Join the Abbey Church/Emmaus Community for a contemplative evening of prayer, song, and reflection in the style of Taize. Together, we will enter into the mystery of God's presence through meditative music, silence, and sacred readings.

When: 3rd Fridays at 6 PM (except February, rescheduled to Valentine's Day, the 2nd Friday)

• January 17
• February 14
• March 21, 2025

Where: First Met United Church site, Balmoral Road at Quadra Street

This simple and soulful gathering invites you to pause, breathe, and connect with the divine. All are welcome.

The reading from John's gospel this week puts Jesus at a party where they've run out of wine. His mother twists his arm to have him make more, and he does. Was this simply to make a better party? Possibly, but surely there's more. This was the first instance where Jesus revealed the depth of his abilities, the first of many instances. God is continually revealing the power of love and grace–regardless of how good the party is.

Presiding: Greg Powell
Music Lead: Jennifer Turner
Tech Team: Nathan McDormand, Jamie Waters, Steve Nichol
Christ Candle: Peggy Hodding
Scripture: Carol Yanisch
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-11
Bulletin

This report is respectfully submitted by the Arts Ministry for December Board meeting.

Arts Ministry Board Report Dec 2024

Over the past two years, the Arts Ministry at James Bay United Church has flourished, with programs continuing to grow and develop. We've had the opportunity to reflect on our successes and challenges, which have allowed us to better serve our community and nurture the well-being of individuals through the arts. Many exciting new ideas are on the horizon, all aimed at fostering creativity, connection, and spiritual growth.

Our programs are all financially self-sustaining and thriving. Highlights include the success of Moving with Grace, Monday Night Guitar Jam, and Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church, all of which continue to have profound effects on participants and facilitators. We’ve also seen steady growth in programs like Chi Gong, Tai Chi, and the return of Healing Sounds with Sara Marreiros.

Looking ahead, we are excited to expand educational offerings in jazz and launch new initiatives like the Friday Night Folk Concert Series and Swing and Tea Dance. We are also exploring intergenerational learning through Fiddle Faddle and engaging with local poets for readings and performances.

Thank you for the opportunity to lead such a dynamic and creative Arts Ministry, deeply rooted in the values of James Bay United Church. It’s truly a joy to be part of this community.

— Kelby MacNayr, Director of Arts Ministry

If you’re exploring ways to share your talents, serve communities, encourage change, and connect with friends, be sure to drop by our Volunteer Fair on January 26 in the Lower Hall. 

Walk around and learn about JBUC’s many dynamic programs and activities, and how to get involved. These include social justice, music, community lunch, Thrift Shop, arts, gardening and climate action. When we work together, we make a difference!

There are no expectations. It’s a free event, open to everyone and on a drop-in basis from 11:30 to 1 p.m. Teams have set up tabletop displays to showcase their activities and volunteer opportunities. Enjoy your conversations with them as well as coffee/tea and treats.  

Discover a transformative perspective on human potential with Michael Simard, a counselor whose work integrates the teachings of the Bahá'í Faith, modern psychology, and innovative frameworks like Organic Intelligence (OI). This engaging presentation explores humanity's innate nobility, resilience, and capacity for growth, offering a fresh vision for counseling, relationships, and self-discovery.

When: Sunday, January 26, 2025
Where: Multifaith Centre, University of Victoria

Join us for an inspiring session that blends science and spirituality, helping us shift our focus from what’s wrong to what’s right. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights for personal and community transformation!

The JBUC Sunday Worship Choir will sing in five services this Spring and is open to everyone in the community, regardless of experience. Newcomers are warmly welcome! The choir holds two Sunday afternoon rehearsals before each service, with rehearsal files provided for personal practice. While attending both rehearsals is ideal, attending at least one is required. A special choir workshop will be held on Saturday, February 15, from 2–4 p.m. in the sanctuary. If you’re interested in participating, email our music director, Jennifer Turner, at music@jamesbayunited.com or chat with her after a Sunday service.

Upcoming Dates:

• Sunday, Feb. 2: Rehearsal (12–1 p.m.)
• Sunday, Feb. 9: Choir Service
• Saturday, Feb. 15: Choir Workshop (2–4 p.m.)
• Additional dates through Pentecost Sunday (June 8) are listed online!

The James Bay United Church Thrift Shop is reopening after our Winter Break! Donations will be accepted from Wednesday, February 5th, to Saturday, February 8th, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The shop will open for sales on Friday, February 7th, and Saturday, February 8th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by to donate, browse for treasures, and support our community programs—we can’t wait to see you!

As we gear up for the United Church's 100th anniversary this June, there are plenty of opportunities to reflect on our rich history. Recently, the Pacific Mountain Region hosted a Town Hall Meeting featuring Blair Galston, the Region’s Archivist. Blair shared fascinating stories from the Archives, bringing the church’s history to life in a truly engaging way.

The session was recorded and is now available here. We encourage everyone to check it out and discover some captivating stories about United Church’s past!