Hello James Bay people!

The phrase 'communications challenges' is not one you'd like to hear when you first start a new communications assignment. The company hosting the church's website has had some issues with the newsletter component. Our Saturday September 10th newsletter wasn't sent through this site, and some of you may not have received it. The website company assures us they are working on resolving the problems.

This is a test of their system and we are re-sending Saturday's enews on a Monday. We think there is important information to share with you, even a few days late. 

Thank you for your patience!

~ Christine Chepyha

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.

It's time for us to tune up our voices, plan our season together and invite friends to join us in song on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9pm. Last year we discovered that there is a pent up demand for community singing in our neighbourhood. We are growing on the friendships and skills we built together. 

This is a time for us to make art together. All are welcome, whatever your medium of expression – painting, embroidery, drawing, collage, colouring, poetry……

4 Saturdays from 2 – 4:30 pm:
September 17 & October 15
November 12 & December 10

Congratulations were given for all the workers and great fun at the Community Picnic on Sunday. It was a fine event engaging many people from the community and with lots of help from church people.

You won’t want to miss this!

Sunday September 18, Sinan Demirel (Social Justice) and Kelby MacNayr (Arts Ministry) will be picking up on our theme of Tapping Into Joy, as each of them speaks about the work they are beginning with us.  And then following the service, over lunch, there will be an opportunity to further engage with each of them, along with Jennifer Turner (Music) and Christine Chepyha (Communication).  A great way for us to come on board together as we make a new beginning this Fall.

Photo by Jen Theodore on Unsplash

Kelby shares his thoughts on the role of the arts in the broader life of James Bay United.