PARISH NEWS - JUNE 25TH, 2026

E-blast for June 25th, 2026 

SERVICES AND GATHERINGS THIS WEEK

SUNDAY, June 28 – 10:00am – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

If you are unable to attend worship in person, the service is live streamed. For links to the service and the order of service please visit St. James at: stjamesdundas.ca or the St. James Facebook page.

The church office has new hours

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-2pm.

St. James Mission Statement

“To know Jesus and share Love through prayer, story, and service”

We still have some African artifacts in the volunteer office.

Please pick them up as soon as possible.

WEDNESDAY – COMPLINE – 9:15 p.m. Compline is a short service of night prayer. The heart of Compline is the recitation of several psalms. There is a short reading from scripture, intercession, and time for reflection. It is a beautiful way to close out an active day. Compline is offered by St. James’ through Facebook to bring the community together. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel.

St. James' 50th Holiday House Tour

Put Saturday, December 6th, in your calendar for our 50th Holiday House Tour.  It will be a special anniversary event!  If you can recommend a home to include in this year's tour, please contact Jan Southall at jsouthall@cogeco.ca, and she will follow up with you for further details.

When you make jams, jellies, and preserves this year, please set some jars aside to sell at the Holiday House Tour. They are always the best sellers!

Thank you.

Do you enjoy interior painting?

The Music Director's office, located on the lower level, is in need of a new paint job.  The walls are prepared and ready for painting.  If you have the time and interest in helping to get the office ready for our new music director, please contact Terese Herron at tershaw1@gmail.com or

905-979-6820.  We hope to get the painting done in June before the weather gets too hot and humid for painting.

Monday Afternoon Games

First and third Monday of the month from 1:30-4pm, in the Parlour. Everyone is invited to participate, ladies or gentlemen.  Any questions, please speak with Jill.

Tuesday Evening Prayer

You can join us in person in the Parlour at 6:15pm or via Zoom. If you choose to attend the prayer session virtually, contact Dana Murray before 4 pm on Tuesday, for the Zoom coordinates danamurray999@gmail.com

Volunteers Needed for Dehumidifier Emptying!

It is that time of the year when the church building becomes very hot and humid.  Twelve dehumidifiers need to be emptied at least once a day.  At the peak of the summer, the dehumidifiers on the main and lower levels need to be emptied twice a day.

We are looking for volunteers willing to be on a weekly schedule so we can share the load.  The dampness and humidity are detrimental to the building and its contents.  Please be in touch with Terese Herron or the church office if you can help.

Hospitality Long White Tablecloths

There are several long white tablecloths missing from the Hospitality cupboard.

If you have any of these, please return them to the church as soon as possible.

Thank you from the Hospitality Team.

Everyone seems to enjoy coffee/tea and fellowship after Sunday Services. There is a need for volunteers to help with four related tasks, set-up tables and chairs, set-up coffee and tea, clean up dishes and put away tables and chairs.

Sign up to help with one or more of the tasks.

       There is a sign-up sheet in the narthex or

         Contact Jill Regoeczi or Terese Herron.

Women’s Weekend

We are pleased to announce our Women’s Weekend at Five Oaks, taking place September 25–26, 2026 at the Five Oaks Conference Centre, located at 1 Bethel Road, Paris, ON N3L 3E3. Our committee is planning an exciting and meaningful weekend — more details will follow. The costs include accommodation and meals. Also any dietary restrictions please inform us.

Costs:

·         Double Occupancy: $285

·         Private Room: $350

·         Saturday Only: $125

Payment Options: e‑transfer, cheque, or cash. Please send e‑transfers to saintjamesgiving@gmail.com and clearly note: Women’s Weekend – your name – September 25–26, 2026.

To register please contact Marline S. or Carleon H. through the parish office at 905 627 1424 or stjamesdundas@outlook.com  

Registration Deadline: June 30, 2026

Call out for anyone with a key to the church building. If you are not the head of a committee, please return your key as soon as possible.

This was posted by Michaelee Lazore on August 25, 2025.  It is from the Sequoia, Proudly Indigenous website.

“The Three Sisters in Haudenosaunee culture technically refers to Corn, Beans and Squash but their meaning is so much deeper.

Haudenosaunee people are Matriarchal and Indigenous cultures refer to the land as 'She' with Mother Earth the name of Turtle Island lands. When it came to feeding the people, Females were responsible for Agriculture while men were responsible to hunt. Corn, Beans and Squash were the main Agricultural plants of the Haudenosaunee and took on a female nickname, The Three Sisters. This name was not just about labeling three foods. It was symbolic. Women are tied directly to the lands and what we grow. 

In our Creation Story, Skywoman descended, landed on a giant turtle's back, created Turtle Island and when she died, her body became Mother Earth and she continues to give us foods, water and medicines. 

The moon is known as Grandmother Moon and her cycles are tied to women. When the Harvest Moon appears, that is Grandmother's wisdom telling us to harvest our plant foods for the winter. 

If the Earth is our mother, the food plants are her children. Three Sisters represents that.

Women are considered caretakers of the land and responsible for its well being. When children are born, they take the clan of their mother. When men marry, they would move into the woman's longhouse. Women would teach their daughters about their roles, including taking care of the gardens. 

Even in Haudenosaunee traditional dances, the women use steps closer to the ground, usually shuffling their feet along the ground to embrace their

relationship with the Earth. Men usually stomp and their feet generally leave the ground. 

Another key in Haudenosaunee culture is the number 3. When dancing, people are encouraged to dance around the circle 3 times. There is an old saying that births and deaths often happen in threes. So, it would not be uncommon for three sisters to be working a garden of Corn, Beans and Squash and for stories to pass down. We do not know how long the name Three Sisters has been around but it has been here for Generations.”

  Upcoming Events & Important Dates

June 28                     Afterthoughts in the Parlour immediately following the service

June 28                     Parish Council following the service (location TBD)

July    5                      Messy Church Board Game & Chess Night - Pot Luck 4-6pm