T’was the Season
Happy New Year from all the folks at St. Columba Anglican Church!
The past two months have been extremely busy — and purposeful.
The Clothing Drive and Pop-Up Shop in November was well supported and successful. The donations were generous and abundant. The shoppers on the 15th found a large assortment of cold-weather clothing, and even a few linens/bedding items.
We estimate that about 50 individuals — some representing large families — shopped and left with overflowing bags of needed items. An Afghan family, newly arrived in Canada, found many items for the 10 members of their family.
We were happy to welcome city councillor Rawlson King and his support of this event. Leftover items went to Centre 454 (shelter) and Gite Amis in Gatineau.
Four weeks of Advent
The four weeks of Advent started on Nov. 30 with our service of Lessons and Carols, featuring the beautiful voices of Shawn Mattas, Spencer Cripps, Sophia Nickel, Mallory Williams and Keumnim Lim; as well as violinist, Douglas Brierley; pianist, Genie MacKay; and Music Director/organist, Faye Grinberg Rice.
The weekly Advent Devotional led by Reverend Susan was a quiet time for prayer and meditation. The Lord’s Prayer, sung in Aramaic, was a new and beautiful experience for us.
Throughout December the Sunday School was very busy working on their play, which was presented during the 4 p.m. Christmas Eve service. The children had a “working” Christmas Party, which included a rehearsal and Happy Meals! The children also had a popcorn and Christmas movie afternoon — with a rehearsal on the side.
Our thanks go to Sunday School teacher, Becky Hynes, for her creativity and commitment to nurturing the children of the parish.
Unexpected gift
We received an unexpected gift from the students at ARC Studio School at the completion of their 5-week collaborative project, ‘Profit with Purpose’. The students designed and ran a leaf-raking business called ‘Hello Mini-Leafers!’, and came up with a slogan, flyer, door-to-door script and managed bookings. Plus, they did the actual raking!
They did all this despite the challenges of early snow and cold rain. The students proudly presented Rev. Susan Lewis and Diana Poitras with $300 in proceeds at their end-of-session Exhibition. We thank these young students for their thoughtfulness and support.
Before Christmas $500 in gift cards were delivered to Manor Park School to assist their families in need. A further $300+ in gift cards have been set aside to be delivered to Veterans’ House in the New Year.
Services
A “new-to-St. Columba service” took place on Dec.17. A Quiet or Blue Christmas was an opportunity for those who struggle during the holidays to attend a Christmas service in a quiet and contemplative atmosphere.
There were two services offered on Christmas Eve — the “kids of all ages” service with the play by the Sunday School at 4 and the Choral Eucharist Candlelight Service at 7:30. Mallory Williams was Cantor at the early service, with Natasha Henry our guest soloist at the 7:30 service. Douglas Brierley on violin once again accompanied Faye Grinberg Rice and Genie MacKay.
The Christmas Day service was very special and a first for Rev. Lewis and her husband, the Venerable Eric Morin. Eric read a very sweet and poignant Christmas story, Mallory Williams led the hymns and sang a solo, as the congregation celebrated the birth of Jesus.
The last service of the year was extra special as we welcomed Rev. Dr. Sony Jabouin as our guest speaker of the sermon/homily. Originally from Haiti, Rev. Sony previously served as a parish priest in the Roman Catholic Church. This past May he was received as a priest in the Anglican Communion at the Church of St. Bartholomew. It was a joy to welcome Sony and members of his family as well as friends.
January will mark the one-year anniversary of the arrival of Rev. Susan Lewis to St. Columba and we give thanks for her presence with us this past year and look forward to 2026.
New Year
The New Year is often a time when people try new things or make small or large changes in their lives. Perhaps one of those changes could be a visit to St. Columba for a Sunday Service. You will find a warm welcome, beautiful music and a meaningful message that IS relevant to our lives today.
We have an exceptional Sunday School program and teacher, Becky Hynes, brings her many gifts and talents to this role. The children don’t walk to Sunday School; they run with eagerness and anticipation.
In 2026 we look forward to continuing our delivery of non-perishable and fresh food items to the Emergency Food Bank at the Hub, hosting more dinners for the Veterans at Veterans’ House, supporting families in need at Manor Park Public School, and being a positive presence and support in Manor Park.
We wish all the Chronicle’s readers and their loved ones, a happy, healthy, prosperous and blessed New Year.