Pine Hill Divinity Hall
Pine Hill Divinity Hall is a founding partner of Atlantic School of Theology (AST), dedicated to supporting the education and formation of leaders within The United Church of Canada (UCC).
What is the mission of Pine Hill Divinity Hall?
Pine Hill Divinity Hall’s mission is to build up the body of Christ by supporting the education of people with vocations in ministry and thereby fostering the proclamation of the Gospel.
How does Pine Hill support United Church students today?
Through its endowment fund, Pine Hill Divinity Hall provides essential financial and institutional support for UCC members pursuing ministry training. Our current initiatives include:
- Financially assisting members of The United Church of Canada preparing for ordered ministry at Atlantic School of Theology.
- Financially supporting students following a path to UCC Ordination in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Bachelor of Theology (BTh) programs.
- Supporting Atlantic School of Theology in offering high calibre theological education that meets the standards required by The United Church of Canada.
- Continuing to provide support as a Founding Party of Atlantic School of Theology.
- Supporting public education events identified by Atlantic School of Theology.
- Building and nurturing relationships with members of the United Church of Canada within all UCC Regions where students reside, to ensure a common vision.
- Being responsible stewards of Pine Hill assets.
What is the history of Pine Hill Divinity Hall?
The roots of Pine Hill date back to the early 19th century, when Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist traditions provided theological education across Canada. Following the Church Union, the General Council established and designated Pine Hill Divinity Hall as a United Church of Canada theological school.
In 1971, Pine Hill became one of the Founding Parties of the Atlantic School of Theology. Today, it maintains an active role in the governance of the university. Pine Hill maintains an office at AST and supports United Church of Canada students as they pursue their studies.
For more information, please contact:
Brenda Munro
Executive Director to the Board of Governors
Pine Hill Divinity Hall
Phone: 902-423-3158 (W) | 902-449-4277 (C)
Email: Brenda.Munro@astheology.ns.ca
The Board of Governors of Pine Hill Divinity Hall, through the General Bursary Endowment Fund, gives assistance to United Church of Canada students preparing for ministry.
The Bursary Endowment Fund has been accumulated through the years as a result of gifts from those interested in the support of training for Christian ministry as well as memorial donations from friends and relatives of clergy and laity who wished to honour those who have faithfully served God and the Church. A complete record of such gifts and memorials is maintained by the Board of Governors of Pine Hill Divinity Hall.
The Bursary Endowment Fund is supplemented by the General Endowment Fund, as required, to meet increased costs and opportunities.
Financial support is offered to help students pursue ordained, diaconal, or lay ministries, as well as alumni who are seeking advanced or continuing education opportunities. There is also limited support available for United Church members to explore the possibilities of various types of ministry in the United Church.
Pine Hill Bursaries
1. Prospective students
2. Current AST Students
- Required Workshop and Assessment Fees
Pine Hill will reimburse costs for Racial Justice and Boundaries workshops and the student’s portion of Vocation Assessment for AST students. Please send receipts to pinehill@astheology.ns.ca. - Tuition Fees Bursary
- Lay Ministry Bursary
3. Alumni
- Continuing Education Bursary for Ministry Personnel
- Fellowship - Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship
AST Financial Assistance
In addition to Pine Hill support, UCC students may also be able to access financial aid through AST's needs-based bursaries, as outlined on the AST Financial Assistance page.
For more information on Pine Hill Divinity Hall, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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The Seekers Bursary
Pine Hill Divinity Hall at Atlantic School of Theology invites applications for the Seekers Bursary.
This bursary reimburses tuition for up to two courses at Atlantic School of Theology. It is available to members of the United Church of Canada who have not yet commenced theological studies and are not candidates for ordination or commissioning at the time of application.* Bursary applicants must also apply separately to AST to enroll in the two courses.
• Value: 2 credits of enrolled program
• Five bursaries are available per year
• Application deadline: 1 July
* Courses accepted may be in the Master of Divinity degree or a Diploma program
Apply now: Seekers Bursary Application
For full bursary application details, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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The Promise Bursary
Purpose
The Promise Bursary is awarded to a person whose congregation has recognized in them significant promise for leadership within The United Church of Canada in the future.
Value
The Promise Bursary is a cash bursary of $250, with no strings attached. The recipient also receives a letter of congratulation.
Eligibility
A nominee for the Promise Bursary must be well-known to and in good standing with her or his community of faith. The nominee must be 16 years of age or older. The nominee cannot be a current student at a theological school.
Nomination Process
- A member or minister of the nominee’s pastoral charge sends a nomination letter to the Pine Hill Bursary Committee. Self-nominations are not permitted. Nominators may present only one name per year for consideration.
- The letter of nomination should describe how this person shows significant promise for leadership in the future, and the nature of her or his involvement in the congregation.
- A second, supporting letter must accompany the nominator’s letter, written by another leader from the same pastoral charge.
- Nominators must provide their contact information, as well as contact information for the nominee.
- Important: the nominee must not be informed that she or he has been nominated.
- The two letters of nomination must be submitted to the Pine Hill Bursary Committee between December 1 and February 1 of any year. The deadline for 2026 is March 1, 2026
Adjudication
- The Pine Hill Bursary Committee will review nominations and choose three recipients for the Promise Award after the February 1 deadline. The chair of the Bursary Committee will send the recipient a letter of congratulation.
- In years in which there are enough funds, more than one Promise Award may be awarded, but normally not more than three.
Funding
- Initial donations have been received, and other donors are welcome to add to the fund. The principal held in the Promise Bursary fund can be spent at any time. When the Promise Bursary funds are exhausted, Pine Hill can discontinue the bursary.
- Donations to the fund will be gratefully received in the Pine Hill office by sending charitable funds to Pine Hill, 660 Francklyn Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3B5 or e-transfer Brenda.Munro@astheology.ns.ca. Charitable tax receipts can be sent only if you send you an explanation of your name and address with the e-transfer.
For full bursary application details, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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Tuition Fees Bursary
Full tuition will be paid for UC Candidates for ordered ministry once they have successfully completed the Promise interview.
To apply, please complete the AST Bursary form and send a copy to Brenda.Munro@astheology.ns.ca. (The AST bursary form can be found here.
The Pine Hill Board expects to have the candidacy status of all students confirmed by their Candidacy Board or Office of Vocation Minister before granting any financial assistance. It is the student's responsibility to provide both letters of confirmation when applying for bursaries.
See requirements for Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity on our website.
For full bursary application details, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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Lay Ministry Bursary
Two United Church of Canada lay members in a certificate and/or degree program at AST and planning to exercise lay ministry in the United Church of Canada will be awarded assistance.
UC students interested in Lay Ministry may apply for the Lay Ministry Bursary, which will cover up to 10 credits per year.
Apply now: Lay Ministry Bursary Application
For full bursary application details, please contact:
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Brenda Munro |
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Continuing Education Bursary
Continuing Education Bursary Guidelines 2026
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To be eligible, a person must:
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2. |
The maximum award is $4,500 and is limited to one year of support.
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3. |
Applications must be in writing and stating:
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4. |
The successful applicant will report back to the Pine Hill Bursary Committee within three months of completion of the course of study, addressing the following points:
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Applications must be made by February 1st, of the current academic year before commencement of study. |
Applications are to be sent to:
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Brenda Munro |
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Fellowship: Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship
Pine Hill Divinity Hall, in conjunction with the United Church Faculty Group of Atlantic School of Theology, offers a fellowship once every three years to assist United Church of Canada graduates of Atlantic School of Theology or Pine Hill Divinity Hall in pursuing advanced, post-graduate theological studies. This fellowship is known as the Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship.
Print version of the information that appears below: Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship (pdf)
The Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship
The recipient of the PHAA Scholarship will also receive the Campbell-Carmichael award. The award’s combined value is $7,500 (Canadian), which is awarded equally over three years.
Applications are invited through the office of the Board of Governors of Pine Hill Divinity Hall. The AST United Church Faculty Group and the Bursary committee of Pine Hill Divinity Hall will screen and assess the applications.
Please include the following in your application:
- Name, address, telephone number and email address.
- Confirmation of acceptance into a Postgraduate theological program.
- What is your purpose for seeking further education?
- How do you expect your study to benefit yourself and your area of ministry and the wider church?
- Please state briefly any other information pertinent to your application.
- Please indicate how you heard of the Pine Hill Alumni Association Scholarship.
Application Deadline: February 1 (Recipient announcements are made in March)
Applications should be submitted to:
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Brenda Munro |
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