We were unable to live-stream the service on Sunday December 28th, but we did capture Sarah's wonderful message from that day. If you missed it, or want to revisit it, 'Celebration and Sorrow' is now up on our YouTube Channel.

Thank you Sarah.

This Sunday, we mark the Baptism of Jesus, following Matthew’s narrative. The speed with which Matthew takes us from annunciation to birth to baptism can feel a little jarring—especially in the abridged version presented in the Revised Common Lectionary. The baptism marks the formal launch of Jesus’ ministry, but this Sunday we consider the journey that immediately preceded it, and specifically the first step Jesus would have taken to leave Galilee and travel to meet John at the Jordan. This kind of life-altering commitment is difficult to make, especially when the hardship ahead is clear. Yet these commitments are worth making—and worth keeping.

The following is an excerpt from Margaret Atwood’s novella The Penelopiad—a retelling of The Odyssey from the perspective of Penelope and her twelve maids—presented here as a poem for your reading pleasure.

Water does not resist. 
Water flows. 
When you plunge 
your hand into it, 
all you feel is a caress. 

Are you aged 10 to 16 and do you love to sing? The SingYourJoy Youth Chorus ‘Emerge’ welcomes new singers in January.

There are no fees for participation. Only a commitment to grow your skills and love for choral singing. The SingYourJoy Youth Chorus is under the direction of Christine Chepyha and Gordon Miller and is part of the SingYourJoy Family of Choirs.

Please share this with a friend who has young people in this age group.

Public sessions are back! We will resume on January 14, the second Wednesday of the new year.

We look forward to seeing you and sharing this gentle space for healing in 2026! To register, email Charmaine at healingpathway@jamesbayunited.com