It has been so long since we’ve been able to be together! Will we recognize each other as the doors open? A new photo directory might help. We began plans for this project before the Covid-19 lockdowns and so had to put it on hold. As things are beginning to open up, we are ready to start again.

Onsite worship services have resumed. We are no longer requiring pre-registration since up to 58 people can attend Sunday worship. If you would like to attend, please answer this list of screening questions before coming to the service. If you answer ‘no’ to all the questions, you are welcome to come.

Wild Wonder Camp is an eco-faith based camp for children ages 5-12 year old. WWC is a collaboration between Camp Awesome (United Church of Canada), Greening Sacred Spaces, CanaDiana UnlimiTed, and Country Fun Nature Camp (Tucker House).

Camp includes earth science experiments, stories, art, and faith lessons on respecting all people and the planet. Short, interactive Zoom sessions led by trained camp counselors focus on nature, faith and science, with the goal of providing a fun, equitable and safe learning environment.

Participants will receive hands-on activity kits to support outdoor challenges and experiments.The cost of the program is $25/week per camper or pay-what-you-can. Make sure to register soon, spaces are limited!

For a comprehensive tour of Veterans’ House (2020 Lenten Appeal Project), follow this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/U4jSut5EAZM Although the walks are over, donations are still needed. Our BCUC Team has raised $1,482. That’s still a long way from our $3000 goal! Donations can be made online or by cheque. Please see the MHI website for further instructions. www.multifaithhousing.ca/tulipathon.

Mark your calendars for the next event which will be a visit to see the vegetable and flower gardens at David Donaldson’s Cedar Hill farm, outside Pakenham. David is holding an Open House on Monday June 21, 10am – 5pm. Rain date will be Tuesday June 22.

Do you ever wonder why the book of Lamentations was written and was included in the Hebrew Scriptures? Join Rev. Kim for a 5-weekly Bible Study in the summer (July 6, 13, 20, 27 & Aug. 3) and explore the “voices of lament” in this almost forgotten book. Meetings will be on Tuesdays at 10:30 am. The reference book for this study is Lamentations & the Tears of the World by Kathleen M. O’Connor. You may buy the book if you wish but not required. Contact the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org to let Rev. Kim know if you are interested.

Rain Barrels will be delivered to the church. You will be notified. Thanks to all who have supported this project to make it very successful!

The Multifaith Housing Initiative Annual Tulipathon will be a virtual walk again this year on May 30 as we observe social distancing. We will have a BCUC Team participating as individuals in this event by completing a 3 km walk in their own homes or neighbourhoods.

Do you want to have your favourite hymn sung in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a joyful occasion? With a suggested minimum donation of $30, your hymn request will be featured in one of the Sunday services from February 21 until May 23. Proceeds from this fundraising will help enhance our worship experience. Please send your name, hymn request and dedication to the office via email (office@bcuc.org). Donations can be made by e-transfer, cash or cheque payable to BCUC with the note: “Hymn-Sing”. Thank you for supporting this initiative.

Seeds, Transplants and Planting with David Donaldson and Clarke Topp

Tuesday May 11th 7:00 pm.

To register contact the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

The Interfaith Bridge Building Committee has been meeting regularly and we have decided on a joint project to show the environmental (cleaning) department of the Queensway Carleton Hospital our thanks for the necessary work that the 170 people do to keep our hospital germ free. They are front line workers who do not often get the thanks for their hard work that they deserve. We need your help to complete our project in the following ways.

• We need people willing to sew 25 scrubs hats. Jami Omar is also contributing 25 hats. Alison Bridgewater has a pattern and some fabric. You will need approximately 1/2 yard of fabric. Alison will email the pattern to volunteers. Completed hats can be dropped off at Alison's house in Crystal Beach or the church (Monday – Friday mornings only). Please call first (820-8103).

• We need store bought nut free snacks. Hospital protocol does not allow home made treats. Store bought individual packets of chips, nut free cookies or granola bars, drink boxes are acceptable and can be dropped off at the church (Monday – Friday mornings only) Please call first (820-8103).

Small financial donations are also welcome. Committee members will purchase snacks on your behalf. Donations can be placed in an envelope in the mail slot at the church kitchen door and marked Interfaith Project. Please make donations or contributions by May 1.

Let’s grow more veg this summer and encourage the local neighbourhood to join us in putting more fresh veg on our tables and donating it to local food security programs. Veg Out BCUC is offering:

Rainbarrel Fundraising Sale

Feed your plants and vegetables with pure water……..collected FREE from natural rain in a rainbarrel. We are selling Rainbarrels, accessories and composters to help your gardens grow. You can order from our webpage at www.rainbarrel.ca/bcuc.

Rainbarrels provide better water for plant growth, help prevent run off as well as reducing your water bill. Please encourage our sale through your contacts and social media. $10 per barrel is donated to BCUC.

A Zoom Veg Gardening Workshop Series beginning with:

Raised Beds, Hoop Gardens, Cold Frames and Soil Preparation

Tuesday April 20 7 pm
Clarke Topp and John & Karen Boivin

For more information about either event, contact the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

The BCUC Annual General Meeting will take place on Zoom on Sunday March 7th at 11:00 AM. The purpose of this meeting is to review and receive the 2020 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements and to approve the 2021 Annual Activity Plan, Budget and Nominations Report, and various other items of importance.

Stewardship Campaign 2021 is upon us and there are good reasons to celebrate being part of Bells Corners United Church! Despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, this year’s campaign calls our attention to what makes our congregation a truly active presence not only in our local congregation but the wider community as well. For three consecutive Sundays, the focus of our worship service is Christian Stewardship. This significant ministry encourages an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. It stems from a simple theological statement: “God gives and so we give in return”.

To provide an opportunity for families to remember loved ones who have passed, we are providing a virtual poinsettia memorial donation option for Advent this year. Funds will be used to buy flowers for the sanctuary for Christmas and to create a fund for sanctuary flowers throughout the year. As in the past, you may make a donation of $10. A virtual flower display with the loved ones’ names will be included in the online version of the service. Some live flowers will also be placed in the sanctuary.

As usual, a tree to hold mittens and gloves will be set up this year In the church entryway. Please bring both children and adult sized mittens and gloves to attach to the tree during the Advent season. To bring your donation, come and ring the doorbell and we will invite you in. Donated items will be taken to the Chaplaincy (OWECC) and other local agencies after the holidays. Thank you!

In this year of the COVID crisis, we have chosen a special fund of the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund as our 2020 Advent Project. In a response to the crisis, Mission & Service has set up a fund to directly help those affected by the Pandemic - “Emergency Response-COVID-19". Working closely with Mission & Service partners, the United Church and our members are helping provide food and other essential services to many communities in crisis in the global South.

Outdoor Market at Bells Corners United Church
3955 Old Richmond Rd. (at Moodie Dr.)
October 17, 10 am - 2 pm

We are planning sales areas for baking, deli (we have heard that there will be turkey pies!), crafts, sewing/knitting, gift baskets and books.

Bring books (published in the past 25 years) to the church during office hours the week before the market. Donations of baking, preserves, sewing, knitting will be welcomed. Contact the office at (613) 820-8103 if you have sewing/crafts/knitting to donate.

Bring your friends, your mask and join us to safely enjoy our market.

For this and all events we are following public health recommendations related to COVID-19 safety. If you would like to attend, please read more about the service below. You must pre-register by the Wednesday before each service by using the online form (find the link below for the service you want to attend) or by contacting the office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.