Greetings from Rev. Mike Perreault
I am looking forward to May 1! I can’t wait to connect with my new church family and meet many of you “again for the first time” …now as one of your ministers. In the meantime, I’m all about saying goodbye and being fully present for my beloved Rothwell United Church just over in Beacon Hill.
My story with Orleans began in the summer of 1981 when my family moved from Beacon Hill to Convent Glen. My story with OUC began some six years later, when I was fifteen…specifically through the Youth Group and Teen Church while we were at Garneau. It was at OUC I felt a tug toward ministry (I had wanted to be a teacher or a social worker) and OUC said “Yes! Let’s do this!” I will be forever grateful for the support of my home congregation.
I left Orleans in 1995 to attend Queen’s Theological College. After I was ordained in 1999, I spent time in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, Southwestern Ontario, the Seaway Valley, and most recently at Rothwell where I have been serving for fifteen years.
I moved back to Orleans in 2009. It’s my hometown. I have been engaged in our community ever since serving on the Chateauneuf Community Association, enjoying the company of my neighbours, and forming good relationships with our city counsellors. My two sons, Aidan (20) and Isaac (18) attended Convent Glen Elementary, Henry Larsen, and following my footsteps, Cairine Wilson (I went to Terry Fox the year it opened).
I’ve also been involved at OUC through VIRTCH. I am over the moon to be working with Rev. Molly. I am in awe of her skills, spirit, and love for all of you. I have so much to learn from her.
Orleans, with our 126,000+ residents, is a veritable playground for Gospel values of inclusion, celebration, service, and ecology, and OUC is a vital part of that community. As our neighbourhood grows and grows and grows, so must our curiosity and ability to “pivot” as the Spirit leads by hopscotching our way through change with a sense of wonder, groundedness, and “play”.
I love the saying “Be blessed. Be a blessing”. My nuance is this: You are blessed. You are a blessing. Let’s shine together! There is much work…and play…to be done!
Rev. Mike
A Note from M & P
Molly has recently provided us with the following note to share with her church family. While it is nice to hear from Molly, it is important to note that she is still on a medical leave of absence
and that we don’t know yet when she will return to work. Consequently, we should continue to respect Molly’s privacy and her note should not be taken as an invitation to contact her directly.
We ask that you please continue to forward any notes or cards to Molly via our church office.
Chair of Ministry & Personnel Committee Luc Lamadeleine
October 20th, 2022
My dear OUC family
I don’t know if you have noticed this fall, but the colours are so very vivid – the reds are bright and the oranges flaming and the yellows glow. Sometimes I think Mother Nature is shouting at me through the trees. And in my moments of wondering, I think I’m not sure if I had forgotten just how
gorgeous autumn leaves can be, or if there is something unique that I am meant to see this year. In either case, I’m thinking that, as the saying goes, the trees are trying to teach me, and maybe us all, the gift there is in letting go. y
Maud Montgomery, I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
As fall is in the air, like many of you, my thoughts have been on the changing of the seasons and routines in our lives. This year has looked quite different for me as I have not been diving into a busy fall schedule with our faith community, but instead have been supporting (from afar) our daughter Emma as she has transitioned to life away from home at university. She is as busy and engaged as any student living in residence at Carleton University
studying aerospace engineering, and her parents are finding life in a big empty house to be just as
heartbreakingly lonely and heartwarmingly proud as we imagined it would be.
I have been journeying in spirit with the congregation through the joys of the start of Nursery and Sunday School which brought a special delight to me, the sadness of goodbyes including the deaths of beloved
congregation members, and the ongoing evolution of our faith community with emerging leadership and
staffing strategies. I am grateful to Rev. Eric, Rev. Nancy, Kim, Scott, our Council, Search Committee and all the volunteers who are offering their hearts in service to OUC during this time of transition.
I want you all to know how deeply grateful I am for the acts of love and remembrance people have been showing me while I have been off….the love notes left at the office, the
messages sent to me, the surprises in my mailbox, the unexpected hugs when I see you out and about in the community….all of these gestures help me to feel that I have not been forgotten in my absence. It feels so lovely to be remembered and prayed for and I am deeply
grateful to be part of such a wonderful congregation. I can’t wait to be back with my dear family
at Orleans United as soon as I am able!
With much love,
Rev. Molly
Rev. Nancy Best:
I am delighted to be joining with Reverend Eric Lukacs to be temporarily helping out at Orleans United Church. I will be providing part time pastoral care. This is a role I have accepted with you all before, and will enjoy seeing you again.
For those of you who know me, no introduction is needed. For those I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I’ll fill you in a bit. My family and I were members at Orleans United Church for many years. I was an active participant, Chair of Elders, Council member, on the Prayer Chain, and I ran a parent and tots group. I took what was then the Licensed Lay Preachers Course. Later, in 2008 I went into Ministry from Orleans United Church! I was Student Minister at Quyon QC. for five years. Also during that time, I studied for my Masters of Divinity at Atlantic School of Theology. I received my M/Div and was Ordained in 2013. I have assisted by providing pastoral care before, this is my third time helping out. I am currently the part time Minister at Navan-Vars United Church.
Please contact me if you would like to chat by phone or video chat, have a pastoral care visit, home communion, or if you have a prayer request. I am fully vaccinated and boosted. I can visit in person, and will wear a mask, if you wish. I am also comfortable visiting outside, socially distanced or can meet you at the church. My home # 613 834-6816; call or text my cell # 613 863-9056; or email rev.nancy.best@gmail.com.
Blessings, and may the Creator bless our time together.
Rev. Nancy Best