While Rev. Greg is away on vacation with his family, we warmly invite you to experience "Summer Light". It's a series of lay-led worship services that, over the course of the next four Sundays, will see us drawing upon J. Philip Newell’s inspiring book, The Great Search: Turning to Earth & Soul in the Quest for Healing & Home. Newell declares that we are living in "perhaps the most important era of change the church has ever faced in the history of our religious inheritance … we are in need of a new vision …"  

The book falls into three parts, shaped by the questions: What are we seeking? Why are we searching? How are we to search? Newell presents nine writers of the soul offering spiritual wisdom for this moment in time. We invite you to come and hear four of these wise seekers responding to their circumstances of their times.

How fitting that this Sunday — on Victoria’s Pride Parade day — we would be launching into our "Summer Light" series drawn from J. Philip Newell’s book, "The Great Search: Turning to Earth & Soul in the Quest for Healing & Home", with its overarching theme of seeking and nurturing the spiritual vision of Earth’s sacredness in all its varied dimensions and in the sacredness of every human being.

We will be invited to linger a while with Julian of Norwich — that 14th century mystic whose "revelations of divine love" assured her that ALL beings are beloved of God. That all beings are inseparably connected with one another and with our sacred Earth. That "all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well" — this promise of an ever expanding spiral of oneness and wellness for all.

Watch live on YouTube

If you're joining the Victoria Pride Parade with JBUC this Sunday, July 12, here are a few important details to help you find us:

Meeting Location: Herald Street, between Store Street and Government Street
Marshalling Group: Group E, Entry #91
Check-In: 10:45 am. Please look for Entry #91 and check in with one of the volunteers wearing a yellow high-visibility vest, who will be happy to direct you if needed.
Parade Begins: 11:00 am at Johnson and Government Streets.
Parade Ends: Parking Lot Q on Menzies Street. From there, participants will be directed along Oswego Street via Kingston Street to the Pride Festival.

You can also download the official parade route map to help you follow the route.

Sunday Jazz Matinee at James Bay United Church presents the Great American Songbook Trio with a very special introductory, swing dance lesson!

Featuring the legendary pianist and vocalist Ms. Louise Rose, bassist Joey Smith, and drummer/vocalist Kelby MacNayr, the Great American Songbook Trio is a true tour de force of jazz.

As Louise announced at last month's concert, she requested that we reserve a special spot for anyone wishing to learn a few of the basics of the joyous art of social swing dancing. This week, we're delighted to welcome Cave and Catie, a wonderful pair of instructors from the Swing Dance Association of Victoria who will give us a few pointers!

Dance lesson begins at 1:30 pm
Live music begins at 2 pm

Everyone is welcome! Beginners are especially welcome. No experience required :-)

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.

In a recent Times Colonist opinion article, Rev. Sarah Fanning of Oak Bay United and Bruce Kilpatrick explore how the future of the Oak Bay Marina lands (Spewhung) can advance reconciliation.

May you be out of your depth —

as the deeps of the night sky

contain but cannot explain God’s mystery.

May you lose count —

as an infinity of stars

is dazed and amazed by God’s presence.

May you be in the dark —

as the moon is eclipsed, but held safe,

with all that is, in the palm of God’s hand.

May you be lost for words —

as the Word is spoken

in the silence of the night,

in the beauty of God’s creation.