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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.
Annual Meeting Registration is Open
Registration is open for the annual meeting. Please read the memo sent from the Executive Minister. Visit the annual meeting webpage regularly for the latest updates and information on the upcoming meeting. Reminder, if you require meals and/or accommodations, they must be registered for separately. To read the welcome letter from Acadia University, with meal/accommodations information, please click here.
Youth@Region 2026!
Calling all Youth, between grades 6-12!
Registration is now open for Youth@Region!
Y@R is a place of community and a place of faith where United Church youth, between grade 6 and grade 12, meet from across Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council. It will take place during the Annual Meeting for Bermuda-Nova Scotia, held at Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, from May 28-31, 2026. The theme for this year’s event is Church 101.
The group creates an inclusive, diverse and safe community for youth in the name of Christ. We provide a place for youth to explore their faith and to learn more about the United Church of Canada while sharing in music, worship and fun in a spirit-filled community.
We hope to see you there!
If you have any questions, please email Catherine Stuart.
Annual Meeting Teller Volunteers Needed
Coming to the Annual Meeting at Acadia University (Wolfville, NS)? Do you like to be involved and active while still being present at the meeting? Then please consider being a teller, where you’ll get to help with activities like voting, distributing materials and taking up the offering. No experience necessary. Please fill out the form to let us know of your interest. Note that only three teller spaces are available, as soon as those spaces are full we will take down the form.
Executive Minutes
The minutes of the BNS Regional Council Executive meeting held December 4, 2025 were approved at the March 19, 2026 Executive meeting and are now available on the BNS website.
Bermuda Nova Scotia Ministry and Personnel Committee workshop
M&P 101
An introductory workshop for lay members of Ministry and Personnel Committees will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 86 Main St, Springhill, NS B0M 1X0. Lunch will be provided at no cost. Freewill donation appreciated. The workshop will be facilitated by Regional Minister David Hewitt. Topics will include:
• Purpose and function of M&P Committee
• Confidentiality and Accountability
• Record keeping
• Annual Reviews
• Conflict
• Leaves
• Resources
• Q&A
Please register to assist in planning and meal preparation. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 10, 2026.
Please direct questions to Regional Minister David Hewitt.
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.
General Secretary Selection Committee
The United Church of Canada is embarking on a search process for its next General Secretary. A Selection Committee supported by an executive search professional will recommend the next General Secretary to be appointed by the General Council Executive.
- Vacancies: 2–3 vacancies (members-at-large)
- Key skills: Deep understanding of the United Church or experience and understanding of the role of the senior executive in other large complex organizations.
- Meeting expectations: Two to four online meetings per month and at least one in-person meeting anticipated for September or October. First online meeting to occur May 11 or 12.
Please click here to read more details in English and here for the French version.
To express interest or nominate someone please use this form. Closing date for expressions of interest is April 20, 2026.
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!
Need for Easter Sunday April 5th and April 12th worship Minister
Stairs Memorial ,44 Hester Street Dartmouth is in urgent need of Supply Minister to lead worship on Easter Sunday April 5th and April 12th while our Reverend Kym Burke is on medical leave. A sample of last years Eastern worship bulletin can be provided to assist those interested.
Growth Ideas 101: Celebrating New Members and Signs of New Life
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for March 25, 2026.
Share your ideas with your growth animator at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca.
Devotional for 50 days of Eastertide
Reflect and pray each day this Easter
Growth Animator Sharon Ballantyne (Atlantic Regions), has created a 50-day Eastertide devotional. These seven weeks of prompts focus on sharing the story of Resurrection, ministry as a community, and living a life of discipleship. Explore it personally or as part of a group.
📖 Access the booklet formatted PDF (Printing instructions: select double-sided, print on long-edge)
📄Access the simple Word Doc version
Share an Inspiring Easter Appeal with M and S
Easter is fast approaching, as is an annual time of generosity for our communities. Inspire and Invite gifts to Mission and Service this year with these helpful resources.
🐰Use the pre-made Script and Slideshow to make an Easter Appeal as part of your worship services this Easter.
🌷Share the 2026 Mission and Service Easter Video in your newsletter or on social media.
🐣Include the new God of the Wild Wilderness prayer from Mission and Service in your worship.
And, as always, don’t forget to Thank the amazing donors who make the work of Mission and Service possible.
Hunter Church Building Fund application forms revised
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Hunter Church Building Fund. It awards United Church of Canada congregations / communities of faith in Nova Scotia matching grants (up to 50%) towards approved building and property repairs/upgrades.
Application forms, with guidelines, are available at the Region’s website: ‘Other Funding’. Completed forms are submitted to the Region’s Property Committee. N.B. Application forms older than “Revised Sept 2025” will be returned to the applicant.
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.
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?
ASL Interpreter for Worship
St. John’s United Church, Fall River is pleased to welcome Emily Gilroy, our new ASL interpreter. Emily will work closely with Spiritual Oversight to provide interpretation every other week for our worship service.
Interpretation will be available:
April 5, 11am – Easter
April 19, 10am
May 3, 10am
May 17, 10am – Victoria Day
3360 Highway #2, Fall River, NS 902-860-4000 sjucfr.ca
Registration is now open for Rural Routes Through the Holy 2026
June 11-13, 2026
Central Queens 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.
Breaking the Silence delegation to Guatemala Nov. 7th-20th
Join us for the Breaking the Silence 2026 Delegation to Guatemala! Sat. Nov. 7th – Fri. Nov. 20th. You’ll have the opportunity to build international solidarity and learn from our Rabinal partners: the New Hope Foundation’s culturally relevant, bilingual Maya Achí-Spanish high school and the Community Legal Clinic that seeks justice for genocide-cases and other crimes committed against communities in the Rabinal area during the Internal Armed Conflict. A meaningful part of the delegation will be an overnight visit to the community of Río Negro to learn about its history and how it has rebuilt following a campaign of destruction during the 1980s. You will have the chance to spend time with our mining justice partners resisting a Canadian silver mining project: the Xinka Parliament and the Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature.
Applicants must attend the delegation orientation Thurs., June 25th 7 p.m. to Fri., June 26th 5 p.m. at the Dorje Denma Ling Centre (between Truro and Tatamagouche.) To learn more about the 2026 Delegation to Guatemala, please contact Kathryn Anderson.
Volunteer Food Handler’s Course
Volunteer Food Handlers Course
When? April 6 1-4 pm
Where? Hillside United Church, 12 Flamingo Drive, Halifax
When preparing and serving food to the public, we need to ensure that we are following the basic practices for safe food. The Volunteer Level Course is based on the four fundamental safety principles of cleaning/sanitizing, separating, chilling, and cooking. We will talk about these principles during the course and discuss their importance in the preparation and serving of food that is safe for all to consume.
Learn about the temperature Danger Zone and why it is so important in safe food preparation. What is a PHF and what do we need to know about them? At what stage in food preparation is the highest risk for cross-contamination? Does a food borne illness always happen within hours after we consume contaminated food?
We will learn the answers to these questions and many more.
This course is 3 hours and only qualifies for individuals who do not work for pay in the food industry and or in a inspected /permitted kitchen. The cost is $30. For more information, and to register, please contact Denise Hirtle.
Bethany United Church – Springtide Sale – Seeking Vendors
We’re excited to announce our upcoming Springtide Sale happening on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at Bethany United Church, 10am – 2pm, 2669 Joseph Howe Drive, Halifax. This event will bring together a variety of vendors and attract a wide audience eager to discover new to them items, great deals, and local crafts.
Please click here to read the full details.
