own family members the same age, and how they would be missed and mourned, if they were suddenly no longer with us. This reminded us that the numbers reported and updated every day represent real children, from birth to the late teens, cherished by their loved ones.
There is so much more to relate about our summer activities, but that may have to wait until another report.
“Sing for Unity” Old Time Gospel Sing-along
Aylesford United Church invites you to an Old Time Gospel Sing-along, Sunday, Sept. 21st at 2:00 pm. This Sing-along is part of the United Nations’ International Day for Peace . “Sing for Unity” is a global effort singing for world peace, community and unity. This Old Time Gospel Sing-along is part of a Sound Wave of music travelling from time zone to time zone, at 2 pm local time, getting stronger as it circles the globe.
Join us and be part of the musical movement for peace.
If you are unable to attend, please sing some songs, make music on your own, or gather some friends at 2 pm Sunday Sept 21st and add to the global sound wave.
Bermuda- Nova Scotia Stewardship- Church X
Summer is ending and fall season is starting. September is a busy time for our local communities of faith. Our local church boards are looking at the programs to start. Let us remember the Stewardship programs found on our church X. I see our Church X as the library, full of programs for our use. Like any library, free to join.
October programs are:
Getting Started in Stewardship, online Oct 6, 2025
Bequests and Estate Giving Fall 2025, Oct 15 and Oct 29, 2025. Also on demand.
Stewardship Best Practices Fall 2025, Oct 20-Nov 27, 2025
Please click here for more information!
Stories Behind the Music – Senior’s Music Club (and all others interested!
You’re warmly invited to join us in the Sanctuary at Hillside United Church at 12 Flamingo Drive, Halifax, for a special series designed for seniors (and all others) who love music and meaningful connection. Each gathering will feature beautiful classical selections, engaging stories behind the music shared by Anna Shabalina, and a relaxed social time to chat and connect with others.
Upcoming Sessions:
• September 24 – Exploring Early Music & the Baroque Era
• October 29 – Romantic Era Across Europe
• November 26 – Live Concert: Cello & Piano Performance
All events run from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
This pilot series is generously supported by The United Church of Canada Foundation.
Administry: An Autumn Cluster gathering for Church Administrators
HOLD THE DATE: All UCC Church Administrators (aka Office Coordinators, Church Secretaries, etc.) are invited to gather at Trinity United Church in beautiful Mahone Bay on Monday, October 20th. Much more information to follow, stay tuned. Join the Administry Cluster Facebook page: Administry United – Bermuda Nova Scotia Region. Send your ideas for discussion topics to Robyn at RBrown-Hewitt@united-church.ca.
