Rideau Park United Church
An Introduction
Contents
Welcome!
Mission Statement
When We Worship
Special Needs Accommodations
Office Hours
Who Are We?
What is the United Church of Canada?
Welcome to Rideau Park United Church
Our congregation includes people from diverse backgrounds, denominations and faith traditions. We warmly welcome all to our common life of worship and service. This site is not meant to draw active participants from other church denominations or religious groups. It is simply offering those who do not have any affiliation an invitation to join an exciting and dynamic Christian community. At the heart of our activities is the worshipping congregation celebrating the inclusive love of God, made known through Jesus Christ. That love makes a difference in our lives and challenges us to make a difference in the world. Through prayer and music, friendship and service, laughing and learning, we seek to know God is in our midst and make God known to others.
Supporting families has always been a focus of ministry at Rideau Park. There is a strong Sunday School program that runs in conjunction with the 9:30 a.m. worship service each Sunday.
Childcare is provided for infants and toddlers, with classes for three-year-olds through high school youth. Children and youth gather with the worshipping community for the first 15 minutes of worship and then move to their classes. A dedicated group of over 60 volunteers support the work of the Sunday School.
The congregation offers many programs to address the needs and interests of its participants. As well, a number of community-based groups are hosted in the church facility. Activities include a number of musical choirs and groups for all ages, a playgroup for young children and their parents/caregivers, a youth Bible Study group, women's groups, support groups and social gatherings. New participants are always welcome.
In a time when busy lives often leave people feeling stressed and overwhelmed, the faith community is a haven where people are encouraged to meet God.
Mission Statement
Rideau Park United Church is a family of people who joyfully proclaim a loving God as revealed in Jesus Christ.
As caring members of this church, we seek to do this by:
- joining together in worship, prayer and music;
- reading and studying the Bible;
- living a Christian life;
- nurturing both young and old in Christian education programs;
- seeking justice for everyone; and
- continually sharing our faith, hope, talents and resources with our community, country and the world.
When We Worship
Sunday Morning Worship
Two services: 9:30 and 11:15 a.m.
(One service at 10:00 during the summer)
For most of the year (mid-September to mid-May) there are two opportunities for worship at Rideau Park. For the most part, the two services are similar. Through scripture, music, preaching, and prayer the community is invited to share in worship. Though grounded in the traditions of the reformed church, there is great variety in the worship experiences at Rideau Park. The worship time is enhanced by the gifts of a drama team and an outstanding music program.
Service of Worship 9:30 a.m.
This dynamic hour of worship is twinned with the Sunday School program making it the favourite of families. The 35-voice Chancel Choir provides high-calibre, spiritually uplifting music from all historical periods weekly.
Service of Worship 11:15 a.m.
This service is similar in preaching and scripture readings to the earlier service. A smaller worshipping community gathers in a more reflective attitude toward the act of worship. The Chancel Choir sings monthly at 11:15. The regular music support to the service is the wonderfully blended voices of the Chancel Quartet.
Special services are held at other times throughout the year. During Advent (the weeks leading up to Christmas) and Lent (the weeks leading up to Easter) there are additional evening services.
The sacraments (the Lord's Supper and Baptism) are celebrated on designated Sundays during the year. The church office is always able to help with specific information about baptismal requests and communion dates.
Special Needs Accommodations
Rideau Park is wheelchair accessible from the Sanctuary through the inside promenade to the elevator. A handrail has been installed along the promenade to be an aid to handicapped individuals. The elevator gives access to the basement and upper levels. Personal elevator keys and training are available from the Administrator or the Administrative Assistant. We have two fully accessible washrooms, one outside the Sanctuary northeast door, and one across from the A/V room on the upper floor.
The Sound System is operated at each service
by volunteers. We
have an audio loop system for the
hearing impaired. Ask an usher for a
receiver.
Office Hours
The church office is normally open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday (except in July and August, when the office is closed on Mondays). Exceptions are listed on the “Calendar” pages and the “Activities This Week” page. Phone, fax and email information can be found at the top of our home page.
Who Are We?
Rideau Park United Church is a congregation of the United Church of Canada. The congregation has been a Christian presence in the Alta Vista community for 50 years. Today it serves not only the immediate Alta Vista area but the growing communities of Southeast Ottawa.
Over 700 households call Rideau Park their spiritual home. We are a diverse family of faith: young and old, single and married, lifelong United Church members, individuals returning to church participation after a time of absence, and newcomers discovering, for the first time, the gift of Christian community and worship.
What Is The United Church Of Canada?
In 1925 a distinctly Canadian expression of faith was born when the Methodist Church in Canada, the Congregationalist Church and most of the Presbyterian Church of Canada joined together. It was a bold vision of ecumenical witness that gave life to this new reformed, protestant denomination. Since its beginning, the United Church of Canada has been the largest protestant denomination in Canada. The United Church is known for its concern for social justice and its encouragement of personal faith expression and growth.