Queenswood United Church
360 Kennedy Lane E K1E 3P3 Orleans, ON, Canada

Join QUC in our weekly online worship as part of the Virtch worship collective. The link below is for Sunday January 24 at 10 am, and can be viewed at any time afterward. This Sunday QUC will be represented by Rose Marie MacLennan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0e58CimJ2w.

EXPLORING FAITH QUESTIONS with REV. LAURELLE CALLAGHAN, is a six-week Bible-based exploration of spirituality and faith. It will be held via Zoom Friday mornings at 10 am beginning January 29 and running to March 5. For further information or to register, please contact the office or Elayne Bonnell.

LGBTQIA2S+ Communities: Embracing Diversity in Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Please join us for an information session on February 10, 2021 @ 7:30 via Zoom. Spaces are limited, so please register promptly by contacting Elayne Bonnell at 613-837-6784, or by emailing [email protected].

We're a week into the new year and the first weekend of the new stay-at-home orders so join us for Virtch this weekend: Please join us Sunday January 17 at 10 am, in our weekly online worship as part of the Virtch worship collective. Elayne Bonnell will be representing QUC in this week’s service. https://youtu.be/l79jIVXMLCU.

It's been a hard year and we've had to adapt to do some of the things that we did in the Before-Times. Some things were little things, some things were big things. Choirfest has been the start of the Advent season for churches in Orleans for over three decades, and missing it is hard. But the idea of Peace on Earth is stronger than the pandemic and more powerful than the lock down. Until we can be together again, please enjoy this version of Peace, Peace for these unprecedented times. https://youtu.be/4s27ioR7flo

As part of the Virtch collective, you are invited to worship with Rothwell United Church on Sunday December 27 at the following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/DHoEz_BZNfM.

We may need to do it a little differently but we can still celebrate the Christ child during this blessed time. The Epiphany season is upon us and we hope you stay safe and sound.

hristmas Eve at the Chapel Music and Meditation drop-in The chapel will be open from 6 pm 7:30 pm for congregation members and their families to drop in for 15-20 minutes for meditation and prayer in a holy atmosphere. Piano music will be provided by Janet Hamilton and Lynne Stacey. There is very limited seating, so please call ahead to confirm your numbers and time. Covid-19 protocols will be followed.

Sunday’s Christmas communion service was led by the Revs Hilary and Robert Merritt. At Communion we were reminded that Christ’s invitation is open to all. The traditional Christmas hymns, spoken together, gave deeper meaning to the timeless words, and as we meditated on What Child is This?, we were led to finding new ways to strengthen our relationship with Jesus. May the special Blessings of Christmas be with you a

Thanks to Carol and Rose Marie for hosting our annual wine & cheese social the evening of Friday December 18, on Zoom! A dozen congregation members met to sip their favourite holiday quaff, perhaps nibble on a special holiday recipe, and just enjoy a relaxed time together. No Covid talk! It was lovely to have a chance to visit with Suzanne, Lucie, and André, and others whom we don’t see enough of these days.

Th=Hymn Sing Service (Outside) at QUC Weather permitting, there will be an outside Hymn Sing Service at 10:30 am this coming Sunday, September 20th. Carol and Rose Marie will be facilitating, with our Lynne at the keyboard. Please note the change in time the service begins at 10:30 am.... You are warmly invited to gather with us in song, and in faith, and enjoy a ministry of music together! Hymn books will be available for the service. You are encouraged to bring your own chair, but there will be chairs available outside as well. Note: Health and Safety Regulations including physical distancing (a little more distancing is recommended for singing), and the wearing of masks, will be required. A Sanitizing Station will also be available. Hope to see you there!

We're gathering toiletries to donate to Centre 507. As fall approaches and the weather changes, those members of our community who have the extra challenge of lack of access to the things we take for granted, like soap, razors, shampoo and toilet paper need our help more than ever. We'll be at the church (360 Kennedy St E, Orleans) Wednesday September 16th from 6 to 8 to collect any donations. Social and physical distancing measures will be in effect. If you are unable to drop items off during that time period, message us here or email [email protected] and we can make arrangements. We're asking to make sure no expired items or items that are alcohol based are donated. Thank you.

The best way to adapt to the changes in the world is to find new ways to do the things we did before. Queenswood had their Fall Fling and there were new challenges on how to do it safely. We had a great time in the beautiful fall weather, and we collected much-needed supplies for Centre 507, a drop-in and supportive community centre on Bank Street . There were over 30 congregation members who gathered to visit with each other and to sell their crafts, baking, flea market items, books and puzzles.

Advent 4 Love Sunday December 20, 10:30 am With Rev. Laurelle Callaghan officiating, we will have touchless, distanced communion in a bag again. Thanks to Elayne’s ingenuity, QUC’ s Covid communion elements have been placed in a paper bag on each seat prior to the service, and we have all been able to commune in safety and harmony. Physical distancing rules in effect.

Bob & Lynda Rodney worked long and hard hours this spring to prepare and plant QUC’s community gardens. During the growing season they have made regular deliveries of fresh produce to the Orleans Cumberland Community Resource Centre Food Bank. Now that fall is here, the Food Bank is receiving root crops, such as beets and potatoes. Congregation members also benefitted, with some asparagus for their tables, and rhubarb which has made its way into pies for the Fall Fling bake table.

Our Office Administrator, Marilyn Webster, is happy to be back in the chapel once again. Office hours are: Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 am to 11:30 am... Please call before you visit, so we can ensure safe physical distancing in our small building, and please bring a mask to wear. COVID-19 health and safety protocols are in place.