Complete the 2013 evaluation here.

The post 2013 Conference Annual Meeting Evaluation appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Ministers of Gordon Memorial United Church/Alberton-Elmsdale Pastoral Charge, 1925-1975

Alberton-Elmsdale Pastoral Charge is on Prince Edward Island. Preaching points are at Alberton (Gordon Memorial) and Elmsdale.

Cascumpec and West Point Presbyterian Congregational meeting minutes, 1829

Presbyterian ministers were visiting the Alberton area as early as 1826. In 1829, Presbyterian families in Alberton petitioned Prince Edward Island Presbytery for regular supply and William McGregor began to visit the area twice year, covering five Sundays. In 1831, 14 families decided to organize themselves into a distinct pastoral charge and construction of a church began in that same year with the exterior of the building being completed in 1833. By 1835, the church building was in use. The first settled minister to the charge was Rev J.C. Sinclair who arrived in 1843. Construction began on a larger building in 1854 but it was destroyed by fire just before completion and construction began on a new building (The Old Dock Church) which was completed in 1856.

In 1865, West Cape, Brae, and Campbellton separated from Alberton to form a new congregation. Almost 20 years later, in 1881, Montrose, Elmsdale, and Tignish separated from the congregation at Alberton to become a separate pastoral charge.

In 1925, the Alberton Presbyterian Pastoral Charge became part of The United Church of Canada. The Methodist church was moved to another lot and became the church home of the Presbyterians who did not enter union. The Old Dock Church was moved to the former site of the Methodist Church and became Alberton United Church.

In 1859, the Methodists in Bedeque recommended that Rev Robert Wilson, a missionary, be sent to the area along the coast between West Cape and North Cape, A year later, the area was formed into the Elmsdale Methodist Mission with Rev. William C. Brown overseeing 13 preaching places. In 1863, the West Cape Methodist Circuit, as it was then known, was divided with a separate preacher being procured for Cascumpec, Kildare, and Tignish. In 1870, the West Cape Methodist Circuit was renamed Alberton Methodist Circuit. From 1902-1925, West Devon which is now part of O’Leary Pastoral Charge was part of the Alberton Circuit. At the time of church union, Alberton Methodist Circuit contained the appointments of Alberton, Montrose, Miminigash, Cascumpec, and West Devon.

Elmsdale became part of the Alberton Methodist Circuit in 1870. Land for construction of a Methodist church in Elmsdale church was obtained in 1880 and a church was built in 1884. The next year the Presbyterian Church purchased the church building from the Methodists.

 A church was built in Cascumpec in 1872.

In 1925, the Congregational, Methodist and most Presbyterian Churches were united into one denomination — the United Church of Canada. Upon church union, Montrose Pastoral Charge contained the preaching points of Elmsdale, Campbellton, Miminegash, and Montrose and Alberton Pastoral Charge consisted of the preaching points of Cascumpec, Tignish, and Alberton.

Order of Service – 75th Anniversary of Covenanting Service

In 1966, Alberton and Montrose Pastoral Charges united to share a minister. This worked so well that the charges amalgamated on 1 July 1969. In 1970, the congregations at Alberton, Montrose, and Cascumpec united to become known as Gordon Memorial and Elmsdale, Miminegash and Campbellton became known as Elmsdale. The Alberton Church is designated “Gordon Memorial” in honour of missionaries to New Hebrides (Erromanga) — the Reverends George N., and wife Ellen, and James D. Gordon who were martyred.

The church in Miminegash began as a Bible Christian preaching station in 1836 and construction was started on a chapel on Lot 7 in 1845. In 1881, both the Bible Christians and the Methodists built new churches. The two denominations were merged into one in 1884. Twelve Bible Christian families went to the Presbyterian Church and the Bible Christian building was used by them until it was sold in 1916. Upon church union in 1925, the Miminegash Church became part of Montrose Pastoral Charge. Miminegash amalgamated with Elmsdale and Campbelltown to become Elmsdale United Church.

A Methodist church was built in Campbellton circa 1862. Until that time, the Methodist families in Campbellton walked to West Point to church (22 kilometers). In 1925, the church became part of The United Church of Canada.

The first Presbyterian church in Montrose was built in 1885. There was also a Methodist church across the river from the present side. Anticipating church union, the Methodist Church was sold to the Anglicans, whose church had burned, in 1924. The Presbyterian Church became the United Church building in 1925. That church building burned in May 1944 and a new building was opened on November 11, 1945. Regular services in the church ended in 1969 with services being held a couple of times in the summer. In 1970, the congregations at Alberton, Montrose, and Cascumpec united to become Gordon Memorial.

A union church of Episcopalian, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodists was opened in 1861. Twenty years later the Presbyterians joined the pastoral charge of Montrose and Elmsdale and a building was constructed in 1893 on land donated by Mrs. Elizabeth Haywood. Upon church union, Tignish became part of Alberton Pastoral Charge. The building was sold to the Village of Tignish on 5 December 1972 to be used as a museum.  In 1979 the village sold the church.

For  a listing of Alberton-Elmsdale Pastoral Charge records held at the Maritime Conference Archives, click on the following link:

Alberton-Elmsdale Pastoral Charge records listing

The post Alberton-Elmsdale Pastoral Charge appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

I’m doing some research, and inviting you to consider taking part. YOU are ministry personnel or lay people active in congregations in 1988.

The background is this: it’s now been 25 years since 1988 and the conversation the United Church had at that time about ordaining self-declared homosexual people. (Can you believe it’s been that long???).  As a result, I’ve been in conversation with people who were involved in their congregations then. It struck me that there is a wealth of experience and stories from that time, and it seems to me that they ought to be told, collected, and passed on.

Is this something you’d consider participating in?

It would involve, minimally, me sending out a series of questions. These are listed below. If you choose to, I’d ask you to take some time, and respond to each question as long or short as you like, (but I’m hoping for more than one or two sentences) and send your responses back to me by July 1.

Or you may wish to gather one or two colleagues to share memories and stories based on the questions I’ve asked, and sending me the gist of your conversations, any stories that should have a wider audience

In responding, please let me know if you’d like to go further with this by doing a longer, face to face or Skype with me.

I’m doing this completely on my own – it’s not for a course, or anything else. Once I collect the material though, it’s important for you to know that I’ll write it up somehow, sanitized to remove names and details that might identify people. I’ll share it somehow, seeking publication or some other way to get the stories out for a wider audience.

Take a look at the questions, let me know

1. Will you do it?
2. Any questions you’d add or change
3. Will you share the request with others you know?

Thanks so much, Bev Brazier

PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING, TAKING AS MUCH TIME AND SPACE AS YOU NEED

I WOULD LIKE THEM BY JULY 1.

1. Where were you  in 1988 and what part did you have in your church? (choir member, elder, member of the congregation…)
2. How long had you been there?
3. Say a bit about your general experience of church at that time.
4. Please describe at least two stories from that time that you would call positive or hopeful
5. Please describe at least two of your worst memories from that time
6. How would you say your own faith has been affected by 1988?
7. How would you say we as a denomination have been affected by 1988?

The post Call to Participants for Research Project appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Contacts:
Rev. Jeanne Manning Stright, 173 Old Sambro Rd., Halifax, NS B3R 2H6, 902-477-3937 Office/902-477-2870 Home/902-477-5206 Fax
Ms. Sonya Osmond, Corresponding Secretary, 487 Lakeview Ave., Middle Sackville, NS B4E 3B6, 902-865-5096 (after 5:30 p.m.)

JNAC Knox Sackville 2013
Pastoral Charge Website

The post PASTORAL CHARGE: SACKVILLE: KNOX appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Contacts:
Rev. Steve Longmoore, 46 Riverside Dr., Plaster Rock, NB E7G 2P8, 506-356-2952 Office, 506-356-2646 Home
Ms. Elaine White, 44 Curtis Rd., Florenceville-Bristol, NB E7L 2G6, 506-392-6600

Faith Memorial Needs Assessment 2013
Pastoral Charge Website

The post PASTORAL CHARGE: FAITH MEMORIAL appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

The announcements for this week include:

1. Condolences – Rev. Charles Wagner
2. Condolences – Rev. Frank Gosbee
3. Urgent! IAC Facilitators Needed
4. Pentecost eRetreat – Free On The Website
5. Start the Annual Meeting with a Retreat
6. New Simplified Manual Webinar
7. Upcoming Program at Tatamagouche Centre: Bring Mindfulness Practice into your Life
8. Social Media Bible Study
9. Introduction to Sponsorship of Refugees – E-Training Course Registration

1. Condolences – Rev. Charles Wagner

Our deepest sympathy is extended to the Rev. Barbara Wagner and family on the sudden death of her husband, Charles Wagner, Hunter River, PEI. Charles passed away early this morning, May 8.  The funeral arrangements are not known at this time.  Please hold Barb and family in prayer at this time.

2. Condolences – Rev. Frank Gosbee

Our sympathy is extended to the family of the late Reverend Frank R. Gosbee, 95, who passed away on May 3, 2013. Survived by his loving daughters Rosemary (Lockard) Hiltz, and Rebecca Gosbee; grandchildren Rick, Cindy, Beth, Leanne, Tim, Andrea, Jon, and Katie; 15 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Aside from his parents he was pre-deceased by his wife Rose (nee White); and seven brothers and sisters.

The funeral was held at Memorial United Church, Murray River, PE, May 6, 2013.

3. URGENT! IAC Facilitators Needed

IAC standards require one facilitators for 8 youth. We are short  2 facilitators, preferably male, for our home groups. We will need to ask youth to stay home if we are not able to secure leadership.

Check out the application form if you, or someone you know, has the gifts and times to offer this youth ministry.

For more details visit this page: http://marconf.ca/33912-intermediates-at-conference-2013/ or contact Nan Corrigan. Thank you for giving some thought to this opportunity.

4. Pentecost eRetreat – Free on the Website

Visit the Online Retreat and Workshop Page http://marconf.ca/on-line-retreats-webinars/

and get a free Pentecost retreat. Click on the “Retreats Published Online” box.

5.  Start the Annual Meeting with a Retreat

Start the Annual Meeting with a few hours of Retreat!  The Maritime Conference Christian Life & Growth Committee invites you to come to Sackville early and take a few hours to rest, pray, walk and get ready to enter the life and work of the Conference. See this web page for a retreat schedule and to Register.

6.  New Simplified Manual Webinar

The latest version of the United Church Manual is now available online at http://www.united-church.ca/handbooks and for sale through UCRD.

This version of the Manual will be remarkably different from previous versions as a result of a General Council authorized effort to simplify the language and re-organize certain materials into separate handbooks, also now available in newly revised forms. Those who make frequent use of the Manual are strongly encouraged to take part in the webinar opportunity found below.

Introducing the New Simplified Manual

When:

June 10    7:00 pm PACIFIC TIME (10:00 pm Eastern time)

June 12   7:00 – 8:30 pm EASTERN TIME (4:00 pm Pacific time)

June 20   1:00 – 2:30 pm EASTERN TIME

Where:  This 1.5 hour webinar will be offered online by Internet and toll-free telephone conference call. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection, and a telephone.

Course Description:

Several years ago the General Council embarked on a journey to simplify procedures and make the church more “user-friendly.”

As a part of this process, the by-laws portion of The Manual has been re-written from top to bottom.

The new Manual comes into effect on August 1, and we’ve designed this webinar to let you know how we’ve responded to your feedback, and what differences you can expect to find. We’re exited about what’s coming, and we think you will be too.

Who should attend:

*            Presbytery and Conference leaders, who depend on The Manual to help us make wise decisions

*            Congregational leaders who use The Manual for personnel or property issues, and more

*            anyone who offered feedback in any of the many consultations that led to this revision

Leadership:

Cynthia Gunn, Legal Counsel, General Counsel Office

Wendy Cranston, Program Coordinator, Ministry Personnel Administration

Stephen Fetter, Program Coordinator, Continuing Education

For more information, and for online registration, click here:  www.united-in-learning.com/manual

7.  Upcoming Program at Tatamagouche Centre: Bring Mindfulness Practice into your Life

Waking Up to Our Lives: An Introduction to Mindfulness

May 31-June 2, Fri 7 pm to Sun 1 pm

Mindfulness is being present to our body, thoughts and emotions in a friendly, non-judgmental way. We all have the innate capacity to be mindful -it is simply a part of being human. Mindfulness practices enhance this capacity and lead to awareness, helping us to wake up to our life and our relationships.

This retreat is open to all who want be more present to their lives. For professionals, this can be a step to using mindfulness practices with clients.

Leadership: Ivan Drouin, MA, is a Registered Psychologist and Manager of Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services at the Colchester East Hants Health Authority in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Elizabeth Shein is a clinical social worker who has worked in the field of health and mental health for over 25 years.

Program Cost: $360 ($202.50 tuition + $157.50 meals/accommodations)

Program Details: https://www.tatacentre.ca/index.php/programs/details/1896

Please register at www.tatacentre.ca or 1-800-218-2220

8.  Social Media Bible Study

Some exciting news to share…

For 30 days this June, United Church leaders coast to coast have gathered together to run an online, social-media based Bible study called “Rock The Bible.” It’s open to all spiritual seekers, it’s free and many special guests will be joining us, people like our Moderator, Shane Claiborne, HyeRan Kim Cragg, Dennis Gruending, Lois Wilson, Bruce Sanguin, Donna Sinclair and more.

Spread the word!!  See attached Poster, a Bulletin Announcement and You Tube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grt4nCPuB2w&feature=youtu.be.

Ministers can access Carleton Memorial’s June worship services (based on the Rock The Bible theme) on the BAM facebook site or by contacting Trisha Elliott or 613-841-7625.

9.  Introduction to Sponsorship of Refugees – E-Training Course Registration

(Please share widely! The course is paid for by the RSTP )

A friendly reminder that we are accepting registrations for the summer session of the introductory e-training on refugee sponsorship until May 21st.  Click on information on Introduction to Sponsorship of Refugees ETraining Course Registration. Also attached is the Registration form

The post Weekly Announcements – May 8, 2013 appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Contact:
Rev. Meredith Fraser, 28 QI Summit, RR #1, New Glasgow, NS B2H 5C4, 902-922-3759

Trenton Needs Assessment 2013

The post PASTORAL CHARGE: TRENTON appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Contact:
Rev. Michael Mugford, P.O. Box 296, Kingston, NS B0P 1R0, 902-765-3621

Orchard Valley Needs Assessment 2013
Pastoral Charge Web Site

The post PASTORAL CHARGE: ORCHARD VALLEY appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Contact:
Ms. Beverley Turner, 365 Upper North St., Glace Bay, NS B1A 3S3, 902-849-6171

Newsom Needs Assessment 2013

The post PASTORAL CHARGE: GLACE BAY: NEWSOM appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.

Peter Gordon Memorial Church, November 4, 1963

Mount Stewart-Morell-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge is on Prince Edward Island. Preaching points are at Mount Stewart (St. John’s), Morell (Peter Gordon Memorial) and St. Peter’s Bay.

Through the efforts of Rev. James MacGregor, the Presbytery of Nova Scotia set up the first official Presbyterian congregation on the island in 1806. Prior to this, services had been held here sporadically between since 1744. This pastoral charge consisted of Covehead, St. Peter’s, and Fortune. In this same year, Rev. Peter Gordon was ordained and inducted into the pastoral charge. One of the first Presbyterian churches, known as “The Barren’s Church” was constructed in St. Peter’s Harbour in 1806. A second church was constructed in 1812 on the site of the present-day Midgell Cemetery.

By July 1843, it was decided to divide the large congregation into two pastoral charges: West St. Peter’s and Covehead became one pastoral charge and East St. Peter’s and Bay Fortune formed a second pastoral charge. Due to rapid growth, West St. Peter’s was separated from Covehead on July 28, 1852. Six years later, in 1858, Bay Fortune and Souris were separated from East and West St. Peter’s to form a new pastoral charge. On July 7, 1859, West. St. Peter’s and Mount Stewart were separated from East St. Peter’s to form another new pastoral charge.

Mount Stewart Temperance Society minutes, January 30, 1912

Mount Stewart Presbyterian Church was erected in 1853 and was based on plans which had been used in the construction of the Presbyterian Church at West River, Nova Scotia. The plans were brought to Mount Stewart by Mr. James Ross, a school teacher, and later proprietor of the Ross Hotel in the village. In 1875, the building was augmented by adding 24 feet to the end of the building for 30 additional pews.

St. Peter’s Bay Presbyterian Church was erected in 1890. Despite the protests of the people of Savage Harbour who would have to travel farther to church, a new church was built at West St. Peter’s in 1888. This church was closed in 1896. On August 18, 1889, another new Presbyterian church was dedicated at Marie. Timber from the old Midgell church (built in 1812) was used in the construction of the new church. By this time, the St. Peter’s Bay Presbyterian congregation consisted of three churches: St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church, Marie Presbyterian Church, and Greenwich and Cable Head Presbyterian Church. .

By vote of 121 to 71 it was decided in 1925 to join with the United Church of Canada, and the Presbyterian Church became the United Church building.  The old Methodist church and parsonage went to the non-concurring Presbyterians, who called their church St. David’s.

In 1859, Mount Stewart is named on a circuit to be visited from Charlottetown. In 1871, the Methodist church at Cranberry Point was hauled to a site in Mount Stewart, and was later relocated to a site across the street from the Presbyterian Church. Mount Stewart Methodist Circuit joined the United Church of Canada in 1925 and the church building was used by the non-concurring Presbyterian congregation. The Mount Stewart Methodist Circuit included Mount Stewart, Marie, Dunstaffnage, and Black River.

The Dunstaffnage church was rebuilt and dedicated in 1916.

Mount Stewart Methodist Circuit membership roll, June 1878

Upon the creation of The United Church of Canada in 1925, St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge consisted of the preaching points of Greenwich, St. Peter’s, and Marie while the Mount Stewart Pastoral Charge contained the preaching points of Mount Stewart, Bristol and the former Black River Methodist Church which entered union as the Donaldston United Church.

Mount Stewart-St. Peter’s Bay Steering Committee Minutes, November 14, 1961

The Greenwich and Cable Head United Church was closed in 1960 and members joined the St. Peter’s Bay United Church for worship. On 1 July 1961, Donaldston, Mount Stewart and West St. Peter’s and St. Peter’s Bay were amalgamated to form Mount Stewart-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge. The churches at Donaldston and West St. Peter’s were closed and a new church, Peter Gordon Memorial Church, was built at Morell on January 6, 1963. The Donaldston people worshipped at Mount Stewart. The Donaldston church building was dismantled in 1977. Marie United Church was closed in 1962.

In 1993, the name of the pastoral charge was changed to Mount Stewart-Morell-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge.

For  a listing of the pastoral charge records held at the Maritime Conference Archives, click on the following link:

Mount Stewart-Morell-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge records listing

The post Mount Stewart-Morell-St. Peter’s Bay Pastoral Charge (PEI) appeared first on Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada.