NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
Submission Request for Weekly Announcements
www.ucceast.ca
Staff Directory
It’s Your Call – Podcast
Spark 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.
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters (FSLDW) Committee Interest form.
Regional Job Posting: Communications and Office Administrator
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters and Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Councils is seeking an individual to fill the role of Communications and Office Administrator on a permanent full-time basis (35 hours per week). Please click here for the full job posting.
Denominational & Regional Assessments
All Communities of Faith in the three eastern regions of The United Church of Canada are reminded to please log into your Church Hub account (www.churchhub.ca) where you can access your assessment invoices and statements. If you are having issues with Church Hub or have questions about assessments, please email assessments@united-church.ca so they can assist you.
Happy Anniversary!!
We are celebrating our 4th anniversary as an Affirming Region! Here is a letter from your Affirm Committee. Please share with your congregation.
Salisbury United Church 175th Anniversary Service
175th Anniversary Service will be September 28th at 3:30 PM. Church is located at 76 Smith Street. Guest speaker will be Rev. Michael Goodfellow of Hartland-Jacksonville Pastoral Charge. Reception to follow afterwards in the church basement.
A Multi-Congregational Commemorative Worship Service Honouring the Life and Ministry of Rev. Peter Gordon (1806-1809)
Greetings!
York Covehead Pastoral Charge, Mt. Stewart-Morell-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge, Kings United Pastoral Charge would like to extend an invitation to all to their Multi-Congregational Commemorative Worship Service honouring the life and ministry of Rev. Peter Gordon (1806-1809).
On Sunday, September 28th, all are welcome to attend a commemorative worship service honouring the Rev. Peter Gordon, the first resident Presbyterian Minister on PEI (1806-1809). Rev. Peter Gordon’s pastoral charge extended from West Covehead to Bay Fortune, and so, he was a historic predecessor of all our communities. The worship service begins at 2 p.m., followed by refreshments, cake, and ice-cream. Many thanks to our host church, Peter Gordon Memorial United Church, located in Morell, PEI (fully accessible).
Growth ideas 101: We are the signs
Ensuring your signage on your building is clear and that information is current and up to date on websites and social media is really important. Including information unique to your community of faith, other visible place markers nearby, street address provided, local bus route information, times and dates of events. Perhaps you have a digital sign, or a lettered sign that you change. Maybe you use a sandwich board sign for added emphasis. Has your community of faith checked with your local governance to have signage with arrows on nearby streets, letting others in the area know your neighbourhood is in the neighbourhood? Are there places to add clear signage? How might your community of faith be energized to realize each person is the best sign? Telling others, that personal invitation remains our best way of connecting and relating to others. Add visibility of who you are when hosting meetings and events outside your building. Consider ball caps, t-shirts or aprons as a possibility. Perhaps you do walking church, prayer walks, forest church, spirituality discussions at a local café or restaurant? Ensure everyone has reminders of events they can share with others. Hold some training sessions, or do some skits to help people get more comfortable to invite others. What ideas are your community of faith using to increase visibility and promotion? Let’s talk about more ways you can increase your signage to thrive and grow.
Contact your growth animator, Sharon Ballantyne at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca
The Institute for Health, Joy and Excellence Presents For Everyone Born: Clergy Symposium and Retreat 2025-October 20 to 24 (Deadline to Register is October 3)
The Institute for Health, Joy and Excellence presents 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.
What does it mean to proclaim “for everyone born a place at the table?” Join colleagues in ministry for a transformative gathering that explores this question through the lens of postcolonial theology. Framed by the powerful imagery and conviction of the hymn For Everyone Born, this two-part event offers both a rich educational symposium and a reflective spiritual retreat.
The Symposium (October 20-22) will provide a comprehensive survey of postcolonial theology, its core concepts, and their implications for the daily practice of ministry. Together, we will engage questions of voice, power, and presence in preaching, liturgy, sacraments, and congregational life. Together, we will explore how postcolonial theology challenges colonial legacies and opens the church to justice, joy, compassion, and peace.
Following the academic exploration, the Retreat (October 22-24) will offer spacious time for prayer, discernment, and renewal. Rooted in the guiding questions—Who are we? Who are our neighbours? What is God calling us to do?—this retreat will help participants ground postcolonial insights in personal and communal vocation. With scripture, silence, song, and story, we will listen for God’s call to be creators of justice and joy in our unique contexts.
Our symposium leader for 2025 is the Rev. Oliver Dingwell. Our leaders for the retreat will be Rev. Oliver Dingwell and Rev. Shepherd Munikwa.
Come and claim your place at the table. Come and prepare to extend that welcome to all.
Please click here to register by October 3, 2025 and find more information.
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. Click here to register by October 10, 2025.
Seeking Full Time Minister
The O’Leary West Cape Pastoral Charge Search Committee is actively seeking full time candidates who wish to share their faith journey with a vibrant, passionate, and dedicated three-point charge.
Position Highlights:
-Newly updated manse
-Recently redecorated minister’s office
-Currently upgrading our community enrichment space
-Very engaged and active membership
For more details, please visit our complete profile on the Church Hub website. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at owcpcministersearch@gmail.com
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
SENB Regional Youth Group
St. Paul’s United Church (Riverview, NB) is starting a regional youth group this fall. If you are between the ages of 12-30 and may be interested in participating, please click here to complete a brief survey by September 30th. The exact ages of the group will be determined based on interest. Please reach out to Olivia Finnamore (ofinnamore@gmail.com) or Isabelle Williams (isabelle.willixms@gmail.com) if you have questions.
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.
