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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: The Reverend John W. Fraser
Our condolences are extended to the family of the Reverend John W. Fraser who passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. A link to the obituary can be found here.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Region Pastoral Relations News – October 2025
- Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region Pastoral Relations has approved the Appointment of Wayne Jarvis, DLM retired, with the collaborative ministry of Baie Vert Port Elgin Tidnish Bridge (FSLDW) and Northumberland (BNS) Pastoral Charges, 20 hours/week, August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026. This Appointment was approved by BNS on Sept 5, 2025 and has now been approved by both Regions. A Covenanting Service will be scheduled promptly.
- Approved the Appointment of Andrea Budgey, Anglican priest, to the Ecumenical Shared Ministry of Sheet Harbour Pastoral Charge and the Parish of Tangier, full-time, effective December 1, 2025. David Hewitt, Liaison.
- Approved the extension of Supply Appointment of Kelly Thompson with Saltspring Scotsburn Lyons Brook, 17 hours/week, until November 2, 2025.
- Approved the Supply Appointment of Judith Perry, retired, with St. Matthew’s United Church, Halifax, full time, September 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Sheila Redden Smith, retired, with Rivers of Grace United Church, Digby, 30 hours/week, October 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026.
- Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Brenda McKay, retired, with Newport Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, October 7 to November 10, 2025.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of Retirement from Glenn MacLean of Onslow Belmont Pastoral Charge, effective December 31, 2025.
- Approved the updated Profile and position description for Cole Harbour Woodside United Church, and approve the Change in Terms of Call for Michael Mugford to a solo full time ministry position.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of Retirement from Norma Mills of Waterview Pastoral Charge, effective December 31, 2025.
- Approved the Profile and position description for Tatamagouche Pastoral Charge and authorized Search for full-time ministry personnel. Harvey Gullon, Liaison.
- Directed the Regional Minister to attend a congregational meeting with Bridgewater United Church to consider a Request for Change in Pastoral Relations to terminate their second ministry position.
- Approved the Profile and position description from United Protestant Church, Sydney River, and authorize Search for full-time ministry personnel. David Hewitt, Liaison.
- Approved the Profile and position description from Riverview United Church, Elmsdale, and authorize Search for half-time ministry personnel. David Hewitt, Liaison.
- Informed Waverley Pastoral Charge that, in order to complete the pastoral year, Jenny Eisener, Ordained Supply, may be reappointed until June 30, 2026. Further Appointments will be considered if Rev. Eisener engages the United Church Admissions process.
- Next meeting: Friday, November 14, 2025.
M&P 101: A Workshop for Ministry & Personnel Committee Members-Registration Deadline is October 31
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
Covenanting Service – Northumberland Pastoral Charge and Baie Verte, Port Elgin, Tidnish Bridge Pastoral Charge
The covenanting service for the new collaborative ministry between the Northumberland Pastoral Charge in BNS and the Baie Verte, Port Elgin, Tidnish Bridge Pastoral Charge in FSLDW and Wayne Jarvis, will be held on Sunday November 2, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. in Port Elgin UC in Port Elgin New Brunswick. There will be a celebration of Holy Communion, and a time of reception will follow the worship service. Please join us to acknowledge this coming together of not only two pastoral charges, but two regions, in active ministry!
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
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)
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.
St. Andrew’s United Church, Truro, is turning 150!
For 150 years, St. Andrew’s has been serving God’s mission in our community.
We’ve worshipped in different locations and buildings, and even as different denominations — but one thing has never changed: our ministry of faith, justice, love, and hope.
Join us for our 150th Anniversary Celebration
– “On the Corner of History & Hope” –
Saturday, November 16th
Worship at 11:00 a.m., with a Cold Potluck to follow
St. Andrew’s United Church, 55 King Street, Truro, NS
Come for a joyful service featuring dramatic monologues that share the stories of the people who have made us who we are today, along with inspiring music and celebration.
All are welcome! Come celebrate our story and help shape the next chapter!
Please click here to view a poster for the event.
Does your Community of Faith need a loan or have money they wish to invest?
Are you looking to invest some of your Community of Faiths funds are do you need a loan? Then why don’t you reach out to the Financial Services of Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada to see what they can offer you. Interest rates for investments are managed on an annual basis and loan arrangements can be an opportunity for your Community of Faith to further some work they wish to do. If you are looking for more information you can find it at the following link: https://ucceast.ca/financial-services. The Treasurer is Ann Thompson, and the Chair is Jack Logan. Their information can be found at the link mentioned above.
Growth Ideas 101: Beyond Nods to Neighbours, how about a coffee?
When neighbours really take time to share in coffee and conversation, people learn more about each other. In a commercial Tim Hortons offered a challenge, setting up a small table in a driveway and asking neighbours if they would be willing to meet with their neighbour. Amid loneliness, isolation and underdeveloped social skills muscles, this commercial from Tim Hortons portrays people being invited to come have a coffee with a neighbour, were they willing to meet their next door neighbour? Could they get beyond the awkwardness? What would unfold?
Would you go if a neighbour invited you to meet on their driveway for a coffee? Show this commercial to your congregation and start a conversation on intentional invitation!
When you make a coffee, buy a coffee, who might you offer a second one to? Get beyond the awkward!
Start with simple invitation to share a coffee, outside, in a coffee shop, at an event, in a home? How can we go deeper in relationship building?
Communities of faith offering midweek social times are experiencing people coming for coffee and returning.
Can you create a coffee challenge (or other refreshments) in your community of faith? Stretch comfort by getting to know someone better over a coffee. Who did you invite to coffee this week? Creatively find ways to track how many people got invited to coffee each week, and experience growth in those social muscles of comfort in inviting others. Put on the coffeepot, tea, hot chocolate, water and intentionally meet your neighbours!
Don’t forget the Wednesday virtual drop in. Bring your coffee and join our conversations every Wednesday. 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.
Association of United Church Clergy – November Community Gathering
In November our thoughts often turn to peace, and on Thursday November 13th our aUCC Community Pillar is providing clergy with an opportunity to visit a place of peace. We will meet at “The Thinkers Lodge National Historic Site” (249 Water Street in Pugwash) for 10:00 a.m., and following our tour we will move to the vestry at Wesley St. Matthew’s United Church (14 Church Street in Pugwash) to catch up, to share in a brown bag lunch, and to reflect on our tour, until we depart at 3:00 p.m.. And what is “The Thinkers Lodge National Historic Site”? It is a place which stands as a reminder of the important role that science and dialogue play in advancing peace and security worldwide. Following the release of the “Russell-Einstein Manifesto” in 1955, Bertrand Russell and Joseph Roblat held the first “Pugwash Conference” in 1957 at The Thinkers Lodge which was then owned by Cyrus Eaton. In the ensuing years many more conferences held at the Thinkers Lodge established the Pugwash Peace Movement, and the second Nobel Peace Prize ever awarded in Canada was jointly conferred on the Pugwash Conferences and lead organizer, Joseph Rotblat, in 1995. His medal remains on display at The Thinkers Lodge.
Please register by emailing either co-chair of the aUCC Community Pillar (Connie at therevconnie@gmail.com or Jamie at jamie_mclellan1982@hotmail.com) no later than Friday November 7th. We look forward to seeing you in Pugwash!
Pay-What-You-Can Pageant Available
No need to purchase an expensive script this year! This easily adaptable pageant will work for a variety of congregational sizes and age ranges. Free to download as a convenient PDF script, you can print and share with your Worship or Sunday School team, reading through the whole script, including options for adapting to your Faith Community’s needs. My only request is that you let me know you are using the script (and a few quick stats) through this form. “Welcome to the Family Christmas Pageant!” pairs with the themed resources I’m offering for the Advent & Christmas Season. The free worship planning chart is now available to download!
Atlantic School of Theology 2025 Nicholson Lecture Series
Join Atlantic School of Theology for this year’s Nicholson Lecture Series, titled “EPIC Preaching for the Harvest: Reframing Proclamation as Everyday Adventure” with Dr. Sarah Han of Tyndale University. Dr. Han is Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and brings practical ministry experience as an ordained minister and theological expertise as an academic. She considers herself to be “third culture” Canadian-Korean-Chinese and her formative theology was shaped on the mission field abroad.
Dates: November 4 & 5, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. AST
In person at AST or online
This two-part series reimagines preaching – not as performance, but as invitation.
Together, we’ll explore how proclamation can spark gospel imagination, cultivate compassion, and equip communities to notice God’s presence in everyday life.
Lecture 1: EPIC Preaching I – Invited to Participate in God’s Everyday Adventure (Nov. 4)
Lecture 2: EPIC Preaching II – Sent with Compassion for the Harvest (Nov. 5)
Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on preaching as a collaborative adventure with God’s unfolding story.
For the link to join online, click here
Questions? Email lydia.hood@astheology.ns.ca
More details, visit our website
WEBINAR – meet the UCC’s newest faculty!
Touchstone Journal invites subscribers (current or new) to a special online event featuring The United Church of Canada’s three newest theological faculty appointments!
On Monday, November 3rd, at 7:00 pm (Eastern time), come meet and hear about these outstanding scholars’ current work – with Wing Yi Wong (AST), Carmen Lansdowne (Emmanuel College), Morgan Bell (Diocesan College, Montreal).
To register, email: rob.fennell@astheology.ns.ca.
We look forward to seeing you there!
p.s. This is also a great opportunity to invite a friend, colleague, or congregation member to subscribe to Touchstone so that they can be part of this special event, as well as receive this high-quality journal.
To subscribe: www.touchstonejournal.ca
