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NEWS AND UPDATES FROM BERMUDA-NOVA SCOTIA REGIONAL COUNCIL
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Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Committee Volunteer form.
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.
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.
Covenanting Service at St. John’s United Church, Fall River
Everyone is invited on Sunday, Sept. 20th, 2pm at St. John’s United Church, Fall River for the covenanting service for Rev. Emily Duggan and Rev. Jenny Eisener. Guest preacher Rev. Dr. Linda Yates. All are welcome to come celebrate the official start of our team ministry at SJUC, reception provided by the UCW to follow the service. 3360 Highway #2 Fall River, NS.
Contact: office@sjucfr.ca for more details.
Covenanting Service
A Covenanting Service for the newly formed Collaborative Ministry between the Churches of The Petite Riviere Pastoral Charge, West Side United of The LaHave New Dublin Pastoral Charge, Rev. Donna Kelly, Rev. Neil McEwen and the Bermuda Nova Scotia Regional Council will be held on Sunday October 4, 2026 at 2 PM. The service will be hosted at Wesley United Church (22 Drews Hill Road in Petite Riviere NS). Rev. Carol Smith will be the Guest Preacher and David Hewitt will be representing the BNS Regional Council. Since the service is being held on World Wide Communion Sunday we will be celebrating Communion. A Time of Community will follow in the hall downstairs following the service.
Join us at Ukulele Church!
Have you been looking for an all-ages, online worshipping community? Have you always wanted to play Ukulele? Put the two together and join us weekly at Ukulele Church on Zoom! After signing up at ukulelechurch.com you’ll get a weekly email reflection, along with music and art templates and our zoom link. Whether you’re a seasoned player, or have never touched the instrument before, we’d love to have you join us. This year, our season starts on September 13, so sign up today. Questions? Email cstuart@united-church.ca.
What’s Happening in Growth and Stewardship
Please click here to see the communication from, and about, the Growth and Stewardship Animators; Rev. Dr. Sharon Ballantyne and Rev. Rob Shearer.
Growth and Stewardship Ideas: Small Group Check-ins
Please click here to read the Growth and Stewardship Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth and Stewardship Animator, for September 9, 2026.
Contact your growth and stewardship animator Sharon Ballantyne sballantyne@united-church.ca
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
Tuesday virtual lunch Weekly Zoom Drop-in with UCC East Growth and Stewardship Animators Rob and Sharon
This thirty-ish minute weekly Zoom drop-in gathering is piloting a NEW time and day beginning on Tuesday September 15 starting at 11:45 Atlantic. Everyone across UCC-East is invited. Meeting in September, October and November, we will revisit interest for 2027. Both Growth and Stewardship Animators, Rob and Sharon hope to see you there! join our Tuesday lunch bunch. Come chat about whatever might be on your hearts. Enjoy your lunch at our virtual table, or just drop in to visit. Let’s keep connected. Hold Rob in prayer September 7 to 17, as he will be traveling west coast to east coast driving belongings, as he moves to Atlantic Canada from BC. Rob hopes to join Tues. September 22 and future Tuesdays. Contact Sharon for the zoom link at sballantyne@United-church.ca.
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!
Sign up here.
Feel free to share this with other young adults who might like to join us!
HRM Youth Cluster September 27th
Sunday, September 27 • 5:30–8:00 PM
St. John’s United Church, Fall River
United Church youth in Grades 6/7–12 are invited to an evening of food, games, activities, conversation, and faith!
Whether you’re part of a youth group, your church doesn’t have one, or you’re just looking to meet some new people — you’re welcome!
🍕 Supper included
🎲 Games & activities
💬 Good conversation
✨ Space to explore questions of faith
Come as you are, bring a friend, and let’s get connected!
RSVP here
Questions? Paige Fraser
paige.fraser@bedfordunited.com | (902) 835-8497 ext. 6
📍 St. John’s United Church
3360 NS-2, Fall River, NS B2T 1J2
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/
