Join us for our Virtual Campfire every Friday night from 6:30 to 7:30 PM PT (8:30 PM CT, 10:30 PM AT) until Spring 2025! This weekly drop-in conversation welcomes everyone to share their joys and sorrows while connecting with friends and community members. We’ll discuss what we’re watching, reading, and listening to, creating a warm and supportive space for all. Simply click the link to join the Zoom meeting, or use the Meeting ID and Passcode provided. For more information, reach out to Kam at karenmckim2@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you by the campfire!

Join us for a fun-filled evening of food, fellowship, and film! Doors open at 5:30 pm (back door), and dinner will be served at 6:30pm. This is a potluck, so please bring a dish to share! After dinner, we'll settle in for a screening of My Week with Marilyn, starting around 7:20pm. Mark your calendars for this delightful event, happening right after Thanksgiving Monday!

During the Season of Creation in the church, this remarkable movie offers an inside look at the creativity of filmmaking. Based on a true story, published in 2002, it reveals the generally unknown account of Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe working together for a week on a movie. In the 1950s, when Olivier wasn’t doing well in Hollywood, he decided to make a blockbuster using The Prince and the Showgirl, a light British comedy, to shine a spotlight on himself as both director and star. Monroe, having just emerged as a superstar, was cast to play the showgirl, circa 1912.

• Phase 1 Workshop – This weekend, October 18-20, in the Sanctuary.
• Monthly Practice Group – Next Wednesday, October 23, at 3:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
• Soaking Prayer – After Sunday service, October 27, at 11:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary.

Join us for these opportunities to experience and deepen your connection to healing practices!

Last Sunday we launched our annual Thanksgiving Appeal. This week, hoping to highlight some of the “why” behind what goes on at James Bay United Church, we consider Matthew 25, where Jesus implores his followers to feed the hungry, provide drink to the thirty, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoner. This passage is actually slightly more complicated that it seems at first glance, but still ought to motivate us to serve others.

Presiding: Rev. Greg Powell
Music Lead: Jennifer Turner
Tech Team: Nathan McDormand, Jamie Waters, Alan Thurston
Christ Candle: D’Arcy McPherson
Scripture: Elvira Sentes
Scripture Reading: Matthew 25: 34-40
Bulletin

I’m excited to announce a new initiative to expand our music ministry here at James Bay United Church: the Singing in Harmony Workshop! This workshop is designed to be a fun, enriching experience for both our congregation and the broader community. We’ll focus on basic singing techniques and practice harmonizing through simple sung responses and rounds. Many of the songs will be familiar, drawn from More Voices, Voices United, and other response songs we often sing in our Sunday worship services.

Since our congregation is our choir most Sundays, my hope is to deepen your musical experience by boosting your confidence in singing harmony. This workshop is perfect for all levels, especially those who love to sing but want to grow their confidence in a safe, supportive environment.

The Singing in Harmony Workshop will be 1.5 hours long, with a 15-minute break, followed by coffee and treats.

If this is something you would like to attend, would you prefer that it was on a Saturday afternoon or a Sunday afternoon? Please fill in this form to let me know or come see me after Sunday Worship.

Our 2024 Thanksgiving Appeal is in full swing, and we’re just one week away from reaching our $10,000 goal. Every contribution makes a difference! Watch the apple basket fill as we get closer to our target.

Join us this Sunday, October 20, for our Soup’s On Lunch & Pledge Auction after the service. Let’s come together in generosity and community!

Join us for the first of two insightful talks exploring three worldviews—past, present, and future—in understanding human psychology and fostering world unity for the advancement of civilization. This engaging series will take place on October 20 & 27 and is open to everyone, including the public, students, and faculty. Don’t miss this opportunity for thought-provoking discussion, followed by refreshments. Admission is free!

This report is respectfully submitted by the Worship Team for the September 26, 2024 Board meeting.

What has our Team been doing?

From July through to the end of August, we continued with Lay-Led services, welcoming Greg fully to the pulpit on the first Sunday of September. The Worship Team, along with Greg, established that the once-a-month Lay-Led worship services would generally fall on the 4th Sunday of each month, with Communion typically celebrated on the 1st Sunday of the month.

In July, our "July Light" services focused on The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World by Rabbi Sharon Brous. A range of lay leaders participated by presiding, reading reflections from this profound book, and offering the Prayers of the People. Gordon Miller provided wonderful music leadership during Jennifer’s extended summer leave.

In August, we enjoyed a variety of services. Colleen Nichol preached on August 4th, and D’Arcy McPherson on August 11th, with Christine Chephya offering music leadership. Jennifer returned mid-August, and while Greg officially began as our permanent minister on August 16th, he recommended continuing with the existing plans for the last two weeks of August. On August 18th, Charlotte Caron led worship and preached, focusing on the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada. This was further enhanced by a wonderful historical exhibit created by Gwenna Moss. The final Sunday of August was our annual Singing Our Faith service, where 16 congregants submitted and shared their favorite hymns, and Jennifer, along with the Worship Team, crafted the service around them. Greg participated by offering the Prayers of the People.

Season of Creation

The Worship Team met on August 21st to plan for the Season of Creation, which runs from September 8th to October 13th (Thanksgiving Sunday). We chose the theme Tree of Life, with each Sunday exploring a different aspect of the tree: roots, trunk, branches, leaves, seeds, blossoms, and fruit. During coffee time, congregants are invited to add words or phrases to a large bare tree drawing, representing that week’s sub-theme. By Thanksgiving, the fully decorated tree will form a central piece in the Sanctuary. A Tree of Life meditative coloring page is also available as a spiritual practice. Our Communications Director, Zunaira Mustaqeem, created a beautiful poster to display around the church, and the patio sign advertises our theme to the neighborhood: Season of Creation: Embracing the Tree of Life — Rooted in Love, Growing in Faith.

Covenanting Service

On September 22nd, we celebrated Greg’s Covenanting Service, a joyful milestone. Rev. Rob Shearer offered the Reflection, and Carol Martin, as PMRC liaison, led the Covenanting Liturgy with participation from several JBUC members. It was wonderful to see so many of our own congregation, Greg’s family, and members of the wider community come together to celebrate this significant event.

What’s Next?

On September 29th, our Lay-Led Worship service will focus on National Truth & Reconciliation Day. The service has been prepared by the Worship Team in collaboration with members of the interfaith steering group for Reconciling with Indigenous Peoples and the Land. Congregants are encouraged to wear orange to commemorate Orange Shirt Day.

With regret: Long-time Worship Team members Kam McKim and Karla Weir have stepped away from the planning dimension of our team. We deeply appreciate their thoughtful, creative, and wise input and are grateful they are still available for specific requests that align with their gifts.

What are we celebrating?

We are particularly grateful for the way Zunaira brings our ideas to life through her e-newsletters and social media platforms, often enriching them with her own vibrant and soulful expression.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Nichol, on behalf of the Worship Team (Gary Brandstadt, Cheryl Macpherson, Owen McCooey, Greg Powell)