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.
Reverend Dr. Douglas MacEachern – Obituary
The full obituary is now available for Rev. Dr. Douglas MacEachern who passed away on July 18, 2026. It can be viewed here.
Emancipation Day on August 1
August 1, 2026 marks Emancipation Day, commemorating the legal abolition of slavery on the land that is now Canada. It’s a day to remember our history, acknowledge that racism continues to impact lives today, and renew our commitment to building a more just and equitable future.
This Emancipation Day, The United Church of Canada Foundation is inviting you to help sustain anti-racism initiatives across the church. Gifts will support programs that address racial injustice and create opportunities for learning, healing, and conversation.
Powerful anti-racism initiatives are happening across our church in response to the truths that racialized and Indigenous Peoples have bravely shared and acknowledge their stories of resistance and strength. Contributions to the Foundation are an investment in these crucial initiatives, such as:
- The United Church of Canada’s 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism, which encourages vital conversations about racial discrimination across our church communities.
- Our involvement in Fund Canada, which aims to unlock $500 million in grants by 2030, focusing on underfunded leaders and underrepresented voices. This funding will transform communities by investing in leaders with lived experiences to drive necessary change.
- The Indigenous and Racialized Youth Scholars Program, an investment in young leaders in the church, encouraging their participation in dialogues that shape the future of our society.
Together, we can continue the work of becoming an anti-racist church. Please make a gift in support of this important work: https://united-church.ca/social-action/justice-initiatives/anti-racism/donations-anti-racism-work
Pastoral Relations Committee – July 2026
- Approved the reappointment of Reverend Alice Finnamore to the Keswick Ridge Pastoral Charge effective July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.
- Approved the appointment of Reverend Andrew Jensen to the St. Stephen: Kirk-McColl Pastoral Charge effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.
- Approved the appointment of Reverend William MacLeod to the Summerside: Trinity Pastoral Charge effective October 11, 2026 to April 11, 2027.
- Approved the appointment of Reverend Karen Ross to the York Covehead Pastoral Charge effective July 1, 2026 to December 31 2026.
Growth & Stewardship Ideas: Portable Presence to Be Visible and Welcoming
Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for July 29, 2026.
As of July 1, 2026, here are contacts for Growth and Stewardship:
BNS Sharon Ballantyne – sballantyne@united-church.ca
FSLDW Rob Shearer – rshearer@united-church.ca
2027 Mission and Service Grant Application
The 2027 Mission and Service Grant application is now available here. Deadline for completed application and supporting documentation is Friday, September 18, 2026 and can be forwarded to: jwhittemore@united-church.ca or mailed to the Regional Office.
Improved Record of Call or Appointment form on ChurchHub – Effective September 1st
While the Record of Call or Appointment form tile will look the same on ChurchHub, the dashboard and form will look very different on September 1st. All previous forms (in whatever stage they are in) will seamlessly move from old to new format on that date.
The improvements are a result of the feedback we have heard from many of you who have been using the form over the past several years. This update also gave us the opportunity to use enhanced programming tools/styles that didn’t exist in 2019 when it was first created.
The Record of Call or Appointment form has had a complete makeover:
- more user friendly
- meets a higher accessibility standard
- dashboard and form open more quickly
- information upload speed increased
- improved reliability (prevents errors, prompts when items are missing)
- clearly labelled steps for acceptance
- Form is now on two pages so there’s no need to scroll up/down to find the bottom of the form
- Searching for a minister’s name is now simpler, clearer and quicker (search by name in any form OR select from list)
- Send draft email button visible at top of each page
We’re excited to share this improved Record of Call or Appointment form with you in September. Stay tuned for more ChurchHub improvements in the coming months!
Concert at Wilmot United on September 12
We’re very happy to announce that the band Lifted, which is well known in United Church circles across the Maritimes, will be performing a concert at 7pm on September 12 at Wilmot United Church in Fredericton.
A suggested donation of $20 will be received at the door. They will also be joining us for worship the following morning—it will be a great weekend to come back to church!
Find the event on Facebook here.
