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!

This Sunday, November 3, marks the end of Daylight Saving Time. Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour! This extra hour is a great opportunity for a bit of extra rest before joining us for Sunday worship.

Starting this Sunday, November 3, join us for a 4-part series exploring the rich themes that darkness offers. Each week in November, we'll reflect on different aspects of darkness—from rest and prayer to solitude and connection with God. What do these shorter autumn days mean for you? Let's journey together as we find peace, purpose, and presence in the shadows.

Reflection: Rev. Greg Powell
Music Lead: Jennifer Turner
Tech Team: Nathan McDormand, Jamie Waters, Alan Thurston
Christ Candle: Owen McCooey
Scripture: Janice Langley
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:6-19
Bulletin

Our Thanksgiving Appeal basket has overflowed! Thanks to the tremendous generosity of this community, we surpassed our goal of $10,000. Your support ensures the hope of this place will continue spilling out of the sanctuary and into the community.

On behalf of the James Bay United Church board, I can assure you we are truly grateful.

Warmest thanks,
Karen Halliday

Please note that there will be no Centering Prayer session on Monday, November 4. We’ll resume on November 11 and look forward to welcoming everyone back for a peaceful time of reflection and prayer.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our James Bay United Church community for opening the Sanctuary space from October 18-20 for our Phase 1 Intro to Healing Pathway workshop. We had 14 participants who were well cared for. Our gratitude goes out to the village of volunteers who baked delicious snacks, organized numerous tasks, assisted with setup, and held the workshop, participants, helpers, and instructors in their prayers.

The JBUC Healing Pathway Ministry has now hosted two Phase 1 Intro to Healing Pathway workshops, as well as Phase 2A and Phase 2B workshops—all in the last 18 months. This is truly remarkable, and we thank you all for your ongoing support of this healing ministry.

Throughout the last year, many of us have been writing letters to Provincial Government officials and standing alongside W̱SÁNEĆ elder Carl Olsen at Goldstream Park, raising awareness about the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s proposal, which threatens the entire Goldstream habitat and violates the Douglas Treaty.

Now, we invite you to join us for what promises to be a lively and informative 90 minutes with Rob YELḰÁTŦE Clifford, who will speak from the perspective of W̱SÁNEĆ Legal Theory regarding the B.C. government’s proposal to expand the Malahat highway by SELE₭TEȽ (known as the Goldstream River). Drawing on W̱SÁNEĆ stories, he will provide a W̱SÁNEĆ framework to understand the harm this proposal may cause to the trees, water, salmon, birds, animals, and the W̱SÁNEĆ people, as well as the broader implications of shifting this framework.

Join us to learn more about Indigenous legal traditions as a path to decolonization and reconciliation.

Join us for the Singing in Harmony Workshop Series at James Bay United Church, a new initiative aimed at enriching our Music Ministry and the broader community! Led by our Music Director, Jennifer Turner, these workshops will focus on basic singing techniques and harmonizing through familiar songs from folk traditions, More Voices, and Voices United. Open to all levels, this supportive environment is perfect for anyone looking to boost their confidence in singing. The first workshop is on November 10th, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM in the JBUC Sanctuary. If you're attending the morning service, feel free to bring a bagged lunch to enjoy beforehand.

We are excited to offer a free Singing in Harmony Workshop, please take a moment to register to help us shape this uplifting experience.

The first Singing in Harmony Workshop will take place on Sunday, November 10th, from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM in the JBUC Sanctuary. If you are coming from the Sunday morning service, I suggest bringing a bagged lunch to eat beforehand.

Please note that there will be no Chen Style Taiji or Yang Style Taiji classes on Friday, November 15, 2024. Classes will resume as usual the following week. Thank you for your understanding!

Imagine being forced to flee your home with only the clothes on your back, escaping violence simply for supporting equality and education. This is the reality for an Afghan family of six who had to leave Kabul in 2021. The father, a school principal championing girls' education, put his family at risk under the Taliban and now they live as refugees in unsafe conditions in Pakistan.

James Bay United Church is rallying to help bring this courageous family to Canada, and we invite you to join us in supporting them. Join us for an evening of Afghan cuisine and community on November 30 at 6 pm in the church’s lower hall. The evening will feature a presentation, silent auction, and dinner, with a recommended $20 offering per plate (donations above $25 are eligible for tax receipts). You’ll also meet the eldest sister, who now lives in Canada and is eager to help her family find safety.

For more details or to RSVP, contact D’Arcy McPherson at darcymcpherson.victoria@gmail.com. Together, we can make a difference and bring this family to a place of safety and hope.

We invite you to participate in the letter writing campaign regarding the proposed highway development in Goldstream Park. A sample letter is available on our website to guide you, and we encourage you to feel free to compose your own message as well. Your voice matters in advocating for the preservation of this vital natural space. Visit the Reconciliation page for more details and to access the sample letter. Thank you for your support!