This Sunday we hear something of what it is to “let it be”; to stop not because we are finished, but because it is — at least for a restorative spell — time to stop.  “If we refuse rest until we are finished,” Wayne reminds us, “we will never rest until we die.”  Even Jesus, as we will hear in a passage from Luke’s gospel, did not wait until everyone was healed before he went away to pray.  Jesus understood the power of rejuvenating sacred rest, even and especially in the midst of unrelenting need. 

So once again, come … come and breath deeply of this sacred spaciousness we call ‘Sabbath”. 

Colleen Nichol

'... we can begin slowly, with a simple prayer, like a pebble dropped into the middle of our day, rippling out over the surface of our life.'

... And you — what of your rushed and
useful life?  Imagine setting it all down —
papers, plans, appointments, everything —
leaving only a note: “Gone ...

Many thanks to Aleksa and Judy who started our summer off with a great contribution of snacks in July. On August 6th Deborah and Colleen Adair brought in some delicious cookies as well as some lovely snacks for our gluten free friends. This Sunday, hats off! to new members, Olga and Matt who signed up to host our coffee time together. 

Elvira

The Church Board received a letter from our Pacific Mountain Regional Staff liaison, Gail Miller, outlining the policy of the United Church Region regarding ministers who retire. This “Disengagement Policy” states that ... 

A service to celebrate the life of Doug Lunam will take place on August 26, 3pm at McCall’s, 4665 Falaise Drive, with a gathering space that will accommodate more people than we are able to in our Michigan St sanctuary.  

(Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive)

The service will also be livestreamed for those not able to attend in person.  

You’ll find Doug’s obituary here, on the McCall’s website.

Your Thursday Community Lunch team is short on volunteers these days because of holidays. And they have more guests because the lunch at James Bay Community School is closed for July and August. This important ministry serves an average of 40 guests per week.

If you can help, please email Joanne: keejoan@yahoo.ca

NB: The next Saturday afternoon Artist Gathering will be August 19th (not Aug 26). This date change was made so we could all attend Doug Lunam's Celebration of life.

Our popular Tea and Swing Dance continues this Saturday with Toni Blodgett and Al Pease. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I encourage you to join with Kelby and others for a lovely time of toe tapping and good clean fun. 

This week, Tony Genge will be hosting Tuesday Night Jazz as Kelby is away. His guests include Roy Styffe on sax and legendary bassist Neil Swainson. I encourage you to check it out - our summer series has been a wonderful balm for our neighbourhood.

Swing with you soon. :-)

Gordon Miller

Our Fall Season starts:
Thursday September 14, 2023

the Inspire Program, (ages 6-11)
rehearses from 3:45pm to 4:45pm on Thursdays. 

the Emerge Program, (ages 11-16)
rehearses from 5pm to 6pm on Thursday evenings. 

Rehearsals take place at James Bay United Church

In Prop Rep, how the population votes (proportion for each party) is mirrored in the seat allocation in the parliament or legislature. Why is Canada still one of the very few nations that does not use this system?

Let’s find out more!

Presenter: Ann Remnant
Wednesday, August 16th, 7pm.
Cook St Village Activity Centre
380 Cook St #1