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BCUC Midweek Prayer Circle, 8 pm every Wednesday (wherever you are)

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BCUC Midweek Prayer Circle, 8 pm every Wednesday (wherever you are)

The practice of praying is nothing new. It is a spiritual practice that many of us at Bells Corners United Church take to heart and observe on a regular basis. Praying is about listening and being attentive to yourself, others, the community where we live and the world. Praying is about transformation and healing. It changes how we act and who we are. Praying is about offering love when we cannot be present for the other, reminding us of the words of St. Augustine when he said that “true, whole prayer is nothing but love.”

Message from Rev. Kim Vidal

Dear friends at BCUC,

As concern over the spread of COVID-19 impacts the life and ministry of our congregation and forces us to do things differently, let us be reminded that despite social distancing and not meeting for a short period of time, we are still connected in God’s love. On those Sundays that we are not gathering at worship, I will be sending via email a weekly Lenten worship service including my sermon which you can use for your individual or family time of reflection. Erin will also send Sunday School materials with activities that you can do as a family especially those with children.

COVID-19 Update, March 17

Sunday Services for March 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th have been cancelled. Church and community activities are suspended through April 5th, and the church office is closed.

BCUC continues to follow the recommendations of Health Agencies and the guidance of The United Church of Canada in dealing with the COVID-19 virus.

We are available to offer Pastoral and Spiritual Care to all via email or telephone.

If you have any issues or concerns or wish to stay connected, please leave a message at 613-820-8103 or send an email to office@bcuc.org. Someone from the church office will respond to you.

Stay tuned for more updates.

BCUC's Response to COVID-19 as of March 12, 2020

These are the steps we are taking to minimize risk to everyone who uses our building effective immediately:

Please do not come to church or any gathering if you are feeling sick

if you are feeling ill, have a fever or have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or shortness of breath, stay home or call your doctor. Call Telehealth if your doctor is unavailable as treatment options may be changing in the community.

Changes to Sunday services

Instead of shaking hands or hugging, we will greet each other verbally and minimize close physical contact. We will encourage social distancing whenever possible.

Communion is not scheduled until April 12 (Easter Sunday), so we will update our communion practices according to the information we have at that time.

Offering plates will be available with health concerns in mind. (i.e. ushers will use gloves and will receive the offering– no passing of the plates in the pews).

Stay informed

Monitor daily updates from Ottawa Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada for current information regarding COVID-19. Check current recommendations regarding travel and attendance at large gatherings including worship.

Our staff may be working from home. If you cannot reach them by phone, you can contact them via email. You can read our full COVID-19 response here (PDF).

Wishing everyone good health!

2020 Lenten Project: Veterans' House

VETERANS’ HOUSE, the Andy Carswell Building, is a housing community for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The facility will provide supportive housing for 40 veterans. This latest Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) project is partnering with a number of agencies to offer mental health and addiction services, gathering spaces (including a communal kitchen and outdoor barbecue facilities), an indoor gym, and a dog park for service dogs.

MHI is four-fifths of the way to completing the fundraising for Veterans’ House, however there still remains 2.3 million dollars to finish the project. SOSA has set a goal of $8000 to support Veterans’ House. To donate, please contact the church office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Please contribute to the BCUC Book of Memories

The Church Board would like to create a new Book of Memories in 2020. We would like to receive a memory, story, photo with captions, from you.

To assist you in helping us, perhaps you can answer questions like this: What does BCUC mean to you? What effect did Bells Corners United Church have on your life? Who do you remember from the Church and why? What event at the church meant something to you?

Email your “memories” to Bob Ferguson, editor, via office@bcuc.org or write them out and bring or send them to the church office before April 5, 2020.

This is a project for the whole church, children, youth, adults. We hope you will take a part!

BCUC Spring Garage Sale & E-waste Collection

BCUC Spring Garage Sale, Saturday May 11, 9am - 1pm. Shop from a variety of sales areas: Baking, Books, Women’s & Children’s Clothing, White Elephant, ‘Treasures’, Plants, Children’s Books & Toys, Linens, Furniture, Youth BBQ. Scouts are holding an E-waste Collection. Bring electronic items for recycling, ie computers and accessories, appliances, tools, wires, metal, accessories, etc) but no environmental waste (fluorescent bulbs, paint, smoke detectors etc.

Lenten Appeal

This year, BCUC’s Lenten Appeal will support the United Church of Zambia mission site in Chipembi. This is the place that Hazel, Doyle, and Lorrie have visited. It is the home of the Chipembi Girls’ Secondary School, which they partnered with, but also includes a Church, a Medical Centre, an Agricultural College, and a Basic School (grades JK to 7). All parts of the mission and the people who live there would benefit greatly from a partnership with BCUC - and we will benefit greatly from…

Donate to Dunrobin tornado victims

This year SOSA’s advent project will be a continuation of the donations to the Dunrobin tornado victims. If you are using a cheque, make it payable to Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and on the memo line write ‘Counselling services team’. If you no longer use cheques but wish to make a donation online you can do this through the Western Ottawa Community Centre page at CanadaHelps.org.