As you may know, Gordon has retired from the position of Director of Communication and Neighbourhood Engagement.  (Well, he’s on holiday for much of September and officially retires Oct 2nd.) We want to be sure that he knows of our gratitude for all he has inspired among us throughout these five years. A book will be created, gathering up all our expressions of thanks, in whatever way we each would offer those … a card, a poem, a note … whatever is your way.  To accompany this gift book, we would also like to gather a money gift. The deadline for all contributions is September 11.

To send your word of thanks by email, send to jbuchurch@gmail.com noting “Gratitude for Gordon” in the subject line. Otherwise, contributions can be dropped off at the church or by postal mail service: James Bay United Church,  511 Michigan St Victoria V8V 1S1—attention: Vanya Smith.
Cheques should be made out to James Bay United Church, noting “Gordon’s gift” in the memo line.

The Victoria Reconciliation Dialogues series returns IN PERSON with  conversations that enable the community to participate in reconciliation on Lekwungen territory.

Dialogue #7 – Na’tsa’maht: Going Forward Together
Monday, September 12 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)
Victoria Conference Centre, Carson Hall, 2nd Floor

Working with the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, in 2017 City Council established the City Family to take a Lekwungen-led approach to reconciliation. In this Dialogue, the City Family will present a Reconciliation Plan to the City and the community to carry on the work of reconciliation for decades to come. Participants will be asked to make a reconciliation commitment of their own. The session will feature Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation youth. Register now. 

I go down to the edge of the sea. 
How everything shines in the morning light! 
The cusp of the whelk, 
the broken cupboard of the clam, 
the opened, blue mussels, 
moon snails, pale pink and barnacle scarred— 
and nothing at all whole or shut, but tattered, split, 
dropped by the gulls onto the gray rocks and all the moisture gone. 
It's like a schoolhouse 
of little words, 
thousands of words. 
First you figure out what each one means by itself, 
the jingle, the periwinkle, the scallop 
       full of moonlight. 

Then you begin, slowly, to read the whole story.

+ Mary Oliver

Our thanks to the Salt Project.

SingYourJoy Young Adult Chorus returns for a full season of in-person singing in TWO locations! People ages 16-29 are welcome to join us for great music, new friends and a fabulous community. This non-auditioned, no-fee chorus welcomes all. Check our website for details, locations, start dates and online registration. 

The Young Artist Series at Tuesday Night Jazz at the Church features the Lachlan Craven Quintet celebrating the music of jazz trumpet player Kenny Durham Part Two!

Young island-born, Holland-based trumpeter Lachlan Craven brings a fresh voice to one of his trumpet heroes. Celebrating the timeless sound of the classic 1950s jazz quintet.

Featuring renowned educator and tenor saxophonist Dan Craven, pianist Dr. Tony Genge, bassist Brock Medes and drummer Kelby MacNayr.

Thank you to all who helped make our second neighbourhood celebration such an outstanding success! From setting up to welcoming, through serving hundreds of hotdogs to keeping the park clean and getting everything cleared away at the end, you were all superstars. 

There was a wonderful vibe happening the entire day, and the event couldn't have happened without the enthusiastic support of volunteers from this congregation.

On behalf of the event coordinators - Pat McGuire, Linda Carlson and Gordon Miller - THANK YOU!!!