Our synod was held from Thursday, November 7th through Saturday, November 9th. Thank you to all who helped with the Opening Eucharist and festive reception at our Cathedral. Many folks commented on how lovely the service was and expressed their appreciation for the hospitable gathering time. 

Friday and Saturday we met at the St. Elias Centre and a "Vogue" photo booth had been left on site after a wedding reception. So we took full advantage of the opportunity for some fun pics! Thanks to all our delegates: Katherine, Madeleine Gomery, Daniel Jerusalimiec, and Gillian Wheeler, for their participation in synod. Congratulations to Katherine Spencer-Ross who was elected a delegate to General Synod, which will meet in London, ON, next year to elect a new Primate. 

Please do read our Bishop's Charge, listen to it, or watch the livestream. So very much work has been, is being, and is yet to be done in our diocesan church and it is very exciting!

News of abuse that has been committed, let alone covered up, wrenches our hearts. Please read our Acting Primate's statement and keep all those whom this affects in your prayers. May we always strive to respect the dignity of every human being.

As of this Sunday, empty gift bags will be available in the foyer with a suggested list of items for you to fill them with for clients of Belong Ottawa (Centre 454, The Well, St. Luke's Table). These folks are in need of your loving support, so please be generous! Filled gift bags must be returned by Sunday, December 8th so that the Cathedral Men's Group can deliver them. Thank you!

These lovely calendars featuring scenes from around the Canadian church are available for sale in the Cathedral office. Get yours now - they make great stocking stuffers!

Our new neighbours cannot wait to welcome you and show off the 12 vibrant amenity spaces, three stunning model suites, and views from absolutely everywhere! RSVP today to Erin or Julia (613-809-2212 or info@thevistaonsparks.com). Building tours will be offered every hour, on the hour and there will be refreshments served and giveaways!

Come one, come all, and meet up with old friends and make new ones at our Cathedral Community Potluck! Bring your favourite dish or pick up something at the grocery store to share, or simply come - there will be ample food for all. There will be entertainment and fun in the form of a trivia quiz with a prize for the most "knowlegeable" table. Everyone is welcome, so bring your family, friends and neighbours!

Have you ever found yourself with pen in hand, searching for just the right words to convey your best wishes to someone special? As we age, we are often expected to offer our wisdom to family and friends, perhaps as a wedding toast, a family dinner blessing or even by sharing our thoughts in a birthday or graduation card or social media post.

This three-hour workshop will guide you through a step-by-step process to reflect on lessons learned during a period of transition. We will walk the labyrinth to deepen our reflections and allow our bodies to physically “release, receive and return” our memories of a particular experience. During the final step we will transform our wisdom into a unique and heart-felt blessing.

Suggested Donation: $30 - $50 (sliding scale) limited to 25 participants; refreshments and a blessings workbook are included

Facilitator: Diane Perazzo is a writer, editor and trained legacy writing facilitator. Her company Wordsmith Writing and Editing  Services supports the work of nonprofit and health organizations to share information about issues such as climate change, mental health and physical wellbeing. She also writes poetry, meditations and stories inspired by the wonder and mystery of the Earth and collaborates with others to lead seasonal celebrations.

On Saint Andrew's Day, Saturday, November 30th at 11 am, The Reverend Karen McBride will be ordained to the priesthood at her new parish, Julian of Norwich (7 Rossland Avenue, Ottawa). Come and support this long-time member of our Cathedral, choir mom, and volunteer before you attend the Holly Tea and keep her in your prayers!

Sit and enjoy or take-away tea plates and coffee/tea for $15 each! Christmas music by members of our Cathedral choirs. Shop for Christmas items, jewellery, knitting, books, puzzles, board games, gifts and a wide variety of home baking, jams, jellies, pickles, preserves, soups, fruitcake and pies. 

Please consider donating items for sale at the bazaar, such as: jewelry; knitting; items for the gift, travel and Christmas tables; puzzles and books (please no textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, Readers' Digest condensed books, magazines). Baked goods and preserves are also welcome. Items for donation can be dropped off at the Cathedral office in November. Thank you for your support and looking forward to this fabulous event!

Presented by our Cathedral and the Cantata Singers of Ottawa, and featuring tenor Nils Brown, a children's chorus, and young Ottawa instrumentalists. A celebration of the season not to be missed! Tickets available here!

Come and enjoy a heartwarming meal, celebrating the season! This dinner will be held after the lovely O Antiphons service at 4 pm.

Tickets are on sale (cash/cheque/credit) from the Cathedral office and after the 10.30 am service on Sundays. The cost is $10 for those 12 years old and under, $30 for those over 13 years old and all adults.

November
Friday 22nd | 6 to 8 pm | Cathedral Community Potluck
Saturday 30th | 11 am | Karen McBride's Ordination to the Priesthood (at Julian of Norwich)
Saturday 30th | Noon to 3 pm | Holly Tea and Bazaar

December
Sunday 1st | 4 pm | Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday 8th | 4 pm | St Nicolas A Ceremony of Carols - Cathedral Choirs with the Cantata Singers (CLICK HERE to purchase tickets)
Friday 13th | 7 pm | The Tallis Scholars: In Dulci Jublio - Chamberfest Concert (CLICK HERE to purchase tickets)
Sunday 15th | 4 pm | Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday 22nd | 4 pm | O Antiphons | 5 pm | Wassail Dinner (Tickets available at the office)
Tuesday 24th | 7 pm | Christmas Eve Reading of the Christmas Gospel, Carols, and Choral Eucharist
Tuesday 24th | 10 pm | Christmas Eve Festal Eucharist
Wednesday 25th | 8.30 am | Christmas Morning Quiet Eucharist
Wednesday 25th | 10.30 am | Christmas Morning Choral Eucharist with Children's Story

January
Wednesday 1st | Noon | New Year's Day Eucharist and Festive Reception with our Acting Primate

Our Cathedral
All those who are ill or suffering, and those who care for them; those are preparing for the Parish Potluck, Holly Tea, and Wassail Dinner.
Our Diocese
The Right Reverend Dr. Shane Parker; Church of the Epiphany, Gloucester, The Reverend Simone Hurkmans.
Canadian Cathedrals
St. Luke's Cathedral, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, The Very Reverend Jay Koyle.
Anglican Church of Canada (ACC)
The Most Reverend Anne Germond, Metropolitan of Ontario and Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada; The Most Reverend Chris Harper, National Indigenous Archbishop; The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples, Sacred Circle Events, and the Ministry of Reconciliation; Secretary General and staff of the Anglican Communion Office.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
Bishop Susan Johnson; Bishop Carla Blakley; General Secretary and staff of the Lutheran World Federation.
Companion Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East
The Diocese of Jerusalem, Archbishop Hosam Naoum, and for peace in Israel and Palestine.

Diocesan Time of Prayer
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Grant that, by the operation of the Holy Spirit, we your followers may be joined together in unity and peace, and that we may be a holy temple acceptable to you. We pray that as we, and others, plant seeds and bring water, you will bless our efforts and bring forth a bountiful harvest. May your hand be upon every seed that is sown and every drop of water that is poured. We trust in your faithfulness to bring growth and abundance in all areas of our lives and the lives of our parishes. Thank you for providing the inspiration and means for fulfilling your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Prayer for Peace
O God of all justice and peace, we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims, Christians, and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to the violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Our Clergy and the Cathedral Prayer Team will pray for all requests sent to info@ottawacathedral.ca during the week.

All members of our diocese are invited to pray over this year to discern the Holy Spirit’s divine sparks in our midst. It is an exciting time - be part of it!

Scripture Readings for Sunday, November 24th - The Reign of Christ (Feast of Title) | 2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-13; Revelation 1:4b-8; John 18:33-37

Children's Worship Activities | Weekly worship bulletins, books and other activities are on the shelves at the entrance to the Cathedral. There is also a table in the Great Hall to use and the labyrinth to walk. If your child is interested in being a junior server, member of a choir, or a reader, please speak with our clergy.

Hearing Assist Sets | Are available at every service from our sidespeople.

Newsletter Deadline | Wednesdays at noon.

General Info | Please visit our office, call 613.236.9149, or email info@ottawacathedral.ca. Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, and Friday from 9 am to noon.

Parking | Street parking is free around the Cathedral on Sundays. Other options for free and paid parking are noted on the map.