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 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.
Condolences – M. Jean (Etter) MacQueen
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Donald MacQueen, whose wife, M. Jean (Etter) MacQueen, passed away on February 10, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
Executive Minutes
The minutes of the FSLDW Regional Council Executive meeting held December 2, 2025 were approved at the February 23, 2026 Executive meeting and are now available on the FSLDW website.
Introduction of Toward 2035 (T2035)
The introduction of the T2035 conversation and Strategic initiative occurred at each of the Regional Council Annual Meetings in 2025. Introductory webinars have been held with ministry personnel, and the same opportunity is now offered to lay leaders – governing body Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers, M&P Chairs, and other lay people who offer leadership in their congregations.
As we begin this work, we invite all of our members and boards to view the video introduction of the Toward 2035 from our Moderator, The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberley Heath to engage in the T2035 conversation.
Our Regional Council Minsters will lead webinars in six different time slots offered between March 9 and 12. Lay leaders can register for the one that suits their schedule. Please see the form, with the times and dates here.
Please join our Regional Ministers for a presentation and discussion about T2035.
SW Zone Cluster Meeting
You are invited to attend a Regional Cluster Meeting for the SW Zone of the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Region which will be on Tuesday March 17, 2026, at St David’s United Church, 7 Gondola Point Rd, Rothesay NB. The meeting will begin at 11 am and conclude at approximately 3:00 pm. Lunch will be provided. Registration will begin at 10:30 am.
The meeting is open to all elected Regional Council Representatives, current and retired ministry personnel in the area and any individuals interested in learning more about the Region and its governance structure. The SW Zone includes the boundaries that approximate those of the former St John and St Croix Presbyteries.
An introduction to Regional Staff and their responsibilities will be provided in addition to discussions on improving communications and the role of the Regional Council Representative. Past President Susan Lemaistre, President-Elect Rev. Rachel Campbell, and Executive Minister Rev. Faith March MacCuish will provide leadership for this event.
If you plan to attend, please respond to Hugh Ellis by email at hughgellis57@ gmail.com by Friday March 13 to allow for planning. Please indicate at the time of this response if you have any special dietary requirements.
We hope to see as many of you as possible at this event.
Co-operative Ministry Event
Shared Way, Shared Witness: A Gathering on Ministry for a Collaborative Church in Montreal, May 19–22, 2026.
This three day gathering for lay and ordained leaders in the Anglican and United Churches of Canada focuses on developing the skills, relationships, and theological imagination needed for collaborative ministry in a rapidly changing church. Together, we will explore two central questions: What is the church for, now? and What ministry do we need to sustain a vital Christian presence in communities across Canada? Through keynote presentations, workshops, and structured conversations, participants will engage emerging models of church and ministry that move beyond the colonial, Christendom patterns we have inherited.
More information is available at www.sharedway.ca. The early registration deadline is March 20.
The Things We Tell Ourselves
The United Church has spent 100 years establishing patterns and ways of doing ministry. Many of us are still doing what the church was doing a generation or two earlier. We want to try new things but don’t know where to start. We’ve created a narrative that doesn’t always match reality. It’s time to talk about it and unpack the things we’ve been telling ourselves.
Working towards the future oriented vision of the United Church of Canada:
“Inspired, resilient, and diverse contextual communities of disciples seek to continue the story of Jesus by embodying Christ’s presence in the world. The church is present and deeply connected coast-to-coast-to-coast in rural and urban settings, and in ecumenical and global relationships. Guided by hope-filled, adaptive and effective ministry leaders, the denomination is increasingly multigenerational, multiracial, and intercultural.” (Towards 2035 Vision Statement)
This ten-week series of learning sessions and workshops from March 11 to May 26 will give participants the chance to see new opportunities, engage with new ideas, meet other lay church leaders reimagining the church of the future and start building it now.
Instructors each bring their own expertise and ability to facilitate conversation. Some sessions will have panels for questions and engagement, others will offer small group discussion and planning time. Materials will be available before and after each session to allow participants to go deeper into the subject matter if they wish.
Register via ChurchX
Regional Financial Support
The Financial and Mission Services Committee is pleased to promote the availability of various funds to support individuals and communities throughout our Region. The guidelines and applications for the specific funds can be found on the Region’s website. Among the funds is the “Ministry Personnel/Lay Continuing Education Fund” which provides assistance to ministry personnel and lay members within the Region with the costs, up to $1,000, to participate in programs to develop theological understanding, leadership skills/ability, personal faith/spirituality, or their own sense of ministry and/or mission.
FSLDW Getting Started on the Affirming Process
Maybe you’ve been talking about becoming Affirming … with 1 or 2 others… or a larger group. Come join us for the steps required, contacts you can make, information you need. This webinar will be lead by FSLDW Chair of the Affirming Committee, Pix Butt.
We hope you’ll join us!
March 4 at 7:00
Please click here to register.
Growth Ideas 101: Sharing Data Details and Story Telling
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for February 25, 2026.
Share your ideas with your growth animator at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca.
Queerly Beloved
Queerly Beloved is a monthly Queer Spirit gathering, held on the first Sunday of each month at Westfield United Church (133 Nerepis Rd, Grand Bay-Westfield NB). Our next gathering is coming up on March 1 at 7pm!
While this is a queer-centered gathering, cis- and straight friends and family members are welcome to join us. Whether you are “spiritual but not religious” or “spiritual AND religious” there is a place at the table for you! (And please feel free to pass the invitation on to anyone you know who might be interested.)
Sing for Camp Abby Fundraiser – March 7, 2026
Come spend a special afternoon at Park Royal United Church in Charlottetown as we celebrate 80 years of memories, friendships, and unforgettable summers. Our 80th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser will bring the community together for an uplifting musical showcase.
Join us in celebrating the legacy of Camp Abegweit and help us create lasting memories for future campers. Your support helps keep our camp spirit alive. Tickets are $20.00 (12 and under are free) and will be available at the door. Doors open at 2:30 pm with the show starting at 3:00 pm.
View our Facebook Event Page.
Atlantic Candidacy Board – Seeking Elected Members – Deadline March 17, 2026
The Atlantic Candidacy Board is seeking two new elected members. The mandate for the board is:
- approving an individual for candidacy for ministry in the United Church;
- determining an individual’s readiness for accreditation for ordination, for commissioning, and for recognition as a designated lay minister; and
- overseeing the Candidacy Pathway process.
Please click here to see more information, including expectations and term, as well as nomination form.
