First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council
Weekly Announcements
May 20, 2020
info4rc16@united-church.ca Staff Directory
Making Hope Visible Podcast – Justice and Mission Network of the Atlantic Regions of the United Church of Canada
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council is now on Facebook!
Weekly Prayer from Rev. Wayne Blackwood, Salmon Cove Pastoral Charge
Creative and Creating God, again we set aside time to come to you in prayer. You have promised to walk with us through the darkest valleys, and once again, as we continue to deal with the far-reaching results of this pandemic, we hold you to that promise.
Today, as in all days, we offer prayers for all of your children who are having difficulty dealing with the realities of this time:
- For children who simply cannot understand why visits and hugs have stopped
- For parents who live in fear for their children’s health
- For adults who, while offering the wisdom of their years, still wonder where it will all end
- For our elders who, having lived through many unknowns in their time, must now face another
Holy One, we sometimes use the image of wilderness to describe the space where we do not encounter you. Even that has changed as we journey through this particular wilderness of COVID-19. We know now that there is always a sense of your presence – despite the closure of buildings; despite the absence of family and friends; despite the isolation and confusion. Through it all – despite it all – we have experienced the new life we proclaim as Easter people. In the mundane of the everyday, we catch a fresh glimpse of your Spirit. In the reality of empty pews, we are beginning to appreciate where your church actually exists. In the forced isolation and quietness, we are beginning again to truly see and understand just how much of a miracle your Creation is. Into this new space of experiencing you, O God, we pray a grateful prayer of thanksgiving and love.
Life-giving God, as we continue to journey this way together, we offer our prayers for all those who continue to lead us to a healthier time – officials of government and Public Health; front-line workers who tirelessly offer themselves; teachers who desperately miss and stay in touch with their students; community leaders who go above and beyond their commitment for us. Also, we simply want to recognize those among us who do the little, yet so important, things – the meals delivered with a smile; the masks made and freely distributed; the groceries picked up; the telephone calls made. We are in this together, God of Life, and we strive to follow the example of the One who included all people within his love.
As we continue to walk this path, may it be with a sense of your promise and presence – offering all of who we are to the ministry you have entrusted to each one of us. In the name of the Living Christ, we pray. Amen.
Youth Forum 2020
First Dawn Eastern Edge Youth Forum gathering together on Zoom!
May 29 – 30, 2020
Accommodations at your own house!
Theme: You are Salt. You are Light
- full name
- age (age range junior high through high school)
- mailing address
- phone numbers
- home church
Any questions, please contact Ian at fdeeyouth@gmail.com or call 709-368-2194
Rendez-vous 2020
Rendez-vous 2020 will be going ahead in August 2020—just in a different way. Due to the ongoing health crisis, we will not be able to hold a large gathering in Calgary. Rendez-vous brings together youth (entering grade 9 and up to any age), young adults, and their leaders from across the church. Through real-time online events, recordings, and DIY workshop kits, we will celebrate bold faith, brave space, and brazen grace. For more information: https://www.united-church.ca/events/rendez-vous-2020
UCC East YouTube Channel
Any suggestions or questions contact: cstuart@united-church.ca
https://ucceast.ca/58596-ucc-east-youtube-channel/
Reopening of Churches
As we begin to reopen into what is our new normal as a church and society, please see the guidelines from the General and Regional Council staff. These guidelines are a tool to help you as a community of Faith to develop a plan for reopening. Following the government and health authorities regulations as well as using the churches guidelines, we hope that you are able to put together a plan that works for you in your context, keeping in mind your demographic and the types of ministry you provide.
It is a good practice to have your plan written and shared with all members of your community of faith. It is also important if questions by the government or health authorities that you are able to show your plan and how you have been following the plan in an attempt to mitigate risks.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to be in contact with Rev. Heather Sandford, Regional Minister or Rev. Faith March-MacCuish, Executive Minister.
Reopening Churches during COVID-19
Reopening to the New Normal
First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council Webpage Emergency Response Link
Stay updated with Emergency Response Updates on COVID-19 on the First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council webpage.
Announcements
If you have news to share relating to First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, please share it with us and we will include it in our weekly announcements.
Send any information to info4rc16@united-church.ca
