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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 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: Reverend Mary Elizabeth Haylock
Condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Mary Elizabeth E. Haylock who passed away on March 8, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: Reverend Cora Krommenhoek
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Cora Krommenhoek, who passed away March 9, 2026. Rev. Krommenhoek is the mother of Julielynne Anderson, Chair of the FSLDW Archives Committee. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences – Norma Catherine MacLean
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Hugh MacLean, whose wife, Norma Catherine MacLean, passed away on March 11, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
Training for transitional ministry (Interim Ministry)
Is your church experiencing change and transition? Would you like to acquire more skill in leading through transition? Would you like to be equipped and credentialled to lead others through transition? Bermuda Nova Scotia Region is offering grants in support of Interim Ministry training. Please read more here.
Affirming Celebration in Brookfield!
On Sunday, March 22, 10 a.m. there will be a worship service at Knox United Church to celebrate Brookfield Pastoral Charge (Middle Stewiacke United and Knox United Churches) officially becoming an Affirming Ministry.
The guest speaker is James O’Connell of Region’s Children, Youth and Young Adult Committee.
Social time to follow. All are welcome!
Knox United Church is located at 53 Highway 289, Brookfield, NS B0N 1C0
brookfieldunitedchurch@gmail.com
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.
Grant Opportunity – Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund
The Rev. Alison Etter Memorial Fund is accepting expressions of interest (before March 20) for the 2026 grant round. The theme this year is “Peace.” Applications are open to any graduate of Atlantic School of Theology (any degree, diploma, or certificate) who is involved in a project related to building or promoting peace. More details here.
In 2025, six seed grants were made related to last year’s theme “Music for Change.” Alison Etter (1982-2024) was a much-loved minister in Cape Breton who also chaired the United Church of Canada’s national Committee on Theology, Interchurch and Inter-faith Relations. The Alison Fund has been built up through ongoing donations from Alison’s family, friends, and people touched by her work.
Faithful Footprints Grant Information Webinar – March 25, 2026 2:30-3:30PM (EST)
The Faithful Footprints Grant supports United Church communities with funding for building retrofit projects that reduce carbon emissions, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of church buildings. The 2026 funding cycle is now open, and we’re hosting an information webinar to help communities learn about the program and how to apply. Please click here for more information.
Invisible Illnesses Awareness, My Journey with Crohn’s Webinar – March 25, 2026 7:00PM (ATL)
Invisible illnesses are conditions whose symptoms and challenges are not immediately apparent to others or not visibly obvious. Like any other disease or affliction, they affect the daily lives of those diagnosed with them and many seek empathy from those in their lives to understand and support them. Examples include autoimmune diseases, neurodiverse conditions, chronic pain, long Covid, and various others. Many who have such conditions experience stigma that may involve judgment, invalidation, and pressure to ‘prove’ their illnesses. To help shed light on experiences such as these, Rev. Ian Harrison is offering a webinar/information session sharing his own life with Crohn’s disease over the past decade, serving as a case study which represents a wider community of those with IBD, a population that has grown steadily in recent years, yet remains unknown or obscure to many. Please click here to register.
Youth Cluster Gathering
🎉 HRM Youth Cluster Gathering – You’re Invited! 🎉
📅 When: Friday, March 27 | 6:30–8:30 PM
📍 Where: Cole Harbour Woodside United Church
Join us as we explore Holy Week and Easter together! There will be supper, games, and plenty of time to connect with other youth.
👉 Register here
📢 Spread the word – all youth and leaders are welcome!
Growth Ideas 101: Invite Someone This Easter
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for March 18, 2026.
Share your ideas with your growth animator at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca.
Stewardship
Getting Started in Stewardship starts March 26. Time now to register for this program and find out how the program can help understanding of that magic word stewardship.
May month is bringing new resources to celebrate PAR month. When was last time you increased your PAR givings or thought about changes?
Basic Income Guarantee Conference – April 17, 2026
Please click here to see the poster with the details for this one day, free of charge, conference.
Administry: A Spring Conference for Church Administrators
Save the Date! On Monday May 4, 9:30am – 4:00pm Church Administrators (Office Coordinators, Secretaries) are invited to gather at St. Andrew’s United Church in Truro. See attached poster. More details to follow.
Be Part of the Migrant Justice Network!
The United Church of Canada Migrant Justice Network will meet both during the day and in the evening over the next five months. We hope the two times will ensure the most people possible can participate. Come only either during the day OR evening. The topics will be the same in the afternoon and evening, but the direction the conversations take will be shaped by those who are present. The next sessions are April 14 and June 16. Conversation starters and draft agendas will be shared via the Church X page, so be sure to register and receive follow up emails.
Please click here to learn more, and register on CHURCHx.
Annual Pastoral Charge Information Form 2026
We are asking each pastoral charge to complete and submit the Annual Pastoral Charge Information Form as soon as possible after your 2026 annual meeting, noting the deadline is April 1st . This updates the Region with the names and contact information of your current leadership and regional council representatives (elected members). As a reminder, if we do not have the information for your elected members, they will not be able to vote at the Regional Annual Meeting. If you have any issues with completing the form, please contact Shari Kaster, 506-306-0496.
Nova Scotia: Onslow Belmont Pastoral Charge; Trinity United Charge, is seeking a Part Time Minister
Trinity United Church is seeking a part-time minister to join our congregation to provide worship leadership, pastoral care, and community engagement for our one-point rural pastoral charge. We are drawn to the ministry of music, volunteer engagement and commitment to outreach in our community. We worship weekly with 264 households under our pastoral care and 211 confirmed members, along with a strong online presence of approximately 100 views. We are a warm, active, and supportive congregation with deep community roots. The ideal candidate will be warm, sincere, and engaging who communicates well; thus offers biblically grounded and relevant preaching, and enjoys connecting with all ages, especially our older congregation. We are looking for a minister who honours tradition while welcoming creativity and innovative ideas.
Registration is now open for Rural Routes Through the Holy 2026
June 11-13, 2026
Queens-Central United Church, Hunter River, PEI
Tales, Tables, and Tending, The Slow Work of God in a Fast World
Finding creative ways to live into our life together calls us to attend to our tales, to gather at tables and The Holy Table, and to tend to ourselves and one another in community. Rural churches have great gifts to bring to this way of hope. We’ll be engaging the many ways we are or might be liviing our tales, tables, and tending.
Rural Routes 2026 is stirring up worship, presenters, workshops, prayer space, good food , music, and lots of space for conversation to nourish you. You can read more and register here.
“The times are urgent; let us slow down.” – Bayo Akomolafe
LEARNING TO SPEAK ABOUT OUR FAITH IN A POST- CHRISTIAN WORLD
Sat., April 11, 1pm – 2:30pm
Curious about sharing your faith but don’t know how to start?
Why not join us at
Stairs Memorial United Church
44 Hester St., Dartmouth
Led by Dr. Rob Fennell
Part 1: Secularism & spirituality in Canadian society today
Part 2 : How to speak about and grow in our faith as Christians
To Register click here.
Transform Your Church by Transforming Your Conversations
Conversations Worth Having Workshop for Spiritual Leaders is an online workshop for clergy and lay leaders (M&P members, Board members etc) focused on building trust, improving meetings, and navigating difficult conversations with greater clarity and life-giving impact.
Dates: April 29 & May 1, 2026
For more information and to Register click here.
