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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 Centre for Christian Studies please click here.
Bermuda-Nova Scotia Regional Council Committee Volunteer form.
Condolences: Kenneth Grant Kerr (Grant)
Condolences are extended to the family of Grant Kerr who passed away on September 15, 2026. Grant worked for the United Church of Canada in many lay leadership roles in the Maritimes and Ontario and was a beloved member of the Waverley Pastoral Charge. A celebration of his life will take place at St. John’s United Church, Fall River, on Saturday, September 26th at 3pm. The obituary can be viewed here.
Condolences: Reverend Sheila Margaret Mallory
Our condolences are extended to the family of Rev. Sheila Mallory (FSLDW), who passed away on September 16, 2026. The obituary can be viewed here.
September 30th – Change to Announcement Submission Deadline
As the office will be closed September 30th for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, announcement submissions for inclusion on September 30th will need to be received by 1:00pm on Tuesday, September 29th. Thank you!
Executive Minutes
The minutes of the BNS Regional Council Executive meeting held May 31, 2026 (RC1-RC6) were approved at the September 17-18, 2026 Executive meeting and are now available on the BNS website.
Growth and Stewardship Ideas: Newcomers’ Table
Please click here to read the Growth and Stewardship Ideas from Sharon Ballantyne, Growth and Stewardship Animator, for September 23, 2026.
Contact your growth and stewardship animator Sharon Ballantyne sballantyne@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.
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.
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.
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
Community Hymn Singing
Community Hymn Singing – Sunday, September 27
Join Halifax United Church for a special Community Hymn Singing on Sunday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Halifax United Church (former St. Andrew’s site). Come and enjoy an evening of singing traditional and contemporary hymns together. Everyone is welcome whether you are a regular churchgoer or simply love to sing.
Come celebrate the joy, history, and community of congregational singing. Bring your friends and family and join us for an uplifting evening of music and fellowship.
Full Time Position for Ministry Personnel (2-Year Term)
The Clifton Pastoral Charge is an Affirming charge that 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.
Office Administrator Job Posting
Are you an organized, compassionate, and community-minded individual who enjoys connecting with people and helping organizations thrive?
Bridgewater United Church is seeking a full-time Office Administrator to help support the day-to-day operations of our faith community. This newly created position offers an exciting opportunity to serve as a key connector between the church, congregation, and broader community while supporting worship services, communications, events, and office administration.
For More Info click here.
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and experience!
Email: info@bridgewaterunited.ca
Check out our website to learn more about us!
ChurchHub – Update (with corrected links)
An invitation to ChurchHub is on its way to you (as the Ministry and Personnel Chair of your pastoral charge). Please check your inbox (or junk/spam folder) for a “welcome to ChurchHub” email.
ChurchHub access gives you the opportunity to work on behalf of your Community of Faith on various tasks such as:
Community of Faith profile:
https://ch.united-church.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/7240602413453-Community-of-Faith-Profile-on-ChurchHub
Finding a New Minister:
https://ch.united-church.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/7240534796301-Communities-of-Faith-How-to-Find-a-New-Minister
Pulpit supply list:
https://ch.united-church.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/18447444644493-Pulpit-Supply-List
Record of call or appointment form:
https://ch.united-church.ca/hc/en-ca/articles/47917798635405-COMMUNITIES-OF-FAITH-HOW-TO-USE-RECORD-OF-CALL-OR-APPOINTMENT-FORM-2026
You can find further ChurchHub resources at this link:https://ch.united-church.ca/hc/en-ca
And if you need further assistance you can always email helpdesk@united-church.ca
Make Your Values Known – Provincial Budget Consultation
Many of you have no doubt received a flyer in the mail regarding the provincial budget consultation. The government wants to know what matters most to us. It is no secret that Nova Scotia is in rather a difficult financial situation and that the next budget will contain cuts to services. As Christians we are called to care for the people on the margins. As churches we have been filling the gaps where provincial support is inadequate. In 2025, 30% of people who came to food banks had social/income assistance as their primary source of income. We need to make our priorities clear. No deadline was provided for feedback, but the last public session is October 8.
Grace United Church in Dartmouth has developed a 2-page backgrounder as well as more information here. We are focusing on homelessness and the employment support and income assistance programs. We understand that people may have different priorities, but we want to take the opportunity to do what we can to protect the people on the margins and allow them to live their lives with dignity.
