Announcements – 18 September, 2024
Worship…10:00 AM – We hope you will participate in-person but if you are unwell, please access 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
Prayer Meetings: CANCELLED THIS WEEK
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 … Ina (Martha’s friend), David, Neil, Pat & family
- Those within the Knox community of faith who are suffering at this time… Arlene Stapleton (recovering from a fall), Earl, Toa
- Congregations / faith groups in Victoria, Vancouver Island Presbytery, The Presbyterian Church in Canada … especially ongoing merger discussions between Victoria congregations.
- People, places and situations in the world that are broken and besieged… especially Ukraine / Gaza.
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- A statement by the Jerusalem Patriarchate on Israel’s impediments to Freedom of Worship is now available to read on the PCC’s Just and Lasting Peace page. The statement describes the obstacles “the indigenous Christian community in the holy land” face regarding their freedom to worship. The PCC joins in prayer for the people of Palestine and Israel as they face war, danger and uncertainty. Read more about the PCC’s support for and engagement with partners in the region here.
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- 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.
- Please let Laura know when your concern is no longer urgent and can be removed from the list.
September Celebrations01 September Betty Hall
02 September Fiona Gow
03 September Gordon and Nan Zorn
06 September Ted Veenstra
15 September Anne and Philip Krauss
17 September Carolyn Johnson
18 September Betty and Gary Hall
27 September Gavin Spry (MacInnes)
The Presbytery of Vancouver Island will be meeting at Knox on Tuesday, September 24. You are welcome to attend the opening worship, meeting and lunch. Thanks to those organizing hospitality (Ursula, Kittie, Catherine).
The PCC, Colonization and Residential Schools Webinar Thursday, September 26 from 1-2:30 pm (Eastern) A response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to action. Register HERE.
With your support and participation team Together in Motion and Song hopes to make a significant contribution to the funds raised for PWS&D’s (Presbyterian World Service and Development) food security projects where communities are learning innovative and sustainable agriculture practices to increase crop yields, improve nutrition, and build resilience to environmental changes.
Please be generous in your support as we sing, walk and ride to raise money for the vital work PWS&D does around the world. Our team has set an ambitious fundraising goal of $5000.00 which we are confident we can meet or exceed with your prayerful involvement. With climate issues, conflict and inflation continuing to impact people around the world, food insecurity is at alarmingly high levels, and PWS&D is working to address that. By taking part in the Journey, we’re supporting a charity that is bringing hope to those in need. Join the team, share the news, come to sing, donate!
At noon on September 21, join the team to sing for hope at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Donations can be made HERE or at the door.
On September 28, walkers and riders will get moving for hope at Gorge Park Pavilion! Riders meet at 8 am, walkers meet at 10 am. Riders contact Laura Kavanagh. Walkers contact Ruth McCowan. If you need a t-shirt, please contact Laura. Donations can be made HERE.
You can also donate by cheque, cash or e-transfer – please contact Laura for more information. Any amount you can contribute will have a meaningful impact on the lives of farmers and their families!
With thanks!
– Laura Kavanagh
To join the team, or for more information, please contact:
St. Andrew’s: Patti Jackson
Knox Victoria: Laura Kavanagh
Trinity: Ruth McCowan
Knox Sooke: Eleanor Shambrook
Inclusive Christians … Thank you to all who have volunteered to prepare food for 20 – 30 participants following the weekly ecumenical service at UVic Multifaith. You are welcome to attend any Wednesday at 5pm. Please uphold in prayer students exploring and nurturing their faith. Thank you for supporting students and Inclusive Christians on campus in this way.
Apple Tree Luncheon on Sept 29 at 11:30am.
Knox Café presents Songs of Old Men – In honour of Canada’s National Seniors’ Day on Oct 1, the Knox Café features songs written by old men or about old men and presented by old men (well, 2 of us, anyway). Artists like Lyle Lovett, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, James Taylor, Tom Waits, Jerry Jeff Walker. As a junior member of the old man’s club, many of these songs have a personal connection to share with you.
Everyone is welcome. Beverages and a great dessert are included. Money raised supports the humanitarian work of Presbyterian World Service and Development. Donations at the door or by etransfer to [email protected]. Be sure to mark Knox Cafe October in the message box and include your name and address if you want a tax receipt at year’s end.
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Community Dinners (formerly Sunday Night Dinners) will resume this fall with a few changes. First, I have scheduled three dates and have a tentative meal plan. Second, I am asking people to sign up- just so we have a better idea of numbers (contact the office or sign the sheet in the hallway). The time for each date is 5-7pm in the Knox Church kitchen and lounge. Looking forward to cooking and eating together! Sunday, October 6 (Harvest Stew + pumpkin pie); Sunday, November 17 (some kind of curry with rice + apple crisp). — Laura
Book Club – The next book for discussion is The Boat People by Sharon Bala. Join the conversation on Saturday, October 12 at 1pm.
Four Mile Pub Luncheon on Dec 8 at 11:30am.
Hungry Hearts: Victoria’s premiere culinary showdown and gala fundraiser for Our Place Society
On September 21, eight of the region’s top chefs will join Our Place at Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort for Hungry Hearts 2024. An exciting competition to create the most heartfelt dishes, Hungry Hearts is a celebration of Victoria’s culinary excellence and caring culture.
This 10th annual Hungry Hearts is a milestone event and pivotal opportunity to break the cycle of addiction for the women of Vancouver Island. Our Place is poised to introduce a dedicated Women’s Recovery Program at their New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community. This groundbreaking initiative will be the first long-term recovery program for women on the Island and is slated to open in the Fall of 2024. All funds raised at Hungry Hearts 2024 will go towards this life changing initiative.
Not just a culinary event, but a heartfelt gathering of community and business leaders, Hungry Hearts spotlights stories of compassion, inspiration, and hope. This uplifting evening features elevated cuisine, auction prizes, live music, and networking opportunities; all in support of a fantastic cause.
Secure your tickets here!
A Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is being held at our sister Church in Nanaimo on Saturday, September 28th at 5:30 pm for Hope Groundwater, granddaughter of much loved Wendy Groundwater, who passed away in 2023.
Hope’s High School Band is going on a field trip to New Orleans in Spring 2025. Please see the poster above for details.
Wendy was one of the most avid supporters of our Presbyterian Christian camping Community on Vancouver Island.
Thank You,
Jean Marcellus
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
Local artist Bear Horne designed the Victoria Orange Shirt t-shirts. Horne’s design features a bear to help us follow the right path, an eagle to help us have a vision of a bright future, a hummingbird to keep our mind, body and spirit healthy, and a flower to feed the connection of all these elements. Orange Shirts are available to purchase for $25 all year-round.
KAIROS BC/Yukon Fall Gathering
All are invited to a weekend retreat at the beautiful Sorrento Centre on October 4-6. Join us for a coming together of people who are on fire for justice and hold a deep concern for our Earth as climate chaos takes hold and modernity collapses…
How then shall we live? What will rise out of the ashes? And which stories will carry us through? In the beautiful, natural setting that is Sorrento, we will explore, connect and regenerate ourselves through a variety of experiential learning opportunities built around this question:
What are the stories we need to hear now?
We will hear stories from traditional storyteller and theatre artist Kenthen Thomas from the Secwepemc’ulucw, Leah Reesor-Keller, author of the nonfiction book, Tending Tomorrow: Courageous Change for People and Planet, and more, including participants. Together we will go on a journey, using conversation circles, special speakers, Indigenous wisdom, guided walks, meditation, prayer, music, worship, art-making and much more.
Everyone is welcome, from 18 – 108 years old, of any background. No prior connection needed.
Details and registration here.
Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Mission Moment
PWS&D’s annual Journey for Hope encourages supporters to gear up and walk, run, ride, roll or do another activity they love to raise money for the food security work PWS&D does around the world. Food security is an essential human right, yet a significant portion of the global population is food insecure, without access to enough food of acceptable quantity and quality. Your participation in and support for Journey for Hope enables PWS&D to actively respond to hunger needs through food security projects that improve agricultural production in places like Haiti, Guatemala and Malawi. Funds also help provide emergency food assistance in countries that are extremely vulnerable, including Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia. Thank you for participating and making a difference!
Prayer Partnership
Wednesday, September 18 We pray for the families of Paul McLean (working with the church in Taiwan), Blair Bertrand (working with the church in Malawi), Joel Sherbino (working with the church in Malawi), and Lora Nafziger (working with United Mission to Nepal).
Thursday, September 19 We give thanks and pray for those who serve on the Canadian Ministries Grants Committee as they fulfill their responsibilities with wisdom, compassion and discernment.
Friday, September 20 We pray for members and leaders of the Atlantic Mission Society as they hold their Annual Meeting from Sept. 20–22 in Truro, NS.
Saturday, September 21 (International Day of Prayer for Peace) We pray that love and compassion drive out senseless violence around the world and ask God to protect PWS&D partners delivering humanitarian aid to uprooted families.
Sunday, September 22 We pray for the Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart, Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall in Vancouver.
Monday, September 23 We give thanks for the contributions of temporary migrant agricultural workers in Canada. We pray that decision makers will enact policies that better protect the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families and develop fair pathways to Canadian citizenship.
Tuesday, September 24 We pray for the members and work of the Gender, Sexuality and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Wednesday, September 25 We pray for newly ordained Ruling Elders, that God will give them wisdom and compassion as they serve on their sessions.
Thursday, September 26 We pray for the work of the Leadership Centre at The Presbyterian College, Montreal and its director, Dr. Adrian Langdon. May the centre’s ministry enrich and energize the church.
Friday, September 27 We remember the clerks of synods who will be working on preparations for the various meetings and gatherings of synods during October.
Saturday, September 28 We pray for those participating in Journey for Hope on September 28 in support of PWS&D’s food security programs.
Social Action Spotlight – July – September 2024
Anti-2SLGBTQI+ Rhetoric and Violence
Recently, there has been an alarming rise in harmful language and violence targeting LGBTQI people—especially those who are transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming—both here in Canada and across the globe. The PCC’s Confession to God and LGBTQI People acknowledges that: “The church has often perpetuated harmful lies that LGBTQI people are dangerous and abusive… The church’s prejudice contributes to hatred and neglect of LGBTQI people making them targets for physical, spiritual and emotional violence. For these unloving and unjust actions, we ask forgiveness.” Since doing justice and acting with love are important marks of Christian discipleship, the church chose to confess and repent, a process which involves repairing the harm we have caused and working to prevent future harm.
One impact of the recent increase in rhetoric demonizing and dehumanizing 2SLGBTQI+ people is that many transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming youth and adults feel that there is no place for them in society. They feel unsafe in public. While the emotional and spiritual wounds this causes are significant on their own, such rhetoric has also led to instances of physical violence. For example, in June 2023, a former student of the University of Waterloo entered a Gender Studies classroom and stabbed a professor and two students; an attack that appears to have been motivated by transphobic rhetoric.
One doesn’t have to actually call for violence to contribute to its likelihood. Rhetoric that scapegoats marginalized people can also cause harm, inciting hatred that some people will use as justification for violence. In a very real sense, attacks on any marginalized group can create situations where violence is tolerated; even normalized or seen as desirable. This doesn’t just make the targeted group less safe, it makes everyone less safe; violence spills over.
But safety and peace can spill over too. The church is called to be peacemakers. Intentionally working to support safety and healing and prevent harm are faithful ways to respond to anti-2SLGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence.
Questions for Reflection
We are called to love our neighbour. What are some ways you see people in your community acting with love? What are some things that could be done better?
It’s easy to think of violence spilling over. What do you think it would look like if safety or peace “spilled over?”
What can you do?
The 2023 General Assembly approved a recommendation “That congregations be encouraged to consider responses in their local communities to acts of hate and harm towards the LGBTQI+ community and sponsorship support of LGBTQI+ refugees.” Programs supporting LGBTQI people facing difficulties exist in many communities.
- Find programs in your area and see if there are ways you can support them.
- Consider sponsoring or otherwise supporting LGBTQI+ refugees.
Learn more
Resources are available on the Gender, Sexuality and Inclusion page of the Social Action Hub: presbyterian.ca/justice/social-action/gender-sexuality-inclusion