First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, The United Church of Canada

08/08/2026

Honoured to represent, The United Church of Canada, Regions East at the 180th Annual Assembly of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. The meetings held at the beautiful Acadia University in Wolfville,NS. (No photos permitted while in session)

07/31/2026

August 1 is Emancipation Day: On Saturday, we pause to mark the day when human enslavement was finally abolished in the British Empire, including in Newfoundland and Labrador. On August 1, 1834, The Slavery Abolition Act came into effect, ending more than 400 years of African peoples being captured, forcefully transported across the Atlantic and sold as chattel. Over these centuries, more than 15 million people of African descent were subject to a system where they endured physical torture, forced labour, family separation, and the intentional erasure of culture, language and identity. On this day we take time to remember and reflect, honouring the resilience, strength and contributions of people of African descent, and pledging to fight the ongoing reality of anti-Black racism.

06/22/2026

Congratulations Rev. Susan Sheppard on your installation as President of First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council! The President's banner will now be displayed at the Bell Island-Portugal Cove Pastoral Charge while Susan is serving as President.

Thank you to outgoing President Rev. Elsie Squires and congratulations to newly elected President-Elect, Rev. Oliver Dingwell. Oliver will begin his term following the 2027 Annual Meeting.

06/19/2026

Congratulations to Katelyn Vardy who was Ordained as a Minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care within The United Church of Canada at the First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council Celebration of Ministries service, held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at St. James United Church, St. John's

06/12/2026

Celebration of Ministry Services – Link to Live Streaming!

• Ordination of Katelyn Vardy
• Installation of Rev. Susan Sheppard as President of First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council

Live Streaming on YouTube:

Service to be held at St. James United Church, St. John’s, NL- Or...

06/03/2026

Celebration of Ministry Services – Links to Live Streaming!

The Celebration of Ministries service will be live streamed for all who wish to witness this milestone event:

June 13, 2026 at 1:00pm (NDT)

Service to be held at St. James United Church, St. John’s, NL
• Ordination of Katelyn Vardy
• Installation of Rev. Susan Sheppard as President of First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council

Live Streaming on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com//streams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FirstDawnEasternEdgeRC

All are welcome to attend in person, or join via links to the live stream, in order to witness these milestone events!

Thank you,

First Dawn Eastern Edge – the most easterly region within The United Church of Canada. A region whose borders are the same as the provincial borders.

05/19/2026

First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council- Affirming Region
Wonderful celebrations were held across our region, celebrating a very significant milestone in our Church. May 3, 2026, First Dawn Eastern Edge Regional Council, held a celebration service in becoming an affirming region. The day was welcomed with a time of worship and commitment.

Pictures taken at the four locations that held the affirming services across our region. Locations are Memorial United Church-Grand Falls-Windsor, Pasadena United Church, St. James United Church and Carol United Church in Labrador City.

05/17/2026

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. Join us today in support of the non-negotiable truth of every person’s dignity.

Creator, we come to you with both the joys and the sorrows of our hearts.
We are grateful for the gift of life and the joy that it can bring.
For families and friends who love us.
For allies who stick up for us, even when we cannot risk sticking up for ourselves.
For the great diversity you have created in our world.
We pray for those who suffer from discrimination because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
Who worry about their employment or who cannot find a job.
For those who must hide who they are to find housing.
For those who are not safe on our streets.
For those who do not feel safe in their place of worship.
Help us to end homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia, and all forms of discrimination and hate.
Show us the way to make this world a better place for all.

—written by Ruth Wood, for The United Church of Canada and Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble (2017).

04/22/2026