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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 – Flora Mae Brown
Condolences are extended to Rev. Rhonda Schofield and family, whose grandmother Flora Mae Brown passed away on August 29, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences – Rev. Carolyn Marguerite Palmer
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Carolyn Marguerite Palmer, who passed away on August 25, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
To all ministry personnel and lay members of Bermuda-Nova Scotia and Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Councils,
As you receive this notice, our Moderator, the Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, is busy making final preparations to travel to our region for her official visit on September 8-14, 2026. I know you join with me in wishing her travelling mercies as she travels across our wonderful eastern regions. Below you will find the summary of her activities in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Thank you to all of the places that have invited our Moderator. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you prepare for her arrival.
The following are the invitations that the Moderator has accepted:
Wednesday, September 9
LUNENBURG CLUSTER – Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Hosted by: Bridgewater United Church
Thursday, September 10
SAINT JOHN CLUSTER – Scotch Ridge, New Brunswick
Hosted by: Scotch Ridge United Church
Friday, September 11
PEI CLUSTER – Hunter River, PEI
Hosted by: Central Queen’s United Church
1:30pm – 4:00pm
Saturday, September 12
Travel Time
CLERGY COFFEE – Fredericton, New Brunswick
Sunday, September 13
WORSHIP SERVICE – 200th Anniversary of Keswick Ridge United Church
Please note that the PEI Cluster gathering on the Moderator’s schedule is open to everyone. We are also inviting anyone in the Keswick Ridge area to join the Moderator at Keswick Ridge United Church on Sunday, September 13. The Moderator will be guest preacher at the 200th Anniversary Service. All are welcome to attend the worship service at 10:30am.
We look forward to sharing these visits with you, as the Moderator participates in worship and fellowship in these sacred spaces. If you have any questions, please direct them to Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister, at fmaccuish@united-church.ca.
Executive Meeting – Questions
The Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Executive is meeting on September 17 and 18. If you have any questions to bring to the Executive, please send them to BNS@united-church.ca no later than September 10.
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.
Resources for Ministry with Children and Youth
Looking for resources for your ministry with Children and Youth? Look no further! Here is a list (though certainly not complete!) of curricula, books, websites, and other information that I’ve collected over the years. Please share it with your communities. Using something that’s not listed? Have a program that you’ve created yourself? Email me to share it at cstuart@united-church.ca. I’ll also be available in the fall to come to your community for a workshop or to help your group get started.
Growth and Stewardship Idea: Hearty Hunger and Harvest, Connect Local
Does the community know you have a kitchen ready to offer helping hands to prepare foods, would welcome people to cook together, feed each other? Or maybe you don’t have a kitchen to share, but you are people who love to cook and share food together. Who might you partner with to use plentiful garden produce? Teach people to make use of harvest bounty. You might work together to create a community meal, a special outreach for tired families who would love a fun night of no cooking and crafts, games, movie night, or singing. How about a corn roast, hot dogs and a campfire, working together for a great location in your area? When is the last time you sang campfire songs? Maybe local Scouts or Guides organizations would love to have one of their units work together to cohost an event? Connect with local farmers, community gardens, local gardening club and enthusiasts. Consider a harvest theme of dishes made with pumpkins and squash or other plentiful fresh vegetables. Tomatoes or potatoes, zucchini or string beans fast become hearty soups and casserole fixings!
Explore community partnerships that will increase helping hands for community causes that grow neighbourhood connections.
Contact your growth and stewardship animator Sharon Ballantyne sballantyne@united-church.ca
This Week’s Stewardship Second:
When you listen to God with your heart—prayerfully considering the abundance in your life—what are you called to give?
Virtual drop-in with Growth and Stewardship Animator Sharon has new day and time beginning Sept. 15
Join our Tuesday lunch bunch. I will be piloting a new day and time beginning Tuesday September 15. Drop in for a virtual lunch time drop-in every Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. Atlantic (12:15 NL) for thirty-ish minutes to chat about whatever might be on your hearts. Enjoy your lunch at our virtual table, or just drop in to visit. Whether you can pop in for five minutes or have time to stay, you are welcome. Let’s keep connected. Put it on your calendar as a recurring event. Contact Sharon for the zoom link at sballantyne@United-church.ca
Godly Play Core Training 2026
The Godly Play Maritimer Trainers are offering three consecutive days of Core Storyteller Training this fall!
Friday, October 23 at 2 p.m. – Sunday, October 25 at 4 p.m.
Southwest River United Church, PEI
$350 — includes two suppers, two lunches, and nutritional breaks
Overnight accommodations are the responsibility of participants.
This intensive training will equip participants to tell Godly Play stories while developing a deeper understanding of children’s spirituality and the Godly Play method.
Registration deadline: Friday, September 25. Register here.
Questions email Jenny Eisener: registrargodlyplaymaritimes@gmail.com. For help finding accommodations, contact Ellen Locke at ellenmlocke@hotmail.com or 902-628-5460.
aUCC Annual Clergy Retreat
On September 27/28, clergy will gather at Pictou Lodge for our annual retreat! It’s a time of education, renewal and connection!
Open to all clergy, including students, serving pastoral charges. You don’t have to be a member and you don’t have to be from Nova Scotia. We’ve had people from Ontario, New Brunswick and PEI join us in the past.
Have you registered yet? The QR code on the poster takes you to the registration page.
Questions, contact info@yoursanctuary.ca
Stewardship
Money is a spiritual issue and what we do with it is one of the ways we follow Jesus. But managing our money can be difficult without
some solid basic financial understanding.
This item includes:
• 3 On-your-own hours
• 6 On-your-own videos
• 2 Downloadable resources
Now is the time to look at our individual management. The affordable cost of $10. Thank you for this resource.
Young Adult Fall Kickoff!
All Young adults in the HRM & Beyond are invited to join us for a fun night of Activate & Appies!
Thursday, September 24 • 6:30 PM
Activate Halifax (72 Finnian Row)
We’ll start with some fun at Activate, then head to Moxies for appies, conversation, and a chance to dream together about what’s ahead for our Young Adult community.
Everyone is welcome! Whether you’ve joined us before or this is your first time, come as you are, bring a friend, and meet some new people!
Feel free to share this with other young adults who might like to join us!
The registration link will be shared in next week’s announcements.
National Account – Purolator
General Council has asked us to share a new Purolator discount initiative that is available to Regions and Communities of Faith. Through a coordinated approach, participating Regions and COFs can access a preferred rate of 65% off Purolator’s standard rates, with billing managed directly by each participating entity. Please click here for the full details, including a link to the sign-up form.
Full Time Position for Ministry Personnel (2-Year Term)
The Clifton Pastoral Charge is seeking an energetic, visionary full-time ministry leader for a two-year term to guide us through an exciting season of renewal and rebuilding.
We are looking for a collaborative leader who can connect with people of all ages using both traditional and innovative approaches to worship and communication. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational and administrative skills, a background in leadership or management, and the ability to help us identify and embrace new opportunities for growth.
Rooted in a rural setting, our congregations value a visible, active presence in the wider community. We are looking for someone who feels at home in the country, enjoys participating in community life, and is eager to walk alongside us in faith and fellowship.
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 August 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.
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.
Transitional President Search-Saskatoon Theological Union
St. Andrew’s College and Lutheran Theological Seminary are seeking a Transitional President to provide leadership as the two schools become one institution. Applications are open until September 20, 2026.
Learn more about the role and view the full posting at: https://standrews.ca/lead-the-creation-of-a-new-theological-school/
