Keeping in touch on Tuesday - November 3rd, 2020

St. Luke's - Maximizing Our Mission Per Square Foot - Special Vestry

We are very glad to let you know that the following motion was carried with overwhelming support at the recent St. Luke's Special Vestry:

1. To authorize the immediate undertaking of structural alterations to the basemen of St. Luke's Anglican Church, 760 Somerset Street West, Ottawa (the “Church Building”), for the purpose of installing additional washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities, as well as a kitchen renovation, with funding to be provided by the City of Ottawa and by St. Luke's Table (SLT), and with the understanding that these alterations shall be undertaken at no additional cost to the Parish.

2. To authorize, in principle, the overall recapitalization of the Church Building, consistent with the recommended next-steps set out in the Building Assessment/Report prepared by WSP Canada Inc., entitled St Luke’s Church – Feasibility Study for Operational Upgrades and dated June 1, 2020, with the understanding that the Parish and SLT are entering into a closer long-term collaboration, with implications including an increased occupancy contribution from SLT to the Parish, and a commitment for both to share in the costs of future renovations to the upstairs portion of the Church Building.

This is a tremendous statement of solidarity with those who are vulnerable and marginalized in the St. Luke’s neighbourhood, and it offers a lifeline for the parish, both financially and in terms of the way we are the Church in the world.

Keep an eye on this space, where updates will be included as next steps take shape and unfold. Please feel free, as always, to be in touch with Rev. Victoria or the wardens with questions.

Chi Rho Berry Sales Fundraiser

LAST DAY TO ORDER - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 06^th 2020

Ontario Berries (wild blueberries, raspberries, wild strawberries
(individually, quick frozen)

Jim, from Fern’s Frozen Fruit, has e-mailed the following changes for this year:

The strange days we find ourselves in have impacted the operations at Fern’s Frozen Fruit, but we are happy to report we will be supplying our family of fundraisers yet again.
We have had to change our supply network somewhat. This year we are proudly offering fruit grown in Ontario!! All the fruit is cleaned and fast frozen.
All fruit will be supplied in labelled 1 kg bags.
The smaller size may appeal to some customers with limited freezer space at home.
We realize there is a small cost increase, and are hopeful this does not impact your sales too dramatically.

     Wild Blueberries     1 kg bag   _____ bag(s) @ $12.00 =    $_______
     Raspberries             1 kg bag   _____   bag(s) @ $12.00 =    $_______
     Wild Strawberries    1 kg bag   _____   bag(s) @ $12.00 =    $_______

Note: This is probably Chi Rho’s last chance to fund raise to help us reach our goal of $2,000 to present to the Church’s General Fund.

PICK UP - SATURDAY, NOV. 28^TH 2020
11:00 A.M. SHARP
Westgate Shopping Centre, Merivale Road side

To order:
Call Heather Matchett @ 613-737-7103 and leave your name, telephone number and berry order OR
e-mail hmatchett1@sympatico.ca

PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE PAYABLE TO – CHI RHO FELLOWSHIP
CASH is also acceptable – please bring the correct change.

Seasonal Gifts of Poetry Decks from the Ottawa Poetry Bards

Great news! We raised almost $900 at our first virtual poetry dive of this season last week. Half of that will go to St. Luke's and half to the Shepherds of Good Hope. Thank you to the 30 people who participated, and to the Ottawa Poetry Bards for donating their time and talent.

And, another fund-raiser... poetry decks are now available for order on different themes. A poem card to have in your pocket is always reassuring and can transform what seems like an ordinary moment into a timeless one. The Ottawa Poetry Bards have compiled 6 different decks on different themes, each with 50 poem fragments. These poem cards are lovely gifts for caregivers, therapists, helpers of any sort, or poetry lovers.

If you would like to order a deck from this year or last year's series, please let us know, and we'll arrange to have them printed and wrapped for you. We gratefully accept donations for these... and suggest $15 to cover our costs... but as always, it's up to you and your circumstances.

Last season's poetry deck themes were:

- Being in Stillness

- Light in the Dark

- Mysteries of Love

- Stirrings... Awakenings

- Pleasure for Resilience in these Times

This season's compiled decks are:

- Glimmers of Light

- Welcoming the Dark

For your information, we need a combined order of at least 4 decks to justify a print run. If you're interested, please contact Anne Wright (anne@change-artistry.com) to place an order. The easiest way to provide your donation is through e-transfer. We'll arrange for you to pick up your order in Ottawa's west end or south end after November 17.

And, don't miss our next Poetry Dive "Welcoming the Dark" on Tuesday November 17 at 6:30 PM. Register here. All registrants receive an electronic poetry deck on the theme, and an audio recording of the dive, so that you can participate in it, whether you're available live or not. Pass the word.

Church Calendars

Church calendars are still available! Email Joan Scott (joanscott.5@outlook.com) to reserve one or more. Cost $5.00.

Do you need support?

As these challenging times continue, you are welcome to be in touch with Rev. Victoria if you would like to check in, have a conversation, or be prayed with:
victoria@stlukesottawa.ca or 613-698-6083

Would you like to connect with another member of the community but aren’t sure how to reach them? Contact Helen Cathcart at familylibrarian@yahoo.ca, or leave a message on the church answering machine and we’ll make the connection.
We can get through this together!