After celebrating Christmas, St. Columba looks to events in February

Diana Poitras sums up Christmas at St. Columba and looks ahead

By Manor Park Chronicle January 13, 2023

St. Columba Sunday School students (some of whom are pictured above with Diana Poitras, second from right) spent the four weeks of Advent gathering baby-related items, such as food, formula and diapers. In December, these items were donated to the Youville Centre, a non-profit registered charity that supports young mothers. Photo: Melissa Hammell

For a tiny congregation of about 30 people, there always seems so much going on and to share with our community every month or so. We appreciate the Chronicle providing an opportunity and space for us to share our news with our friends and neighbours.

As we look to 2023, we hope to be able to hold a pancake supper (or something similar) on February 21 (Mardi Gras/Shrove Tuesday). Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King will be with us on Sunday, February 26 and will deliver the homily at the church service.

We will once again welcome the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) camps to St. Columba in the summer months. Given the success and positive feedback, you can expect to see the strawberry social and chili supper return next year.

Every Sunday, you are welcome to join us for a worship service, followed by a time for fellowship (and delicious refreshments).

Advent and Christmas

In November, we held a beautiful service of remembrance with The Last Post followed by Reveille (the two traditional bugle calls marking the end and beginning of a soldier’s day), two minutes of silence, the singing of O Canada and a special solo by Shawn Mattas. We once again had a “tribute table” of mementos of family members who served their countries during wartime. The front lawn of the church had signs purchased from the Royal Canadian Legion stating “We Will Remember Them”–and we did!

The last Sunday of November marked the start of the Christian New Year. The advent lessons and carols service was held on November 27 and we were blessed to have the musical talents of our Music Director/Organist Faye Grinberg Rice and vocalists Shawn Mattas, Keumnim Lim and Mallory Williams. Shawn and Keumnim are cantors with St. Columba, leading the congregation during the Sunday hymns and singing solos or duets from time to time. Mallory is a second-year Carleton University student and has a beautiful soprano voice. We hope to welcome Mallory back to future services.

In December, we celebrated the Sundays of Advent–which is the Christian season of preparation for the birth of Christ. The word “advent” means “coming” and is a time of great anticipation as we await the coming of our Saviour. An Advent wreath of fresh evergreens with five candles marked the passage of the season. The candles of hope and Ppeace werewere lit during the first and second weeks, followed by joy, love and finally, Christmas candle.

In the Sunday School, we marked the Advent Season with our own evergreen wreath and LED candles. Our donations during those four weeks were baby-related–food, formula, diapers, etc. These items were donated to the Youville Centre in December.
In addition to covering the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love, the children also discussed with their parents the preparations and anticipation around their own births, while looking at similarities and differences with the preparations and anticipation around the birth of Christ.

Our Christmas services included a 4 p.m. family-themed service and a 9 p.m. candlelight service. Special music again featured in these services and in addition to Shawn Mattas singing during the 4 p.m. service and Keumnim Lim at the later service. Natasha Henry and Natacha Demers once again lent their voices to the 9 p.m. service.

Raffle postponed

After a one-year break due to the pandemic, the Holly and Bake sale took place December 17. The sale of fresh holly has been a tradition of the St. Columba Altar Guild for over 60 years.

In the previous edition of the Chronicle, we talked about the raffle for the painting, Waving Calla Lilies by “Elendy” (Eleanor Duncanson and Wendy Trethewey).

The raffle was postponed until the new year, so please stay tuned for more information about purchasing tickets for this gorgeous painting.

Outreach

Outreach continues to be a large part of our identity as a worshipping community. Weekly donations are made to the food bank at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre. Gift cards were donated to Manor Park Public School and to residents at an Ottawa Community Housing building prior to Christmas.

With our youth intern, we are reaching out to other faith communities to find ways to partner or collaborate on further outreach programs–or enhancing existing ones. The children donated their baby-themed items to the Youville Centre before Christmas.

St. Columba has been part of the Manor Park Community for over 60 years and we want to continue to play a vital role by providing space for local community groups, reaching out to those in need, and being a welcoming house of worship.

We hope to see you at St. Columba.