Summary of JBUC Board Meeting Minutes
from June 11, 2020

Board members spent time since our last meeting exploring different areas that would need to be sorted out before we could re-open our building. This will be ongoing, but our primary conclusion at this point is that we will not be re-opening the building any time soon—not until at least fall and possibly not until January 2021, depending on what the Regional Council of the United Church and the provincial health officials are saying then, and on our own capacity to create safe space for anyone using the building.

The good news is that the church goes on. We have discovered that we do not need the building to be church. Our worship on-line is working well. Attendance has been sustained, and perhaps has even grown a bit. The services inspire us and strengthen our faith. We are grateful for the work Karen and Daniel do to enable us to get together. People speak positively of the meditations Cheryl Macpherson provides each week, and find hope in the messages given by Suzanne Lawrence. The Thrift Shop volunteers continue to get together and to enjoy each other’s company. Coffee hours on Fridays and after church on Sunday provide opportunities to see each other’s faces and hear each other’s voices using Zoom technology. People continue to pray for each other. We miss our friends who are not able to be on computer connections and are grateful for the phoners who keep in touch with them and with many members of the congregation. The Pantry in front of the church continues to be supplied with food by those who have sufficient and used by those who need something.

Things will not ever go back to the way they were but the Spirit continues to move amongst us.

Please feel free to be in touch with Cheryl Caldwell, Chair of the Board, at 250 388-4560 with any concerns or ideas for how to continue to be a thriving congregation in these times.

See Previous Board and Financial Updates
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Overview Board & Congregational Minutes Pro Vision Fund Application Victoria Foundation & Grace Priority Fund Using the process of discernment at meetings. United Church of Canada Guideline for Minutes & Notes at Meetings Ministry & Personnel Committee Resources James Bay United Church 2019 Annual Report Communication & Neighbourhood Engagement - Ministry Position Safety Plan Board Updates

The Board is a group of gifted leaders, elected by the congregation, who help the congregation discern priorities and take action. Members of the Board oversee all aspects of the congregation's life.

The Board of James Bay United Church recommends the following be the

Priorities for JBUC:

Inspired by (bold and vulnerable) love to risk new ways as spiritual activists:

We commit to attend to all church activities* through a “Green New Deal” lens.

*including all ministries and programs, building maintenance and development, procurement, travel and administration

It is our sacred duty to live in harmonious relationship with all creation – the most precious and profound of all God’s gifts.

Called by earth and sky, the promise of hope held high.
This is our sacred living trust, treasure of life sanctified, called by earth and sky.

We commit to create a culture that invites people of the congregation to boldly name their sense of call, testing if there are others who feel the Spirit’s stirring to join them, in the hope that shared ministry will grow within and beyond the congregation.

We commit to pursue ways of deepening relationships
within the congregation
with the neighbourhood
with First Peoples

We commit, to the best of our ability, to create a safety plan
to preserve an open welcoming environment for peaceful worship
to take action if action is needed to preserve life

Current Board

Karen Dickey (Minister), Suzanne Lawrence (Member at Large), Cheryl Macpherson (Worship), Cheryl Caldwell (Chair and Treasurer), Terisa Klassen (Member at Large), Doug Lunam (Pastoral Care), Steve Nichol (Ministry and Personnel) and Charlotte Caron (Secretary)

The United Church of Canada Handbooks & Guidelines