This Sunday, May 3 will be a communion service. If you are joining us online, please feel free to have some bread and grape juice ready so you may participate. But any symbols you may have on hand will do!
May 5 is Red Dress Day: a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited People. Indigenous people believe that red is the only colour the spirits can see, so red dresses are used to call the spirits of missing and murdered women and girls back to their loved ones. You are invited to wear red on Sunday, May 3.
Come to the Bells in Spring Concert on Sunday, May 3 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Along with Rideau Park’s three bell choirs, there will also be choirs from Emmanuel United Church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and Trinity Presbyterian Church. Freewill offering to support the various bell choirs. The concert will also be live-streamed. For more information, click here.
Food Bank Sunday is May 3. Donations of non-perishable food for the Heron Emergency Food Centre can be placed in the wooden collection boxes at the church entrances. Monetary donations are always appreciated.
The next Rideau Park Men’s Breakfast will be at 9:30am on Wednesday, May 6 at Hometown Sports Grill, 1525 Bank St. For more information, contact Wayne Bennett or call 613-558-7773. Let Wayne know if you plan to attend.
Everyone is invited to join in harmony with our chancel and children’s choirs for our Family Sunday choral anthem, entitled My Mother’s Love. Our Music Ministry Coordinator Iain Macpherson looks forward to blending the voices of many individuals – mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, extended family members, etc. The only rehearsal required is on the day itself, Sunday, May 10 at 9:15am. If interested, email Iain or rideauparkunited@gmail.com for practice resources and recordings.
Applications are being received for new project funding from the Rideau Park Foundation Fund for Ministry. Eligible projects include those which involve experimenting with new or new approaches to ministry, outreach in our community, leadership development, special projects, and property renewal projects. Applications are due by Monday, May 11 and should be sent to council@rideaupark.ca. For more information, click here.
The Delphina Quintet, featuring Renée Michaud (flute), Iain Macpherson (violin), Jon Mak (viola), Alex Gayowski (cello) and Renée Leblanc (piano), returns to play at Rideau Park, on Saturday, May 23 at 7:30pm. Please join us for music of Reylandt, Dubois and Mozart. Entrance is pay-as-you-are-able, suggested $10 cash and proceeds go to Rideau Park.
On Sunday, May 24 at 2pm, the Pastoral Care Committee will be hosting the annual Seniors Communion Service led by Rev. Jim Baldwin. The tea party that follows is a great opportunity for socializing with old friends, some regulars and some who aren’t able to attend anymore. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 19 by calling the office at 613-733-3156.
Tulipathon, a 2-3K walk in support of Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI), takes place at Dow’s Lake on Sunday, May 24 at 3pm (registration at 2pm). Last year, a small group of people walked, but a large group donated. The funds are to support ongoing rent subsidies for affordable housing tenants. To donate to Rideau Park’s team, click here or mail a cheque directly to Multifaith Housing Initiative. Contact Nancy McPherson for more information or see her at coffee hour on Sundays.
Join us for our 55+ Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, May 27, at 12pm. This event is open to everyone over the age of 55 and the cost is $10 per person. To reserve your seat, contact the church office at 613-733-3156 by Friday, May 22. Cash, cheque or e-transfer can be used to pay for your lunch. If you are able to help with the lunch (making a cake, potato salad, setting or clearing tables, clean-up …) please let the office know. The lunch will be followed by an optional program in the Parlour about downsizing ”Less Space, More Living”, organized by OakPark Retirement Community.
Get your tickets before they sell out! The Living in Community: Big Soul Project Concert is on Saturday, May 30 at 7:30pm. Enjoy classic R&B, gospel, funk and soul, presented by the Big Soul Project Community Choir under the direction of Tahlia De Corso and backed by the Deep Groove Band. The concert is in support of Multifaith Housing Initiative. Grab your friends and family and come join in the fun! Tickets are $25/person; youth under 12 are free. Click here for more information and click here to purchase tickets.
The month of May is officially recognized by the Government of Canada as Asian Heritage Month. It is an opportunity to learn about the diverse culture, history, achievements and contributions that people of Asian origin have done to make Canada the country it is. For information and resources, check out this site: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/asian-heritage-month.html.
Social Action and Outreach Committee will be collecting personal care items for the four Community Houses in our area (Banff/Ledbury, Blair Court, Russell Heights and Confederation Court) during the month of May. Items may be dropped off anytime in the green bin located at the top of the Beecroft stairs. Following are suggested items: dental products, personal hygiene and shower products, grooming products, feminine hygiene products etc. Thank you for your support, the Community Houses greatly appreciate the donations.
We are looking for help when we have communion: a couple of people to cut/prepare the elements beforehand, as well as another couple to tidy up afterwards. Email ucw@rideaupark.ca if you can help.
We are looking for greeters to welcome people to coffee hour. There is a sign-up sheet on the board beside the sheet for coffee servers in Beecroft Hall. All ages are welcome!
If you wish to have an RPUC name tag, please contact the office and provide the spelling for your full name, specify if you want a magnet or pin on the back and include your preferred pronouns (if you wish).
The Legacy Giving Brunch and Learn planned for May 3 has been postponed until the fall.
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.
The texts of Rev. Jim’s sermons are posted on the website. Click here to view the sermons.
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: Primary (grades 1-3) meet in the Kindergarten room; Junior (grades 4-6) in the Beecroft Balcony; and Senior (grades 7 and up) in the Parlour. Our childcare space is staffed each Sunday.
The Euchre Club meets on Thursdays at 1pm in the Parlour. All are welcome.
Healing Pathway in-person sessions are on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-4pm. To book an appointment, email healingpathway@rideaupark.ca or speak to Sharon Sanderson or Brian Neal. Click here for more information.
The Knitting Group meets on Mondays at 1pm and the Quilting Group meets on Thursdays at 9am. Both are in the Parlour. For more information, contact Doreen Hamilton.
Meditation Group Online meets on Thursdays at 10am on Zoom. Contact Sharon Sanderson for the Zoom invitation.
Rideau Park Choir Practices Chancel Choir on Thursdays at 7:15pm Joyful Noise Children’s Choir (Grades 2 and up) on Thursdays at 6:15pm Cherub Choir (ages 6 and under) on Thursdays at 6pm For information about these groups, contact Iain Macpherson.
Drums Alive! (all ages) is on Sundays at 11:30am. For information, contact Iain Macpherson.
Handbell Choir Practices – after the Bells in Spring Concert on May 3, they are on break until September. 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+ meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15am.
Beginner Line Dancing (45+) on Fridays, 1-2pm on a drop-in basis ($5 per person per class). NOTE: Class if already full. For more information, see Sylvie’s blog.
Tai-Chi Classes meets on Saturdays, 10:45am-12:00pm. 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.