Announcements – 04 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
Knox Session … meets Monday, September 9 at 3:30 pm in the Knox Lounge
Congregational meeting Sept 15 … to receive the 2023 Financial Statements
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).
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 …
-
-
-
- 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. 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.
- 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)
Book Club … The next book for discussion is Hang the Moon by Jeanette Walls. Join the conversation at 1pm, Saturday, September 14.
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.
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, September 15 (two soups + biscuits); Sunday, October 6 (Harvest Stew + pumpkin pie); Sunday, November 17 (some kind of curry with rice + apple crisp). — Laura
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!
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.
Sunday, September 8, 2024 – Mission Moment
At Samuel House, a ministry of the Reformed Church in Romania, vulnerable children receive nutritious food and homework tutoring so that their potential can be realized in a caring Christian environment. Responding to God’s call, Csilla Bertalan first opened the doors in June 2003 to welcome underprivileged children living in difficult circumstances. Csilla is grateful to God and partners for their support in transforming so many young lives. She shares, “I am grateful that the PCC has been standing beside us in this mission. Thank you!” Gifts to Presbyterians Sharing have been supporting Samuel House since 2014.
Prayer Partnership
Wednesday, September 4 Calling God, we pray for students who begin their studies or return to them this month at VST. Ignite your gifts in them through teaching that they may serve you and the world with compassion.Thursday, September 5 We pray for the Committee on History’s PCC 150 Ad Hoc Team in their work to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Church and highlight where the denomination has been, where it stands, and where it is going.
Friday, September 6 We pray for the farm and kitchen staff at Crieff Hills who are working hard to harvest and preserve the summer’s bounty.
Saturday, September 7 We pray for the Committee on Church Doctrine as they meet in person. May their work help the church think about contemporary issues from a Christ-centered perspective.
Sunday, September 8 We give thanks for teachers at Francisco Coll School in Guatemala who equip students with skills and knowledge that will help them succeed in furthering their education.
Monday, September 9 Dear Lord Almighty, we pray for those who work to build relationships that are broken in our communities. Continue to hold our leaders from the World Council of Churches and the Canadian Council of Churches in your care as you guide those working for peace and unity.
Tuesday, September 10 We pray for search committees in vacant congregations as they discern who God is calling for them to invite to be their new minister.
Wednesday, September 11 We pray for Samuel House, a ministry of the Reformed Church in Romania, and Csilla Bertalan, Director, as they serve underprivileged children in Romania.
Thursday, September 12 We pray for Edmonton Urban Native Ministries, which runs a drop-in centre out of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the people it serves.
Friday, September 13 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Brandon.
Saturday, September 14 We pray for sessions as they help the members and adherents of their congregations grow in faith and participate in the ministry of Christ locally and around the world.
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
-