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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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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.
Stewardship
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Get The Stewardship Support You Need
Administry Autumn Retreat – for Church Administrators
All Church Administrators are invited to enjoy an Autumn Retreat Day in Mahone Bay, Monday October 20th. Coffee’s ready at 9:30am. Program 10am to 4pm at Trinity United Church. Please register by October 8th using the link provided and read the attached poster for the details. There is NO registration fee for this event!
Public Prayer Webinar
Due to low registration, the Faith Formation and Leadership Development committee of Bermunda-Nova Scotia Region feels it necessary to suspend the webseries on Prayer with Janice MacLean. In hopes of reaching more people, we are working with Janice to produce an online resource instead.
A Day Away: Bulletin Announcement and Registration Deadline
It’s almost time for Rural Routes Through the Holy, A Day Away, to be held at St. Ann’s, Westcock NB, October 18th from 10:00 – 3:00, a time for those in rural faith communities to gather to share in worship, learning, faith formation and conversation. We’ll be fed by stories: Godly Play stories, the story of Coffee in the Church Woods, a reading from the beautiful heart book You are Loved, a micro pilgrimage, and guided conversations on what’s bringing us joy and what’s holding us captive. There’s so much we can learn from one another. Coming for the first time or returning we’d love to welcome you. Registration is $30 and includes the noon meal. You can read more and register at: https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca or by emailing ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com Registration Deadline is October 13th.
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.
You can read more at https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca/ under Events/A Day Away or 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.
M&P 101: A Workshop for Ministry & Personnel Committee Members
M&P 101: A Workshop for Ministry & Personnel Committee Members
Presented by the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region
Whether you’re new to the Ministry & Personnel Committee or simply looking to deepen your understanding, this introductory workshop is designed just for you! Join us for a day of learning, connection, and practical insights that will empower your role in church leadership.
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Bethany United Church
2669 Joseph Howe Drive/7171 Clinton Avenue, Halifax, NS
Lunch is on us! Freewill donations are welcome.
Led by Regional Minister David Hewitt, this interactive session will explore:
• Purpose and function of M&P Committee
• Confidentiality and Accountability
• Record keeping
• Annual Reviews
• Conflict
• Leaves
• Resources
• Q&A
Whether you’re curious, committed, or somewhere in between—this workshop will give you the tools and confidence to serve with clarity and care.
Please register here by Friday, October 31, 2025 to help us plan meals and materials.
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
LLWL Annual Gathering at Tatamagouche November 6-8
For several years now Licensed Lay Worship Leaders from Bermuda-Nova Scotia and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regions have been gathering for a time of learning, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. It is also an opportunity for the licensing committees to meet with LLWLs.
This event is available to LLWLs from both regions, as well as those who are still in training and anyone wishing to explore the program. The Rev. Mary Taylor (also President of B-NS) returns as one of our instructors along with Kyle Grant who you might recognize as part of the Worship Team at our joint meeting this year.
The LLWL Gathering is returning to the Tatamagouche Centre for 2025. We have built flexibility into the program so you can register for as much or as little as you are able to attend. Please click here for the registration form.
Submitting this form will generate an automatic email response with the total payment due and instructions for payment. Please to do not contact the Centre to register or make reservations. If you have questions, contact Heather Donnelly.
Covenanting Service: Walton Pastoral Charge
All are welcome and invited to attend the Covenanting service to mark the new ministry between Rev. Tambudzai (Tee) Vhembo, Walton Pastoral Charge and the Bermuda Nova Scotia Regional Council of The United Church of Canada.
The service will be held at Grace United Church, 4197 Walton Woods Road, Walton, N.S. on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2:30pm.
We welcome, Rev. David Hewitt, Regional liaison minister and Rev. Karen Lynch, guest speaker. Fellowship and light luncheon will follow the service.
RSVP is appreciated but not necessary.
graceunitedwalton4197@gmail.com
First United Church Trenton Harvest Fest
First United Church Trenton invites you to 2025 Harvest Fest on Saturday, October 25th from 11am-2pm.
Join us for a craft fair with local crafters. $2.00 admission (children 12 & under no charge if accompanied by an adult).
Feeling hungry? Enjoy a luncheon of either chili or beef & barley soup (cost will be set that day).
Stock up on baked good and preserves from the Church Ladies Bake Table.
Everyone Welcome!
Click here to view a poster for the event.
Drag Me to Church at Saint Andrew’s United in Halifax!
On Saturday, October 25, Saint Andrew’s United Church is filling their sanctuary with sequins and celebrating the artistry, inclusivity, and community of drag. Drag Me to Church is a unique, affirming, and truly fabulous event with local drag entertainers, including co-hosts Lovina Poison and Lydia Sapphire; featured performers Elle Lixir, Anna Thematic, and Cookie Cunningham; and spotlight performers Miss Thing and Chani Cash.
Join us before the show for our free market featuring 2SLGBTQIA+ businesses and organizations. Doors to the marketplace open at 6pm, and the drag show starts at 8pm. Tickets are $10 per person (19+). ASL interpreters will be on site at the event. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here
Women’s Retreat November 14-16 in Truro
Beginning with dinner on Friday evening, and wrapping up after brunch on Sunday morning, we will spend the weekend together praying, singing, meditating, socialization and sharing belly laughs, eating delicious food, gently moving our bodies, playing and creating, and sharing our stories with new and old friends.
All women of all faith traditions and belief systems welcome. Activities will be appropriate for all ages and physical abilities.
Cost: $125 per person. Registration fee includes all activities and meals. Concession rate available for those whom the cost is prohibitive. Registration limited to 50 women.
Our guest facilitator is Caelin Nadin, certified Somatic Practitioner, who uses breathing and other gentle techniques to help calm one’s nervous system in the midst of anxiety, grief, chronic pain, PTSD, and the general stress of being alive in our chaotic world.
To register or for more information, email admin@communityunitedchurch.org
The poster can be viewed here.
Growth Ideas 101: Hallowe’en, Fall and Thanks
Inspired by some of the one hundred tables projects and focus on fall, how can community come together for Hallowe’en to build neighbourhood connections? Host a Hallowe’en costume exchange. Invite people to bring items to donate so people can “build your own” costume gathering with people creating a sharing of resources. Consider what to do with pumpkins, such as pumpkin carving time, roasting seeds, coordinating submission of photos people take of their carved pumpkins, sharing pumpkin recipes, offering pumpkin soup, pumpkin cookies, cakes or muffins, pumpkin pie, pumpkin drinks. Offer a fall themed arts and crafts. Host a local walk to observe colours. Encourage people to take photos of fall colours and create a slide show to share with those who can’t get out to see them such as in a long term care home. Set up a table in partnership with a local pumpkin patch or corn maze, to offer faithful presence. Create a fantastic fall of thanks.
Expand your gratitude with offering thanks for people in your neighbourhood and find ways for them to share their thanks …through connecting, gathering at a table outside, in a public space, inviting people to gather to share gifts of gratitude like tea and cookies, notes and cards, exchanges of goods, services and talents offer thanks. Offer an autumn community meal offering thanks and gratitude for your neighbours and getting to know your wider community, attending local sports, music and activity groups to cheerlead and let people know you care and are thankful for their efforts and their talents. Take gratitude on the road setting up a gratitude table, offering of individually packaged gratitude cookies and a gratitude box or book to invite people to share what they are thankful for. Who can you thank in your community? One community of faith is hosting an ecumenical service of gratitude at the local fire hall, setting up a gratitude table with a book for people to thank their local firefighters and first responders.
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.
2026 Canadian Church Calendar
The United Church Bookstore is taking pre-orders for the 2026 church calendar. If you are interested in placing an order, please contact Leona at llaundry@united-church.ca or 709-399-0834.
The cost of the calendars are:
1-10 calendars $7.00 tax included
10 or more calendars $6.50 tax included
please note shipping costs will be an extra charge.
(Re)generate Presentations
(Re)generate is a leadership development program for ministers across the United Church created by our previous Moderator the Rt. Rev. Carmen Lansdowne. This program culminated in each of the participants completing a capstone project. This webinar series is an exciting opportunity to hear from 5 of the participants of this program; their experience and their capstone project. The Faith Formation and Leadership Development Committee of the Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region is please to present this two webinar series. This series is hosted by (Re)generate participants from the Eastern Regions of the United Church, one on October 22nd and one on October 29th. These sessions will start at 7pm (AST) and run for an hour with time at the end for questions and discussion. Registration is now open here. There is no registration fee for the series. The presenters for the two sessions are:
October 22nd – Rev. Michelle Johnson-Armstrong, Rev. Penny Nelson, and Rev. Rick Gunn
October 29th – Rev. Katie Aven, and Rev. Catherine Stuart
Upon registration you will receive an automated email. A few days later you will receive a welcome email from the committee with the zoom link for the sessions. You will also receive a reminder email before each session.
Walkthrough of United Church Songbook – Then Let Us Sing
Come on a guided tour of the new supplemental songbook for the United Church, Then Let US Sing,
Leader: Chris Bowman – Music Ministry – First United Church, Truro, NS
Artistic Director – Cantabile Choral Society Choirs
When: November 1st, 2025 10:30 am to approx. 12:15 pm
Where: Aylesford United Church, 2414 Highway 1, Aylesford NS
Registration: $10 (or pay as you can)
Advance Registration requested at: aylesfordunitedchurch@gmail.com
Come for a walk through of the new songbook and an introduction to new songs. Bring your copy if you have one, a few spare copies will be available
Come sing with your friends
Food: Soup and a roll provided (free will)
The Application for Gifts with Vision is Available Now
We’re excited to let you know that applications for the 2026 – 2027 cycle of Gifts with Vision are now open!
Gifts with Vision connects caring people across Canada with the incredible ministries of our Mission and Service partners through hope, compassion, and transformation.
Here are the details applicants need to know:
- Application deadline: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
- Applicants must be current Mission and Service partners
- Applications are being accepted online via Microsoft Forms
- We’re keeping the number of gifts small this year, with plans to expand gradually
- Every gift requires an application – even those who have been part of Gifts with Vision before
- The website will be updated and go live with new gifts in February, which allows us to focus on highlighting projects throughout the year
Thank you for all the ways you support and uplift the work of Gifts with Vision and Mission and Service partners. Your help in sharing this opportunity makes a real difference.
Help us Preserve the Oldest United Church Building in NB
Scotch Ridge United Church (originally Presbyterian) was built in 1826 and will be celebrating its 200th Anniversary in 2026. It is the oldest still functioning United church building in New Brunswick.
