The 28th Ottawa Scouts are holding a Pasta Dinner with a fun fair and silent auction on Friday, April 26 from 5:30-7:30pm at Rideau Park. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids under 12 years old and include salad, bread, drink and dessert. For tickets, email 28thottawafundraising@gmail.com. There will be games, prizes and draws in addition to the silent auction. Proceeds will be used for the 2024 international summer trip.
Join us for Volunteer Recognition Sunday on April 28 after the church service. There will be cupcakes, door prizes, and an opportunity to write a thank you note to a volunteer at Rideau Park. Cards will be available along with a box to submit them.
Forest Church is on Sunday, April 28 at 3pm (NOTE TIME CHANGE). Come and join us as we mark Earth Week 2024. We meet in front of the church and walk into Cunningham Forest together. Please dress for the weather!
The Sundays@Four recital series continues this Sunday, April 28 at 4pm with beautiful music for oboe and piano, performed by University of Ottawa third-year student Sara LeBlanc, accompanied by Andrew Ager. The program includes works by Vaughn Williams and Chopin. Admission is pay-as-you-wish and proceeds go to the musicians.
Please note that the deadline for submissions to ChurchPost is Friday, May 3. Please send them to churchpost@rideaupark.ca.
Join us for Lunch and Learn about Legacy Giving on Sunday, May 5 after the church service. We’ll talk about the why, where and how around leaving a legacy gift, with time for questions. Pick up a coffee or tea then join us in the Parlour for a light lunch and an informative talk about planned giving. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Lisa by email.
The “Bells In Spring” Concert on Sunday, May 5 at 7pm features four handbell choirs from Rideau Park as well as handbell choirs from Emmanuel United, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and Trinity Presbyterian. The bell choirs will perform en masse, as well as play some individual selections. It can also be viewed online by clicking Watch Live at the start of the concert. A freewill offering will be collected in support of the bell choirs. For more information, contact Gordon Dewis.
A 55+ Spring Lunch will be held on Wednesday, May 22 at 12pm. We will be serving rotisserie chicken, potato salad, green salad and rolls. Dessert will be cake with fresh berries and whipped cream. Cost is $10 per person. This event is open to everyone over the age of 55. RSVP to Sandra Weedmark no later than noon, Thursday, May 16. We look forward to seeing you on the 22nd!
We need your input! We are looking for ideas for the Christmas Bazaar Craft Table and we’d like to be more environmentally responsible. Are there items you would like to suggest or quality items you might like to contribute that are environmentally friendly and generally attractive or useful? Please contact Anne Blades or Christy Harris by Monday, May 6 with your thoughts and ideas.
During the month of April, the Social Action and Outreach Committee is collecting unopened medical supplies. They will be donated to a non-profit organization called Not Just Tourists (https://njt.net/), started by a Canadian couple in 1990. Supplies can be dropped off at the church in a plastic bin located across from the administration office.
Name Tags: If you wish to have an RPUC name tag, don’t forget to sign up on the lists at either entrance to the sanctuary on Sunday mornings or you can contact Elizabeth Bryce at ebryce@rideaupark.ca. You are invited to choose either magnet or pin on the back and to include your preferred pronouns.
2024 Camp Awesome is open for registration at: https://camp-awesome.uplifterinc.com/. Rideau Park’s camp runs the week of August 12-16. Financial assistance for camper fees is available – we want everyone who wants to come to be at camp this year. For information, contact Steve Clifton.
Anti-Racism Initiative: If you are interested in being part of a Rideau Park team looking at racism, please let Elizabeth Bryce or Lynn Sherwood know. For more information, please see: https://churchx.ca/local/shop/product.php?id=140.
A Forum on Basic Income will be held in Ottawa on May 23-26. If you are interested in attending, please let Elizabeth Bryce or Lynn Sherwood know. For further information, please see: https://forum2024.ca/.
Please note that the fridge in Beecroft is not working right now. Please do not put anything into it and plan accordingly for your events.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES
Coffee and Conversation is available in Beecroft Hall after Sunday worship services.
Sunday School: While service is being held, children are welcome to attend Sunday school. We have staffed childcare and our junior class is in the downstairs kindergarten room. Our intermediate class is in the Beecroft Hall balcony. Our youth class meets in the Parlour. Children do not need to be registered to attend.
Meditation Group Online takes place Thursdays at 10am on Zoom for 20 minutes of quiet, peace and mindfulness. Group meditation is a deepening experience. Steve Clifton leads the group – contact him at sclifton@rideaupark.ca for an invitation.
Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm and sings Sunday mornings. New members are always welcome, both from the church and the community. For more information, contact Iain at choirdirector@rideaupark.ca.
Cherub Choir gathers on Thursday evenings at 6pm in Room B12. For more information, contact Iain at choirdirector@rideaupark.ca.
Drums Alive weekly sessions are on Thursdays at 4:30pm in the Sanctuary. For more information, contact Iain at choirdirector@rideaupark.ca.
Handbell Choirs: Adults practice Monday/Tuesday evenings and play at the church and in the community. Youth Bells practice on Thursday evenings. For more information, contact Gordon at handbells@pinetree.org.
Healing Pathway: Christian-centred, energy-based healing sessions are offered Thursdays, by appointment, from 12:30-2:30 pm. To book an appointment, please email healingpathway@rideaupark.ca, or speak to Sharon Sanderson or Brian Neal. Shorter sessions (2-3 minutes) are also offered in the Chapel immediately following the worship service most Sundays.
Euchre Club meets every Thursday from 1-3pm in the Parlour. Join us for a few hours of cards, fellowship, refreshments and fun; no expertise required! Contact Rod Hagglund for more information.
RPUC has Knitting and Quilting Groups: Knitting on Mondays from 1-3:30pm and quilting on Thursdays from 9:30am-12pm in the Parlour. For more information on both groups, please contact Doreen Hamilton at prayerchain@rideaupark.ca. There are a variety of flannelette baby quilts for sale. The quilts can be viewed and purchased on Thursday mornings from 9:30am-12pm or by calling the church office to set up another time. Cost is $45 each.
Yoga with Margaret: Yoga classes with a choice. Chair Yoga, Thursdays, 10:30am. Gentle Mat Yoga, Fridays, 10:30am. Increase balance, strength and flexibility in a gentle, mindful practice.
50+ Fitness with Faiza: Tuesdays and/or Thursdays 9am – cardio, stretching and strengthening sessions for all fitness levels. Be ready to walk, jog, or run into spring! Drop-in class options available.
Tai-Chi Classes (For more information, please contact Eduardo at molon@eduardomolon.com.)
Saturday, April 27, 10:45am-12pm in Brackenridge Hall
Saturday, May 4, 10:45am-12:00pm in Beecroft Hall
Alcoholics Anonymous:
Oasis meets in person on Mondays from 8-9pm in Brackenridge Hall.
12 Steps to Serenity meets on Thursdays at 7:30pm in Beecroft Hall.