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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.
Reports to Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council
The full Reports to Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council is available for downloading, please click here. Check back often as there may be updates (note the date on the PDF file).
Invitation to our Open House
The William Black Pastoral Charge in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia (289 Granville Street, Bridgetown), invites you to their Open House/Reception on Sunday, May 24th from 2:00 till 4:00 to help celebrate 101 years of witnessing to the love of Jesus. Formal greetings and remarks will begin by 3:10. May 31 will bring a close to our time as a congregation of The United Church of Canada.
Executive Minutes
The draft Executive minutes from the April 30, 2026 Executive meeting are now available on the BNS website.
Vocation Minister for the Atlantic Regions
The Theology, Ministry and Leadership Unit is pleased to announce Rev. Don Sellsted as the new Vocation Minister for the three Atlantic Regional Councils. (First Dawn Eastern Edge, Bermuda Nova Scotia, and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters). Don will be working remotely from Nova Scotia and begins his work on August 1st, 2026. He will support the work of the Atlantic Candidacy Board and remedial processes, as well as offering support to ministry personnel.
Annual Meeting Information Webinars Recordings Posted
The recordings of webinar #1 and webinar #2 have been posted to the Annual Meeting web page.
Annual Meeting – Celebration of Ministries Service
Congregations are invited to join us, in-person, at Acadia University Convocation Hall for the celebration of Ministry Service, 10am, sunday May 31, 2026.
For those unable to join us in person for the services, the link to livestream the service will be posted to the Annual Meeting webpage under the heading “Sunday Worship Service” as soon as it is available.
Sunday Service May 31, 2026 – Annual Meeting
The Region is sharing a “Congregation Take Home Full Service” for use on Annual Meeting Sunday, May 31, 2026. This has been posted near the bottom of the Annual Meeting webpage under the heading “Sunday Worship Service” in both PDF and Word files.
Order Breaking the Silence Fair Trade Coffee for Annual Meeting/Liturgical stoles
Churches can again order Just Us! Fair Trade Breaking the Silence Coffee boxes with 6 12oz. bags at the wholesale price of $76.50, to pick up at the Annual Meeting. The global price of coffee beans has reached its highest level ever, thus the price hike to ensure that small producers receive a fair price. Kathryn Anderson must receive orders for wholesale boxes by Thurs. May 21st.
By buying Breaking the Silence coffee you support small farmers and the courageous work of the Highlands Committee of Small Farmers (CCDA.) This is critically important right now, to help cover legal costs for CCDA leader Leocadio Juracan’s arrest on false charges in order to muzzle his defense of Mayan communities’ land rights. Ground or whole bean bags (12 oz, 2lb.) at the retail price, liturgical stoles and gorgeous crafts from a Guatemalan women’s cooperative will be on sale at the Breaking the Silence table.
View Beyond the Bean for more info on Breaking the Silence coffee, made by diaconal minister Hubert Den Draak.
Liturgical stoles sell out quickly, so you may wish to order in advance. ($50)
Colours: Rainbow – 1, Red – 1, Purple – 2, Green 3 – , Blue – 3
BNS AGM — Join Growth Animator Sharon May 28 8:30 p.m. Room 139 Acadia University Wolfville
You are warmly invited to join me for a casual time of conversation and sharing, to learn more about growth animator work, how I come alongside communities of faith, and explore opportunities for working together, strengthening invitation, meeting our neighbours and extending beyond our walls in your context.
Bring your hopes, strategies, strengths, questions and concerns. Share stories
Be curious about how a picnic table might help you connect with neighbours
If you are a participant in the BNS AGM, or in the area of Wolfville, come meet with me Thursday night May 28 from 8:30 to 10 p.m., room 139 in our meeting building.
Don’t forget to also join me Every Wednesday morning for our virtual 30-minute coffee break on zoom
Connect with me directly for the zoom link if you want to book a meeting, Ask a question
Email me at sballantyne@united-church.ca
Please come find me at the AGM. Introduce yourself. Hope to see you Thursday night May 28 and throughout the AGM
AST Alumni Reception
All Alumni/ae of Atlantic School of Theology are invited!
Come spend time with your classmates and other AST grads on Thursday, May 28th, 8:30pm to 10pm, during the Regional Council meeting at Acadia. Learn about what’s up at AST these days, upcoming continuing education events, and why you should recommend AST to everyone you know!
We’ll be in Fountain Commons, room 108 and we’re looking forward to being with you!
HEAR HER SPEAK – Thursday May 28 at 8:30PM
Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian Christian theologian born and raised in Nazareth, now living in Vancouver, where she serves as Community Engagement Animator at Trinity Grace United Church.
COME HEAR HER SPEAK!
Thursday May 28 at 8:30PM
Harvey Denton Hall Lobby (#12 on the campus map, directly across from Fountain Commons), Acadia University
Community Connexion hosted by Just Peace Working Group
and Justice, Mission and Outreach Committee
Click here for more info. New location – Come to the lobby of the Harvey Denton Hall to hear her speak!
The UCC Foundation invites you for a pre-meeting gathering at the BNSRC Meeting
Sarah Charters of the United Church of Canada Foundation warmly invites you to a pre-meeting gathering at the BNSRC Meeting on Thursday, May 28 at 4:00 pm.
This gathering is a chance to connect with fellow participants, enjoy good conversation, and hear inspiring stories about how grants have made a meaningful impact in your region over the past year. There is much to celebrate in Bermuda-Nova Scotia! Foundation President Sarah Charters will share some brief insights and reflections on how the Foundation and Mission and Service can continue to support vital ministries in the Region.
We’ll wrap up in time for you to seamlessly join supper.
We’re excited to come together, celebrate the important work happening in BNSRC, and share some truly good news with you.
To RSVP for the gathering, please email.
Growth Ideas 101: Inviting Summer Worship Connections
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for May 20, 2026.
Share your ideas with your growth animator at 506-306-0500 or by email at sballantyne@united-church.ca.
It is PAR-TY time this May!
Our communities of faith depend on monthly giving to support our life and work together. One of the ways people can give is through Pre-Authorized Remittance (or PAR). The month of May is dedicated to PAR and we have a number of resources to help you inspire, invite and thank your community to give. PAR month resources are available under Downloads at the bottom of the web page.
Rural Routes 2026: Registration Closing June 3rd
Rural Routes Through the Holy, is a space where rural faith communities come together to rest, receive, and rekindle their spirits.
Whether you’re feeling isolated in your rural congregation or simply in need of spiritual nourishment, you’ll find support here.
This year our theme is Tales, Tables, and Tending: The Slow Work of God in a Fast World. We have lots of presenters engaged to spark our sense of possibility and and encourage our reflection.
You can read more about this year’s theme and registration here. We’d love to welcome you.
Getting Started in Stewardship Summer 2026 Free Webinar
June 18 and July 30, 2026 – Come on your own or come with a team and join United Church people from across the country to learn some stewardship first principles. At either 4 or 6:30ET., you can register on CHURCHx.
New GLI webpage
Friends, check out the newly revamped GLI webpage for timely resources on guaranteed liveable income.
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 was 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 already submitted your form, there is no need to resubmit it. If you have any issues with completing the form, or if you are not sure if you have already submitted it, please contact Shari Kaster, 506-306-0496.
