This Sunday we will be celebrating Pride, in anticipation of Victoria’s Pride Parade on July 12. Interestingly, in light of the ‘controversy’ among religious folks, the Bible says very little about sexuality or sexual attraction. Paul wrote a little about it and Leviticus mentions it briefly, but not a single word is attributed to Jesus. What is attributed to Jesus, though, is an open invitation. He broke down barriers and invited the folks who had been pushed to the margins. We strive to do the same.

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.

We may be in Canada's westernmost corner, but our Community Lunch participants were surely among the first to celebrate Canada Day this year!

Take a look through our photo gallery on our website, Facebook, or Instagram to see the warm smiles, festive spirit, and the wonderful lunch prepared by our incredible John, the Chief Cook and Very Fine Provider of Lunch.

The last time I stood before you was May 17, when many of you joined us for a congregational lunch and conversation — a time to reflect together on our strengths, our struggles, our opportunities, and our vulnerabilities. What came out of that conversation was valuable. It shaped everything that happened at our board retreat in June.

One piece of feedback we heard clearly from that day: you wanted more frequent communication from the board. That’s why I’m sharing this update with you now >>

It has always troubled me that the most ardent opponents of Pride are often religious folks. They pull out the sacred text of their tradition — like the Bible — and show exactly where it says that some are “in” and others are “out”. I read the very same text and see that we’re all formed in God’s image and we are all beloved >>

(This article was prepared for James Bay Beacon, July-August 2026) 

Tickets for a special evening of Palestinian food, culture, and storytelling with Izzeldin Bukhari, a Palestinian chef from Jerusalem, are now available. Izzeldin cooks and teaches about Palestinian cuisine, with a special focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes rooted in the Sufi tradition. The dinner will take place on August 8.

In Izzeldin's own words:

"Rich in nutritious ingredients and flavorful spices that are bound to the land, Palestinian food has made a deep impact on Mediterranean cuisine at large. We are home to dishes that reflect our ancestors' deep understanding of their soil, their ingredients, and their homeland.

Our aim is to keep that tradition alive, despite the relentless political and cultural pressures threatening its existence, and share that with the world."

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the dinner will support Palestinian causes, and the remaining 50% will help Izzeldin continue his peacemaking work.

We are incredibly grateful to The James Bay Market Society and The Dickens Fair for their generous $1,500 donation in support of our Community Lunch, and especially to Carole Elliott for helping make this possible.

Your kindness will allow our Chief Cook John and the wonderful Community Lunch team to continue serving nutritious meals to at least 70 people each week. And just as importantly, it helps create something even more meaningful: a warm, welcoming place where friendships grow, conversations are shared, and no one feels alone.

Sunday Jazz Matinee presents the Traditional Jazz All-Stars featuring Toni Blodgett, Al Pease and more!

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon featuring four of the city's most beloved traditional jazz musicians: pianist and vocalist Toni Blodgett, clarinetist extraordinaire Al Pease, bassist Joey Smith, and drummer and vocalist Kelby MacNayr.

Admission by donation ($20 suggested, but all are welcome)

The Pride Committee at James Bay United Church is thrilled to bring you a film sure to warm your heart, while reminding us of the struggles for many through the years. Struggles that still cast shadows for 2SLGBTQIA+ people around the world.

Come watch Carol with us
Doors open: 6:30 pm
Film begins: 7:00 pm

Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, and set against the glamorous backdrop of 1950s New York, Carol is an achingly beautiful depiction of love against the odds.

Image source: IMDb.

Sophia Ammann is a Belgian-Canadian indie folk singer-songwriter. She's the former frontwoman of band Little Dots and band Ansatz Der Maschine. In recent years she has toured most extensively with the project "Sophia Ammann plays Leonard Cohen" through many sold out concerts in Belgium. The same project has brought her to play for audiences in Nepal (2019) and Canada (2017, 2023, 2024).

Her angelic voice will transport you to heartwarming and enchanting musical realms. With songs and a voice that touches and soothes the soul, we dare promise you’ll leave her performance feeling a little lighter and with a smile on your face.

The suggested donation is $25 but we don't want anyone in our community to miss out because of finances.

Our Centering Prayer group is taking a summer break and will resume on September 7, 2026.

This practice is one way of deepening relationship with the Wellspring of Love, a consenting to God's presence and action within us, familiarizing us with God's first language, silence.

All are welcome, especially those with a centering prayer practice.