Keeping in Touch - September 8, 2017

Good afternoon, James Bay United Church,

Big day around 511 and 517 Michigan St today. The Thrift Shop is abuzz with staff and shoppers undeterred by cloudy skies and damp air. (Volunteers are doing a great job consoling customers who, after last Friday, secretly hoped cookies were on offer every Friday.) Thanks again to everyone who provided so abundantly for last weekend’s big Customer Appreciation event.  In the church office, Vanya is adding her artful touch to the brochure that will be distributed this Sunday outlining some of what’s up this Fall at JBUC. In the sanctuary, carpenters David and Michael are working away at creating a welcome space for children, while, Bev and Joan are organizing books, toys, and furniture to set in place.

This Sunday is our WELCOME FEAST ... a special day for reconnecting after the summer and for greeting folks who may be dropping in for the first time. Do come and share in the welcome. Our service will flow into lunch together with a patio BBQ. You may wish to bring a salad to share ... all the rest will be provided. We’ll have information and sign-up sheets for opportunities awaiting us this Fall. It’s a perfect day to invite along someone you think would appreciate your companionship in checking out what’s going on at James Bay United Church.

This Sunday we will also be welcoming Gordon Miller who is coming on board with us to help us take some significant steps forward in our priority of engaging with the neighbourhood. He’s eager to begin to connect with folks over lunch. As Grace would have it, the timing of Gordon’s arrival coincides with the launching of the Resilient Streets initiative in James Bay. The invitation is out there for people of James Bay to be part of making connections and strengthening relationships in the neighbourhood, street by street. All kinds of support is available to us in the way of imaginative ideas, stories from other communities, micro-grants to get started, and other resources. Come for a first hand “hear all about it” on Sunday evening, September 17 at the James Bay Community School Centre. The event is FREE but we need to register so the hosts are sufficiently prepared (aka enough tasty treats, etc.) Click here to register.

One more thing ... if you like to sing, there’s space in the choir for YOU ... even if you’ve never sung in a choir before. There’ll be a chance to warm up your voice at 9:30 Sunday morning if you’d like to be part of leading the singing at our morning service. And on Monday September 18, Daniel and I look forward to hosting a BBQ -social gathering for choir folks in the garden at Bev’s and my home. Interested? Questions? Please be in touch with Daniel.

Ready or not, Sunday’s coming!! I look forward to seeing you.
Grace and Peace,
Karen