For everything there is a season . . .

By Manor Park Chronicle November 6, 2022

During the October harvest chili dinner, volunteers served over 120 people and sold out of all three types of chili. The 99th Girl Guides and Pathfinders and their leaders were amazing as servers and helpers. The church appreciates the support of the community for this fundraising event. Photo: Diana Poitras

At St. Columba, the start of the new school year, the changing colour of the leaves, the nip in the air, and the anticipation of Thanksgiving dinner — are all in keeping with the Season of Creation. In the Church calendar year, this is from September 1 to October 4 and is a time dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of Life.

Dash, the one-eyed cat and companion of Diana Poitras, was among the pets who received a blessing during the Blessing of the Pets service. Photo: Diana Poitras

It is no surprise, then, that during the Season of Creation, the Church holds its annual “Blessing of the Animals” on the first Sunday in October (also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi). This year a cat and two dogs received a blessing — as well as a monkey and an elephant! While the latter two are not your usual household pets, we did ask the children from the Church School to bring a favourite stuffie for a blessing. Like our feline and canine pets, the stuffies bring the children joy and comfort, and so it seemed suitable to have them blessed at the same service.

The talking stick

The previous Sunday, September 25, the church was awash in orange, as members of the congregation wore their orange shirts in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. In church school, the children had their first sharing circle and created a ceremonial talking stick with ribbons and feathers from each child.

In the sharing circle, everyone talked about the importance of being able to see everyone within the circle and how a circle has no beginning or end. We then made our talking stick with each child choosing something or things to add to it.

When we are in the circle the child holding the stick speaks while everyone else listens. We talked about how God gave us one mouth to speak but two ears to hear.

The children can talk about whatever is on their mind. On Thanksgiving Sunday, the talking stick holder shared what they were thankful for. They also offered up the names of anyone or anything for which they want to pray for or give thanks—a sick school friend, a grandparent, scouting camp, etc.

The talking stick is now part of each Sunday School class and is extra special because the children created it themselves.

Community harvest

St. Columba was decorated for its Harvest Thanksgiving service in October, with all produce from the displays later being donated to the Ottawa Food Bank. Photo: Diana Poitras

Throughout September, tomatoes and peppers were harvested from the community garden plots allocated to St. Columba. This food, together with other donated items from the Parish were brought to the food bank at the former Rideau High School (now the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre). Sharing God’s creation and bounty to help others continues to be part of our outreach ministry.

At Rock the Block at the end of September, the church had a booth alongside the Manor Park Community Garden at St. Columba’s table. The church has generously offered up additional lands to expand the garden next year. Next step is to make a further grant application to Just Food for funds to carry out this expansion.

The church sanctuary was beautifully decorated for our Harvest Thanksgiving service on October 9, and all the produce from the display (apples, onions, carrots, potatoes, etc.) was again brought to the food bank. We thank Marie Chantal Ross and Jason Wright for their weekly trips to the food bank with our offerings.

At the time of writing this article, we were busy preparing for our Harvest Chili Supper on October 27. We appreciate the strong community support for this fundraising event. We were delighted that the Pathfinder Unit helped lend a hand.

Mural restoration

This painting, “Waving Calla Lillie,” was donated by artists Wendy Trethewey and Eleanor Duncanson for a raffle to be held later by St. Columba. It will be exhibited during the church’s Holly and Bake/Jam Sale December 17. Photo: Wendy Trethewey

In the September-October 2022 edition of the Manor Park Chronicle, you may have read an article about collaborative artists, Wendy Trethewey and Eleanor Duncanson, who restored our 1967 mural in the Lower Hall.

These talented artists are again supporting the church with a donation of a painting entitled: “Waving Calla Lilies” (mixed media, 11 x 15 inches and framed). The painting, without the framing, is valued at $500.00. The church is presently applying for its first ever lottery license to hold a raffle for this stunning painting. Once our license is approved, we plan to sell 100 tickets at $10 each. The painting was on display at the church at our Chili Supper and will be exhibited again on December 17 at our Holly and Bake/Jam Sale.

The draw for the painting will be on December 18. For more information about how and when to purchase a ticket, please contact the Church office by calling 613-749-5103 or emailing us at stcolumbaanglican@bellnet.ca.

About the artists

Wendy Trethewey paints intimate interiors and landscapes, sometimes placing a human (or animal) figure within them. She is also a portraitist, military artist, and a miniaturist. She works in many mediums, including pastels. Nineteen paintings entitled “Family Life in the Military”, created by Trethewey and a collaborator, are part of the collection of the Canadian War Museum. One of her paintings hangs in its permanent collection. Trethewey was also one of nine artists chosen by the Royal Canadian Mint to submit a concept drawing in consideration of updating the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Canadian coinage. She has also taught a class on pastels at the Ottawa School of Art.

Eleanor Duncanson is a native Nova Scotian now residing in Smiths Falls. She specializes in large-format oil paintings of landscapes and florals for public access spaces. In the Ottawa area, she includes among her clients the Westin Hotel, for whom she produced nine large oil landscapes for their Provincial meeting rooms. The land has held a magnetic fascination for her as an artist and she is totally focused on trying to capture her feelings of excitement at the beauty of landscapes.

Advent and Christmas

As we look further ahead, the Season of Advent and then Christmas will soon be here. Our Advent Lessons and Carols service will be held on Sunday, November 27 and will feature soprano soloists Keumnim Lim and Mallory Williams and baritone Shawn Mattas. This is an incredible service and the perfect way to start the season.

A special event, the Christmas Holly and Bake Sale, will feature fresh holly and delicious homemade jams, jellies and baked goods. Please join us for the occasion at St. Columba on Saturday, December 17.

On December 24 we will hold two services: a family focused service at 4:00 p.m. with a children’s story and soloist Shawn Mattas, and a candlelight service at 9 p.m., featuring soloists Natacha Demers, Natasha Henry and Keumnim Lim. Christmas Day service will be at 9:30 a.m.

You are cordially invited to join our friendly and welcoming congregation at any of these special services, and at our regular Sunday service at 9:30 a.m.

This column was written by St. Columba administrator Diana Poitras.