With great sadness we announce the passing of Norma Hill. Her family shared many fond memories of joining her at James Bay United services, where she felt welcomed and loved. She'll be remembered for her caring nature, determined benevolence, and calming presence.

We will remember her on Sunday, and the family is planning a private memorial at a later date.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 14 as we kick off with a potluck and a screening of the highly acclaimed movie Barbie! Doors open at 5:45 PM, dinner starts at 6:15 PM, and the movie will begin around 7:15 PM. This seriocomedy received rave reviews this spring and was nominated for multiple awards, including the Golden Globes and Academy Awards for Best Movie. Starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Canada's own Catherine McKinnon as "Weird Barbie," it’s a film not to be missed! Bring a dish and join us for a fun evening of food and entertainment.

We have been experiencing dropped livestreams recently and realized that our livestreaming computer has reached its “best before date.” We are so relieved and grateful that the extra funds generously donated through the “Chair Purchase Campaign” have been sufficient to cover the cost of a new purpose-built computer, thus enabling those joining us online to also secure a welcoming “virtual” seat in our midst.

We thank Nathan McDormand, our Tech Team Lead, for his time and expertise in building the new computer, which will debut this Sunday.

This Sunday we continue exploring the Tree of Life during the six weeks of Creation Time. This second week, we consider the trunk of the Tree of Life and how God forgives, and that God’s forgiveness asks wisdom of us in return. A prime example is how we are called to be wise stewards in the midst of creation, despite the harms for which humanity needs forgiveness.

Presiding: Rev Greg Powell
Music Lead: Jennifer Turner
Tech Team: Nathan McDormand, Jamie Waters, Kam McKim
Christ Candle: Owen McCooey
Scripture: Sarah Hovey
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:20-33
Reflection: Rev Greg Powell
Prayers of the People: Greg Powell
Bulletin

In this Season of Creation, we're excited to offer a new spiritual practice! On behalf of the Worship Team, we’ve created a set of contemplative coloring pages themed around the Tree of Life. These pages are designed to help you reflect and engage more deeply with our current theme.

We have three landscape-oriented pages, each featuring a different tree illustration. You can print these pages and cut them in half to use. The text at the top provides context for your reflection.

The summer of 2024 has been a very busy one for the Pastoral Care Team. Our longtime congregant, Paul Barker, had a fall and was hospitalized for a week, and the team arranged to see him each day before his passing. Reverend Greg also took turns visiting Paul and performed a lovely funeral for him. Isabelle Clemson was also hospitalized at the beginning of July and received visits from friends from the church. A vigil was held for her at the church on the afternoon she died. Another parishioner is currently in the hospital, and I believe she will be wanting visits from the team in the future. We will know more after Kim sees her on Monday. We will be celebrating Dorothy Ell’s 100th birthday on September 15, so she will come to church that day and we will have cake at coffee time for everyone. That pretty much brings us up to date.

Respectfully submitted by,
Kim Tadei

We’re looking for a couple of volunteers to assist with box pick-ups from the thrift shop while one of our regular volunteers is away from September 16th to November 3rd. The task involves climbing stairs and driving boxes of unsellable donations from James Bay to Value Village, where staff are ready to assist. Your help would make a huge difference to the other volunteers!

If you're interested, please contact Aleksa at griffonsong2@gmail.com.

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community? We are seeking volunteer drivers to join our friendly and fun team, helping to provide food for about 65 people each week at the James Bay Community Lunch.

Here’s how you can help:

• What: Drive to Esquimalt once or twice a month to pick up food for our Community Lunch program.
• When: Thursdays at 11:15 AM.
• Where: Deliver the food to the James Bay United Church lower hall.
• Requirements: Ability to lift boxes of food and a willingness to help make a difference. We will also cover your gas expenses.

If you're interested or want more information, please contact Joanne Keelan at keejoan@yahoo.ca.

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the life of our James Bay United Church community: the Covenanting Service for Rev. Greg Powell is set for Sunday, September 22nd. This special occasion marks a meaningful moment as Rev. Greg will covenant with us, and we will reaffirm our commitment to him in a profound worship service.

We are honoured to have Pacific Mountain Regional Council Liaison Carol Martin join us as the Regional presence. Carol will play a key role in the service, representing the broader regional community and adding a special dimension to our gathering.

Additionally, Rev. Rob Crosby-Shearer will be our guest preacher for the service. Invited by Rev. Greg, Rev. Rob will bring his inspirational message to our congregation, enriching our worship experience with his insights and perspective.

We look forward to celebrating with you and embracing the new journey that lies ahead.

We are excited to announce that the JBUC Sunday Worship Choir will be singing at three special services this fall: Thanksgiving Sunday, Advent Sunday, and Christmas Eve. Everyone in the community is welcome to join, no matter your experience level.

If you’ve ever wanted to try singing in a choir, now is the perfect time! We’ll have two Sunday afternoon rehearsals before each service, with rehearsal files available for practicing at home. While attending both rehearsals is ideal, we ask that you attend at least one.

For more information or to join, email Jennifer at music@jamesbayunited.com. We’d love to sing with you!