On Sunday, May 3, more than 200 guests enjoyed butter chicken and nan bread and many other culinary delights with ice cream for dessert. Not surprisingly, the dinners are a hit. Incumbent Archdeacon Monique Stone says more than 300 attended a dinner before Christmas last December.

The meals are an ecumenical and interfaith effort. Parishioners from Christ Church Bells Corners work together with volunteers from Bells Corners United Church, First United, Saint Martin des Porres Parish, and the Jami Omar Mosque to invite everyone and transport people from two nearby emergency shelters to the dinners using a rented school bus.

Alison Bridgewater, a volunteer from Bells Corners United, told Perspective that they sometimes say that they should rename Old Richmond Road as the ‘Road to Heaven’ because there are so many places of worship along it.

And they have more partners in the effort from South Nepean Community Health Centre and the City of Ottawa.

Another important partner is FAMSAC, the community food cupboard that operates on the ground floor of Hollyer House, an affordable housing project spearheaded by Christ Church Bells Corners and built on part of the church’s property where the church rectory formerly stood.

There is also a full commercial kitchen, so Stone says they can cook all the food there, which helps keeps the costs of the meals lower.

And in one more happy bit of symbiosis, guests were greeted at in the church hall by Joan Wright, president of the community gardens, and Cathy Séguin who helps run the program, which provides fresh vegetables to FAMSAC in the summer months. Cathy and Joan were handing out packets of seeds and small pots of soil, so guests could enjoy getting flowers or vegetables growing at home.

Christ Church Bells Corners is collaborating with their neighbours on three more community events:

June 13 (10 am to 1 pm) — Indigenous Month Community Celebration — Mādahòkì Farm Dancer Performance (10:30 to 11 am), Reconciliation Rock Paint Station and collaborative art project

Oct. 25 (3 pm to 5 pm) — Trunk or Treat — Costumes optional, free treats for all 

Dec. 20 (4 pm to 7 pm) — Holiday Meal — Free dinner for all — Halal, Kosher, gluten free

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