Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Weekly Announcements – September 24, 2025

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL

Submission Request for Weekly Announcements

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www.ucceast.ca 

Staff Directory      

It’s Your Call – Podcast

News from the Pews Newsletter

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Covenanting Service September 28 for Beverly (Bev) Thompson at Ste. Croix-Ellershouse Pastoral Charge

Join us on Sunday September 28 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.

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Covenanting Service – Rev. Beth W. Johnston

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.

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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

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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.

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