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.
2025 Christmas Message from the Executive Minister
Please click here to read the 2025 Christmas Message from the Executive Minister, Rev. Faith March-MacCuish.
President’s Advent Message
Please click here to read an Advent message from Mr. Hugh Ellis, President of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council.
Holiday Hours for Regional Council Office
Regional Council Office will be closing on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm for the Christmas holidays. Staff will be available again on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 8:00 am. In case of emergency please contact Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister at 1-709-691-3524.
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Executive Minutes
The draft Executive minutes from the December 2, 2025 meeting are now available on the FSLDW website.
Growth Ideas 101: Local Expertise
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for December 10, 2025.
Share your ideas with your growth animator at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca.
Pastoral Relations Committee – November/December 2025
- Approved Faith Memorial (Florenceville-Bristol) Pastoral Charge as a learning site.
- Approved the decommissioning of the Lake George Church building effective October 26, 2025.
- Confirmed the decision of Minto: Trinity Pastoral Charge to disband effective April 17, 2024.
- Approved the Community of Faith profile for Bideford Pastoral Charge.
- Approved the Transition Minister Position description for Woodstock Pastoral Charge.
- Approved the Mandate for Advocacy and Support for Retirees, Pensioners, their Spouses and Survivors.
- Approved the short-term supply profile/job description for Keswick Ridge Pastoral Charge.
- Approved the appointment of Candidate Brian Botten to the Millstream Pastoral Charge effective March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2027.
- Confirmed the decision of Derby United Church and Millerton Pastoral Charge to disband effective February 27 2020.
SAVE THE DATE !
Regional Representatives and Clergy are asked to mark your calendars save the date for initial Regional Cluster Gatherings in your area in the coming year
Southeast Cluster – Moncton – JANUARY 20, 2026
Southwest Cluster – Saint John – March 17, 2026
Further details will follow early in the new year with regard to location, times and agenda.
We hope to see as many of you there as possible !
Changes Coming to Prayer Bench
Please click here to read an important update about changes to Prayer Bench effective December 31, 2025.
Apply to Be a Discipleship Leader for Collective 2026
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for Discipleship Leaders for Collective 2026, happening August 2026!
Collective 2026: (em)brace for Impact | The United Church of Canada is a powerful space where youth, young adults and leaders will come together to grow, learn, and encounter God in meaningful community. Discipleship Leaders will play a vital role in shaping that experience—guiding small groups and helping create an environment where faith can flourish.
If you have a heart for mentoring, serving, and walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, we would love for you to prayerfully consider applying.
Learn more and apply here: Discipleship Groups — Collective 2026
Please share this with anyone you believe would be a great fit!
Deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
Free Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Resources
Thanks for your support this past year with my ministry of resource writing. It’s surely been a learning curve, and I appreciate your patience as I figure out how to produce a weekly curriculum for all ages that is based in both Narrative and Revised Common Lectionaries, specifically for communities in the Eastern Regions of the United Church of Canada that may or may not have children present and likely have between 10 and 30 people. At the “Young” Clergy gathering in November, it became clear that more of us are looking to collaborate and share resources for Sunday Morning Worship. In an effort to reach more people and increase the number of resources available, I have decided to make the majority of my resources free. If you like what you download/see and decide to come back for more, please consider making a donation to cover the costs of the sharing platform, offering resources for free yourself, and/or other collaborative and cooperative ideas to help each other out as we navigate ministry in communities looking towards 2035. Visit the site to see what’s available and what my plan for the season is.
Thanks, Annika
Communities of Faith 2024 Annual Reports
A reminder that there are some outstanding 2024 Annual Reports. If available, please email to Regional Council office using the following email: fsldw@united-church.ca
If you are unable to submit by email, please mail one copy of your report to:
Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council
21 Wright Street
Sackville NB E4L 4P8
If you have already submitted your Annual Report, there is no need to resend.
“Oliver’s Polish Christmas: A Cape Breton Story” (new children’s book)
The main character in the new children’s book “Oliver’s Polish Christmas: A Cape Breton Story” is Oliver Urbaniak, the three-and-a-half-year-old son of the late Rev. Alison Etter (1982-2024), United Church minister in Nova Scotia. The book is “about finding light and love in a Polish Cape Breton Christmas” and comes with important spiritual messages as it weaves through real places, customs, and community events. It is written by Alison’s husband, Tom, and illustrated by Tammy Krasniqi. It’s a companion book to “You Are Loved,” released last Christmas, which tells Oliver about his late mom and her beautiful soul.
“Oliver’s Polish Christmas: A Cape Breton Story” — dedicated to the memory of Oliver’s grandparents (Tom’s parents), who passed away just after Alison — is now available at some bookstores and through the major on-line booksellers, or by emailing Tom. Tom can also provide information about upcoming readings and book-signings. All the royalties are supporting Cape Breton’s St. Michael’s Polish Benefit Society (longstanding cultural organization).
SAVE THE DATES JUNE 15TH TO 18TH FOR ASTE 2026
ASTE 2026 Will be an exciting and uplifting experience. Catherine Keller and Jason Starr will be our speakers and guides as we tackle the topic Earth on Edge: ecology and possibility.
Because of unforeseen circumstances we have are searching for a new venue. We should have a new venue soon. More information will soon be available on our website.
