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	<title>Parish News Archives - Perspective</title>
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	<title>Parish News Archives - Perspective</title>
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		<title>Parishes in Quebec amalgamate to become the new Parish of the Holy Spirit</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jean Macnab]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:30:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[April 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish of the Holy Spirit]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180967</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Anglican Parish of West Quebec covers a wide geographical area. We have churches in Danford Lake, Radford and Shawville. We have chapels in Thorne Centre, Charteris, Greermount, Kazabazua and Wright. We also own several cemeteries where we hold yearly memorial services. For the past eight years, the Ven. Eric Morin has served our parish. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/">Parishes in Quebec amalgamate to become the new Parish of the Holy Spirit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Anglican Parish of West Quebec covers a wide geographical area. We have churches in Danford Lake, Radford and Shawville. We have chapels in Thorne Centre, Charteris, Greermount, Kazabazua and Wright. We also own several cemeteries where we hold yearly memorial services.</p>
<p>For the past eight years, the Ven. Eric Morin has served our parish. Last year, under the guidance of Executive Archdeacon Linda Hill and the direction of then-Bishop Shane Parker, our parish entered into amalgamation discussions with Christ Church Aylmer, St. Mary Magdalene Chelsea and Good Shepherd-Wakefield.</p>
<p>In the fall of 2025, all six churches passed a motion and agreed to amalgamate as one parish.</p>
<p>Our new parish is now called the Parish of the Holy Spirit.</p>
<p>In December 2025, our diocesan administrator Bishop Michael Bird announced that Archdeacon Eric Morin was appointed incumbent of the parish of St. Thomas Stittsville, effective March 23, 2026. Archdeacon Eric’s last Sunday in our parish is March 15, 2026.</p>
<p>In January, it was announced that the Rev. Dr. Sony Jabouin has been appointed as associate incumbent of our newly amalgamated Parish effective Feb 23, 2026.</p>
<p>For the last two years, under the guidance of Archdeacon Eric, we have had three lay people in training to become Licensed Lay Readers. — Jean Macnab, Warden</p>
<h3><strong>A multi-point parish</strong></h3>
<p>Parishes in the diocese located in Quebec have now officially amalgamated. The new parish has been named <strong>Parish of the Holy Spirit</strong><strong>/ Paroisse du Saint-Esprit.</strong></p>
<p>The new parish will be made up of the congregations of:</p>
<p>The former Parish of West Quebec</p>
<p>St. Paul’s Shawville</p>
<p>Holy Trinity Danford Lake</p>
<p>Holy Trinity Radford, with the chapels of:</p>
<p>St. George’s Thorne Centre</p>
<p>St. James Wright</p>
<p>St. Matthew’s Charteris</p>
<p>St. Stephen’s Greermount</p>
<p>St. Stephen’s Kazabazua</p>
<p>The former Parish of Chelsea-Lascelles-Wakefield</p>
<p>St. Mary Magdalene Chelsea</p>
<p>Good Shepherd Wakefield</p>
<p>The Chapel of Holy Trinity Lascelles</p>
<p>The former Parish of Christ Church Aylmer with the chapel of:</p>
<p>St. Luke’s Eardley</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/christ-church-aylmer-la/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Christ-Church-Aylmer-LA-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" data-attachment-id="180972" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/christ-church-aylmer-la/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Christ-Church-Aylmer-LA.jpg" data-orig-size="750,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Christ Church Aylmer &amp;#8211; LA" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Christ Church Aylmer&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Christ-Church-Aylmer-LA-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Christ-Church-Aylmer-LA.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/good-shepherd-wakefield/'><img decoding="async" width="150" height="150" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Good-Shepherd-Wakefield-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail" alt="" data-attachment-id="180971" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/good-shepherd-wakefield/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Good-Shepherd-Wakefield.jpg" data-orig-size="750,999" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Good Shepherd Wakefield" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Good Shepherd Wakefield&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Good-Shepherd-Wakefield-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Good-Shepherd-Wakefield.jpg" /></a>

<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/parishes-in-quebec-amalgamate-to-become-the-new-parish-of-the-holy-spirit/">Parishes in Quebec amalgamate to become the new Parish of the Holy Spirit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180967</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Aging with Grace: Community conversations to support older adults through changes and choices</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/aging-with-grace-community-conversations-to-support-older-adults-through-changes-and-choices/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perspective]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 14:15:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[All Saints' Westboro]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[March 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180772</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>All Saints&#8217; Westboro (ASW) launched another initiative last year aimed at better caring for and supporting older adult parishioners in their community. All Saints&#8217; associate incumbent the Rev. Chung Yan Lam and the pastoral care team conducted a survey of ASW parishioners asking how the church could best support them. Their thoughtful responses identified about [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/aging-with-grace-community-conversations-to-support-older-adults-through-changes-and-choices/">Aging with Grace: Community conversations to support older adults through changes and choices</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>All Saints&#8217; Westboro (ASW) launched another initiative last year aimed at better caring for and supporting older adult parishioners in their community.</p>
<p>All Saints&#8217; associate incumbent the Rev. Chung Yan Lam and the pastoral care team conducted a survey of ASW parishioners asking how the church could best support them. Their thoughtful responses identified about 10 areas where additional support or conversation would be valuable.</p>
<figure id="attachment_180843" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-180843" style="width: 266px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="180843" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/aging-with-grace-community-conversations-to-support-older-adults-through-changes-and-choices/7-donna-rourke_diocesan-synod_ottawa-on_october-20-2023_0036-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1.jpg" data-orig-size="666,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="7. Donna Rourke_Diocesan Synod_Ottawa, ON_October 20, 2023_0036-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Donna Rourke has been sharing her training and experience in workshops and community conversation at the west end parish. Photo: The Ven. Chris Dunn&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1-266x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1.jpg" class="size-medium wp-image-180843" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1-266x400.jpg" alt="Donna Rourke" width="266" height="400" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1-266x400.jpg 266w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/7.-Donna-Rourke_Diocesan-Synod_Ottawa-ON_October-20-2023_0036-1.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-180843" class="wp-caption-text">Donna Rourke has been sharing her training and experience in workshops and community conversation at the west end parish. Photo: The Ven. Chris Dunn</figcaption></figure>
<p>To help bring these ideas to life, Donna Rourke was invited to facilitate a series of conversations and workshops. She brings both professional training and personal experience, holding diplomas in Gerontology and Palliative Care from Durham College and a certificate in Managing Conflict from Algonquin College. In an interview with <em>Perspective</em>, she shared that the topic is one of personal interest to her as well because she and her brothers are currently accompanying their mother as she navigates the complexities of the healthcare system. “Together, our goal is to help her age with grace—in the right place, which for her is the home of my youngest brother,” she said.</p>
<p>Rourke described the events that have taken place so far:</p>
<p><strong>Exploring Ottawa housing options</strong></p>
<p>The first interactive workshop, Housing Options in Ottawa, was based on a guide prepared by the Council on Aging’s Age-Friendly Housing Committee. The Council on Aging brings together older adults and community partners from across Ottawa to improve the wellbeing of seniors. The Age-Friendly Housing Committee, in particular, focuses on what are known as the four A’s of housing—ensuring that housing is affordable, accessible, appropriate, and available.</p>
<p>During the workshop, we invited participants to reflect on where and how they want to live as they age. “Aging in the right place” is not only central to personal wellbeing but also a cornerstone of an age-friendly community. We emphasized the importance of planning early—before a crisis forces a move—so that decisions can be made with peace of mind and a sense of empowerment. Ultimately, it is each individual’s decision where they want to call home.</p>
<p><strong>Fostering connection and belonging</strong></p>
<p>Our second event took a more social and experiential approach. Instead of a traditional workshop, it served as a model of the importance of connection and belonging—key elements of healthy aging. The goal was simple: to help participants feel less isolated and more engaged with their community.</p>
<p><strong>Looking ahead: Resources to help you stay in your home</strong></p>
<p>Our third session, Resources to Help You Stay in Your Home, was postponed due to an unexpected heating issue and subsequent flood at ASW but will be rescheduled soon. This workshop will explore a wide range of supports available to older adults who wish to remain at home.</p>
<p>Topics will include Ontario Health at Home, the Geriatric Assessment Outreach Day Hospital, safety and accessibility options, financial assistance programs, dementia-related supports, mental and emotional wellbeing, as well as food and transportation services. One parishioner will also share her family’s story about adapting their home to make it more accessible.</p>
<p>The goal of this session—and indeed the whole series—is to provide participants with knowledge, confidence, and encouragement to make informed decisions based on their own needs, preferences, and values.</p>
<p>Following the Rowe and Kahn model of Successful Aging, the Aging with Grace series invites participants to continue making positive lifestyle choices—embracing healthy eating, appropriate physical activity, active social engagement, mental stimulation, and the nurturing of spiritual life, however that looks for each individual.</p>
<p>Aging with Grace reflects the compassion and commitment that make All Saints&#8217; Westboro a caring community. It is about learning, sharing, and walking together through the later seasons of life. While aging can bring challenges, it also opens opportunities for connection, reflection, growth—and, above all, grace.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/aging-with-grace-community-conversations-to-support-older-adults-through-changes-and-choices/">Aging with Grace: Community conversations to support older adults through changes and choices</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180772</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ottawa parishes host Black History celebrations</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Perspective]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:21:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Black History Month]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[March 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St John the Evangelist Ottawa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. Thomas the Apostle - Alta Vista]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180895</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>St. Thomas the Apostle: Concert, speaker and book study As part of our Black History Month celebrations, St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church in Ottawa welcomed the London Trio Plus Ensemble to perform a concert in our sanctuary. In the afternoon of Feb. 8, we were blessed by the powerful vocals and beautiful harmonies of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/">Ottawa parishes host Black History celebrations</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>St. Thomas the Apostle: Concert, speaker and book study</h3>
<p>As part of our Black History Month celebrations, St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church in Ottawa welcomed the London Trio Plus Ensemble to perform a concert in our sanctuary. In the afternoon of Feb. 8, we were blessed by the powerful vocals and beautiful harmonies of this group as they shared spirituals and gospel songs.</p>
<p>The original three London sisters who formed the group, The London Trio, added family members and friends to create the “Plus.” It was a truly special afternoon where the audience swayed and clapped in time to the music. We were also invited to stand and join in singing ‘Lift Every Voice’ and ‘<em>Siyahamba</em> (We Are Marching)’.</p>
<p>Other ways of marking Black History Month included guest speakers and a book study on Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley which will continue through Lent. We are grateful to the Black History Month Committee led by Dr. Joy Mighty for planning this, and the many other events we held throughout the month of February. — The Rev. Maria Nightingale</p>
<p>(Thanks to the Rev. Maria Nightingale for sharing these great photos!)</p>

<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06419/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="266" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419-400x266.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Dr. Joy Mighty (right) thanks The London Trio Plus." srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419-400x266.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419-768x511.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180911" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06419/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,666" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DSC06419" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Dr. Joy Mighty (right) thanks The London Trio Plus.  Photo: Maria Nightingale&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419-400x266.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06419.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06335/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="266" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335-400x266.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="The London Trio Plus" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335-400x266.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335-768x511.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180910" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06335/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,666" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DSC06335" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The London Trio Plus  Photo: The Rev. Maria Nightingale&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335-400x266.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06335.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06355/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="266" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355-400x266.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="The London Trio Plus" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355-400x266.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355-768x511.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180909" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06355/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,666" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DSC06355" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The London Trio Plus. Photo; The Rev. Maria Nightingale&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355-400x266.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06355.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06347/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="266" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347-400x266.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="The London Trio Plus" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347-400x266.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347-768x511.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180908" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/dsc06347/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,666" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="DSC06347" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The London Trio Plus. Photo; The Rev. Maria Nightingale&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347-400x266.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DSC06347.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/josiah-davies-maria-nightingale/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="266" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale-400x266.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Josiah Davies speaking at St. Thomas the Apostle" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale-400x266.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale-768x511.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180912" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/josiah-davies-maria-nightingale/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale.jpg" data-orig-size="1000,666" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="Josiah Davies &amp;#8211; Maria Nightingale" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Parishioner Josiah Davies shared some of his insights from growing up in Liberia and reflected on the impacts of colonialism. Photo: The Rev. Maria Nightingale&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale-400x266.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Josiah-Davies-Maria-Nightingale.jpg" /></a>

<h3>St. John the Evangelist: Drumming, singing, dancing and joy</h3>
<p>On Feb. 15, St. John the Evangelist in downtown Ottawa hosted a Black History Celebration. The church was filled with drumming, singing, dancing and joy. Special thanks to Petr Maur for sharing these wonderful photos.</p>
<p>The Rev. Canon Gary van der Meer shared a view of the celebration in the weekly parish newsletter, thanking all the talented guests and people who brought the celebration together:</p>
<ul>
<li>Batimbo Percussion Drums! They love to be booked for events!</li>
<li>Singers and Dancers: Valentine, Giselle, Cynthia, Ciella, Francine</li>
<li>Our organizers: Deborah Nasasira, Clementine Mahirwe, Nick Busch</li>
</ul>

<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-john-the-evangelist-singers/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180905" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-john-the-evangelist-singers/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St.John the Evangelist &amp;#8211; singers" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.John-the-Evangelist-singers.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummer-2/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180904" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummer-2/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Drummer 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummer-2.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummers-3/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180903" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummers-3/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Drummers 3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-3.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-singers-1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180902" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-singers-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Singers 1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Singers-1.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummers-4/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180901" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-drummers-4/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Drummers 4" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Drummers-4.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-dancer1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180900" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-dancer1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Dancer1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancer1.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-gary-1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180899" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-gary-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Gary 1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-1.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-dancers-3/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180898" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-dancers-3/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Dancers 3" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Dancers-3.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-gary-2/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="The Rev. Canon Gary van der Meer drumming" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180897" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-gary-2/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Gary 2" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Rev. Canon Gary van der Meer drums with guest artists Batimbo Percussion Drums. Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-Gary-2.jpeg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-group-phot/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="400" height="267" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot-400x267.jpeg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot.jpeg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" data-attachment-id="180896" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-johns-group-phot/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot.jpeg" data-orig-size="1024,683" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. John&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; group phot" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Photo: Courtesy Petr Maur&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot-400x267.jpeg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Johns-group-phot.jpeg" /></a>

<p><strong>St. Mark&#8217;s: Food for thought, fun and fellowship</strong></p>
<p>St. Mark&#8217;s has rich traditions for observing Black History Month, including inviting inspiring guests to speak at Sunday worship services. This year&#8217;s speakers — Sophia Chiboka, Rawlson King and Yolanda Parsons — shared reflections on the theme: &#8220;Honouring the Past, Empowering the Present, Inspiring the Future.&#8221; Parishioners and guests also celebrate by gathering for a fabulous potluck lunch that features flavours from African and Caribbean cultures. The Rev. Mary-Cate Garden celebrated her first Black History Month as incumbent of St. Mark&#8217;s and helped cut the cake (see photo gallery.)</p>

<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-sophia-chiboka/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka-300x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Sophia Chiboka" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-attachment-id="180941" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-sophia-chiboka/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka.jpg" data-orig-size="750,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. Mark&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Sophia Chiboka" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Sophia Chiboka highlighted important some Black figures in Canadian history from the 1600s to the present.  Photo: Suzanne Bisson&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Sophia-Chiboka.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-rawlson-king/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King-300x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Rawlson King" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-attachment-id="180939" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-rawlson-king/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King.jpg" data-orig-size="750,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHm &amp;#8211; St. Mark&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Rawlson King" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Rawlson King is Ottawa&amp;#8217;s first Black city councillor.  Photo: Suzanne Bisson&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHm-St.-Marks-Rawlson-King.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-yolande-parsons/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons-300x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Yolande Parsons at the pulpit" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-attachment-id="180940" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-yolande-parsons/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons.jpg" data-orig-size="750,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. Mark&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; Yolande Parsons" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Yolande Parsons said empowering the present requires standing for justice, speaking truth in love, and creating spaces where every person—especially our children—&lt;br /&gt;
knows they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Photo Suzanne Bisson&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-Yolande-Parsons.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-food/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food-300x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="People serving and receiving lunch at a buffet table" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-attachment-id="180937" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-food/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food.jpg" data-orig-size="750,999" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM- St. Mark&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; food" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;A feast of African and Caribbean dishes. Photo: Suzanne Bisson&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-food.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-cake/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="300" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake-300x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Four people cut the cake" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake-300x400.jpg 300w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-attachment-id="180938" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/bhm-st-marks-cake/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake.jpg" data-orig-size="750,999" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="BHM &amp;#8211; St. Mark&amp;#8217;s &amp;#8211; cake" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The ceremonical cutting of the cake. Photo; Suzanne Bisson&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake-300x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/BHM-St.-Marks-cake.jpg" /></a>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/ottawa-parishes-host-black-history-celebrations/">Ottawa parishes host Black History celebrations</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180895</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>St. George’s Clayton breakfasts bring the community together and raise funds to help others</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-georges-clayton-breakfasts-bring-the-community-together-and-raise-funds-to-help-others/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leigh Anne Williams]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:20:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[March 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. George's Clayton]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180768</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>After the pandemic, when people were starting to gather again at St. George’s Anglican Church in the village of Clayton, a small group of parishioners discussed ways to do outreach and to continue to connect with residents in the area. The parish used to host a Valentine’s Day dance every year that was very popular, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-georges-clayton-breakfasts-bring-the-community-together-and-raise-funds-to-help-others/">St. George’s Clayton breakfasts bring the community together and raise funds to help others</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After the pandemic, when people were starting to gather again at St. George’s Anglican Church in the village of Clayton, a small group of parishioners discussed ways to do outreach and to continue to connect with residents in the area.</p>
<p>The parish used to host a Valentine’s Day dance every year that was very popular, but the numbers of people attending the church were down, with only 14 to 20 people, they couldn’t manage an event like that.</p>
<p>They decided to host a monthly community breakfast in the church hall, which has a full kitchen. They started off with pancakes, eggs and sausages and later added hash browns. In the beginning when they started the meals, they were pleased to welcome 15 to 20 people.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="180823" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-georges-clayton-breakfasts-bring-the-community-together-and-raise-funds-to-help-others/4-clayton2-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1.jpg" data-orig-size="996,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="4. Clayton2-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1-398x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1.jpg" class="alignright wp-image-180823 size-medium" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1-398x400.jpg" alt="" width="398" height="400" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1-398x400.jpg 398w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1-768x771.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/4.-Clayton2-1.jpg 996w" sizes="(max-width: 398px) 100vw, 398px" /></p>
<p>But word of a great hot breakfast spread, and now three years on, they usually expect to feed 50 to 60 people, says Alison Wark, one of the parishioners and organizers, who runs the program.</p>
<p>There are no restaurants in Clayton, so the monthly breakfasts are great time for people in the community to get together. Wark said that they always have a radio on while they are cooking and serving. Recently, she noticed that she couldn’t hear it anymore. Kathy Lowe, the other organizer, suggested turning the volume up, but Wark had just pointed it out as a good sign that the volume of visiting in the hall had completely drowned out the radio.</p>
<p>Aside from the social benefit to the community, the breakfasts have also benefitted community in other ways.</p>
<p>The program costs are quite low because much of the food, including the maple syrup, is donated by local farmers. (The farmer who supplies the eggs now helps cook them to order, so people can choose between scrambled and fried!)</p>
<p>There’s no charge for the breakfasts, but people can and do leave a free will offering. After the first six months, the fund had grown to $700, which they donated to school breakfast programs in the area. Last year, the fund was $4,000, which they used to donate to local food banks, school breakfast programs, and to help buy Christmas gifts for children in two families through local organizer Cyndi Porter’s Angel Tree fund.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-georges-clayton-breakfasts-bring-the-community-together-and-raise-funds-to-help-others/">St. George’s Clayton breakfasts bring the community together and raise funds to help others</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180768</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Let more games begin &#8230;  at St. John’s in Smiths Falls</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/let-more-games-begin-at-st-johns-in-smiths-falls/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leigh Anne Williams]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:45:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[February 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Future Fund]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. John the Evangelist Smiths Falls]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180632</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Rev. Dr. Thomas Brauer, incumbent of St. John the Evangelist in Smiths Falls, told members of Synod last fall how receiving a Future Fund grant was helping the parish to enhance and expand a popular games night program in the parish. “Back in 2018, prior to the COVID pandemic, people became aware of a [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/let-more-games-begin-at-st-johns-in-smiths-falls/">Let more games begin &#8230;  at St. John’s in Smiths Falls</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Rev. Dr. Thomas Brauer, incumbent of St. John the Evangelist in Smiths Falls, told members of Synod last fall how receiving a Future Fund grant was helping the parish to enhance and expand a popular games night program in the parish.</p>
<p>“Back in 2018, prior to the COVID pandemic, people became aware of a different epidemic of loneliness. And the members of our congregation, working in partnership with Canon Catherine Ascah and with many in the neighbourhood, worked on the question of ‘how do we answer the epidemic of loneliness?’ And Games Night was born.”</p>
<p>He described the atmosphere of hearing the tick-tack sound of discs hitting pegs and landing in the holes on wooden crockinole boards and interspersed with the flip-flop sounds of cards being played and shuffled, and the sounds of people having fun together.</p>
<p>“On the first Friday of each month, the parish hall is available to parishioners and guests to participate in any number of games. Games that they might bring with them, card games, board games, table games, even shuffleboard if they can draw it on a floor themselves. There’s even food provided and refreshments. Nobody has to leave because they’re hungry,” Brauer said.</p>
<p>“Over time, it was observed that these events were achieving the initial goal of connection and relationship with community building among congregants. It was also observed that community and relationships were being built with non-congregants. The guests of church members who were accepting invitations to join in. The parish leadership, the council and corporation, and the congregation as a whole have been encouraged by the positive impacts of Games Night. And so, we sought support from the Future Fund Grant, and we were honoured to receive that support.”</p>
<p>Play is widely known to be essential to human development and well -being, Brauer said, but “it is often overlooked by churches and social organizations that seek to serve those who experience deprivation and poverty.” While the church might overlook it, God does not, he said, quoting a few passages from Scripture. “Zechariah 8: The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Ecclesiastes 3, “For everything there is a season, including a time to laugh and a time to dance. Matthew, “Jesus says, let the little children come to me for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”</p>
<p>“Play is central to who we are,” Brauer said. “So, this fund isn’t just a fund to get us working harder. It’s not just a fund to get us to do the right things. It is a fund to let us play. But not just us. To be able to play with those who may not have the chance to play on their own. For those whose situations in life are so awkward and so complex that the idea of even having access to play is unthinkable. And so, with this grant from the Future Fund, we are able not only to continue that tick tack of fellowship and the shuffle sound of friendship and fun and communion, but also to extend and expand the soundtrack of godly playfulness in a context of isolation, loneliness and deprivation.”</p>
<p>Brauer noted that Smiths Falls is a town that is counted by many as one of the poorest in Ontario with reports of 25 % food insecurity, 20 % social assistance, making the week possible. “With this grant, Games Night can grow to include movie night, as we are able to purchase better equipment and pay for film licenses. With this grant, Games Night can grow by printing invitations that can reach our friends and neighbors further beyond our pews. With this grant, Games Night can grow by making available new games, games we wouldn’t have ever thought possible as new friends join us and bring with them their desires for hope and play in community with us.”</p>
<p>The grant will also make it possible for the parish to buy coffee makers, he said. “Coffee makers would be now a gift to add caffeine to our communion,” he said wryly. It would also make it possible to expand the program to happen every week, not just once a month “so that new expressions of playfulness and fellowship can be enjoyed by so many,” he added, thanking the diocese once again for its support.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/let-more-games-begin-at-st-johns-in-smiths-falls/">Let more games begin &#8230;  at St. John’s in Smiths Falls</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180632</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>St. James’ monthly Gathering is a hit in Manotick</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-james-monthly-gathering-is-a-hit-in-manotick/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leigh Anne Williams]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:20:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[February 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[St. James Manotick]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180627</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>On the second Monday of each month, St. James Manotick invites members of the surrounding community into its parish hall for a hearty lunch, live music, some fun and fellowship. Sharing the story of The Gathering, as it has come to be known, with members of Synod last fall, the Rev. John Holgate, incumbent of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-james-monthly-gathering-is-a-hit-in-manotick/">St. James’ monthly Gathering is a hit in Manotick</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On the second Monday of each month, St. James Manotick invites members of the surrounding community into its parish hall for a hearty lunch, live music, some fun and fellowship.</p>
<p>Sharing the story of The Gathering, as it has come to be known, with members of Synod last fall, the Rev. John Holgate, incumbent of St. James, said that contextual mission involves asking the question: “How is God calling us to proclaim the good news in a way that is shaped by the realities and concerns of our current context, our time and our place?” He described Manotick as a former village that has become a sort of far suburb of Ottawa. In 2023, in the wake of the pandemic, people were still nervous about public gatherings, sometimes still wearing masks.</p>
<p>The idea for encouraging people to start getting together again began with the Rev. Bill Byers, a retired priest of the diocese, who is the honorary assistant at St. James. “It really struck me about how many people felt isolated and were not coming out to things… We had been a community that got together, often several times in the week, and we weren&#8217;t doing that anymore. I was also widowed, and as a result I was feeling the same sort of thing,” he told Perspective. “I thought if we could get together for the whole purpose of just being together for food and fun and fellowship … and have no other ulterior motive than just simply to be hospitable and enjoy each other&#8217;s presence.”</p>
<figure id="attachment_180629" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-180629" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="180629" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-james-monthly-gathering-is-a-hit-in-manotick/6-st-james-manotick-santa-bill-byers/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers.jpg" data-orig-size="999,809" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="6. St. James Manotick- Santa &amp;#038; Bill Byers" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Santa Claus giving the Rev. Bill Byers a pat on the back for his work getting the Gathering started. Photo: Contributed&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers-400x324.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers.jpg" class="size-medium wp-image-180629" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers-400x324.jpg" alt="Santa Claus giving the Rev. Bill Byers a pat on the back .Photo: Contributed" width="400" height="324" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers-400x324.jpg 400w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers-768x622.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/6.-St.-James-Manotick-Santa-Bill-Byers.jpg 999w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-180629" class="wp-caption-text">Santa Claus giving the Rev. Bill Byers a pat on the back for his work getting the Gathering started. Photo: Contributed</figcaption></figure>
<p>Byers suggested it and the parish liked the idea. He led the way to create a monthly gathering with a meal, entertainment and fellowship.  The parish agreed to underwrite the costs and to treat the event as an outreach effort. They spread the word primarily through the church’s channels and hoped for 40 people to attend. Seventy-five registered.</p>
<p>The Gathering is now in its third year with steady attendance of 85 to 100 people, about 35% of whom are non-parishioners. It not only draws the neighbours, but some people drive from Barrhaven and Bells Corners. “Apparently some sort of need is being met,” Holgate said. “We have a lot of fun themes… We celebrate fall, Christmas, Valentine&#8217;s Day and St. Patrick&#8217;s Day and Easter. We have a summer picnic. Interestingly, I sometimes hear that our themed events are the only opportunity that some attendees have to observe those holidays or those seasons.”</p>
<p>The Gathering continues to grow. Holgate said that the Christmas event in December was their largest attendance yet, and the parish hall was filled to capacity.</p>
<p>It’s a simple formula, Holgate said. “You get a hearty lunch, you get entertainment, which is usually musical, Eastern Ontario talent. We pay the talent. It&#8217;s free to attend. We do accept free will donations. And it happens every month on a consistent day.</p>
<figure id="attachment_177183" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-177183" style="width: 325px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="177183" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/june-2024-clergy-news/2-synod-2022-john-holgate-dunn/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468.jpg" data-orig-size="666,820" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="2. Synod 2022 &amp;#8211; John Holgate. Dunn" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Rev. John Holgate&lt;br /&gt;
Photo: The Ven Chris Dunn&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468-325x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468.jpg" class="size-medium wp-image-177183" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468-325x400.jpg" alt="The Rev. John Holgate" width="325" height="400" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468-325x400.jpg 325w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2.-Synod-2022-John-Holgate.-Dunn-e1716260676468.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 325px) 100vw, 325px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-177183" class="wp-caption-text">The Rev. John Holgate<br />Photo: The Ven Chris Dunn</figcaption></figure>
<p>“During the meal, I eat on the fly, wandering around the tables, just saying hello to people. We don&#8217;t do any sort of overt evangelization. The only church-related things we ever do are saying grace before the meal and occasionally pushing baked goods from the ACW. But at nearly every event, … at least one person brings up some kind of pastoral ministry-related concern. As I wander, I hear … about the people who come for respite care away from looking after their spouse at home, or the people who bring their unwell spouse with them for what is sometimes a once-monthly outing for that person. People who are lonely while living alone, even those who are living in a retirement home. They&#8217;re alone in a community of 150 people in the same building, people who are fresh out of hospital or who are about to go in….Some become new parishioners,” he said.</p>
<p>It’s a self-sustaining ministry, Holgate added. Byers organized three teams do the cooking, as well as set up and tear down teams. “We have the entertainment finding person or the impresario… who actually … belongs to the Catholic church in town. Only one event ever has lost money … and that was during an ice storm….We have the rarest of programs, an outreach ministry that makes money, even though that isn&#8217;t the goal,” Holgate said.</p>
<p>“How can we tell that we&#8217;re building community? …The noise level is incredible. The feeling is great. People moving from table to table to say hello to people they haven&#8217;t seen in a month, sometimes in a year. We surveyed people a year ago to ask what they would like to change about the gathering. The overwhelming response was to change nothing, leave it alone, because it&#8217;s so simple — food, fun, fellowship.”</p>
<h4>Building new worshipping communities: the challenge</h4>
<p>At diocesan Synod last fall, Archdeacon Mark Whittall reminded everyone of “the vision that we set out for ourselves at Synod 2023: We will be a spirit-led church equipped for contextual mission. And at that time, we gave ourselves two goals. First, that by 2028, every parish in our diocese will be engaged in a new or renewed contextual mission initiative. And second, that by the 135th anniversary of our Diocese, which is in 2032, we will have created 35 new worshipping communities.”</p>
<p>The Contextual Mission Subcommittee, which Whittall co-chairs, provides parishes with resources to support contextual mission. “We offer you resources for prayer, courses for both leaders, individuals, and for parishes, parish groups, facilitation and coaching, a guide to help you with your discernment, and even cold, hard cash — Future Fund grants to fund your initiatives.”</p>
<p>Although the goals might seem challenging or even daunting, Anglicans have a deep history of serving their communities, and Whittall noted that the diocesan church was well on its way to meeting those goals. “We have initiated intentional communities, innovative worship services, forest church, meal programs, jazz vespers, playgroups, wish lists, milk bag mats, and the list goes on.”</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/st-james-monthly-gathering-is-a-hit-in-manotick/">St. James’ monthly Gathering is a hit in Manotick</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180627</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Centre 440 in Hawkesbury’s hot meal program launches with a boost from the Future Fund</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/centre-440-in-hawkesburys-hot-meal-program-launches-with-a-boost-from-the-future-fund/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leigh Anne Williams]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 14:15:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[January 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish of the Lower Valley]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180462</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Centre 440, a new ministry in the Parish of the Lower Valley, launched in mid-November and is now serving hot, healthy lunches every Saturday in the hall of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hawkesbury, Ont. It received a boost of support with a $10,000 diocesan Future Fund grant. Three of the core team of organizers [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/centre-440-in-hawkesburys-hot-meal-program-launches-with-a-boost-from-the-future-fund/">Centre 440 in Hawkesbury’s hot meal program launches with a boost from the Future Fund</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Centre 440, a new ministry in the Parish of the Lower Valley, launched in mid-November and is now serving hot, healthy lunches every Saturday in the hall of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hawkesbury, Ont. It received a boost of support with a $10,000 diocesan Future Fund grant.</p>
<p>Three of the core team of organizers spoke with <em>Perspective</em> after their third week of serving the hot meals, excited to see the program up and running and growing. News of the meals is spreading. The first week, they served 20 people, by the third it was 36, including some seniors and families with children.</p>
<p>In October, Carolyn Coffin-Caputo spoke in a group presentation on contextual mission at diocesan Synod, and she told the story of how Centre 440 was created. In the fall of 2024, the parish priest at that time, the Rev. Bob Albert worked on visioning with the congregations to help them ask “Who are we? … And what do we want to do as a church?’ In time, they discerned that they wanted to prioritize helping people who are homeless or coping with low income, and they focused on Hawkesbury, a town of about 11,000 where they knew there was a need for more social supports.</p>
<p>The next step was to research what was needed and what role the church could play. “We didn’t want to duplicate something that was already in place. We were ready to help an existing service, add on to an existing service, or create a new service,” Coffin-Caputo said.  A small group met with key people in Hawkesbury — Victim Services, the Social Services Department of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, a Hawkesbury food bank and the Eastern Ontario Health Unit.</p>
<p>Penny Male-Kallio shared some of the local statistics. In the fall, there were more than 120 people in the Prescott-Russell area who were homeless — in temporary situations such as couch-surfing or living outdoors, about half of them were in Hawkesbury. When asked how the church could help, the agencies all told the group the same thing: Hawkesbury needs a place where people can get a hot meal.</p>
<p>With that in mind, the parish team visited Centre 105 in Cornwall to listen and learn about the breakfast program that now runs there four days a week. Inspired, they followed Centre 105’s example. In name, Centre 440 refers to its address in Holy Trinity Church at 440 Stanley Street, just as Centre 105’s name comes from its address at Trinity Church in Cornwall. They are also following in Centre 105’s footsteps, adapting the motto to: “Providing lunch, creating community.” They also visited Cornwall’s Agape Centre.</p>
<p>Part of the Future Fund grant will be used to pay for a commercial dishwasher and its installation in the church kitchen. “Up until now, we’ve been doing it all by hand,” said Penny Male-Kallio. Holy Trinity already had a good kitchen, but Centre 440 has required additional freezers and fridges. The kitchen will be certified, so they can cook on-site, which will also be a benefit to the church for rental use.</p>
<figure id="attachment_180465" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-180465" style="width: 150px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="180465" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/centre-440-in-hawkesburys-hot-meal-program-launches-with-a-boost-from-the-future-fund/3-kitchen-scene-1-2/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3.-Kitchen-scene-1-1-e1766804065846.jpg" data-orig-size="597,572" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="3. Kitchen scene-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Marie Beaudet has some fun in the kitchen while preparing one of Centre 440&amp;#8217;s delicious meals. &lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3.-Kitchen-scene-1-1-e1766804065846-400x383.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3.-Kitchen-scene-1-1-e1766804065846.jpg" class="wp-image-180465 size-thumbnail" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3.-Kitchen-scene-1-1-e1766804065846-150x150.jpg" alt="Marie Beaudet has some fun in the kitchen while preparing one of Centre 440's delicious meals." width="150" height="150" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-180465" class="wp-caption-text">Marie Beaudet has some fun in the kitchen while preparing one of Centre 440&#8217;s delicious meals.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The parish’s new incumbent the Rev. Felix Longdon is onboard and a strong supporter.</p>
<p>Centre 440 is also getting a lot of support from the community, said Ron Kallio. “It’s overwhelming, just the words of encouragement, the monetary donations, the in-kind donations. It just started flowing in. We created a Facebook presence. I guess the word is out there.”</p>
<p>The generosity in the community has been so great that the Centre hasn’t had to buy much food yet. “What I think our biggest concern is, and what a problem to have, is that donations of food have already overwhelmed us for storage space. We’ve had farms donating Angus beef, grocery stores donating ham and meat, and breads coming from bakeries,” Coffin-Caputo said.</p>
<p>She added that the Rotary Club had also donated $1,500. Individuals, both from the church and the wider community, have been donating financially and volunteering to help prepare and serve the lunches.</p>
<p>They were planning for a special Christmas meal — turkey, ham and all the fixings to be served on Dec. 20. The central focus is on providing hot meals, but they have distributed some donations of winter clothing to people in need as well.</p>
<p>It is still too early for a sense of community to have developed among the participants coming to the meals, but Coffin-Caputo said those who have come can’t wait to come back and they are bringing others with them.</p>
<p>Feedback from the community is very positive. One person wrote on the Facebook page: “I think this ministry is the core of what a parish should be doing. Everything else including worship comes after service to neighbours.”</p>
<p>The team is energized and happy that their vision has been put into action. “We’re passionate about it,” said Coffin-Caputo. “It really is meeting a need, and it’s well supported…. We truly are blessed!”</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/centre-440-in-hawkesburys-hot-meal-program-launches-with-a-boost-from-the-future-fund/">Centre 440 in Hawkesbury’s hot meal program launches with a boost from the Future Fund</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180462</post-id>	</item>
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		<title>Jazz vespers draw a new worshipping community together</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Leigh Anne Williams]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:45:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[January 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish of South Carleton]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180447</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Parish of South Carleton received a Future Fund grant of $4,085 to help expand its jazz vespers program. “We’re very grateful for the grant and support from our Diocese,” the Rev. Allan Budzin told Perspective. Budzin is a jazz fan. When he was a priest in Toronto, his parish there offered jazz vespers twice [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/">Jazz vespers draw a new worshipping community together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Parish of South Carleton received a Future Fund grant of $4,085 to help expand its jazz vespers program. “We’re very grateful for the grant and support from our Diocese,” the Rev. Allan Budzin told <em>Perspective</em>.</p>
<p>Budzin is a jazz fan. When he was a priest in Toronto, his parish there offered jazz vespers twice a month for 13 years. Inspired by that experience, “I thought we should take the risk and offer jazz vespers in a rural setting.”</p>
<figure id="attachment_180451" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-180451" style="width: 266px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-attachment-id="180451" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-rev-b-welcome-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1.jpg" data-orig-size="666,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="1. Rev B welcome-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;The Rev. Al. Budzin welcomes everyone to a jazz vespers service. Photo: Eric Stewart&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1-266x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1.jpg" class="size-medium wp-image-180451" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1-266x400.jpg" alt="The Rev. Al Budzin welcomes everyone." width="266" height="400" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1-266x400.jpg 266w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Rev-B-welcome-1.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-180451" class="wp-caption-text">The Rev. Al. Budzin welcomes everyone to a jazz vespers service. Photo: Eric Stewart</figcaption></figure>
<p>The monthly Sunday afternoon jazz vespers services at St. Paul’s Osgoode that began in 2024 have proved him right. “Attendance has been enthusiastic and strong. I think September and October, we had 65 folks, and then even on a dreary November day, we had 75…. Several times, a number of people on their way out have thanked me for jazz vespers, and they say, ‘It’d be wonderful if this was offered more often.’” So, in the spring, the parish will test out holding services twice a month.</p>
<p>Budzin estimates that only 12 to 15 of those attending the vespers are regular Sunday morning parishioners. The rest come specifically for the jazz service. “They just love it, and they find it spiritually supportive and enriching. It has really developed into its own kind of worshipping community. On her way out, one woman said, ‘I think you’re making me a recovering agnostic.’ I like that comment,” said Budzin.</p>
<p>“What I’ve noticed with the Osgoode jazz vespers is I’d say 65 to 70 percent of the people are regulars who come every month. They are … getting to know each other and I’m getting to know them.” They love the musicians, says Budzin. “The quartet, sometimes the quintet, is excellent.”</p>
<p>Mark Ferguson is the leader of the quartet and plays keyboards and trombones. John Geggie is the bass player. Mike Tremblay is the saxophonist. The drummer is Jamie Holmes, and occasionally, for the quintet, Ed Lister is on trumpet. “Some folks scratch their head and say, ‘How do you get guys like this to come to Osgoode?’ But the musicians love it, too. They’re very committed and dedicated,” Budzin said.</p>
<p>The music is not all jazz. It&#8217;s a mix of music from artists such as Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, George Gershwin, Stevie Wonder and Burt Bacharach.</p>
<p>Instead of a traditional homily, Budzin usually reads one or two poems and offers a reflection. He’s read poems from Gerard Manley Hopkins,  e.e. cummings, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, and other less well-known writers, and he usually include a copy of the poem in the order of service.</p>
<p>“I love poetry as much as I love jazz, so I pick a poem that I think people would appreciate. And so far, I’ve struck a chord. Some folks have said they’ve collected all the poems that I’ve used for jazz vespers and keep them in a little binder.”</p>
<p>Budzin adds that at St. John’s Church in Richmond, they have started a monthly Sunday vespers for harp and flute with two exceptional musicians. “That is doing very well, too. Not quite as high numbers as jazz vespers, but it’s getting 25 to 30 people and developing its own group of supporters,” he said.</p>

<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-trumpet-1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="266" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1-266x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Ed Lister is on trumpet" srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1-266x400.jpg 266w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px" data-attachment-id="180452" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-trumpet-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1.jpg" data-orig-size="666,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="1. Trumpet-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Ed Lister on trumpet. Photo; Eric Stewart&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1-266x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trumpet-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-sax-1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="266" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1-266x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Mike Tremblay on saxophone." srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1-266x400.jpg 266w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1.jpg 666w" sizes="(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px" data-attachment-id="180454" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-sax-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1.jpg" data-orig-size="666,1000" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="1. Sax-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mike Tremblay on saxophone. Photo; Eric Stewart&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1-266x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Sax-1.jpg" /></a>
<a href='https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-trombone-1/'><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="342" height="400" src="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1-342x400.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium" alt="Mark Ferguson playing trombone." srcset="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1-342x400.jpg 342w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1-768x897.jpg 768w, https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1.jpg 855w" sizes="(max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px" data-attachment-id="180455" data-permalink="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/1-trombone-1/" data-orig-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1.jpg" data-orig-size="855,999" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}" data-image-title="1. Trombone-1" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="&lt;p&gt;Mark Ferguson is the leader of the quartet and plays keyboards and trombone. Photo: Eric Stewart&lt;/p&gt;
" data-medium-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1-342x400.jpg" data-large-file="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.-Trombone-1.jpg" /></a>

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<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/jazz-vespers-draw-a-new-worshipping-community-together/">Jazz vespers draw a new worshipping community together</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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		<title>Future Fund fuels new connections between Julian of Norwich parish and Algonquin College</title>
		<link>https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/future-fund-fuels-new-connections-between-julian-of-norwich-parish-and-algonquin-college/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[David Humphreys]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 13:30:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[January 2026]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Julian of Norwich Ottawa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parish News]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/?p=180445</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Julian of Norwich parish has launched an innovative project, Julian’s Place, to support the food, financial and spiritual needs of students at nearby Algonquin College. With a grant of $7,815 from the diocese’s Future Fund the parish invites students to “come over to Julian’s Place” once a month for a warm meal, check out the [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/future-fund-fuels-new-connections-between-julian-of-norwich-parish-and-algonquin-college/">Future Fund fuels new connections between Julian of Norwich parish and Algonquin College</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Julian of Norwich parish has launched an innovative project, Julian’s Place, to support the food, financial and spiritual needs of students at nearby Algonquin College.</p>
<p>With a grant of $7,815 from the diocese’s Future Fund the parish invites students to “come over to Julian’s Place” once a month for a warm meal, check out the highly affordable Nearly New shop and renew their sense of well-being by walking a labyrinth in the parish hall.</p>
<p>Julian’s grant is among the first three approved by the Future Fund which was officially launched by Synod 2024. The fund is designed to support innovative and effective initiatives that foster engagement with the wider community and the formation of new worshipping communities.</p>
<p>The fund is based on an investment of at least $1 million, yielding annual dividends estimated at $62,000. From that amount, grants of up to $10,000 are available to parishes within the diocese.</p>
<p>Looking to Algonquin, Julian recognized that among its 20,000 students there are concerns about the rising costs of food, affordable housing and education.</p>
<p>“Our parish anticipates that developing relationships with Algonquin students through Julian’s Place will plant seeds for a more fulsome and sustained engagement between students, the Julian community and the college itself,” the Rev. Karen McBride said.</p>
<p>It’s also seen as a first step towards an intergenerational community event. “As we get to know students’ needs and interests better…we will work with them to design and deliver a first event together,” McBride said.</p>
<p>Three students from Algonquin’s Culinary Skills Program are recruited to work with parish volunteers Helen Creighton, Sevilla Leowinata and Sandy Holmes.</p>
<p>They each get a $100 honorarium to lead the cooking and serving.</p>
<p>An Algonquin website design student, Jamie Li, has been awarded a $500 honorarium to build a new parish website.</p>
<p>The project fits perfectly with the Future Fund’s goal of supporting new worshipping communities. The opportunity to walk the labyrinth offers an introduction to fostering the spiritualty of students.</p>
<p>The parish’s application says much research shows that yearning for spirituality is important for young people, even though they don’t participate in “organized religion.” Actual attendance at services now is minimal – four or five alumni and occasionally a student will show up.</p>
<p>During the fall term McBride has found considerable interest in presentations she has made on “Anglicanism 101” at the college’s Spiritual Centre. There is particular interest in the labyrinth, designed by visual artist Barbara Brown. While not central to Christianity, labyrinths have been used as tools of meditation and prayer by Christians for centuries.</p>
<p>Would all this have come together without the Future Fund?  Possibly, because some members of the congregation suggested fundraising for a go-it-alone project. But McBride sees the support of the Future Fund as an opportunity to build momentum, re-energize volunteers to create long-standing connections and relationships with Algonquin.</p>
<p>Grants from the fund are administered by a panel whose members are executive archdeacon Linda Hill, director of Financial Ministry Sanjay Grover, director of Communications and Development Carole Breton, Ron Brophy representing the Contextual Mission subcommittee and bishop’s appointments, Lily Frampton and Cat Keresztesi. The panel consults with the Bishop’s Panel on Housing Justice when applications are related to homelessness and affordable housing.</p>
<p>As the Julian’s Place initiative allows the parish to deepen its ministry with Algonquin students, the parish also continues to discern how it’s called to best steward the (now rezoned) church property, in the wake of the realization that its initial vision for The Anchor, an affordable housing project, is not feasible at this point in time.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca/future-fund-fuels-new-connections-between-julian-of-norwich-parish-and-algonquin-college/">Future Fund fuels new connections between Julian of Norwich parish and Algonquin College</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ottawa.anglicannews.ca">Perspective</a>.</p>
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