MacKay United stages Christmas music and more

By Manor Park Chronicle

November is Music and Meditation month at MacKay United Church with sessions every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. from November 14 to December 5. Screenshot from MacKay website
November is Music and Meditation month at MacKay United Church with sessions every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. from November 14 to December 5. Screenshot from MacKay website

Seasonal music, a night market, a wonderful concert, candlelight service, and a big, big bake sale are the highlights of the coming holiday season at MacKay United Church.

Music and Meditation

November is Music and Meditation month with sessions every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. from November 14 to December 5.

The theme will be “The Luminous Tumult” with readings from Canadian poet Dennis Lee’s work. Rev. Peter Woods on saxophone will be joined at different sessions by Ottawa musicians including Ali Berkok, Side Eye and Grace, and Erik Johnson-Scherger, Kyle Jordan, and Lou Frattaroli.

Beechwood Night Market

November brings another Beechwood Night Market to MacKay’s Memorial Hall, featuring seasonal vendors. Dining options include a food truck, with Clocktower beer and Ontario wine.

MacKay’s United Church Women (UCW) will have one bake table–a teaser for the big, big bake sale coming in December.

Live music throughout the November 18 evening will be provided by the Kindness of Jazz Quartet: Peter Woods, Kyle Jordan, Chris Pond and Erik Johnson-Scherger.

Christmas concert, bake sale, and services

If you enjoy seasonal music, December 17 is the night to be at MacKay! This “Christmas at MacKay” concert event, which starts at 7 p.m., is usually standing room only. Featured performers include Tea Marmaladze, violinists from the Vyhovski Strings, Eric Johnson-Scherger, and Peter Woods. The church uses the goodwill offering to provide funding for local outreach programs.
MacKay’s UCW is once again on board with the big, big bake sale. It takes place in the Memorial Hall immediately following the concert. In October, the UCW distributed some of the funds raised at last year’s bake sale with $1,000 to the Ottawa Mission and $200 to a school project in Nicaragua.

For anyone who is sad or troubled at the Christmas season, there will be a special Bittersweet of Christmas service on December 12 at p.m.

The holiday season at MacKay concludes with the Christmas Eve Family Candlelight Service on Saturday, December 24. It starts at 4 p.m. This, too, is a popular event.

There will not be a regular service on Sunday, December 25.

This article was written by Eleanor Dunn, communications officer for MacKay United Church.