Parish Update
COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
I am pleased to announce that at last Sunday’s special vestry meeting, the membership of St Peter & St Paul's voted unanimously to proceed with a capital campaign in 2026!
Thank you to Evan Baker, our rector’s warden, for presenting the findings of the Feasibility Study that we went through together in the fall, under the guidance of Horizons Stewardship. Thank you to Christine Yeung for providing administration support. Thank you to Ken Gracie for his role as vestry clerk and being diligent in organizing the special vestry. Thank you to everyone who attended or filled out proxy forms, and for your prayers, thoughtful questions and comments, and an eagerness to engage throughout this discernment process. Now that we have agreed to move forward with a capital campaign, we wanted to let you know about our next steps.
The campaign will start with a "quiet phase" from January to March 2026, and then a public launch immediately after Easter. Over the coming weeks we will begin recruiting various roles to become part of the Campaign Team. The Campaign Team will be working closely with Horizons Stewardship consultants David Whiting and Amanda Woods. Please pray for this next season of our life together as a parish:
Lord Jesus, help us to trust you as you continue to build your church on the corner of Metcalfe and Gloucester.
Lord Jesus, fill us and guide us by your Holy Spirit. Give us the wisdom to know your will and the strength to walk in your ways.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for each person who calls St Peter & St Paul’s their spiritual home. Show each of us how we might contribute to your mission, using our time, talents and treasures.
And please, Lord, open the eyes of our hearts to see your glory and goodness, as we continue contemplating and celebrating the mystery of Emmanuel “God with us” this advent.
Praise God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for all that He has done, all that He is doing, and all that He will do in the future, in and among and through the parish of St Peter & St Paul’s!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark Your Calendars
December 13: Choral Evensong at 5 PM.
December 14: Sunday service at 10:30 AM with Jr Church. (Streamed online)
December 17: Midweek Eucharist Service at 12:15 PM.
December 24: Family Christmas Eve Service at 5 PM and Candlelight Christmas Eve Service at 7 PM.
December 25: Christmas Day Service at 10 AM.
December 25: Annual Christmas Dinner 1:30 PM and 4 PM. Doors open at Noon.
Looking ahead in 2026
January 11 to March 29: Catechism course every Sunday morning. Register here.
January 17: Women’s Potluck Breakfast. Register here.
May 29-31: Parish Retreat at Camp IAWAH
Choral Evensong - Saturday, December 13
Our December service of Choral Evensong will be on Saturday, December 13, here at the church from 5 PM to 6 PM. Come enjoy more Advent music, Scripture and prayer as we continue to prepare our hearts for the arrival of Christ at Christmas.
Christmas Dinner
Every year, St Peter & St Paul’s serves our community a feast of food and fellowship at our Christmas Day Dinner. We need many volunteers on Christmas Day to make this happen. We need people to bake cookies and squares to drop off at the church on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. We also need volunteers for our PREP TEAM to help in advance with food preparation and set up on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day, there will be two dinner sittings: 1:30 PM and 4 PM, and we will need servers and cooks for each, as well as a cleanup crew afterwards. For more details and to sign up please use this link.
Catechism Course
We are excited to announce that we will be running a catechism course from January 11 through March 29. “Catechism” comes from the New Testament Greek word for “instruction,” and the process of instruction in the faith has historically centred on three major building blocks: the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. While the early church took three years to complete this process, we’ll be zipping through it in just 3 months!
This course is open to all, especially to those who are interested in being baptized or confirmed, who have questions about the Christian faith, and all who would like to deepen their faith. We will meet at 9 AM every Sunday in Stiller Hall up until Easter, when we will celebrate baptisms. We are also very honoured to have Bishop Dan visit us on the Sunday after Easter to confirm those who are seeking confirmation as a next step in their relationship with Jesus.
If you are interested in joining this course or have any questions, you can email Pastor Harman. If you would like to register for the course, you may do so using this link.
Open your home. Share your table. Change a student’s Christmas.
We’re looking for more hosts for Friends for Dinner, and this is the perfect moment to jump in. International students across Ottawa are hoping for a warm, welcoming Christmas meal – and many are eager to experience Christmas meal for the very first time.
Friends for Dinner connects local families with students who are far from home, giving them something simple but unforgettable: a seat at the table, real conversation, and a glimpse of what Christmas truly means in a Christian home. You choose a date that works for you and welcome one or more students – as many as you’re comfortable with – and let hospitality do the rest.
For many students, this will be their first time inside a Canadian home, and their first time seeing Christmas lived out with joy, generosity, and faith. One evening around your table can become a highlight of their year.
If you’ve been considering it, now is the time. Please sign up as a host as soon as possible – ideally before December 15 – so we can match students in time for Christmas. Please click here to sign up. https://friendsfordinner.ca/hosts/
ACNA update
A couple of weeks ago, we sent out a letter to the parish, explaining how ACNA Archbishop Stephen Wood has been inhibited from ministry because of allegations of sexual immorality and abuse of power. Two weeks ago, we hosted an information session to talk through the situation and pray together. If you were not able to make the meeting, and you would like to speak with out of the clergy, please reach out to the church office to make an appointment at admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
Today the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry investigating the allegations against the archbishop issued a statement that they had found probable cause to present Archbishop Wood for trial and the charges that should be considered in the trial are: Violation of Ordination Vows; Conduct giving just cause for scandal or offense, including the abuse of ecclesiastical power; and Sexual Immorality.
The Board of Inquiry’s final decision will be referred to the Court of the Trial for a Bishop for trial. You can read the letter and information about next steps by clicking here.
Last week we received a report from the ACNA House of Bishops, informing us of a gathering that took place at Christ Church Cathedral in Plano, Texas on December 3–4. The report stated that the bishops spent time in prayer and repentance, acknowledging those who have been hurt, the confusion this is causing, the need to revise our ACNA canons, and a deep desire to rebuild trust.
“We recognize that trust cannot be demanded, and we will endeavor to grow in grace so that, by God’s help, we may become increasingly trustworthy.”
Please continue to pray for our province, for Archbishop Wood and his family, for those who are bringing forth allegations, for all our bishops and clergy, and for the whole church.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5) .
“In a time when the Province feels the strain of uncertainty and sorrow, this word assures us that Christ does not abandon His people. His light exposes what must be brought into the open, heals what is broken, and guides us in the way of peace. Advent teaches us to wait with expectation, trusting the One who is Himself the Light of the world.”
If you would like to read the House of Bishops report in full, click here.
Meal Ministry
Do you like to cook or buy and deliver meals? Our Meal Train Ministry is looking for people to cook and deliver meals. Providing meals is a practical way of supporting others during a challenging time. It is a real blessing to receive a meal following surgery or recovering from an illness. It is also a wonderful gift to young families after the birth of a new baby. If you are interested in joining the team or learning more about this ministry please email Carolyn Vanderheide at carolynvanderheide@gmail.com
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
We continue the Advent units in Jr Church and Nursery this Sunday.
Our Nursery Blessings learn how God announces the good news of the birth of His Son first to the shepherds. The Bible stories are communicated using peg people and props, singing songs and reading the story from a book together.
Our Chapel Lambs will also learn about the announcement to the shepherds. They will hear how the shepherds were taking care of their sheep in the still quiet of the night when SUDDENLY in the sky there was a bright light. An Angel appeared in the sky and said, “I have good news for EVERYBODY.” Children will be invited to sing the memory verse they have been learning. For there is born to you this day in the City of David, a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
The Kingdom Kids continue the unit entitled Advent Messages. This week they will learn about the message for Joseph. After Joseph hears about Mary’s pregnancy, he is doubtful about his plans to marry her. But God intervenes and Joseph takes Mary as his wife.
The Lions of Judah continue in their Advent unit entitled Christ in the Carols. This week, they look at the carol “Joy to the World.” Jesus’ birth brings JOY to the world as the promised Rescuer takes His throne as King and heaven and nature sing!
Registration Forms
Junior Church registration for the 2025/2026 school year can be found here.
Junior Church is for children born between 2014-2021.
Nursery registration for Nursery can be found here.
Nursery is for children born between 2022-2025.
Playgroup on Wednesdays
Playgroup will gather on December 17 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. This will be our final Playgroup of 2025. We will resume our time together on January 14. We hope our families have a good Christmas and we look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year.
Online Morning Prayer Monday - Saturday at 8 AM
Please note that December 23 will be our last Morning Prayer session of the year. We will restart online Morning Prayer on Monday, January 5.
Join us every morning (Monday - Saturday) at 8 AM to take part in Morning Prayer over Zoom. We gather virtually for about a half hour to worship the Lord, read Scripture, pray, and enjoy Christian fellowship. It is a wonderful way to begin the day. We use the 2019 Book of Common Prayer as our guide, but you do not need to own a prayer book to participate; all the words are on the screen. If you are interested to join us, please contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
Volunteer Opportunities
Hospitality Team
Thinking you would like to volunteer somewhere, but are afraid of making a regular commitment? The Hospitality Team may be for you!
The Hospitality Team hosts Hospitality Hours after church, receptions, potlucks, and other parish events in Stiller Hall. You are welcome to join us once a year, once in a blue moon, or every time we host an event. You are welcome even if baking is not your thing. You can set out dishes, plate cookies, put jugs of water in the fridge, bring dirty dishes into the kitchen, help load or unload the dishwasher –there are lots of different things to do. You will receive an email when there is an upcoming event and you can respond or ignore, depending on your availability. Join the team by signing up here.
A Place To Go
For those looking for more of a regular commitment, our church runs a weekly drop-in on Friday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM called A Place To Go.
A Place To Go is in need of people who are willing to make sandwiches once a month; who are willing to make a large batch of soup once a month; and who are willing to volunteer at the church from 6 PM to 9:30 PM once a month.
If you would like to learn more about A Place To Go or volunteering, please click here or speak with Pastor Michelle.
CHURCH RESOURCES
Church Office: The church office is open from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays. You can reach the office by phone at 613-235-1636 or by email at admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
Worship: We gather together for worship at 10:30 AM on Sundays, both in-person at the church and online on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/StPandPOttawa/)
Please use the Worship Guide to follow along with the service. You can join us in person at 152 Metcalfe Street.
Parking: There is a paid lot directly behind the church on Gloucester Street that offers all-day parking at a flat rate on Sundays. For street parking, please check posted signs and pay stations.
Online: Check out our Facebook page for livestreams of our services, audio recordings of our sermons, and other news and posts. You can listen to our Parish podcast and sermons on your favourite podcast app by searching for “peterpaulottawa” and subscribing. And there is also our Website where you can listen to our sermons and podcasts, sign up for events, and read an extended cut of the weekly parish update.