St. Columba Christmas events and update

Here in Ottawa (and especially Manor Park) we have been blessed with a mild and beautiful autumn. At the time of writing this, most trees are still wearing their brilliant fall foliage, and the lovely sunshine beckons us outdoors to enjoy this gift (while it lasts).

September saw us bid Reverend Canon Baxter Park and his wife, Nancy, a fond au revoir, while at the same time welcoming the Reverend Canon Laurette Glasgow back to St. Columba for the rest of September.

To our great delight, the Right Reverend Peter Coffin, former Anglican Bishop of Ottawa and Bishop Ordinaire to the Canadian Military Forces, joined us in October. Of all Peter’s notable achievements, perhaps the nearest and dearest to the congregation is that he lived in Manor Park in the 1950s and attended St. Columba when the congregation met in a stable where the church now stands!

Peter and his wife, Deborah, are a blessing to St. Columba in October and part of November, after which Laurette will be returning to finish off the year. The search for an incumbent is underway and I expect by the next edition of the Chronicle to be announcing the arrival of our new, incumbent priest. Stay tuned for that announcement!

An open house

Our many user groups returned in September, including ARC Studio School who are in the lower hall of the church. Most of these groups do not see or know each other, so, to correct that oversight, an Open House was held at the beginning of October and opened to the community.

It was wonderful to see the Girl Guiders speaking to the wood carvers about demonstrating their craft, and the founders of Au Gré du Vent speaking to the Manor Park Community Association Environmental Sustainability Committee members about renting a garden box next season, and the Irish Seniors going from table to table and downstairs to the School to meet and get to know the other people who call St. Columba “home base”.

Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Rawlson King came by for a visit and found a lively and diverse group of individuals representing their respective organizations. Although it was disappointing that no one from the community attended, the many group representatives enjoyed meeting and getting to know one another.

The open house was followed by a community potluck organized by Sophia Wood Massicotte. The weather was beautiful and those who attended dined al fresco, enjoying the warm sunshine, good food and good company.

‘To go’ meals for veterans

The following week we celebrated Thanksgiving with our Altar Guild working their usual magic to decorate the church with fresh fruits and vegetables – all of which were then donated to the Emergency Food Bank at the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre.

On October 21 we held our annual Harvest Chili Supper which was well attended and supported by members of the community. We introduced the idea of sponsoring a chili “to go” for a veteran at the Andy Carswell Building (Veterans’ House) next door at Wateridge Village. Many thanks to members of the community who sponsored 10 meals for the veterans. In addition to the 10 “to go” meals, the remaining chili, chips, cheese, cilantro, desserts, dinner rolls, corn bread, etc. were delivered to the veterans the next day – and received with great enthusiasm and thanks. The church, together with the owners of Dante Restaurant (Karim Teyib and Massimo Dondi) are planning another supper at Veterans’ House in late November.

Calendar of events

Wednesday December 11 at 7:30 p.m. is the Stairwell Carollers concert “Noel”. Tickets are $25 in advance/$30 at the door. This will be the Carollers 47th Christmas singing in the capital. The Stairwell Carollers have been practicing and recording at St. Columba for more than 20 years. This concert has become Christmas tradition for many Manor Park families. For more information, visit here.

Please join us for the following services:

• Sunday December 1: 10 a.m., advent Festival of Readings and Music – with several of our gifted Cantors leading special music.

• Saturday December 21: 10 a.m. until noon, holly and bake. Fresh holly purchased at St. Columba is a Christmas tradition for many people. The bake sale will feature many seasonable favourites – both sweet and savoury.

• Thursday December 24: 4 p.m. Christmas Eve Service for Children of all Ages with participation from the St. Columba Sunday School.

• Thursday December 24: 7:30 p.m. Choral Eucharist candlelight service.

• Friday December 25: 10 a.m. Christmas Day service.

We hope to see you at one or more of the above services/events!

The article was written by Diana Poitras.