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February 10, 2022
Rev. Molly Bell on Medical LeaveThis is to inform you that our beloved Molly was placed on medical leave by her physician on February 3, 2022. The length of her absence will be a minimum of six weeks, and the reasons for her leave are confidential.The Chair of the Ministry & Personnel Committee, Peter Holt, is in the process of obtaining a supply minister to fill in while Molly is off. We will have more to say about this next week.Please hold Molly in your thoughts and prayers, as we all wish her a speedy and full recovery.Ron HuntChair of Council
Upcoming Worship
February 13 – Join us for worship on YouTube at https://youtu.be/2M2SrviDlYk
February 27th – In-person service. Please contact the office to register. Also, let us know if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, so we can arrange for the lunch to be provided (see below).
OUC/QUC Health and Education CommitteeIt was great to hear from a number of you who took part in the last Royal Ottawa Hospital topic on beating the winter blues.The next free virtual broadcast from the Royal Ottawa, on February 24 at 7 pm, focuses on providing mental health information and resources around the theme “Peer Support: what it is and what it isn’t”. It is of benefit to youth and parents. Register here to be part of this monthly conversation!
Judith Tompkins, on behalf of the Health and Education Committee
ATTENTION CAREGIVERS As a Caregiver who cares for a family member or friend, you most likely need support too. HELP and your adult education team are considering offering 6-8 weeks of weekly 1.5 hour sessions, in the afternoons, covering topics like dealing with stress, handling emotions, navigating the system, grief and loss, and changing roles. If this might interest you, please email Heather McGrath at hmcgraths@gmail.com. It would be lovely to share hugs in person, but if you would feel more comfortable over Zoom please let us know.
Connecting withRev. Caroline
As Rev. Caroline recovers from a recent concussion, she needs to limit her screen time. As such, Cafe OUC is cancelled indefinitely. If you would like to speak with Rev. Caroline or arrange a pastoral call or visit, please call her at 613-292-4801. She would love to hear from you!’
Advance Notice to all Book Worms!In early May, date to be confirmed, Caroline will lead a discussion on the book “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman. We know the book cover is a little cheesy but commend you to consider purchasing this book or borrowing it from your local library (COVID restrictions permitting). We also assure you that the lessons learned can apply to a host of relationships. Looking forward to a great discussion. Enjoy the book and stay tuned for more information.
Many Gifts, One SpiritPlease join us to the 2022 Winter Meeting to be held on February 26, 9 am till noon.This is a time for listening, learning and reflection. You will hear from a variety of people with gifts to share, guided by God’s loving spirit. They offer support and strive for harmony for the people and communities in the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council. The lineup of presenters includes:
- Rev. Whitman Strong, Minister for Pastoral Relations
- Trish Barlow from the Housing Matters Working Group
- Diane Strickland, Compassion Fatigue Therapist and Community and Workplace Traumatologist.
In addition, there will be a discussion about Right Relations and an introduction to a new network in the EOORC called, Indigenous Reconciliation.Our new Minister supporting Visioning with Communities of Faith, Clusters and Social Justice and Outreach Networks, Rev. Dr. Peter Bartlett will offer the Theological Reflection. Since this meeting is meant to be a time of learning and listening, there will be no business discussed and no voting will take place. As with any EOORC gathering, you can look forward to music and prayers. See you on February 26th!REGISTER HERE
Ways to GiveWE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR CONGREGATION WITH THEIR TIME AND WITH THEIR FINANCIAL DONATIONSIf you would like to contribute financially, you can do so:• By cash or cheque to the main office• By pre-authorized monthly donations(call office for information)• Through your United Way contributions(simply choose OUC as the beneficiary)• E-transfer to:oucdonations@rogers.com• Using a credit card Through CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/16982
Black History Month
Black history is Canadian history! Black History Month seeks to be inclusive of the many historical experiences in the Black community in Canada, and the rich contributions the community has made to the foundation of our country. The United Church of Canada Foundation proudly celebrates the history of Black Canadians, including those in our United Church. It is also a time of lament, as we mourn the injustices of the past, and those that continue today. As a Church, we believe in forgiveness, reconciliation, and transformation and the potential to learn from stories and experiences. The Foundation is committed to listening deeply to these stories and working to remove the inequity and injustices created by racism to create a more just planet where everyone can share and celebrate God’s abundance. In June of 2020, Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall, member of the United Church of Canada Foundation Board, called on White people in the Church to put their love into action to counteract racism. You can read his words here: unitedchurchfoundation.ca/dear-white-people/
Grocery gift cards are available for all President’s Choice stores, Metro/Food Basics, Farm Boy and Tim Horton’s. These cards are an excellent fundraiser for OUC. Email Dianne Davis to order yours today!
Be in Touch!
We would love for you to reach out to us…. we are here for you!Website: http://orleansunitedchurch.comEmail: orleansunited@rogers.comPhone: 613-837-4321If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter, sign them up through the main office (call or email)
| Volume 52 January 13, 2022 |
| Upcoming Worship January 16th – Join us for worship on YouTube Orleans United Church – YouTube 2022 Offering Envelopes There are still 64 boxes of 2022 offering envelopes in the Church Office. Please help cut down on the need to hand deliver by picking up yours as soon as possible. If you are unable to pick up, please let Winston know at babin.a.w@bell.net or 613-830-8826. The Health and Education Committee hoped to host in-person sessions on mental health issues over these next few months. As that is not possible due to Covid, we will offer a number of on-line information sessions. The Royal Ottawais offering a free virtual broadcast series focused on providing mental health information and resources around a variety of themes. Register by clicking on the title below to be part of the Royal’s monthly conversations! Please take part yourself or share with a family member, friend who might benefit from this helpful information. The first is coming up very soon: January 26th, 2022 Winter blues, seeking sunlight — How to help with the winter blues Stayed tuned for our next session information coming in February. | Afghan Refugees in Ottawa A group of volunteers are helping the Afghans who helped our Canadian Forces and have had to flee their homeland. There are about 300 families in Ottawa and many are currently looking for housing as they have now received their Canadian documents. Here is the wish list. Please note we are not asking or accepting clothes and are only providing furniture to the families. We also ask items be washed, clean and not torn 1. Everything Kitchen (pots, pans, cutlery, toasters, microwaves, spatulas, dishes, glasses, mugs etc.) Kettles for boiling water is a big thing. 2. Beds – Mattresses and Box springs – singles, bunkbeds, double and queen size (singles are in huge demand as the families are quite large) cribs. We are not accepting king size beds at the moment. 3. Bedding – sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowslips 4. Dressers 5. Sofas and living room chairs 6. Dining Table and chairs 7. Lamps 8. Desks (not large ones please) In short – just about everything but clothes and king size mattresses. Drop off is across from St. Elias Greek Orthodox on Ridgewood Avenue. Warehouse is not always open so it would be best to contact me to arrange drop-off time. People can contact us at Afghanmove2022@gmail.com or telephone Mary Logan directly @ 613 853 1576. For those who are grieving the loss of a beloved pet, the Ottawa Humane Society is running online support groups: https://ottawahumane.ca/your-pet/pet-loss-support-groups/ |
January 10, 2022
Beloved Ones,
I have news to share. This news is not easy but it is news that I trust we can and will work through. We are a good community that way; one that consistently finds its way in faith.
I am writing to let you know that I have requested a change in pastoral relations that will go into effect July 31, 2022. I will work right up to June 28, 2022, and then I will take my vacation in July. That way, there will be no interruption of the important work we will do together in the next six months.
Change really is the only constant, or so it would seem in my life story anyway. The past five years that I have served with Molly and with all of you, we have navigated many changes in our faith community.
Being in this community has been a positive experience for me. Particularly, I want to express my gratitude for having been able to work next to Molly. Our collaboration has helped me grow as a minister. From Molly, I have learned what excellence in worship takes, what it is to be a faithful servant leader, and how to keep pace with a big, busy congregation. You are in good and capable hands.
As for me, God is leading me in a new direction. With God’s nudging and help, I plan to start a coaching practice serving clergy and other faith leaders, and I will be discerning how to continue serving as a UCC minister in the wider church. I am both excited and nervous about this new direction and welcome your prayers.
I will miss the “can-do” spirit of Orleans United Church. Over these past five years, I have enjoyed and appreciated working with such talented and caring people, including Scott, Kim and the lay leaders who have stepped up to serve in various ways. I have also consistently felt your love and support. Thank you.
God will certainly be present in this next chapter, guiding and leading in directions that we can’t quite see yet. I trust that this next chapter in OUC’s story will be full of God’s goodness and pray that you will be surprised and delighted by what comes next.
It has been an honour to serve you. I will miss you and I pray that your ministry as followers of Jesus’ Way will continue to flourish in the years to come.
In Christ,
Rev. Caroline