Parish Update
THE COLLECT FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
“If your church were to shut down tomorrow, would anyone notice or care (besides your congregation)?”
This is one of those questions that speakers at clergy conferences like to ask.
The implication being that the church ought to benefit the greater community – not just those who choose to worship there.
In Centretown, St Peter & St Paul’s Church is known for being “A Place To Go” on Friday evenings for free food and a safe and inviting place to be.
If someone is hungry or just needs someplace to be on a Friday night, others will point them toward 152 Metcalfe Street. And that is why more than 30 people will be gathered outside our church’s front doors before we open them at 7 PM on Fridays. We host somewhere between 60 and 90 people on any given Friday.
Once inside, people get their own coffee, tea, or water and have a seat and then our volunteers come around to the tables to serve food over the course of the evening: juice, chips, soup, sandwiches, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, and ice cream treats for dessert.
When we aren’t busy serving food, we are learning people’s names and stories. We get to know our neighbours better and provide them with a smile, an encouraging word, and a prayer when they need it. This gives us a weekly opportunity to practice Christian hospitality as well as to make connections with our neighbours.
Hosting A Place To Go takes a small army of volunteers:
· 15 families who make several loaves of sandwiches once a month
· 5 families who make soup once a month to feed 50 to 80 people
· 26 people who spend one Friday evening a month volunteering their time at the church to work in the kitchen and to serve food and kindness to our neighbours
· 4 people who do one or two grocery runs a month
This weekend we will be thanking these volunteers for how they sacrificially give of their time for the sake of others. And we want you, our congregation, to be aware of this important ministry and how you also can be involved in it.
We are in need of additional volunteers who are willing to spend one Friday per month at A Place To Go, from 6 PM to 9:30 PM.
We are also looking for additional people who can volunteer once a month to make large batches of soup (12 to 18 liters) or to make 3 to 4 loaves of sandwiches and deliver them to the church. We could also use an additional person to make grocery runs once or twice a month. Receipts for groceries as well as ingredients for sandwiches and soup can be submitted to the church for reimbursement.
If you would be interested in finding out more about A Place To Go and any of these roles, please sign up here to express your interest and we will follow up with you. You can also reach out directly to Pastor Michelle.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark Your Calendars
September 14: Newcomers Course begins (Sundays, 9 AM). Register here.
September 14: Sunday service at 10:30 AM with Jr Church. (Streamed online)
September 17: Midweek Eucharist Service at 12:15 PM
September 18: Online Thursday Bible Study begins (Thursdays, 10:45 AM)
September 18: ALPHA course begins (Thursdays, 6 PM - 8:30 PM). Register here.
September 24: College & Careers Potluck begins (Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 8 PM).
September 27: Men’s Breakfast at 8:30 AM. Register here.
October 4: Women’s Potluck Breakfast at 9:30 AM. Register here.
Newcomers Course begins Sunday, September 14
Are you relatively new to St Peter & St Paul’s?
Do you want to better understand our Anglican tradition and why we worship the way we do?
Consider joining us for our Newcomers Course that will begin on Sunday, September 14 in Stiller Hall at 9 AM.
This 6-week course will cover our Anglican distinctives, our core values, and our approach to the Bible, worship, baptism, communion, discipleship, evangelism, and membership.
Please sign up here.
Online Thursday morning Bible Study - Thursdays at 10:45 AM
We're beginning the fall Bible Study of the Book of Judges on Thursday, September 18, 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM. If you are interested in joining, please email admin@peterpaulottawa.com.
ALPHA Course Thursday evenings beginning September 18
We are excited to announce that we will be running the ALPHA course this fall, starting Thursday, September 18 (6 PM – 8:30 PM). ALPHA is designed to be a safe place to learn about the Christian faith in a relaxed, friendly environment over a meal.
Over the span of 11 weeks, we explore a number of questions like: Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How and why should I pray? Does God heal today?
Each evening we share a meal together, watch a video, and then spend time in discussion. ALPHA is also a great way to connect with new friends, build community, and grow in your relationship with God. To register click here.
Please pray about how you might take part in ALPHA and who you could invite to come with you. We have postcards at the back of the church you can use to invite friends. If you have any questions, contact the church office at admin@peterpaulottawa.com or 613-235-1636
Brothers of St P&P - Men’s Breakfast - Saturday, September 27
All men and older teens (16 and above) of the parish are invited to the next Men’s Breakfast on September 27. Pastor Harman Thomas will be the speaker. Coffee will be served at 8:30 AM, and breakfast will begin at 9 AM.
The cost is $12.50, and the catered breakfast is included. The deadline to register is Wednesday, September 24. Contact Kris Nanda at kkhnanda@hotmail.com if you have any questions or need more information. Please register here
Women’s Potluck Breakfast - Saturday, October 4
The women of the church are invited to a potluck breakfast on Saturday, October 4 at 9:30 AM. This will be a wonderful time for us to meet new people and get to know one another better. Please register here
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: Genesis - Part 3
Our Wednesday morning Bible study series in Genesis resumes after Thanksgiving on October 15 at 10:30 AM. Led once again by Fr. David Crawley and based on Genesis chapters 28-50, we conclude our journey through this fascinating book of origins which wonderfully anticipates the Gospel of Jesus.
Entitled “Genesis: From dysfunctional family to seeds of heavenly citizenship,” we will by grace complete our journey through this fascinating book. This study will be over 7 weekly sessions leading up to Advent. Come and grow with us in the bigness of the Good News. No prerequisite needed but it might be good to read over Genesis chapters 1-27 if you plan to register. Please register here
Walk for the Centretown Food Centre on Sunday, October 5
As part of the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee, our congregation supports the Centretown Food Centre, which served over 15,000 people in 2024. The food we collect at the back of the church on Sunday mornings is delivered to the food centre.
In addition to donating food and funds, you can also help support the Centretown Food Centre by participating in the 10th annual Walk for the Centre, taking place Sunday, October 5.
Festivities begin at 1:30 PM at Canadian Martyrs Church, 100 Main Street, with music, guest speakers, and the Sons of Scotland Piper Band to lead the walk at 2:20 PM along the Western Rideau River Pathway. To register for this event, click here: www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon
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. We have volunteers who make the soup and sandwiches once a month and volunteers who purchase the other groceries needed from the supermarket. We also have volunteers who spend one Friday night a month at the church serving those who gather. If you would like to learn more about A Place To Go or volunteering, please click here.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Our Fall program for Jr Church and Nursery is now underway. It has been a joy to welcome the children back after the summer break. Our Nursery Blessings, Chapel Lambs and Kingdom Kids continue learning about the story of Creation this Sunday. Lions of Judah will look at Chapter 3-4 in the book of Joshua.
Please continue to pray for smooth transitions as children get settled into the new school routine. As the novelty of the first week back wears off, children (and parents) can feel the fatigue of the new busier routine.
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 Restarts September 10
Playgroup started up this past week and will continue to run on Wednesday mornings in the Nursery from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Playgroup is for children 0-Pre-K and their caregivers. This has been a very positive time of connecting. Please consider who you may want to invite to join us. If you have any questions, please email 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 us, please email admin@peterpaulottawa.com
Please help us support the Centretown Community Food Centre!
Bring in non-perishable food items on Sunday mornings and place them in the large basket at the back of the sanctuary. For more information, click 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.