- Life and Work –April 2, 2020
Dear friends in Christ,
This week’s Life and Work includes the following:
- Prayers of the People
- Pastoral Care Response to Covid 19
- OUC Activities and Office Hours
- Worship Services
- Fellowship Coffee News
- Looking Ahead
Prayers of the People
Loving and Gracious God – We find ourselves in a strange place. At times scary and dark and filled with anxiety; and yet at times filled with grace and quiet and calm. We lean in and pray for each other, our community, our country, our world. We give thanks and pray for all those who are working tirelessly to provide service and care to others. We pray for leaders everywhere, that they discern wisely and carefully in the decisions that need to be made.
We thank God for the many blessings we have – for clergy who guide us and bring new, creative worship into our homes, for green shoots just starting to peek through the earth, for walks and waves in the neighborhood, for pictures from kiddos and pink comfort rocks – for moments of joy and blessing. Help us, God to stay calm, to slowly breathe in and out, to remember those in need, and to stay prayerful and vigilant through these strange days. There is so much that we do not know; what we do know is we are not alone, and that God is with us – thanks be to God.
Pastoral Care Response to Covid 19
An all member and adherent pastoral visitation began this week via email and telephone. We have 15 volunteers helping to make connections with each and every household on our current church contact list. If you choose to respond, your response will be shared with our clergy. So please be expecting an email or a phone call. We want to check in and see how you are, how your family is, and what it is you feel the church can do to support others and share God’s goodness in the community in this time of Covid 19.
That said, should you, or anyone you know be seeking pastoral care at this time, please contact the office telephone number, which the Ministry Team will be monitoring regularly. Please do not email the office with yours as emails may not be able to be monitored daily.
OUC Activities and Office Hours
Your clergy, Council and Ministry team leads continue to communicate regularly regarding the work, operations and activities of the church.
In terms of the OUC office, the building is closed, with only essential services being offered. In-person office business is not permitted. Regular check-ins of the premises are conducted through the Property Committee, and mail services continue with daily pick-ups. Signs have been posted on the doors with signage providing contact information for inquiries.
Women’s Retreat: Due to COVID-19, the Women’s Retreat is cancelled for this year. Registrants are invited to email donnapinke@hotmail.com to request a refund and include their mailing address. Refunds will be mailed to the address provided by the registrant.
Worship Services
Our second streaming worship was held on Sunday, March 29th, with over 300 views on YouTube. Most feedback from these services has been positive and our “streaming team” has received suggestions for future services. Thank you again to all of the clergy, to Scott for his marvelous music, and to David Clemis and David Patterson for their dedication and the long hours they put in to make this happen.
We will continue to offer online worship for the foreseeable future. This coming Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday, we will stream the service at 10 a.m. on our YouTube channel. Please find the link on our OUC website and Facebook page. We are busy working on an at-home Maundy Thursday worship, and video services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Fellowship Coffee News
Each week we will include updates and stories from our OUC community. Please let us know if you would like specific news shared as part of Life and Work updates.
This week’s joyful news is Denny Ruddick has been released from hospital and is now convalescing at home. Denny and Marie are grateful for your prayers and support.
Looking Ahead
We are making history. We will continue to monitor Public Health and Government of Canada updates and to share news with you, usually each Thursday. As we move into this next week, remember to hold one another in prayer, reach out to others and check-in on the vulnerable. Let us know how you are, share a picture, a story, a concern … remember … We are the church!
Finally, please consider those most vulnerable in our community. If you are able, consider making a monetary donation to Centre 507 and the Ottawa Food Bank. It is really easy to do online. The food bank donation link is www.ottawafoodbank.ca and the Centre 507 link is: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/centre-507-association-of-ottawa/#donate_now.
Please visit our website at www.orleansunitedchurch.com; or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OrleansUnitedChurch/?epa=SEARCH_BOX for updates.
God’s peace and grace to you,
Dot, Rev Caroline, & Rev Molly
OUC is very active. Come out and get involved in one or more of our many events, whether it be joining the book club, participating in a social, volunteering, attending a retreat, the men’s weekly breakfast, one of our many scrumptious dinners, soup lunches, knitting, sewing, crafting, bible studies, joining the youth group, and yes, the list goes on!