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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.
Condolences – Wayne Barkhouse
Our condolences are extended to Rev. Catherine Stuart (Regional Minister for Children, Youth and Young Adults) and family, whose father, Wayne Barkhouse, passed away on October 10, 2025. The funeral was held earlier today. A link to the obituary can be found here.
Here from the Beginning
The exhibit “Here from the Beginning”: Celebrating the history of The United Church of Canada through the lens of Black People will be available beginning next week for viewing at the Regional Council Office, 21 Wright Street, Sackville, New Brunswick.
This important exhibition was prepared for the centennial of The United Church of Canada, and provides a more full understanding of the church’s history from the Black perspective, as another step in the church’s journey to be an intercultural and anti-racist church.
We hope that you will consider viewing this important exhibition while it is in our region, during the following times:
21 Wright Street, Sackville, New Brunswick
Monday through Friday; 9:00 am–3:00 pm daily
Still time to Register — Administry Autumn Retreat!
There is still time to register for the Administry Autumn Retreat Oct. 20! The Administry Cluster welcomes all Church Administrators, Office Staff, or Church Secretaries! The retreat will provide time to develop relationships, ask questions, share ideas, and support one another. Our location is beautiful Mahone Bay, Trinity United Church. There is NO FEE for this event. See the attached poster for the link and details.
(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 4 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 pleased 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. Penny Nelson, and Rev. Rick Gunn
October 29th – Rev. Katie Aven, and Rev. Michelle Johnson-Armstrong
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.
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
Churches of Chignecto 100th Anniversary Worship Service & Gala
Was your Rural Church formerly a Part of Chignecto Presbytery?
A committee Called the Churches of Chignecto 100th Anniversary Gala, spearheaded by the Upper Sackville-Anderson Settlement Pastoral Charge with help from the Shediac Pastoral Charge is the successful recipient of a Centennial Grant from the United Church of Canada Foundation, to help us close out our Centenary Year with an event to remember.
Please consider joining us on Sunday, November 23, 2025 for a joint worship service (10:30 AM) and Gala Harvest Lunch (12 PM) at the East Botsford Recreation Center, 15 Trenholm Road, Murray Corner, N.B.
Lunch Tickets are $15.00/person and must be pre-purchased by November 17th so that the committee can supply adequate food. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated with advance notice.
For tickets or information please contact: Wendy LeBlanc Phone: 506-232-0975 or by email at awleblanc@rogers.com or Kyle Wells Phone: 506-871-6162 or by email at kylerdwells@gmail.com
Please note while this event is being spearheaded, and hosted by NB Churches this event is open to our NS friends who were in Chignecto Presbytery.
Growth Ideas 101: Inviting Inspection Perspective
How do others perceive your property and community of faith space? When our property and buildings are familiar, we take for granted all our own knowledge of which door to use, where washrooms, kitchen space, meeting rooms are, and what is expected. Too often we hear stories of a visitor who tried to attend but could not figure out even which door to enter, meeting locked door after locked door and no clear signage. Invite some people who do not attend your church to come have a tour, and share their observations, impressions and ask questions. Tell them you want them to inspect the space and lift up what is easy to understand, what is missing, what they are attracted to, what is a concern, distraction or turn off? Look at upkeep and tidiness, access, signage, how welcoming the spaces are. Consider all ages, abilities, those for whom English is not first language, inclusion. What needs to be cleaned up or cleaned out? Look at messaging on bulletin boards, information tables, bookshelves, what has become an unintended storage area? Are there areas to refresh? Are there safety concerns, like old and broken toys in a nursery or Sunday School space? Before you invite people from outside the church, have the congregation conduct your own inspection and perspective experience. Perhaps after a worship service, invite everyone to do their own inspection tour of all of your spaces, from arriving on property and through every part of the building. Equip them with paper and pens to share their observations. Invite them to pretend they are a toddler, a child, a teen, young adult, person with young family, older person, a person using a stroller, walker, wheelchair, a service animal, a non-English speaker, etc. As you look at the experience through the imagined lens of another, what improvements will you suggest? Address as much as you can and then invite people who don’t come to your church to come and share. Plan to do this in October or early November so you can be more visitor ready before the holiday season.
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.
Annual Christmas Craft Market
First United’s Annual Christmas Craft Market will be held in our Memorial Hall (111 Lorne St., Truro) on Saturday, November 1st, from 10am – 2pm.
Admission is a free will donation.
There will be Quilts, Weaving, Sea Glass Art, Knitting, Personalized Mugs, Jewelry, Wreaths, Hooked items, Christmas items, Pantry Table, and much more!
Accepted payment: Cash, Debit and or VISA/Mastercard.
Proceeds to the ongoing work of the United Church Women
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 at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1663885148269?aff=oddtdtcreator
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.
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.
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.
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.
