Links for February 9, 2025

The Annual Reports for 2024 are available at the door and are available online as well. Please take one and read through in preparation of the Congregational Annual Meeting in three weeks.

Income Tax Receipts for 2024 are available at the door. Please make sure you stop and pick yours up before you leave. If you donated through Canada Helps those receipts were emailed to you or can be resent at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/tax-receipts/ (all you need is the email address you used for your donation).

African Heritage Month in the United Church-In February, we celebrate the rich Black history in The United Church of Canada. This is a time to honour the contributions and struggles of people of African descent. Wilbur Howard became the first black man ordained in the United Church of Canada in 1941 and became the church’s first Black Moderator in 1974. His gentle presence, unwavering faith, and wit helped bridge the racial divide and helped change the face of our church. We give thanks to God that the leadership and participation of Black peoples and congregations continue today within the United Church of Canada

The Social Justice Collective asks you to consider the contributions of African Nova Scotians. They have been leaders in officially promoting and recognizing African Canadian heritage. Some efforts include:

1985 – The official opening night of Black History Month at the Halifax North Branch Library
1987 – First meeting of the Black History Month Association
1988 – First Black History Month in Nova Scotia
1996 – Black History Month renamed African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia
2008 – The Canadian Senate officially declared February Black History Month. Nova Scotia Senator Donald Oliver, QC, was the first Black Canadian appointed to the Senate. His motion was the final parliamentary procedure needed for Canada’s permanent recognition of Black History Month.