Keeping in Touch -- February 25, 2017

Good morning James Bay United Church,

Big day for us tomorrow as we move into our AGM in a brand new way. We’ll be incorporating our looking back and looking forward into our Sunday morning service, thereby setting our conversation and reflection within a spirit of thanksgiving and intentional discernment. In all of this, the Board is anticipating a quality experience. In case you didn’t pick up a copy of the AGM Report last week, it is available on-line.

These next few weeks hold a number of wonderful opportunities within the life of our congregation and in our city.

This Thursday, March 2, we are hosting a Pancake Supper (Shrove Tuesday on Thursday!) followed by the screening of The Secret Path ... the story of Charlie Wenjack, a young aboriginal boy who died of exposure while attempting to escape from a residential school to reach his family. Viewing the video will be followed by a time for facilitated conversation with Nicole Bresser, an indigenous lawyer in Victoria, as we reflect on the film and how we might respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Report. This is an important opportunity, and a great moment to invite others you think will value the experience. Supper will begin at 6pm; and the movie at 7pm.

An invaluable follow-up experience is on offer at Cadboro Bay United Church on Friday, March 3, 7-9pm with Blanket Exercise. an interactive experience that introduces us to the Indigenous history and experience of land, colonization, and treaty-making. $10 per person/ $5 for students and low income. Then on Saturday, March 4, the Villages Workshop, 9:30 am –4pm. This deeply impacting experiential workshop is designed to help us understand traditional Aboriginal ways and values, explore our role in supporting the revival of those values, and the affects of Residential Schools and Canada’s policy of Assimilation. This workshop is done from a non-blame, non-shame perspective and invites all participants to become a part of the healing that is already happening. The workshop is led by Kathi Camilleri, an aboriginal woman who has worked coordinating healing programs in the Aboriginal community for 16 years. Cost: $20 per person / $10 students or low income. 2625 Arbutus Rd. Register on-line or call the church office 250 477 2715.

On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 7:00-9:00 pm “Reconciliation and resurgence: How Indigenous artists are re-imagining the story of Canada” We are invited to join host Shelagh Rogers, university chancellor and celebrated broadcast journalist, for an intimate conversation with Indigenous visual artists Rande Cook and Carey Newman and UVic visual anthropologist Andrea Walsh. A free public event at the Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave. We are asked to  Register 

Plans are underway for 2 mid-week series during Lent at James Bay United. “Opening to Abundant Life: negotiating a life well lived” – 4 Wednesdays, beginning March 15, with the option of an afternoon or evening time. Check the details on our website. Please be in touch by phone or email Karen to register.
Then on Thursday evenings, March 9 – April 6, our Choosing Life! film series featuring stories of passion and purpose, meaning and joy. We’ll enjoy supper together beginning at 5:30; with the movie starting at 6:30 – in the church hall downstairs.

A rich time in store ... beginning tomorrow.
Grace and Peace,
Karen