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Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Weekly Announcements – August 12, 2026

Aug 12, 2026 | BNS Announcements

NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL

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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 – Beverley Diane (Hill) Lyons

Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Keith Lyons, whose wife, Beverley Diane (Hill) Lyons, passed away on August 8, 2026.  The obituary can be viewed here.

Bermuda-Nova Scotia Pastoral Relations News – August 2026

  • Approved the Call of Webster Vhembo with Aylesford Pastoral Charge, full time, effective June 1, 2026.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Valerie Taylor, retired, with Windsor United Church, 25 hours/week, June 1 to July 31, 2026.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Valerie Taylor, retired, with Windsor United Church, 25 hours/week, August 1 to December 31, 2026.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Dianne Kempt, retired, with St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1 to August 31, 2026.
  • Approved the Call of Natalie Buchanan Rutherford with Shubenacadie United Church, 30 hours/week, effective July 1, 2026. David Hewitt, Liaison.
  • Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Sandi Irving, Designated Lay Minister, with St. David’s United Church Port Hastings, 20 hours/week, July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Linda Marcotte, retired, with Orchard Valley United Church, full time, August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027.
  • Approved the SME Appointment of Beverly Thompson, Candidate, with Ste. Croix Ellershouse Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, June 25, 2026 to June 25, 2027.
  • Approved the Renewal of Supply Appointment of Darlene Brewer, Disciples of Christ, with Clifton Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, July 1 to October 25, 2026.
  • Approved the Renewal of Appointment of Sam Graham, Candidate, with Hopewell Eureka East River Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027.
  • Approved the SME Appointment of Nicholas Hartmann, Candidate, with Riverview Pastoral Charge, Elmsdale, 20 hours/week, August 17, 2026 to August 17, 2028. David Hewitt, Liaison.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Helene Burns, retired, with Sambro Jollimore Pastoral Charge, 20 hours/week, August 3 to December 31, 2026.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Judith Perry, retired, with Halifax United Church (working name), 40 hours/week, July 1 to July 31, 2026.
  • Approved the Supply Appointment of Susan Chisholm with Halifax United Church (working name), 40 hours/week, August 1 to August 31, 2026.
  • Approved the position description for Supply Minister for Annapolis Granville Pastoral Charge, and approved Search for 20 hours/week ministry personnel.
  • Approved the Profile and position description for William Black Memorial United Church, Glen Margaret, and authorize Search for 13 hours/week ministry personnel. David Hewitt, Liaison.
  • Approved the Profile and position description for Supply ministry with St. James United Church, Dartmouth, and authorize Search for full time ministry personnel.
  • Approved the proposal for collaborative ministry of St. Mark’s United Church Port Hawkesbury and West Bay Pastoral Charge.
  • Approved the Profiles of St. Mark’s Port Hawkesbury Pastoral Charge and West Bay Pastoral Charge and authorize Search for full time collaborative ministry personnel. Peter Smith and Alicia Cox, Liaisons.
  • Approved temporary adjustments to the Terms of Call for Kim Curlett with Bridgewater United Church, effective July 1, 2026.
  • Approved the Profile materials of the collaborative ministry of Pugwash Pastoral Charge and Oxford Thomson Pastoral Charge and authorize Search for full time ministry personnel. Ruth Gamble, Liaison.
  • Approved the Profile and position description for River and Lakeside Pastoral Charge and authorize Search for 20 hours/week ministry personnel. Alicia Cox, Liaison.
  • Approved the Profile and position description for Clifton Pastoral Charge, and authorize Search for full-time ministry personnel. Fay Smith, Liaison.
  • Approved the Profile and position description for Newport Pastoral Charge, and authorize Search for 20 hours/week ministry personnel. Anne Cameron, Liaison.
  • Approved the collaborative ministry of Baddeck Pastoral Charge and St. Ann’s Bay Pastoral Charge as an SME learning site.
  • Approved the position description for Supply Ministry at Bethany United Church, Halifax, and approved Search for 25 hour/week ministry personnel.
  • Approved to instruct the collaborative ministry of River Phillip Pastoral Charge and Springhill Pastoral Charge to immediately engage with the Growth and Stewardship Animator for consideration of strategies other than termination of the Pastoral Relationship for addressing financial challenges.
  • Next meeting: Friday, September 11, 2026.

Thanks to Ivan Gregan

Thank you to Ivan Gregan for acting as the interim Vocation Minister for the Atlantic Regions. He officially finishes this role on August 15th. Please refer any Office of Vocation matters to the new Vocation Minister, Rev. Don Sellsted. DSellsted@united-church.ca

Jubilee United (Port Hood Island) decommissioning

On Sunday, August 23, there will be decommissioning service for Jubilee United (Port Hood Island) at 11am. The service will be held following St Stephen’s United anniversary service at 10am on the lawn of St. Stephen’s. A reception will follow the service.

2027 Mission and Service Grant Application

The 2027 Mission and Service Grant application is now available here. The 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.

LLWL Annual Gathering, Sackville, N.B. October 23-24, 2026

If you are a LLWL, studying to be licensed, or interested in learning more about the program, join us at the Regional Offices for a time of learning, fellowship and spiritual renewal on Friday October 23rd 11:30 AM – Saturday 24th at 3:00 PM.

This event is available for those who are interested from Bermuda- Nova Scotia and Fundy St Lawrence Dawning Waters. As we get closer to the date we will have the registration form, costs and the agenda available. Accommodations at the Coastal Inn (if required) will be booked by the Office at a discounted rate.

Please mark these days in your calendar. If you have questions, please contact :
BNS – Sandi Irving Sandrapauletteirving@gmail.com or Betty Ann Watts bettyannwatts6@gmail.com
FSLDW- Barbara Prowse barbara.prowse@gmail.com

Keswick Ridge United Church Celebrates 200 Years

Keswick Ridge United Church is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the congregation’s founding with three special events in September 2026.  Please click here to read the full details.

Growth & Stewardship Ideas: BASE of Innovation-Borrowing and Sharing in the Spirit of Faith

Please click here to read the Growth Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth Animator, for August 12, 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

Stewardship

When was the last time you shared with your children, grandchildren and family your faith? Do you discuss living generosity and discipleship with your church family?

The next Stewardship program is coming to help us understand the full scope of Stewardship.

Next Getting Started in Stewardship – August 27 at either 4 or 6:30pm. Register Now on CHURCHx.

This is THE place to start if you know your community of faith needs to grow generosity, but you don’t know how to begin. Join others from across the country to learn about our pillars of stewardship – Inspire, Invite, and Thank. By the end of the 90 minutes, you’ll actually be excited about stewardship and know where to go next.

When will Canada stand up for Palestinian children’s rights?

Tuesday August 4 the Abu Sharia and Al-Hasayna families held a funeral in Gaza City for over 112 members whose remains were recently recovered from under the rubble from Israel’s bombing of their building in 2023. In Gaza, Israel has killed more than 21,000 children. Last month Israel destroyed medicine warehouses attached to Al-Aqsa hospital and killed a family of three, including a pregnant woman and her five-year-old son.
In the West Bank, Muhammad al-Halaq was 9 when soldiers shot him dead while he was playing soccer with friends at the school near his home.12-year-old Ayman al-Haymuni was on his way to his grandfather’s home from his uncle’s and was one of 54 Palestinian children killed by the Israeli military in the West Bank in 2025. No one has been held accountable for the killings. How is it that so many Palestinian children are killed, yet no one is held accountable? Not a single soldier has been indicted over the killing of these children. How is it that the world remains silent? When will Canada stand up for Palestinian children? Tell Canada to stand up for Palestinian children’s rights: Sign here.

Road Trip! Anniversary service at Trinity United, Riverview

Sixty years goes by in the blink of an eye. One minute you are turning the sod for a new church and the next you are celebrating 60 years of God’s faithfulness. One minute you are gathering for a baptism, and the next you are remembering a life well lived.
You are invited to celebrate all these faithful moments with Trinity United Church on Old Coach Road, Riverview NB. Previous members, ministers, and those looking to worship and celebrate the faithfulness of God, and the grace of Jesus, are invited to the anniversary service on Sunday, September 20th at 11am. Lunch will be served (of course!)

Property Inventory Update

The BNS property inventory list has been updated, this inventory lists property (buildings, cemeteries, lands) currently registered to your pastoral charge.  All forms and amendments received up to July 31, 2026 are included.  Pastoral charges who do not hold property will not appear on the list.  Please take a moment to review and ensure your pastoral charge details are correct, you can review by A-Z property name or by postal code using the link below and submit a form if there are any additions or amendments.

Property Inventory

 

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