Please note that our Sunday Service begins at 10:30. You are warmly invited to gather with us from 10:15 am, in our Sanctuary or online, for a time of musical reflection.

Last Sunday, during our Easter Service, we had the joy of welcoming several new full members to James Bay United Church.

It means a great deal when people choose to say, in their own way, "this is where I belong". We’re so happy to introduce them to you: Ela van Sertima, Jackie Cox-Ziegler, Scott & Melanie Jantzen.

If you're interested in membership, or wondering what it means to be a formal member, we’d love to talk with you.

The centerpiece of the coming week — and one of the most important moments in our year — our Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. This is when we gather to celebrate the life of the congregation, to consider and approve our financial statements, to elect board members, and pass special resolutions.

It’s true that some AGM’s have a reputation for being boring. But not ours — we promise! Come and see for yourself.

Our Annual Report for 2025 is ready — and it spans over 40 pages!

With our Annual General Meeting coming up next Thursday, you have almost a week (or a lifetime afterwards!) to dive into the life of our church over the past year — both public and behind the scenes.

Relive our highs and lows, celebrate what we’ve built together, and see where we’ve been — and where we’re going. And if something sparks a question, you’ll still have time to bring it to the Board.

Following the Board’s approval and with guidance from the Pacific Mountain Region, the Ministry & Personnel Committee is proposing to increase Greg’s hours from 0.75 to 0.9 FTE.

This proposed increase reflects expanded responsibilities, including:

- Supporting and supervising staff and contract workers
- Providing regular check-ins and feedback
- A greater focus on strategic planning
- Serving as a primary point of contact for the congregation

This proposal will be brought forward for a congregational vote at the Annual General Meeting on April 16.

We encourage everyone to stay informed and engaged in this important decision. If you have any questions, please reach out to
Mahima Sylvester, Kim Keinath, or André Fontaine.

Thank you for your continued care and participation in the life of our community.

We want to be in touch to THANK YOU for your part in the letter-writing/phone call campaign last month. Over 150 letters were written urging action. You too may have received the response that this particular family’s file is one of the top priorities for attention in MP Will Greaves office. The volume of correspondence may well have initiated the promise of a 15 minute online call with the IRCC regional representative sometime toward the end of April >>

Join us for an incredible evening of music featuring two world-class guitarists: Aurora Orsini (Rome, Italy) and Josh Searles (Sunshine Coast, BC).

Aurora Orsini is a classical guitarist from Rome who has built a dynamic career as a touring artist, performing throughout Europe and the Americas. Among her most significant projects are a recent six-city tour in Peru — featuring concerts and masterclasses at major universities — and her upcoming Canadian tour in 2026, a new milestone in her expanding international career.

Josh J. Searles has spent a lifetime honing his craft across various genres and instruments. He has performed classical guitar in solo concerts and chamber music, French horn in quartets, orchestras, and concert bands, as well as his more avant-garde music: live electronica utilizing outboard synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, computers, and live instruments.

Tickets: $20 at the door (or $25 plus fees online)

Christ is risen!
          This makes no sense. Only joy.

Christ is risen!
        There is no explanation. Only wonder.

Christ is risen!
        Don't try to understand.
        Only be grateful.

Christ is risen!
        Some say it's just a story.
        Let it be your story.

by Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Picture: Resurrection of Christ, Raphael, 1499–1502, Saõ Paulo Museum of Art, Brazil.