March 29th, Moderator Richard Bott, shares an online worship service and a reflection on the raising of Lazarus.

Moderator Richard Bott shares an online worship service and a reflection on the raising of Lazarus..

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moderator is offering online worship for churches to share and use on Sunday mornings. We invite you join in and share this service with your communities of faith to use on Sunday, March 29, 2020. May you be blessed by the gathering of God's people during this challenging time.

This service is recorded live on Zoom. If you would like to participate in the live version of this worship as it is being recorded, please join us online on Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. PDT, 7:00 p.m. EDT, 8:30 p.m. in Newfoundland.

(These online services are planned to run at least through Holy Week 2020.)

Downloads

• Full Video of the service (MP4)
• Audio-only version (MP3)
• Order of Worship (PDF)
• Sermon (PDF)

THINK! INVITE! INSPIRE!

Think!  Invite! Inspire!
CanadaHelps1 - canadahelps.org
What every United Church needs to know

1. You are already listed on the CanadaHelps site.
   ALL Canadian registered charities can be found on a search on the CanadaHelps site.
   https://www.canadahelps.org
   Anyone can make a donation to your church. CanadaHelps is a charity, online donations are their purpose. However, for your church to receive the donation immediately the account needs to be activated. (Otherwise you won’t know about the donation until CanadaHelps sends you a cheque in the mail which is done monthly. Cash deposits are done weekly.)
2. There are two account types. Both are free.
   HOWEVER the FULL Fundraising Account is more cost effective than the basic Profile Account! Processing fees for the Full Account are 3.5%; fees for the Profile account at 4%.
   Fees include any credit card, bank and brokerage costs.
   Basic info:

	Profile Account	Full Fundraising Account
Credit Card, PayPal or Interac donations	4% fee	3.5%* fee
Peer-to-Peer Social Fundraising	N/A	5.5% fee
Events Solution	N/A	5% fee
Securities Donations	2.0 – 3.0%** fee	2.0 – 3.0%** fee

That’s it. There are no hidden fees and CanadaHelps does not charge charities to open or maintain a CanadaHelps account.
2More detail on the features of the two account types.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/for-charities/compare-solutions/
1 CanadaHelps is itself a registered charity and as such has received accreditation from Imagine Canada. This is a peer-reviewed Standards Program to ensure the organization demonstrates excellence in five key areas of operations: Board Governance; Financial Accountability and Transparency; Fundraising; Staff Management; and Volunteer Involvement.
2 *The regular transaction charge of 4% will apply until CanadaHelps receives and validates your void cheque and banking form. Please allow 5 business days for this process to be completed.
** 3% fee applies to donations less than $10,000; 2.5% fee applies to donations between $10,000-$49,999; 2.25% fee applies to donations between $50,000-$99,999; 2% fee applies to donations $100,000+.

3. Get a donate button on your website -
   NOW
   You have to set up your banking information with CanadaHelps to get the funds.
   (Account Number, Transit and Inst. Code)
   Then you set up a page - https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charity- life/fundraising-2/new-embed-your-donation- form-in-your-website/
   Then you embed the code on your website. You have a donation page!
4. Activate your page – Things to know
   This is a simple task that lets donors know they have arrived in the right location.
   Make the page yours with custom background colours, images or a logo.
   You can customize your donation form to suit the needs of your organization and your donors. Set custom donation amounts, add funds – like Mission & Service, and explain how donations make a difference and contribute to God’s mission.
   The donation form is fully optimized for mobile use, which will allow donors to complete a secure donation through their smartphone or tablet.
   Once a donation is complete, you can direct the donor to any page - your homepage, an information page, or a custom landing page you’ve created with a thank you message once the donation is complete. And, you can track donation statistics using your Google Analytics account.

5. OTHER SIGNIFICANT SERVICES
(with no additional cost beyond the processing fees noted above) including a fundraising program review.
Ministry or project funding
Do you have fundraising projects outside regular offering program? You can create campaign and stand-alone pages that allow you to accept donations online and in-person at events. No swipe or processing machines needed. Thousands of Churches use CanadaHelps for refugee sponsorship and community fundraising projects.
Crowd source funding
It is the fastest growing source of charitable donations in North America. Don’t use another service that might be based in the US or not able to offer charitable receipts.
CanadaHelps reports that the Peer-to-Peer Social Fundraiser tool was used by 600 United Church congregations to raise funds for their refugee sponsorship and other programs.
Learn more here.
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/for-charities/peer- to-peer-social-fundraising/
Event Management
This service can be very helpful whether or not it is for a fundraising event. It includes the following: Free and Paid Ticketed Events
High Impact Event Pages
Integrated Social Sharing
Fully Mobile Ready
Extensive Branding Options Automated Charitable Receipting Real-time Ticket Sales Reporting Simple Attendee Check-in

United Churches in Region 15 will continue to be closed until the end of April

                  The United Church of Canada 

                   L’Eglise Unie du Canada

                   _____________________________________________

                            First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council
                            Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council 
                            Regional Council 15

MEMO

To:       Communities of Faith, Ministry Personnel, Board/Council Chairs and Regional Members

From:  Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Regional Executive Minister, 
             First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, 
             Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional 
             Council and Regional Council 15

Date:     March 27, 2020

Re:        COVID-19 Regional Update (March 27, 2020)

It seems like such a long time ago that I wrote the letter acknowledging that it was time to shut down our buildings and have our staff work from home, and yet that was only ten days ago.

Since that time many things have shifted. The messages from our health and government authorities have gotten stronger and we have all been asked to do our part to help plank the curve, to keep each other safe and to model good citizenship for our communities, our provinces, our country and our world.

I have such a deep sense of gratitude for our Ministry Personnel, our Communities of Faith’s governing bodies and our many staff both in local congregations and at the regional level. We have been and continue to be affected by this Pandemic.

Thank you to all the Ministry Personnel. I know how hard you are working to be present to your Communities of Faith in this very difficult time. I am aware of your tenacity, your resolve to find new ways of providing worship and connection, through social media and through a simple phone call, which means so much. I know that you are struggling when you have to say to a beloved family that the funeral of their loved one needs to be postponed, that you are sorry you are not permitted to visit them at home or in the hospital, or when you speak with a couple who are planning their marriage and ask them to consider changing the date. The feeling of helplessness in these situations is causing you so much extra stress and anxiety. I know your call to ministry is to be present for and with all God’s children and that has not waivered. I believe it has only been made stronger as you work hard to be the presence of Christ in ways you never knew possible.

Thank you to our Communities of Faith, your governing bodies, and volunteers for providing for your staff by allowing them to work from the safety of their home. You are also doing your part to be an example for the wider community. I have been hearing stories of Board members setting up phone trees and prayer chains. Communities of Faith checking in with the vulnerable and making sure they know they are not alone. I believe your call to support your staff and your congregants has also become your strength. Congregational members are also very concerned about the financial well-being of the Pastoral Charge and have found new ways to give. Thank you to everyone for doing your part in these most difficult times.

 

Thank you to our Regional Staff who are now working many overtime hours from their homes to make sure our congregations, committees, ministries and clergy have the information and the tools they need in these difficult times. Thank you as well to our General Council Staff, Moderator and General Secretary who, at the helm of our church, strive to keep us connected and informed.

We are truly blessed and upheld by each other and by a good, loving and ever-present God.

As we are fast approaching the first two weeks of closure and our March 30 date, we know we are not in a place to be able to open our churches or our offices. As this continues to go on, I know it is becoming more difficult. At this point, we will continue to be closed until the end of April and we will reassess at that time.
Thank you all for supporting this tough decision, adhering to the health and government authorities and keeping congregations and your staff safe.

Some things to keep in mind:

•   Please avoid going into the church buildings at this time.
•   Please have one person designated to go in on a weekly basis and check on the building, the pipes and boilers, etc.
•   When you do so, make sure you sanitize the door handles and the things you touch.
•   If you need to check the mailboxes at the church, please make sure you are safe in doing so.
•   If clergy wish to go into the building to record or livestream worship, it is permissible as long as it is a small group of 1-3 people. Again, make sure you sanitize anything you touch and make sure you are keeping the required distance apart.
•   If you are able to record your services from the safety of your home, all the better.
  If your Community of Faith is having financial difficulty, please call your Regional or Executive Minister to discuss the options available for you. If you are considering temporary layoffs of any staff, it is important that you follow employment law as well as United Church policies and therefore it is imperative that you are in touch with your Regional Minister. Our General Council staff are working with employment specialists to guide us at this time and our Regional Ministers are being equipped with this information and hope to have it by early next week. It is our hope that it will not have to come to this. As we are hoping that, with government aids as well as help from Regional Councils and General Council, temporary layoffs will not be needed.
• 
  This has been a very different Lenten journey and it will be a very different Holy Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I know you will all do your best to honour our Easter traditions in new, creative and safe ways. Despite everything that is happening in our world, we know God is our strength, and we live with the promise of resurrection hope.
• 
  Yours in Christ,
  Rev. Faith March-MacCuish

Letter to St. Mark's Congregation

March 12, 2020

Dear Members and Adherents of St. Mark’s United Church,

January 1^st, 2019 St. Mark’s and St. David’s began a new search for a Minister. Over that year we faced many challenges with St. David’s over cost sharing, worship sharing and building issues. All of which came to an impasse with no chance of resolution in the New Year 2020. On February 16, during our Annual meeting at St. Mark’s, it was decided to end our cost sharing agreement with St. David’s. This was done after much discussion and negotiation with the Board, Regional Council 15 and the congregation, but was deemed the best path for St. Mark’s with a unanimous vote. The motion was sent to St. David’s where it was read and voted on at their Annual Meeting the 23^rd of February, 2020. They voted to accept the motion and would make their last payment to St. Mark’s on February 28, 2020 ending the cost sharing agreement.

So begins a new chapter for St, Mark’s; with direction from Regional Council on how to proceed to start the process to call a Minister, the Joint Needs Assessment Committee up-dated the Community of Faith Profile. The Committee recommended hiring a full time Minister recently ordained with up to 5 years’ experience. We need to bring life back into St. Mark’s as this has been a very hard year for our congregation. We need someone to come and bring enthusiasm and the ideas to help us build our Faith Community. We lost our minister, our beloved Al and now it is time for us to move forward and try to bring folks back to the pews. We have been blessed with Adam Cooke at the piano each Sunday, now we need to fill the pulpit!

So why this letter?  We need your help …. not just financially - but we need your prayers, your help and your presence. We do expect a shortfall in funding, but we can do it if we all pull together. We have done it before and we can do it again. But to do this we will have to raise money through fundraising and we will need help. St. Mark’s can meet this financial challenge with your financial help. No gift will be too small. St. Mark’s has a PAR system for giving that is based on 12 months, so if you would like to make a monthly contribution this can be set up to take your donation direct from your bank account. 

In Closing We say Thank You for your support and we will keep you all up-to-date on how we are proceeding through our blog:     

ourcontactonline.blogspot.com 

Yours in faith,

Barb MacIntyre, Chair
St. Mark’s Congregational Board

“Faith is a choice to trust God even when the road ahead seems uncertain.” Dave Willis

Par Authorization Form

PAR AUTHORIZATION FORM

FOR USE BY PAR ADMINISTRATOR

For registration of new PAR donors
orFor banking changes for existing donors

_______________________________________________________________________
PAR congregational number: ____________________________________ 
Church PAR administrator:______________________________________ 
Phone number: _______________________________________________
E-mail: _____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Donortname__________________________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________Province: ________Postal code: _______________
E-mail___________________

Envelope# _____________________ Gift amount $ ______________ 
Name of local church: _________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________ 

This gift to the above church is to benefit

Local church: $____________________Mission & Service: $ ___________________
Other: $ _______________________

_________________________________________________________________
Option 1: Pre-authorized debit

Please attach a VOID cheque.

I/We request/authorize The United Church of Canada to debit my/our account on the 20th of every month, 
starting the 20th _____________________ of, 20______. I/we also recognize and agree to the following:

I/we may change the amount of my contribution at any time by contacting our church PAR contact.

I/we have certain recourse rights if any debit does not comply with this agreement. For example, I have the right to receive reimbursement for any debit that is not authorized or is not consistent with this PAR agreement. To obtain more information on my recourse rights, I may contact my financial institution or visit www.cdnpay.ca.

I/we waive my right to receive pre-notification of the amount of pre-authorized remittance (PAR) and agree that I do not require advance notice of the amount of PAR before the debit is processed.

Signed: ____________________________________________________________ Dated:________________________________

_________________________________________________________________
Option 2: Visa/MasterCard/American Express

Please note that a 2–3% service charge reduces the total of your donation to your congregation.

Card number: _________________________________________________________Expiry: ______ ______ MM YY

Name on card: __________________________________________________________________________________ Signed: ____________________________________________________________Dated: ______________________

Thank you for your generosity.

The use, retention, and disclosure of personal information collected from this form is done in compliance with privacy legislation 

and adheres to the principles of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (S.C. 2000, c.5).

The United Church of Canada Attn: PAR • 3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 

1-800-268-3781, ext. 3152/3050 • fax: 416-231-3103 • par@united-church.ca

Where to find online worship during the COVID-19 pandemic

During this time of waiting in solitude for the COVID-19 pandemic to subside, worship services are provided by our national church in Toronto, the first to be online will be tomorrow, March 22nd. This service will be conducted by Moderator Richard Bott.

https://www.united-church.ca/community-faith/being-community/worship-online-during-covid-19 

March 15th, 2020 - 3rd Sunday in Lent, The Community of Faith of St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury, NS REGION 15, United Church of Canada

The Community of Faith of St. Mark’s United Church,

Port Hawkesbury, NS 

REGION 15, United Church of Canada

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.co

Office Hours: Thursday and Friday, 8-12 noon, Jane at St. Mark’s

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Ministers: The Whole People of God

March 15^th, 2020 - 3^rd Sunday in Lent

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Worship Leader: Sandi Irving

Music: Heather Richards

Lenten Triad:

Lay Reader: Jean Mac Pherson

Mission Moment: Barb Mac Intyre

Greeters/Collectors: Donnie and Jean Mac Pherson

Counters:  Anna Marie Langley, Patsy Brander

Announcements         The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Welcome:

Lighting the Christ Candle:

Greeting one another with the Peace of Christ

Introit:  “Spirit of the Living God” VU 376 vs1 

Lenten Triad:

Call to Worship:

Opening Prayer:

Hymn: “My Life Flows On” VU 716

Words of Confession:

Words of Assurance:

Responsive Psalm: 

       Ps 95 VU 814 Part One

Time for All: 

We Listen For God’s Word

Gathering Prayer:

Opening the Word

Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Christian Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Gospel: John 4:5-42

Opening the Word 2: 

Reflection:

We Respond in Faith

Hymn: “Spirit, Open My Heart”                    MV 79 

Profession of Faith:                                 VU 918

Minute for Mission and Offering Our Gifts to God

Offertory Hymn: 

“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” VU 541 

Offering Prayer:

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern

Hymn: “It Only Takes a Spark” VU 289 

Commissioning and Blessing:

________________________________________________________________

The “UPPER ROOM” for March-April are available.

________________________________________________________________

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month. 

________________________________________________________________

Prayer Shawl Knitting Group: Knitters and crocheters gather in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. The next time of gathering is March 16^th at 1:00 p.m. 

________________________________________________________________

Deadline for information for the bulletin is Thursday at noon.

________________________________________________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. Mark’s Services are at 9:30 a.m.

March 22^th  - Sandi Irving

March  29^th - Sandi Irving

April 10^th -    Good Friday, Service at 11am

April 12^th -    Easter Sunday – Communion with Rev. Janice Aylward

April 19^th -    Inverness County Cares

________________________________________________________________

An important CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held SUNDAY: April 5th at 3:00 p.m. to approve the JNAC (Joint Needs Assessment ) and the description for our future minister.

________________________________________________________________

FundScrip Delivery will be Sunday March 15th. If you have any questions or wish to join the program please contact Patsy Brander at 902-625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 902-625-3838.

________________________________________________________________

Lay Readers:

March 22^nd – Iaian Langley

March 29^th – Dave Chapman

April 5^th –     Clark Brander

April 12^th –   Joyce Oliver-Snair

April 17^th –   Good Friday – Mulitiple Readers

April 19^th –   Malcolm Matheson

April 26^th –   Archie Noseworthy 

Mission Moment Readers:

March 22^nd – Linda Howlett

March 29^th – Larry Evans

April 5^th –     Anna Marie Langley

April 12^th –   Yvonne Fox

April 26^th –   Linda Howlett

________________________________________________________________

If you know if anyone who would like a visit or have Communion brought to them, please let us know by calling 992-625-2229. 

________________________________________________________________

Community Announcements

Floor Curling, Wednesdays from 2-3, at St. Mark’s Church hall. Bring a toonie and change of footwear. Drop in whenever you like. No experience necessary. Come and enjoy a time of fun and fellowship.

________________________________________________________________

Good Friday Chowder Supper (Fish and Corn:  Eat in or Take out)

Friday, April 10th:  4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Upstairs, Mulgrave Fire Hall

$10.00 Sponsored by Trinity United Church, Mulgrave

________________________________________________________________

Hot Breakfast at Auld's Cove Fire Hall on Saturday, March 29 from 8-12 noon. 

Adults $7.00. Children under 12, $4.00 

________________________________________________________________

March 15th, 2020 - 3rd Sunday in Lent, The Community of Faith of St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, NS, REGION 15, United Church of Canada

The Community of Faith of St. David’s United Church, Port Hastings, NS

REGION 15, United Church of Canada

Contact Phone: (902) 870-1015, email: cathymac@auracom.com

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Region 15 Website: ucceast.ca/regional-council-15/

Ministers: Whole People of God

Ministering through leadership in worship this morning are:

Guest Leader: Sandi Irving

Ministry of Music: Heather Richards and the Choir

Lay Reader: Mary Jess MacDonald

Mission Moment: Maxine Smith

Greeters: Sally and George Fox

Collectors: Sally Fox, Heather Deschenes

Hall Cleaners: Heather Graham and Marie MacKinnon

March 15th, 2020 - 3rd Sunday in Lent

Welcome:


Lenten Triad: Lisa Rhynold

Lighting the Christ Candle:

Greeting one another with the Peace of Christ:

Introit: "Spirit of the Living God"           VU 376 vs 1

Call to Worship:

Opening Prayer:

Hymn: “My Life Flows On” VU 716

Words of Confession:

Words of Assurance:

Responsive Psalm:

Ps 95 VU 814 Part One

Time for All:

We Listen for God’s Word

Gathering Prayer:

Opening the Word:

Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 17: 1 - 7

Christian Scripture: Romans 5: 1 - 11

Gospel:  John 4: 5 - 422

Opening the Word 2:

Reflection:

We Respond In Faith:

Hymn: “Spirit Open Your Heart” MV 79

Profession of Faith: VU 918

Minute for Mission and Offering Our Gifts to God:

Offering Hymn:  

                “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” VU 541

Offering Prayer:

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Concern:


Hymn: “It Only Takes a Spark” VU 289

Commissioning and Blessing:

________________________________________________________________

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you all who supported the Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 25th. The amount of $700.00 was realized for the Mission and Service Fund.

________________________________________________________________

Reminder: Food Bank Sunday March 29th. Our local Food Bank is in need of the following items: Flakes of Chicken/Ham, Tuna, Kraft Dinner, Apple Juice, Juice Paks, Pasta sauce, Canned Fruit, Canned Beans, Cereal, Crackers, Tea and Coffee. All donations are greatly appreciated, and allows us to support the needy families in our area.

________________________________________________________________

Floor Curling, Wednesday from 2 - 3, at St. Mark’s Church hall. Bring a toonie and change of footwear. Drop in whenever you like. No experience necessary. Come and enjoy a time of fun and fellowship.

________________________________________________________________