Announcements – 07 May 2025
Worship – at 10:00am. The Rev. Cathy Victor is leading worship this Sunday. We hope that you will participate in person. If you are unwell, please join the live streamed service.
To access the live streamed service, please go to the Knox’s YouTube channel or click here.
The printed service will be available before Sunday morning.
Readers Needed … for June, July and August! Contact Laura to sign up if you are able.
Joys & Concerns…may we experience the healing presence of Christ as we uphold one another in prayer – sharing joys and concerns draws us together as a community of faith. Please pray for …
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- Family, friends and colleagues in need … Arlene (Laura & Steve’s sister-in-law), Ina, David, and Neil
- Those within the Knox community of faith who are suffering at this time… Nan and Gordon, Elizabeth, Keith, Arlene, and Toa
- Congregations / faith groups in Victoria, Vancouver Island Presbytery, The Presbyterian Church in Canada
- Consider those struggling with chronic illness, recovery from surgery, addiction, personal loss, and any within our circle of care unable to attend worship each week.
- Give thanks for the blessings you enjoy – for relationships, comforts and security – for unexpected or long anticipated pleasures – for the amazing beauty of creation.
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- Please remember to let Laura or Shannon know if there are changes to your prayer requests.
May Celebrations
02 May Lorraine Whiting
06 May Lynda Gill
10 May Norma Sills
20 May John Watt
24 May Sharon Mather
26 May Christine Guille
Potato Blitz … As one of our popular outreach projects, we plan on collecting as many kilograms/pounds of Potatoes as we can for ‘Our Place’ each Sunday during the month of May. These donations can be brought to Knox in person. If you would like to make an offering instead you may do so via offering envelope (please mark it as ‘Potato Blitz’), or by an Interac e-transfer using the email address [email protected]. Please speak to Kittie Ure or Lilian Sutherland, if you have any questions.
St. Andrew’s Laneway Garden … St. Andrew’s Activity Group is starting a container garden in the laneway to grow vegetables to donate to local food-aid groups. If you are interested in helping set up and plant the garden, we’re starting this week! The Activity Group meets every Thursday in The Gathering Room from 10:30am – 12:30 pm. Everyone is welcome! If you have a “brown thumb” you can still drop by to cheer the gardeners on and socialize!
Knox Book Club … New attendees are always welcome! Here is a list of books and dates for 2025. The next meeting is Saturday, May 10 at 1pm in the vestry. Please read “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir.
Pacific Rim Pottery Show … at Knox on Saturday, May 10th from 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free! You’ll find colourful garden art, rustic wood-fired pieces, elegant ikebana vases, unique items for the kitchen, and of course the humble and not so humble coffee mug. Shoppers, browsers, old friends and new are all welcome. We love to talk about clay and you might even find inspiration for your next pottery class! 100% of door prize proceeds are donated to charity.
Soap for Hope Repurposing Campaign … Got extra hygiene products? Don’t throw them away! Together we can turn what’s hiding under your sink into hope and dignity for someone in need. Starting on Earth Day, April 22 to May 22 join our Repurposing Campaign and donate new or gently used hygiene products. Your small act can make a big impact—protecting the planet and helping end hygiene poverty in our community.
Donate your extra hygiene products:
New or Unused: deodorants, toothpaste toothbrushes, incontinence products (most needed items!), razors, feminine products, and lip balm.
New or Gently Used: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion.
Drop off your donations at:
- Soap for Hope Canada Warehouse (426B William St.)
- Saje Wellness at Mayfair Mall
- Canadian Tire at Hillside Mall
- Tillicum Centre (lower level at the bottom of the escalator)
Every donation helps build a healthier community and a cleaner planet! This campaign is sponsored by Capital Regional District BC. Thank you.
For more information: www.soapforhopecanada.ca
Knox Cafe … Mark June 5 on your calendars!
Join us for the final Knox Café – a far-out evening with Songs of Sunshine and Flowers! Step into a time of peace, love, and harmony as we celebrate the groovy spirit of the 1960s with live acoustic tunes inspired by sunshine, blossoms, and good vibes. Enjoy warm beverages, sweet treats, and a cozy glow as we channel the spirit of peace, joy, and community. Whether you’re a flower child at heart or just looking for a chill night out, come sway to the sounds of the past. Wear your tie-dye, bring your tambourine, and let your spirit shine. Come for an evening of music, memories, and mellow magic… and maybe a little caffeine.It’s more than a night out—it’s a trip back in time. Peace, flowers, and music await!
Wedding Shower … for Ian Sturgess and his fiancée Ivone Adgira on Sunday, June 8, immediately following the service at Knox! A monetary gift is appreciated. Please enclose in a card, with your congratulations, a quip, or a few words of advice about wedded life! We look forward to seeing you.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations … Partners and co-hosts from across the region invite you to join us at Royal Roads University to honour National Indigenous Peoples Month throughout June and for a National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration event Friday, June 20, 2025. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.
Camp VIP … This year’s VIP camp dates are as follows: Little Qualicum Falls June 9-13, Goldstream July 3-7, Rathtrevor August 11-18. For more information contact the Camp Registrar at [email protected].
Victoria Pride Parade … is on Sunday, July 6, 2025! The parade will go right past the front doors of St. Andrew’s. Victoria Pride Festival is taking place on the same day. Go HERE to find out more about Pride celebrations in Victoria!
Vancouver Island School of Theology and the Arts’ and NewLeaf Network … are holding a Spring Theology Conference based on the book ‘Blessed are the Undone’ by authors Angela Reitsma Bick and Peter Schurrman.
Pre-Tour Chat: Join Peter Schuurman co-author of the new book Blessed are the Undone for a presentation based on interviews from across Canada. Special guest Jessica Zaikin Cook. On May 15, 7-9pm at the Victoria Christian Reformed Church.
Western Canada Tour: A presentation from Neal DeRoo, a jazz performance by Mark Glanville & social. Then, on Saturday, for a one-day conference on finding hope amid church conflict. Workshops, lectures and round-table discussions will pull from and build on data and stories from ‘Blessed are the Undone’. The keynote will end with suggestions for “reconstruction-friendly” postures in an era of deconstruction. On June 6 – 7, 2025 at United Commons.
You can register and order copies of the book through the NewLeaf website.
Knox Presbyterian Church,
We’re excited to share more behind-the-scenes at Our Place with you today!
As a trusted provider of support services in this community for decades, Our Place has built strong relationships with partners that allow us to do more and help people more effectively. The program we’re highlighting today is supported by Island Health and is just one of the ways that Family Members receive active, engaging support at Our Place.
As part of the PHP program, David provides workshops on life skills for young people. According to David “PHP has helped him bring smiles to other people as the money helps with buying supplies.”
Peers Helping Peers is part of Our Place’s volunteer program and it provides Family Members participating with a small monthly stipend in exchange for 10-20 hours of volunteer work at Our Place facilities. This group serves many roles including handing out hygiene supplies, cleaning shared spaces, sorting and distributing clothing, serving hot coffee and tea, and mentoring other family members.
Leslie loves the program because it gives her the chance to take care of and have pride in her environment. “It gives me a sense of belonging, keeps me busy, and makes me feel needed.”
Maree, another faithful participant, adds, “I truly feel like I am helping others in a big way! My self-esteem and assertiveness have grown.”
Most participants of the program experience some form of homelessness, mental health challenges, or addiction. Some are also new immigrants who are not yet able to find employment, but wish to get involved in the community and continue to build job skills. Ages range from 19 to 55+ and the program supports 22 dedicated participants across seven locations. In 2024, participants gave over 3,960 hours of service to the community!
While every journey is different, the PHP program is one way that the people we serve start taking small steps towards big transformation.
Thank you for being a part of this community and making this work possible,
Our Place Society
Sunday, May 11, 2025 – Mission Moment
“I could not get medical help in time because we did not have enough money,” says 65-year-old Ruqaiya, who lives in Afghanistan. Ruqaiya’s life took a challenging turn ten years ago when she fell on ice, resulting in partial paralysis. Despite her impairment, she helps care for her youngest son, who has a hand impairment, two daughters-in-law, and two young grandchildren while her two oldest sons work as porters in Kabul, struggling to earn enough. Before her injury, Ruqaiya was known for her skill in weaving and was able to earn a decent income. Now unable to weave, she faces significant financial hardship, made worse by the political and economic situation in the country. Relief came when Ruqaiya received cash assistance through a PWS&D-supported project. She purchased essentials like oil, pulses, flour, rice and salt, meeting her family’s food needs during the harsh winter.
Prayer Partnership
Wednesday, May 7 We pray for the people of Syria, as PWS&D’s partners support them in recovering after almost 14 years of civil war.
Thursday, May 8 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Winnipeg in Manitoba.
Friday, May 9 We pray for historians who seek new ways to understand the story of God’s relationship with us through their exploration of the past.
Saturday, May 10 As cities endure extreme heat and face unprecedented natural disasters affecting millions, we pray for the initiatives of faith leaders and organizations around the globe who are actively working to tackle climate challenges.
Sunday, May 11 (Christian Family Sunday) We give thanks and pray for our parents who gave us life, and for those who have nurtured us in faith.
Monday, May 12 We pray for Knox College and the Class of 2025 as they prepare for their convocation ceremony and events on May 14. We pray for a joyful celebration of academic success and an affirmation of a call to serve.
Tuesday, May 13 We pray for young people joining the staff at Crieff Hills this summer, that their landscaping and work tending the beautiful land there will be safe, productive and meaningful.
Wednesday, May 14 We pray for the Board of Governors who willingly volunteer their time to give leadership and support in the successful administration of The Presbyterian College, Montreal.
Thursday, May 15 We pray for congregations in discernment about their future, and for ministers who are leading and guiding them in the discernment process.
Friday, May 16 We pray for the Every Youth Empowered Project participants in Malawi, who are accessing information about sexual and reproductive health rights with support from PWS&D. May they be empowered with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their health and futures.
Saturday, May 17 (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) We pray that communities, elected officials and religious leaders will contribute to the safety and well-being of LGBTQI2+ people in Canada and around the world.