ChurchPost – Click here to view September’s issue.
Heron Emergency Food Centre will be holding their annual fundraiser Walkathon on Saturday, September 19, 9am-12pm. The walk begins at St. Thomas (2345 Alta Vista Dr.).
As part of the Sunday, September 20 worship service, the Volunteer Coordination Team will be awarding Certificates of Recognition to the volunteers whose roles of committee leadership have come to an end. Please join us in recognizing the leadership and tireless work of these individuals who have contributed so much to the life of our church.
A great big thank you to everyone who helped with our Welcome Lunch last Sunday! Whether you helped set up, brought baking, cleaned up or just enjoyed the company and the meal, thank you for making the lunch a success.
The Nearly New Thrift Sale will take place Friday, September 25, 6pm-8pm and Saturday, September 26, 9am-11:30am. Come and shop – bring your own bags. Donations for the sale can be dropped off in Beecroft Hall on Thursday, September 24, 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm, and Friday, September 25, 9am-12pm. Donations can include gently used clothing for adults and children, as well as shoes, handbags, linens and jewellery. There will be no book donations accepted at this time. For further information, contact Judith Srna.
Healing Pathway has started up again. Appointments for hands-on healing prayer will be available on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays. To make an appointment, send a request to healingpathway@rideaupark.ca or speak to Brian Neal.
Pictorial Directory Update: if you were unable to attend a photo session but wish to have your information included in the back of the directory, please contact the office at administrator@rideaupark.ca or 613-733-3156 by Monday, September 28. A huge thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who made the photo sessions possible, especially Jeanine Parker for her mobilization of volunteers.
September 27 is Orange Shirt Sunday at Rideau Park. Wear an orange shirt to say that Every Child Matters. When shopping for shirts with the “Every Child Matters” logo, check to see that they are sourced from Indigenous designers and that the proceeds return to the Indigenous community. Wednesday, September 30 marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day. The church office will be closed that day.
An order for church name tags will be being placed at the end of this month. Email info@rideaupark.ca or phone the office (613-733-3156) by Tuesday, September 29 at noon to be included in this order. The office will need the following information: name for the badge, your pronouns (optional), and whether you would like a pin or a magnet.
After we sing our final hymn and you head to coffee hour, where are your thoughts? Are they spinning around in your head because of what you just heard: the sermon that Rev. Jim shared, directly meant for you? The music of the choir and soloists that won’t stop churning through your brain? The organ postlude so spectacularly resounding around and around? You could be part of the planning for all of that! The Worship and Music Committee works alongside those individuals planning our services and our themes and they need a Co-Chair to help them plan. Contact our Volunteer Coordination Team at volunteers@rideaupark.ca for more information.
Planning is underway for Rideau Park’s Christmas Treasures Bazaar on Saturday, November 7, 12pm-4pm. Mark your calendars and note the new start time. There are volunteer opportunities for all. More information can be found on the church website (UCW Newsletter), in September’s ChurchPost (pages 7-8).
Chancel Choir: All are welcome to join Rideau Park’s Chancel Choir. Rehearsals are held Thursdays, 7:15pm-8:45pm with a break midway. The choir has a wide variety of repertoire and sings at the Sunday worship service at 10am. Previous experience, or brand new to choral singing, all are welcome.
Youth Choir: Previously named Joyful Noise, this choir meets Thursdays, 6:30pm-7pm in the Sanctuary and all youth from Grade 2 and up are welcome to join. The group will participate in worship services and musical events at the church.
Cherubs: Toddlers to age six and their grown-ups are invited to sing together on Thursdays from 6pm-6:30pm for joyful music-making and fun. Cherubs perform in church twice a year – on Christmas Eve and Mother’s Day. All are welcome – come join the fun and share the joy of singing together!
A Phase 1 Healing Pathway Workshop is being offered at Trinity United in Smith Falls, September 18-19, 2026. Phase 1 is an introduction to the basic concepts of Christian-centred healing through prayer, meditation and the laying on of hands. Brochures are posted on the bulletin board and here.
Discover Your Call: Become a Licensed Lay Worship Leader: Do you feel a call to talk about your faith? To share how faith impacts daily life? To encourage, inspire and challenge? Do you feel a pull to share your gifts and serve your community of faith in a profound way? You might want to explore becoming a Licensed Lay Worship Leader (LLWL). If you feel called to this vital ministry, contact Sharon Sanderson.
Planning is underway for Rideau Park’s Christmas Treasures Bazaar on November 7, 12-4pm. Mark your calendars and note the new start time. There are volunteer opportunities for all. More information can be found on the church website, in ChurchPost and in RPNews.
The ladies’ coffee time at Rideau Park continues on Wednesdays, 10am-12pm in the Parlour. For more information, contact Wanda.
Basic Income Workshop: Bells Corners United Church will be hosting a workshop with Dr. Evelyn Forget on Poverty Reduction and Bill S-206. The workshop will take place on Saturday, October 17 from 8:30am-12:30pm. For additional information, click here.
Rideau Park’s Little Free Library (outside the middle entrance on Cunningham Avenue) is well used. We ask that when you take a book you bring back a book or two to help replenish the library.
Email Scam Alert – Scam emails continue to be sent from what appears to be Rev. Jim’s church email address. His actual RP address is jbaldwin@rideaupark.ca. Rev. Jim will never contact you by email or phone asking you to purchase anything or send him money for any specific cause. Do not respond to the scam email in any way.
Naloxone kits are available to use throughout the church – in the Sanctuary, in Brackenridge Hall, in Beecroft Hall and at the desk outside Beecroft Hall. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses of fentanyl, heroin and other street drugs. Please tell other church users.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Join us for coffee and conversation in Beecroft Hall after the Sunday service.
Sunday School: Kindergarten to Grade 6 meets in B13; and Grades 7 and up meet in the Parlour. Childcare continues to be available during Sunday services.
The Euchre Club meets on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm. Cost is $2/person. Drop-ins are welcome.
Healing Pathway is offering healing sessions by appointment on alternating Tuesday and Thursday afternoons between 1pm and 3:15pm. To book an appointment, email healingpathway@rideaupark.ca or speak to Sharon Sanderson or Brian Neal. Short, chair sessions are also offered most Sunday mornings in the Chapel after the worship service. Click here for more information.
The Knitting Group meets on Mondays from 1pm-3:30pm in the Parlour. The Quilting Group meets on Thursdays from 9:30am-12pm in the Parlour. For more information, contact Doreen Hamilton.
Meditation Group Online via Zoom is on Thursdays at 10am. Contact the office for the Zoom coordinates.
Rideau Park Choir Practices (resume September 17) Chancel Choir resumes on Thursday, September 17 at 7:15pm Youth Choir (formerly Joyful Noise) (Grades 2 and up) resumes on Thursday, September 17 at 6:30pm Cherub Choir (ages 6 and under) resumes on Thursday, September 17 at 6pm For information about these groups, contact Andrew Ager.
Handbell Choirs Touch of Brass resumes on Monday, September 14 at 7:15pm. For information, contact Gord Dewis. Ringing Praise resumes on Tuesday, September 15 at 6:30pm. For information, contact Jeanette Caton. La Bell Ensemble resumes on Tuesday, September 15 at 7:30pm. For information, contact Jeanette Caton.
Fitness 50+ with Faiza resumes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15am, starting September 15.
Line Dancing (45+) is no longer offered at Rideau Park.
Tai-Chi Classes meets on Saturdays at 9:15am (beginners) and 11am (all). For more information, contact Eduardo at molon@eduardomolon.com.
Alcoholics Anonymous Oasis meets in person on Mondays from 8-9pm in Brackenridge Hall. 12 Steps to Serenity meets in person on Thursdays at 7:30pm in Beecroft Hall.