Join us for a special vocal masterclass with the legendary Louise Rose! Whether you're a seasoned singer or just beginning your journey, this welcoming and supportive series will help you explore your voice, refine your style, and gain confidence in your singing.

Limited spots available—register today!

We hope you enjoyed the beautiful displays for Window Wanderland this year! The windows at James Bay United Church were transformed with creativity and light. We’d love to hear your thoughts! How did you like our windows? Please share your feedback with us and help us make next year even better!

This Sunday is Transfiguration Sunday, when Peter, John, and James have a mountaintop experience with three of their favourite people: Jesus, Moses, and Elijah (the latter two having lived centuries earlier). During that encounter, Jesus’ face changes and his clothes turn a dazzling white, too brilliant to look at. For Peter, this is a transformative experience that allows him to see the world differently, and one that he does not want to end. What mountaintop experiences have you had recently? How is God calling you to see things differently? And how are you to live your life differently because of what has been revealed to you? 

Welcome: Rev. Greg Powell
Tech Team: Nathan McDormand, Jamie Waters, Steve Nichol
Christ Candle: Colleen Nichol
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:28-36
Reader: Mahima Sylvester
Reflection: Rev. Greg Powell
Prayers of the People: Cheryl Macpherson
Bulletin

There are times in life
when we are called to be bridges,
not a great monument spanning a distance
and carrying great loads of heavy traffic,
but a simple bridge to help one person from here to there
over some difficulty
such as pain, fear, grief, loneliness,
a bridge which opens the way
for on-going journey.

When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing
for I escape from the small prison of self
and exist for a wider world,
breaking out to be a larger being
who can enter another’s pain
and rejoice in another’s triumph.

I know of only one greater blessing
in this life, and that is,
to allow someone else
to be a bridge for me.

Thanks to your generous support, we are making steady progress in sponsoring our Afghan refugee family. The Refugee Sponsorship Committee is working hard to finalize our application with the Inter-Cultural Association (ICA) of Greater Victoria, with a goal to submit it by the end of February. To complete this crucial step, we need to raise an additional $8,000 by February 28. Your donations—whether one-time or monthly—will help bring this family to safety.

For more details or to contribute, visit: here.

Would you like to help serve Communion at James Bay United Church? Everyone is welcome to take part! We’re holding a short training session on Sunday, March 2, after the service. Grab some refreshments downstairs, then join us upstairs at 11:45 AM. If you’re interested, see Sarah Hovey on Sunday or just show up!

This Lent, join us for engaging study series! Our in-person “Study & Soup Supper” runs Wednesdays from March 12 to April 9 in the Lower Hall. This year’s Lenten study will focus on A Song of Faith with several spiritual practices woven in. Please RSVP to greg.powell@jamesbayunited.com so we can ensure the dinner table is set accordingly.

Join us for Mardi Gras 2025 on Tuesday, March 4 at James Bay United Church! Enjoy a New Orleans-style parade at 5 PM, followed by a pancake supper (by donation), and cap the night off with a fantastic jazz concert at 7 PM featuring local talent. Admission is by donation—everyone is welcome, regardless of funds! Let’s celebrate community, music, and good food together!

Our beautiful Window Wanderland displays made the front page of the March issue of the James Bay Beacon!  A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making our neighborhood shine.

Now, it’s time to celebrate! Join fellow window makers on Wednesday, March 5, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the James Bay Community School Centre for an evening of photos, conversation, and refreshments.

Please RSVP to Kerynne at programs@jamesbaycentre.ca, including your name and address, so we can feature as many windows as possible.

Looking for a fun way to connect with others and enjoy building friendships? Join us for Friday Games Night at James Bay United Church on Friday, February 28 from 6 pm to 8 pm!

The new Climate Action Team is encouraging us to “Give it up for Lent” – watch for their encouragement to reduce our carbon footprints and tread lightly upon Creation.

2024 tax receipts will be available on Sunday morning and during office hours on Wednesday and Friday from 9 AM to 2 PM. Did you know that the CRA allows donations made in the first two months of 2025 to be claimed on a 2024 tax return? These receipts will be available in about two weeks. Please let me know if you would like your receipt mailed at bookkeeper@jamesbayunited.com.

Blessings,
Jackie

The Worship Team is busy planning for a rich Lenten season, which is fast approaching (the first Sunday of Lent is March 9). We are looking for creative people to help envision and craft an art installation for the chancel area that will reflect the theme of “Building Bridges — Making Connections.” If you are interested, please contact D’Arcy McPherson (Chair of the Worship Team) at darcymcpherson.victoria@gmail.com or 250-893-1313.

With spring and summer just around the corner, the Thrift Shop volunteers are looking forward to quenching their thirst with juice and pop as they work. The volunteer who has been responsible for purchasing the soft drinks now finds the weight of the 12-packs too much and is seeking someone else to take on this task.

If picking up and delivering pop for the Thrift Shop is something you could help with every couple of weeks, please see Aleksa or Judy.

To read this month's Board summary, click here for details on upcoming elections, new initiatives, and financial updates.

Do you have any surplus Bibles at home? We've received a request from the community to provide Bibles, and instead of purchasing new ones, we’d love to rehome any existing copies. If you have any to donate, please bring them to the office. Thank you for helping!