The office will be closed Monday, October 12 for Thanksgiving. Rev. Jim will be available in case of a pastoral emergency.
The Christmas Cheer Program is gearing up for 2026. In early December, we bring joy and grocery gift cards to more than 150 families in need. We are a small team and we need your help to make this happen. We are looking for 6-10 people to help with phone calls and 2-3 people to help with administrative tasks between now and the end of November. Training will be provided. If you are interested in learning more about this worthy program, email Patricia Whitridge.
What will Rideau Park look like in 2035? What should it look like? If these questions interest you, you might want to participate in the cluster working group looking at this issue and the role of the cluster in the future. Each cluster church should have two representatives; Sheila Faure is representing Rideau Park at the moment – would you like to join her on the working group? The initiative runs until June 2027 and the commitment will be monthly in-person meetings and some time to collect and synthesize input from RPUC. If interested, contact Stephanie Bailey, Chair of Council at council@rideaupark.ca.
Rideau Park runs a Prayer Shawl Ministry. Shawls are knitted or crocheted by volunteers and dropped off at the church office. Several times a year, they are blessed as part of a worship service. If anyone wants to offer a shawl to someone who is ill or has lost someone close, contact Judy Paré or Kiersten (Administrator) as we maintain an inventory of who has received a prayer shawl.
The Social Action and Outreach Committee is collecting personal care items for the Banff/Ledbury Community House during October. Items can be dropped off anytime in the green bin located at the top of the Beecroft stairs. Suggested items include: toothpaste/brushes, dental floss, soap/body wash, shampoo/conditioner, brushes/combs, deodorant, disposable razors/shaving cream (men and women), feminine hygiene products, hand/body lotion, and lip balm. Thank you for your support, the Community Houses greatly appreciate the donations.
On Anniversary Sunday, October 25, our guest speaker will be the Rev. Canon Laurette Glasgow. A Canadian economist and senior diplomat for nearly forty years, Rev. Canon Glasgow later received a Diploma in Divinity based on studies at Oxford University. Ordained as an Anglican/Episcopalian Deacon at The American Cathedral in Paris, and then as a Priest in All Saints Church in Brussels, she returned to Canada and served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Ottawa, and as Government Relations Advisor for the Anglican Church of Canada. Now retired, she is a founding member and current Vice Chair of Rozana Canada, an organization that is deeply committed to peacebuilding in the Middle East through health diplomacy, and to ecumenical and interfaith cooperation. Rev. Canon Glasgow’s message on October 25 will be, “The Great Commandment in our Times – in a troubled world, how do we live out loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves?”
If you would like more detailed information about what is involved in becoming a Co-Chair of the Worship and Music Committee, contact volunteers@rideaupark.ca and request a copy of the job description as well as a timeline outlining various tasks that may take place each month of the year.
Planning is underway for our Christmas Treasures Bazaar on Saturday, November 7, 12pm-4pm. Mark your calendars and note the new start time. There are volunteer opportunities for all. For more information, click here.
Calling all Bazaar bakers! Homemade goodies of all kinds are needed for the Bake Table. Uncut pans of light and dark squares (such as date, lemon and chocolate) are needed for the Tea Room. Thank you for helping! If you have any questions, contact Lisa Simpson, Bake Table Convenor.
Do you like to play Christmas songs on the piano? Are you friendly and willing to greet people at the Bazaar Tea Room? We need your help! If you are available for a shift at the piano or Tea Room door, contact the church office at 613-733-3156 or info@rideaupark.ca.
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.
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 is available during Sunday services.
Drop in to the ladies’ coffee time on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm in the Parlour. For more information, contact Wanda.
The Euchre Club meets on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm. Cost is $2/person. Drop-ins are welcome.
Healing Pathway: 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. 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 Chancel Choir on Thursdays at 7:15pm Youth Choir (formerly Joyful Noise) (Grades 2 and up) on Thursday at 6:30pm Cherub Choir (ages 6 and under) on Thursdays at 6pm For information about these groups, contact Andrew Ager.
Handbell Choirs Touch of Brass on Mondays at 7:15pm. For information, contact Gord Dewis. Ringing Praise on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. For information, contact Jeanette Caton. La Bell Ensemble on Tuesdays at 7:30pm. For information, contact Jeanette Caton.
Fitness 50+ with Faiza on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15am.
Thematic movement eight-week yoga series starting Wednesday, October 7 at 5:30pm in Beecroft Hall. There will be no class on November 4. To sign-up, email Natalie Archambault.
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.