Parish Update
COLLECT FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
One of our core values at St Peter & St Paul’s is Equipping Leaders.
On page 15 of our 2019 Envisioning Booklet (hyperlink - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JqtbNOqdWyL1JLsqGf49kDf7TJILaGXM/view?usp=sharing) it reads:
“The training and development of lay and ordained leadership is critical to the vibrant sustainability of the ongoing mission and ministries of St Peter & St Paul’s. Church leaders are called “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12–13). We are committed to providing on-going teaching, mentoring, and equipping of all kinds of leaders to build up and strengthen the body of Christ, so that the mission of our parish would be vibrant and sustainable for generations to come. St Peter & St Paul’s is a church that prepares and equips effective leaders. Equipping and preparing effective leaders now and for generations to come is a core value.”
Over the years, we have been blessed by our Curay program. The Curate is the junior member of our clergy team (akin to an assistant pastor). The Curate serves for a three-year term. There are few full-time Curacies available in the Anglican Diocese of Canada, and this position provides comprehensive training and equipping in a dynamic urban setting. As a member of the Clergy team, the Curate is called to worship, preach, teach, and offer pastoral care to the Parish, particularly to our Youth and their families and Young Adults community, and execute other ministries that are assigned by the Rector or Bishop. Many of the Curates from St Peter & St Paul’s have gone on to become Rector’s of other parishes within the Anglican Diocese of Canada (Rev. Jessie Martin, Rev. Jared Driscoll, Rev. Creighton Friedrich). As a parish, we see great value in continuing the Curacy program, but we also recognize the need to train and equip young leaders who sense a call to full-time ministry and are looking for an opportunity to grow through an internship experience. Many of you will remember the ministry of Colton Carrick and Shane Wright. Colton went on to do a curacy at Good Samaritan Anglican Church in St. John’s Newfoundland and is now heading up a church plant in Charlottetown P.E.I. Shane and I (Pastor Ben) were ordained together by Bishop Charlie Masters, and Shane went on to become a chaplain with the Canadian Military, serving in Petawawa, Ontario.
In 2025, Parish Council began prayerfully considering the idea of running a capital campaign to raise funds to help secure our building envelope (foundation, bricks, windows), continue renovating our ministry space (sanctuary floors, sacristy, front entrance, etc.) and think about different areas of ministry that could help us live out our strategic mission more fully.
I brought forth the idea of becoming a training centre for ARTIZO (Greek: to equip). It is a structured apprentice program that I did when I was a young adult, under the leadership of Canon George Sinclair (Church of the Messiah Ottawa).
In the fall of 2025, we as a parish agreed to move forward with the Capital Campaign, with ARITZO being one of the new ministry initiatives that we would roll out. Now that we have launched the campaign, and we are starting to receive commitments, our Parish Council has agreed to move forward launching ARTIZO this fall. We are going to do a two-year trial run and open it up to a maximum of two apprentices. If we as a parish see value in continuing to run the program, then it could be something we incorporate into our regular budget. There may also be opportunities for ARTIZO to become self-sustaining, through individual sponsorship. This is something we will be exploring over the next two years.
What is ARTIZO?
ARTIZO is an Anglican initiative that grew out of St. John’s Vancouver, designed to equip future ministers to faithfully teach and preach God’s word. The curriculum provides an intensive, hands-on, 2-year apprenticeship program that explores five key aspects of pastoral ministry: preaching, teaching, leading, caring and shepherding.
Apprentices meet weekly as a cohort (online) to peer-review each other’s expositions and sermons, discuss curated readings, receive teaching on ministry topics by their trainers, and for regular prayer. They learn by doing, through ministry opportunities, working with pastors and leaders who offer regular, constructive feedback.
The aim of ARTIZO is to connect an apprentice’s theological knowledge with applied ministry practice. This is both gaining a ministry mindset (convictions around what we are trying to do in ministry) and a ministry skillset (being able to do those things with high competence and character).
Apprentices will receive $1000/month, plus expenses paid for books, travel and accommodation, conference fees.
On Sunday, June 14, the director of ARTIZO, Canon Ben Roberts, will be with us to preach, and after the service he will give an information session to anyone who is interested in learning more about the ARTIZO program, and how it could impact our life together.
If you would like to learn more about ARTIZO – you can check out their website www.artizo.org
If you are a young adult (20-30’s), or you know someone looking for this kind of opportunity, please some and speak to me - revbenspp@gmail.com.
Applications are due by the end of May 2026, and a new cohort will start in September 2026. Applications can be found here (add link https://www.artizo.org/apprenticeship/)
I see this as an opportunity for us as a parish to live out our core values, equipping the next generation of leaders, and helping us build for His Kingdom as we share God’s transforming love from the heart of Ottawa.
Lord, we pray for the ARTIZO Institute. We commit into your hands Canon Ben Roberts, the trainers, and those parishes that have become training centres. Give them wisdom, discernment and the ability to manage the organization according to your will. We pray for us as a parish, as we learn more about the program and prepare to become a training centre this fall. We thank you for providing us with the funds through the Building for His Kingdom campaign, making it possible to partner with Artizo. Lord of the harvest, we acknowledge that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, we ask you to raise up, equip, and send out workers into your harvest field, that many would come to saving faith in Jesus, learn to follow Jesus, and participate in the life and ministry of Jesus. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark Your Calendars
May 2: Parish Night Out at 4 PM.
May 3: Sunday service at 10:30 AM with Jr Church. (Streamed online)
May 9: Feast of Nations at 4 PM (Dinner starts at 4:30 PM). Register here.
May 9: Choral Evensong at 6 PM.
May 16: Funeral for Myrtle Richards at 1 PM with reception following.
May 29-31: Parish Retreat at Camp IAWAH. Register here.
Now Hiring: Weekday Sexton
Our church is expanding the role of the weekday sexton to 20-25 hours, Tuesday through Friday. We are now receiving applications for this important position that involves cleaning and maintenance of the parish building and grounds. A job description may be found here. Please send letters of interest to hr@peterpaulottawa.com
Feast of Nations: Saturday, May 9 at 4 PM (Dinner starts at 4:30 PM in Stiller Hall)
We are blessed here at St P&P’s to have a congregation made up of people from many different nations and cultures. We want to celebrate that with a special dinner called Feast of Nations, where you can bring a special food item to share with others and to try out new foods.
This is an all-ages event for everyone to enjoy. It is also an opportunity for you to bring a dish to share that reflects your particular culture, heritage, or just your favourite kind of food! We encourage you to invite a friend for this fun event. Please register here by May 6.
Choral Evensong on May 9
Our next service of Choral Evensong is on Saturday, May 9, from 6 PM to 7 PM. Join us for quiet reflection, musical worship, and meditating on God’s Word, helping us to pause, give thanks for the week that’s passed, and prepare our hearts for worship the next morning.
Parish Retreat: May 29 - 31
Our fourth annual parish retreat will take place on May 29 - 31 at Camp IAWAH.
This all-ages retreat has been a highlight for our church family, giving us the opportunity to worship, learn, play, eat, and laugh together in a beautiful setting, located only a 90-minute drive from the church, just outside of Westport, Ontario. While we encourage people to come for the whole weekend, there is also the option of only coming for the day on Saturday. There will be separate teaching and special activities for children during the teaching sessions.
There is also an opportunity to donate to a scholarship fund to offset the costs of those who are unable to afford the retreat registration fees. To contribute to the retreat scholarship fund, you can e-transfer funds (offering@peterpaulottawa.com) and indicate “Retreat Scholarship Fund” or you can donate cash or a cheque made out to St Peter & St Paul’s Anglican with “Retreat Scholarship Fund” written on the envelope and on the memo line of the cheque.
To apply for a scholarship, please select the scholarship amount (50% or 100%) that you would like to apply for when registering for the retreat. If you are applying for a scholarship, please choose ‘Pay in Person (cash or check)’ to complete the registration. Please wait for an email from the church office when the scholarship has been applied for BEFORE you pay the outstanding balance.
Please register here by May 25.
Looking for Sandwich Makers and Friday Night Volunteers
Our church runs a weekly drop-in on Friday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM called A Place To Go. This ministry gives us the opportunity to provide Christian hospitality to our neighbours in Centretown and it provides a place for food, fellowship, community, and prayer for those who may not have anywhere else to go.
We depend on a large number of volunteers to make this ministry happen. A team of about seven volunteers (different ones each week) including a team leader prepares Stiller Hall, the drinks, and the food for serving. We pray together before opening the doors at 7 PM and then serve our guests. We have a lot of fun and get plenty of exercise! We also spend time in the kitchen washing dishes, running them through the sanitizer and putting them away.
In addition to our in-person volunteers, we rely on a team of soup makers and sandwich makers. Our sandwich makers make four loaves of sandwiches at home and then drop them off at the church once a month. Sometimes sandwich makers who live close to one other will bring one another’s sandwiches. Those making sandwiches can submit grocery receipts to the church for reimbursement.
A Place To Go is in need of people who are willing to make sandwiches 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.
Meals 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
Our Nursery Blessings will begin a new unit on the Parables of Jesus. As we did not complete the story last week, we will hear the story of the Foolish Farmer from Luke 12:13-21 this Sunday.
Our Chapel Lambs continue to explore what Jesus’ resurrection means for us. Jesus tells the disciples that they get to share the good news with everyone!
Our Kingdom Kids will hear the story of Peter and Jesus this week. Jesus forgives Simon Peter and re-commissions him for ministry. Peter declares his love for Jesus, and their relationship is restored.
The Lions of Judah will look at the metanarrative of the Bible - Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.
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 2022-2026.
Playgroup on Wednesday Mornings
Playgroup is at 10 AM on Wednesdays and is for parents and caregivers of children up to the age of 5. This has become an important time of connecting during a season of life that can be isolating. All are welcome!
VBS Summer Camp - August 17 to 21
VBS Summer Camp will take place again this summer and will run August 17-21 from 9 AM to 2 PM. Our theme this year: Jesus is the Light of the World. Camp is for children born 2015-2021. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com
Tulipathon by Multifaith Housing Initiative - Sunday, May 24
Tulipathon is a walkathon to support Multifaith Housing Initiative's affordable housing structure. St Peter & St Paul’s is a member church of MHI. All are welcome to participate. For more information, please visit their website here.
Online Thursday morning Bible Study - Thursdays at 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM
The Thursday morning Bible Study is studying the Book of 1 Peter. We meet online via Zoom every Thursday from 10:45 AM to 12 PM. If you are interested in joining, please contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com
Online Morning Prayer Monday - Saturday at 8 AM
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 in joining, please contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com
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.
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.