Keeping in Touch - February 16

From food prep to annual reports -- it's been a high production week at James Bay United Church! I'll say a little about the Annual Report and our up-coming AGM in a moment, but first a word from Gordon Miller about Shrove Tuesday ...

It is heartening for all of us to participate in a successful event. Who prepares a party for a large list of invited guests with no confirmed RSVP's and doesn't worry about - enough food, enough helpers, good social interaction between guests, AND most importantly - what if NO ONE shows up! Well Shrove Tuesday Pancakes was a huge success and you should all feel very good about it. WE imagined it, WE promoted it, WE delivered it AND the neighbourhood LOVED IT!

From the outset, the congregation and hospitality teams graciously embraced the idea of a BIGGER Shrove Tuesday event that intentionally invited the neighbours to participate with us. Both the Red Barn Market and Discovery Coffee caught the vision and stepped up. We now have new friends at these businesses who know us and trust us. 

Through our poster distribution, signage, social media presence, word of mouth and street side engagement on the day of the event, we hosted around 175 friends and neighbours. This was NOT the work of one person. It was all of us doing what could easily be described as evangelizing. For many of the people we served, this was their first (and very positive) interaction with James Bay United Church.

YOU were gracious in navigating the food prep / kitchen dance / set up / clean up. Wow when we are suddenly that busy and have to deliver, smiles and encouraging words go such a long way to make hard work such a joy.

SO: THANK YOU!

YOU ROCK (that's what the kids say these days)  

Gordon Miller

Big thanks to Vanya Smith and to Joan Ryan who assisted in pulling together our 2017 Annual Report.  Thanks to Nola, it is now available on-line.  For those who are counting on a hard copy, it is ready for picking up this Sunday or during the week from the office.  All of this is in preparation for our AGM on Sunday February 25th.  Along with having a read, I'd like to encourage you to think about what has transpired in your own life this past year that you would attribute to your connection with James Bay United Church.  Not only is that a great reflective exercise in itself; but then imagine the benefit to the rest of the congregation to hear some of these stories.  That's exactly what we're aiming for in the course of our Annual Meeting ... that there could be that kind of richness part of our gathering.  I would love to hear from you with your offer of a story to share.  Feeling a little shy to speak?  I can totally appreciate that.  AND bear in mind, it is and yet it's not all about you!!

This Sunday marks the first Sunday in the Season of Lent.  The seasons don't get much richer than this one.  If you are curious about what's in store, take a look here for some thoughts on living into the season.  On Sunday, along with finding our way more fully into the season, we'll be welcoming a number of people into membership of James Bay United Church.  Just to be clear:  that's not a promotion into a "priority status"! but rather an expression of commitment on the part of these people to their spiritual journey, and to lending their lives to the building up and well-being of the congregation.  I hope you will come and be part of the welcome.

Grace and Peace, Karen