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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.
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 Rev. Dr. Mary Taylor, President of Bermuda-Nova Scotia 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 4, 2025 Executive meeting are now available on the BNS website.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Pastoral Relations News – December 2025
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Don MacPherson, retired, with William Black Pastoral Charge, 16 hours/week, November 1, 2025 to November 1, 2027.
- Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Donna Kelly, Candidate, with LaHave New Dublin Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, January 1 to March 31, 2026.
- Approved the Request for Change in Pastoral Relations for the purposes of Retirement from Bill Drysdale of McCully Pastoral Charge and Cumberland Pastoral Charge, effective December 31, 2025.
- Approved that Bermuda Nova Scotia Pastoral Relations Committee supply a copy of “Celebrate God’s Presence” United Church worship resource to Sheet Harbour Pastoral Charge in support of their Ecumenical Shared Ministry with the Anglican Parish of Tangier.
- Next meeting: Friday, January 16, 2025.
- For more information, please contact Regional Minister David Hewitt dhewitt@united-church.ca
Year End Cluster Update
Year-End Cluster Update: The BNS Regional Council has extended the position of Cluster Animator to May 31, 2026. Rev. Robyn Brown-Hewitt will be continuing to serve in this capacity. Clusters are neighborly groups of United Church ministers and/or lay members who meet for mutual support, collaborative events or common interests. In 2025, there were 13 clusters meeting across the BNS Region. Six clusters are composed of neighboring ministry personnel. Six new clusters formed in 2025 and have meeting dates set for 2026. Five of these are composed of community of faith lay representatives and ministry personnel. One new cluster, called Administry, has been formed by UCC Church Administrators. Two more clusters (for lay representatives and ministry personnel) are in beginning stages. Cluster meetings have included lots of laughter, community building, storytelling, future planning, and good food. If you are interested in forming or joining a cluster in your area, contact Robyn at RBrown-Hewitt@united-church.ca.
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.
Needing Supply Ministry
Hiring Committee of Clifton Pastoral Charge, Truro area (2 points Old Barns and Hilden) is seeking a part-time short-term supply ministry while profiles are in process. Contact chair, Jeff Yuill.
Changes Coming to Prayer Bench
Please click here to read an important update about changes to Prayer Bench effective December 31, 2025.
Stewardship
As we focus on giving this Christmas, let us remind ourselves the importance of receiving. Both the giver and recipient are enriched.
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.
Longest Night Service at St. Paul in Westville. All are welcome.
The Longest Night Service
A Time of Reflection, Comfort, and Hope
Sunday, December 21, 2025 – 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul United Church, 1944 Church St. Westville NS
You’re invited to a quiet evening of gentle music, reflection, and prayer; a time to rest, remember, and be held in the warmth of community. Whether your loss is recent or from years past, or you’re simply finding this season hard, you are welcome.
Please arrive around 6:45 p.m. This will give you time to receive your paper dove ornament and settle in before the service begins.
What to Expect:
· A calm, candlelit service with music and reflection
· A time to share the names of loved ones we remember
· A slideshow honouring those who have died in the past year
· Fellowship and refreshments following the service (no cost, no offering, this evening is a gift to the community)
If you would like your loved one included in the slideshow, please send their name and photo to stpaul1950@gmail.com or call 902-396-4054 (messages welcome).
All are welcome.
Come as you are, with whatever grief you carry.
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: bns@united-church.ca
If you are unable to submit by email, please mail one copy of your report to:
Bermuda-Nova Scotia 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.
