The Parish of Musquodoboit and Ship Harbour is situated along the Eastern Shore scenic route Highway #7. Our parishes are located only 45-50 minutes from the extreme end to the city and 25 minutes from the closest point. There are freshwater lakes to one side and the ocean on the other with many wild islands. Within our area we have two of Nova Scotia’s most beautiful sand beaches, Martinique Beach in East Petpeswick and Clam Harbour Beach in Clam Harbour.  Each beach extends for at least 2 miles, so if you are an explorer or a walker, many hours of quiet and solitude can be had while discovering little oddities. If you are sitting in your front or backyard usually nature will visit you throughout the year.  You will see many varieties of birds, and other creatures, squirrels, raccoons and deer etc.   

Within our boundaries are the Musquodoboit Heritage Site (Railway Museum) in Musquodoboit Harbour, the Fisherman’s Museum in Oyster Pond Jeddore, and Memory Lane Heritage Village in Lake Charlotte. You can dig your own clams at Clam Harbour, catch or purchase fresh fish in the many harbours within our area direct from fishermen. Within our area we have a hospital, medical clinic, dentist office nursing home (The Birches), two pharmacies, and Royal Bank. There is a grocery store in Head Jeddore (Sobeys), a motel, cabins and many restaurants and take outs in the area. There is also a yacht club, walking trail, gym, library, bakery, two hardware and lumber yards, as well as two volunteer fire departments. There are two schools, Oyster Pond Academy in Oyster Pond, primary to grade 9 and Eastern Shore District High in Musquodoboit Harbour, grade 10 to 12. 

In Musquodoboit Harbour there is a recreation center (arena) that is used during the year for many things including ice hockey, and community functions such as flea markets and bingo. There are two baseball fields of regulation size and are used regularly during the year for both junior and senior people. In Ship Harbour there is a very active community hall/center where exercise and yoga classes are held regularly, also card games, bingos and other fund raisers. This space is also available to be rented out for private functions. St. James Church Hall in Head Jeddore is also a place where you can enjoy many functions and is also available to be rented out.   

We are two small rural parishes that work and worship together. Our shared parishes do not have a rectory.  There are two churches in Musquodoboit Parish and four in Ship Harbour Parish. Our churches do not have washroom facilities. St. James Church, Head Jeddore has the opportunity to use the facilities of the church hall next door.  St. Thomas, Musquodoboit Harbour has a composting toilet.   

We have one Holy Communion service each Sunday, held in a different church each week. Our congregations enjoy gathering together for worship. Music is a big part of our services. 

One of our favourite services is the barbecue at Webber’s Campground in June, where both parishes come together to worship and enjoy each other’s company.  In recognition of our graduates, each Parish presents them with a bursary to further their education.  

We also worship and take part in the Blessing of the Fleet Service, which is held shortly before beginning of the lobster season. We enjoy getting together from to time after service and for “Christian Cuppa”, sharing lunch and fellowship. We also enjoy weekly bible studies, daytime and evening set.  

Our rector will be supported by an Associate Priest and several Lay Ministers.

Our parishes are proud to say we made it through the “covid period” when there were no in person worship services. Worship and music were held on-line and were well received. On-line service still happens each week.  

We are very much an aging congregation and would love to see some younger parishioners join us.   

We are proud to be affirming parishes in favour of equal marriage since 2019 and we advocate for the inclusion of ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.   

Pastoral Care is also very important to us, providing emotional, social and spiritual support to all, not just to the ones we see on Sunday morning. 

When thinking of our next rector words like compassionate, joyous, energetic, encouraging, and supportive come to mind, and for sure, a sense of humour goes a long way!    

We are a very friendly community and reach out to all in need or sadness. We are proud to say we live on the Eastern Shore because, to anyone who knows the shore, it means friendly (peace, harmony, love and caring by all).   

Deadline for applications is Friday September 6th 2024.

To receive the profile and an application form please contact Jana Gauthier, Diocesan Executive Administrator at bishopsoffice@nspeidiocese.ca .

Please note:  A Police Records Check report, Vulnerable Sector Check report must be submitted before assuming this position. Anglican Clergy from outside the Diocese of Nova Scotia and P.E.I., must present confirmation that they are an ordained minister in good standing and have their Bishop’s permission to seek employment opportunities outside their own diocese.  

Season of Creation https://seasonofcreation.org/resources/

Anglican Communion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bovWrpqWcqY&t=2s

In consultation with Maritime Anglicans and United Church denominational leaders, Atlantic School of Theology (AST) is producing a program to respond to this call to deeper Christian maturity.

+ Are you thinking about taking a Christian education course this autumn to energize your faith and inspire your ministry?

+ Do you want to increase interest and commitment in discipleship in your congregation?

AST is launching Atlantic School of Discipleship, beginning in October 2024, with teaching taking place online and in local communities.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

Through interaction with AST’s world-class teachers, participants are introduced to a solid foundation of how Christian faith and tradition impact our daily walk as followers of Jesus. Faculty include two Anglican professors, one Roman Catholic, and four from the United Church. The program is open to adults with any education level.

Each month focuses on a different topic:

• The Old Testament for today
• The New Testament for today
• Christian beliefs and our daily living
• What is the church and what is my place in it?
• What does being a disciple of Jesus mean for me today?
• How do we truly care for one another in our community?
• Following Jesus, Living the Virtues
• Dealing with challenge and change as a community of disciples
• Talking about my faith with others

HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM WORK?

Each month participants receive readings and reflection questions designed to explore faith topics. Then they join in a live (via Zoom) presentation by an AST instructor on that month’s topic. A second online opportunity to interact with questions and conversation takes students deeper into understanding.

Time commitment: two Tuesday evenings a month for nine months, plus some reading time outside of those gatherings.

Additionally, there are four, one-day in-person regional events. Some of the cohort gatherings take place in New Glasgow, NS; Truro, NS, and Summerside, PE. As interest grows, other locations may be added.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Tuition for individual participants is $300. A group with 5 participants from the same parish is $1,000.

Anglican Scholarships are available. Any lay participant from the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island may apply for a $150 scholarship, in honour of Rev. Canon David Reid, to cover the cost of tuition. (Contact the Director of Mission and Ministry Development to request an application form. missiondirector@nspeidiocese.ca )

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

Contact Atlantic School of Theology:           discipleship@astheology.ns.ca            or 902-429-6495.

DETAILS HERE: https://www.astheology.ns.ca/future/certificate/discipleship.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawEgVThleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZFmwFriDlCFAkGV_O-gDBWrIU-Dn7umc_PbG5ZV3ketbYeJc73udnvwFg_aem_QhESvS8TcItcuB7b2tOAUA

The next Anglican Foundation Grant deadlines are Aug 23, 2024 and Oct 11, 2024. 

These must be received by the Executive Secretary of Synod by those dates.  execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

If the grant application includes working with youth vulnerable sector policies must be included in the application.

For further information please go to https://www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/

Please feel free to send any questions to me.

Dawn Purcell, She/her, Executive Secretary of Synod, execsecsynod@nspeidiocese.ca

The Spirit still stirs people to explore expressions of faith despite changes in church attendance in Canadian culture. Authentic, radically-loving Christian community and people of faith making a difference in the world, are attractive to seekers.  Creating safe environments to ask questions and experience spiritual practices are two principles for connecting people with our Anglican communities.  

Read more in, Beyond the pew: trying to reach Canadians at a time of waning familiarity with Christianity, published by the Anglican Journal.

https://anglicanjournal.com/beyond-the-pew-trying-to-reach-canadians-at-a-time-of-waning-familiarity-with-christianity/