How fitting that we would gather for Sunday worship on the very cusp of the New Year. 

By way of a series of poems and blessings, short meditations and hymns, you are invited into a spacious time of contemplation — an opportunity for us to think about the past year as it draws to a close; a time to ponder where we each find ourselves in the present moment; and a time for us to imagine ourselves moving into the New Year. Each dimension blessed by the companionship of the Holy One in our midst. 

So welcome … welcome into this sacred experience that you may

“sink the roots of your soul
deeper and deeper still
into the love of God,
who encompasses and encircles you
without end.” (Jan Richardson)

Worship Leader: Colleen Nichol
Music: Gordon Miller
Readers: Cliff Boldt, Karen Halliday,  Hazel Blennerhasset,
Marg Lunam, Sarah Hovey, Judy Krzesowski

Bulletin

For those of you who never saw it,
and for the rest of us ... worth rewatching.

Sooner or later, everything falls away.
You, the work you’ve done, your successes,
large and small, your failures, too. Those
moments when you were light, along-
side the times you became one with the
night. The friends, the people you loved
who loved you, those who might have
wished you ill, none of this is forever. All
of it is soon to go, or going, or long gone.

Everything falls away, except the thread
you’ve followed, unknowing, all along.
The thread that strings together all you’ve
been and done, the thread you didn’t know
you were tracking until, toward the end,
you see that the thread is what stays
as everything else falls away.

Follow that thread as far as you can and
you’ll find that it does not end, but weaves
into the unimaginable vastness of life. Your
life never was the solo turn it seemed to be.
It was always part of the great weave of
nature and humanity, an immensity we
come to know only as we follow our own
small threads to the place where they
merge with the boundless whole.

Each of our threads runs its course, then
joins in life together. This magnificent tapestry –
this masterpiece in which we live forever.

Doors to the lower hall will open at 6:00pm
POTLUCK dinner at 6:30pm
and the movie will start at 7:20pm

Hi folks: for gourmands and film-goers.

Gary Brandstad

The Victoria Jazz All-Stars reprise a well-loved Victoria tradition - the EARLY NYE Jazz Party! It's a special afternoon celebration for the whole community!

December 31st, 2pm - 4pm

Five of the city's TOP jazz musicians get together to SWING IN the New Year in style with a casual and fun New Years Eve celebration from 2-4 pm at James Bay United Church!

Admission by donation ($20 suggested)

A Swinging Celebration of the year that was, and a chance to Swing in the the new year with the sounds of Lloyd Arntzen, Kelby MacNayr & MORE!

Dance lesson from 8-9 pm with Joel and Louise Schwarz!!!
Live Music from 9-12!

Admission by donation (suggested $20-$40 Pay What You Can) all money to band and expenses

This event is designed for a Dancing and Concert-going audience with seating in the balcony and sides for audience and the main floor open for dancers - **N.B. the floor is carpeted so please bring indoor shoes for dancing.

All ages, bodies, and abilities are welcome, and no partner or dance experience is necessary.