Book Club
The Book Club will meet on Monday, January 21 at 7:00 pm to discuss Tell by Frances Itani.
The Southminster Book Club meets several times a year in someone’s home, to discuss a selected, non-scripture work with a spiritual theme or message. All are welcome! If you are new to the group, please contact the church office for the location.
Parenting, Attachment, and the Collaborative Problem Solving Method
A free four-week training series for parents and guardians of children and youth in Old Ottawa South.
February, 2019. Full details here.
Work Party
Every Tuesday from 9:30 am 12 noon a group meets and tackles odd jobs around the building. They do anything from painting, laying tile, refinishing wooden surfaces, repairing concrete, to hanging pictures and running errands. They can always use another helping hand or two. For more information, contact the church office.
Tim Chin Photography + Design
Southminster United Church
Ottawa, Ontario
Since 1932... "a caring community that brings people together to explore faith and express it in action."
It has been a long journey for the church over the last few years. From the sale of the property to the basement renovation it has been challenging. It is now time to restore the outside property to complete the church transformation.
The goal of the Property Restoration Project is to create a green space in which we hope the community will embrace and foster good relations with the church. The memorial garden will be a priority area to restore. Displaced by the property sale the new location will provide an area to reflect in a setting surrounded by natural gardens. The next time you walk or drive along Bank Street consider how few green spaces there are along this busy urban street. Southminster United Church is one of those special places that will stand out in the midst of an asphalt and concrete landscape. It will be a place to gather.
The Outdoor Task Group has prepared a video that describes our landscape design plans divided into three phases. The project will be guided by the principles of sustainability, respectful of the environment and will provide greening in an urban setting. This video was presented to the congregations during the October 31, 2021 worship service. The video can be viewed here: https://bit.ly/3rmpwU5
The church is now embarking on a fundraising campaign to implement Phase 1 of the plan. With a five thousand dollar grant from the City of Ottawa’s Community Environmental Project Grant Program, and support from the church this phase could begin this spring. The goal is to raise nine thousand dollars during this campaign. With promised matching capital (fourteen thousand dollars) from Southminster’s Memorial Fund we will have the twenty-eight thousand dollars needed to proceed with our plans.
This fundraising effort for Phase 1 needs to be finalized by March 31 for the following reasons: (i) The City of Ottawa grant rules requires the funds to be spent by June 30, 2022 (ii) Green Thumb Nursery needs sufficient time to order plant materials and confirm scheduling with contractors.
If you have questions regarding the restoration project or about donations please e-mail the church office at office@southminsterunitedchurch.com. A member of the task group will contact you to address your questions. Note: The remaining phases of the restoration project will only proceed as funding permits.
Ways the Congregation and Community Can Be Involved
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Make a charitable donation (see methods below)
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Possible options include:
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A donation in memory or honour of an individual
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Donate the cost of a specific plant, shrub or tree listed in the plan (see list here)
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Donate the cost of a sitting bench. A memorial plaque can be mounted to the bench. (Note: The benches are an added feature to the plan and are not included in the budget or fundraising effort. If there is interest in funding a bench please contact the church office.)
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Assist with manual labour to move soil and mulch, thereby helping to reduce costs.
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Donate your time with ongoing maintenance.
How to Make a Charitable Donation
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Online at CanadaHelps.org
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By cheque made payable to Southminster United Church and mailed to: 15 Aylmer Ave. Ottawa ON K1S 3X1
(Please note clearly that your cheque is for Property Restoration)
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By e-transfer to office@southminsterunitedchurch.com (Please note Property Restoration in the comments.)