Say A Little Prayer
I had been hesitating getting myself too settled here and not wanting to commit to anything without knowing how long I was staying. But, since recently learning that I will be in Ottawa into at least the first half of 2011, I decided that I would go back to church. I had been doing some research on United churches in the area (I know how nerdy that sounds but that's what I did). I wanted a church that had a family feel, a young-ish minister and a good music program. Using the church's website as a guide, I found all of those requirements met at Southminister Church in the Glebe area of Ottawa on Bank Street.
This past Sunday I roused myself and dressed up (in my NEW Tommy Hilfiger sweater dress!) and headed out for the 10:30am service. The church has no parking so after finding a spot half a mile away and trekking back to the church, I made it inside the correct door (there were 3 to choose from) and seated myself partway back. It wasn't long before I was joined by 3 ladies - all 20+ year church members which made me believe they were curious to find out who this stranger was and what she was doing at their church. They were all very nice and I explained that it was my first time there and I was looking for a church to start attending regularly, etc etc. They soon launched into all of the great aspects of the church and what it has to offer (this was only 5 minutes after they had been having a conversation about getting locks put on the ridge because sandwiches for the after-church lunch had been stolen again...). I wanted to tell them that I wa already sold on the church but I let them continue. Before long, the topic of music came up and I explained that that was one of the main reason I chose that particular church was for its music program and choirs. Well, I just HAD to meet the choir leader / organist / piano player, he was so talented and great and I would love singing in the choir under his leadership. His name is Roland Graham Anne told me and she pointed him out to me.
For those of you who grew up in Thamesford, you would remember the Graham family - two sons Gordon and Roland who went to TPS and IDCI. I didn't recognize Roland from where I was sitting, but after the service, Anne took me to meet him and the first thing he asked was where I was from. The look on his face when I said Thamesford was priceless! He was shocked and when I gave him my last name, he ust about fell over. Yup, Thamesford produced the music director at my new church... small world.
We had a good chat and I will most likely join the choir after Christmas. I want to give the church a trial run for a few more weeks, but the spirit in it is very similar to that of Westminister in Thamesford and I liked the minister very much. She was engaging and relaxed and easy to listen to. There was a good range of ages and families attending and they have a large Sunday School program and children's choir. It was a nice hour and I enjoyed it. The sermon had a purpose that I could relate to my everyday life and not too long because as we all know SERMONS AND BISCUITS ARE IMPROVED BY SHORTENING.
Amen!
This past Sunday I roused myself and dressed up (in my NEW Tommy Hilfiger sweater dress!) and headed out for the 10:30am service. The church has no parking so after finding a spot half a mile away and trekking back to the church, I made it inside the correct door (there were 3 to choose from) and seated myself partway back. It wasn't long before I was joined by 3 ladies - all 20+ year church members which made me believe they were curious to find out who this stranger was and what she was doing at their church. They were all very nice and I explained that it was my first time there and I was looking for a church to start attending regularly, etc etc. They soon launched into all of the great aspects of the church and what it has to offer (this was only 5 minutes after they had been having a conversation about getting locks put on the ridge because sandwiches for the after-church lunch had been stolen again...). I wanted to tell them that I wa already sold on the church but I let them continue. Before long, the topic of music came up and I explained that that was one of the main reason I chose that particular church was for its music program and choirs. Well, I just HAD to meet the choir leader / organist / piano player, he was so talented and great and I would love singing in the choir under his leadership. His name is Roland Graham Anne told me and she pointed him out to me.
For those of you who grew up in Thamesford, you would remember the Graham family - two sons Gordon and Roland who went to TPS and IDCI. I didn't recognize Roland from where I was sitting, but after the service, Anne took me to meet him and the first thing he asked was where I was from. The look on his face when I said Thamesford was priceless! He was shocked and when I gave him my last name, he ust about fell over. Yup, Thamesford produced the music director at my new church... small world.
We had a good chat and I will most likely join the choir after Christmas. I want to give the church a trial run for a few more weeks, but the spirit in it is very similar to that of Westminister in Thamesford and I liked the minister very much. She was engaging and relaxed and easy to listen to. There was a good range of ages and families attending and they have a large Sunday School program and children's choir. It was a nice hour and I enjoyed it. The sermon had a purpose that I could relate to my everyday life and not too long because as we all know SERMONS AND BISCUITS ARE IMPROVED BY SHORTENING.
Amen!