NEWS AND UPDATES FROM FUNDY ST. LAWRENCE DAWNING WATERS (FSLDW)
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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.
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 Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council Executive is meeting on September 15 and 16. If you have any questions to bring to the Executive, please send them to FSLDW@united-church.ca no later than September 8.
Colpitts United Anniversary Service
This Sunday, September 6th will be the 153rd Anniversary Service for Colpitts United Church. Church is located at 4846 Route 895, about 6 miles from Salisbury. Guest speaker will be Rev. Jennifer Brown of St. Paul’s United Church-Sussex NB. Music Ministry provided by Martha Shaw. Potluck afterwards down in the church basement.
NW Cluster Event: Share, Learn & Explore! Saturday September 12, 2026
Share: Our Joys, Hopes, & Needs
Learn: Various Models of Collaborative Ministry
Explore: Possible Cooperative Projects
All are welcome! Join in the sharing, learning and exploration!
Each Pastoral Charge is encouraged to have at least two or more individuals present from each congregation of the Pastoral Charge.
All United Church Ministers (active and retired)
and LLWLs are encouraged to be present.
To register email john.clark@nb.aibn.com by Sept 9th with Cluster Registration in the subject line. In the body of the email, please include your name, and your pastoral charge/congregation, and any dietary needs you may have.
Saint James United Church
120 Chapel Street, Woodstock, NB
(corner of Chapel and Green)
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.
A Note From Rob – Growth And Stewardship Animator
Hello Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters!
Grace and peace in Christ Jesus. It’s Rob Shearer, your Growth and Stewardship Animator. I introduced myself a bit back in June when I started – and wanted to let you know that as of today, I’m finally ready to take over the Growth and Stewardship element of the Regional newsletter from my colleague, the amazing Rev. Sharon Ballantyne who has run the race oh so well and who, of course, I’ll be working closely with across UCC East.
Expect diverse content and links and ideas about growth and stewardship from me in the weeks to come. Until then, I want to let you know that as of mid-September, I’ll have both boots on the ground in the Maritimes – although only after a cross-country drive with my belongings (including 25 boxes of vinyl records). I cherish your prayers as I travel to be with you.
I’m excited to come alongside you as we seek God’s reign of abundance, generosity, justice, peace and joy together.
Once I land there, please know that I’m on call – either virtually or in-person – to connect about growth, invitation and congregational renewal – to do coaching around stewardship as follow-up from our amazing online courses – and/or event to talk about your dream to start a new and unique UCC community of faith. I’m happy to do workshops, coach, preach, pray and worship together – or even supplement your music – as I’m invited to do so.
Noting that I’ll be out-of-contact from September 7-17 as I travel, please do feel free to drop me a line anytime at rshearer@united-church.ca.
Right now, my main goal is to listen deeply to your hopes and dreams, to get to know the culture(s) of the UCC and in FSLDW and UCC East more generally – and to connect personally with as many Communities of Faith and their leaders (lay, commissioned and ordained) as I can! So please do reach out.
I look forward to connecting with you in the fall and in the years to come to see how we can live together into the call of deep spirituality, bold discipleship and daring justice.
Yours in Christ,
Rob
A few quick links:
The Season of Creation is happening! See more at this link.
All of our online Stewardship offerings are here.
Pastoral Care Training Program
Is your community of faith in need of additional pastoral care services. Is there a member of the community interested in training that could support them in offering pastoral care as a volunteer or as a Congregational Designated Minister for Pastoral Care?
If so, the Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program may be offering just what you are looking for: A Basic Pastoral Care Training Program that will run from September 14 to November 3, 2026.
You can find a brochure for their program here. The program will be offered via Zoom on Monday evenings (excluding Thanksgiving Monday) from 7PM to 9:15PM.
The Pastoral Relations Committee of the Region commends this program especially to those communities of faith that are without called or appointed ministry personnel.
Call Out: Youth@Region Planning Team
The FSLDW Youth@Region Planning Team are looking for new members to fill the following positions:
Team Lead
Director #2
Accessibility and Facilitator Rep
Chaplain Rep
Music Team Rep
You can review the Roles and Responsibilities here.
Interested applicants can complete this short form.
Deadline to submit interest is September 23rd. Any questions can be directed to fsldwregistrar@gmail.com.
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
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.
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.
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/
