Learn

Bible on Tap

First Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm.
Join Rev. Simone Hurkmans at the next bible study at the Carleton Tavern in Hintonburg (223 Armstrong St.). Bible on Tap is an opportunity to look at the week’s lectionary readings and other special topics, share a pint, talk theology and enjoy some fellowship together.

Reading Circle

The Reading Circle is a book discussion group for women in the parish and community. We discuss a wide variety of books, both fiction and nonfiction. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month, September through June.  

The Reading Circle will resume on September 11th, with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. See our events calendar for upcoming books.

Movies with Meaning:
Not Just Your Ordinary Night Out

Movies with Meaning

Movies with Meaning

The fourth Wednesday of each month. Dinner at 6:00 pm, followed by the film at 7:00 pm.

Following the movie, a lively and engaging discussion is held. To register, please contact the office (office@allsaintswestboro.com). Please check our calendar for information on the current movie. See you at the movies!

Parish at Learning (PAL)

PAL Hour

PAL Hour, Deacon Jarrett Carty talks about St. Luke’s Table. Photo: Helen Norman

We offer occasional Parish At Learning (PAL) sessions in the chapel following the morning Eucharist (usually between September and May). All parishioners are invited to the sessions that begin at 11.15 am and end no later than 12.30 pm.

PAL hours are a project in Adult Education with a variety of presenters. The central purpose is to raise awareness about some of the social issues of our day and ministries provided by our diocese. The sessions also give some of our members a chance to speak about the about the work they do during the week.

Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Team was formed to support the efforts of the Anglican Church of Canada to achieve reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis at the national, diocesan and local level. The Truth and Reconciliation Team meets monthly to

  • learn about the perspectives and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in Canada;
  • organize learning events for the Parish;
  • provide information on available resources and events in Ottawa; and
  • develop understanding of our own biases.

Upcoming Events

Events at All Saints’ Westboro
  • Wednesday, January 10, 2020 — ASW Reading Circle There, There
    The Reading Circle will be discussing There, There by Tommy Orange, a first novel which has received wide acclaim, being shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize and winning the Society of American Historians Prize for Historical fiction.  The novel tells the story of twelve Native American residents of Oakland, California, whose lives collide in the days leading up to the Big Oakland Powwow.  While anticipation of the powwow provides a baseline of suspense, the path Orange lights through the stories of these characters and their reasons for attending the powwow thrills on its own.  A riveting, fast-paced, multi-generational story about violence and recovery, memory and identity, and socioeconomic entrapment.
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020 — SAVE THE DATE for a Truth & Reconciliation Workshop entitled “Your Portal to Turtle Island’s Indigenous History.”  Spaces will be limited to 36 attendees, lunch will be served.  Watch for more details on the All Saints’ Westboro website and in the Advent Issue of Bread for the Saints, available in early December.
  • Wednesday, March 11, 2020 — ASW Reading Circle Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice
  • Tuesday Evenings, March 2020 — All Saints’ Westboro and First United will once again jointly offer a Lenten Program in the spring of 2020.  It will consist of viewing a film called the Doctrine of Discovery, followed by facilitated discussions in small groups.  Prayers and opening ceremonies are likely to be led by Indigenous persons who will assist in the program.  Further information will be available in the winter.  The program will be free and open to the public.
Ongoing at All Saints’ Westboro

Healing Forest — On October 13th Grandmother Francine helped us to bless the small Healing Forest on the east lawn near the main doors to the church.  An initiative of the children of All Saints’ Westboro, the children from both Churches joined in the ceremony by adding the last stones to the pathway and by expressing their prayerful intentions with a tobacco offering.  Participants then sang together with Grandmother Francine, with beautiful sunshine streaming down among the gently falling leaves.  Patricia Stirbys was with us, representing the Healing Forest Initiative and welcoming our small site to join with other forests across the country, dedicated to reconciliation of First Nations and settler people.  This space is defined by a Grandmother/Grandfather Rock that a seating area while we mediate or pray for solace and courage as we look to reconciliation of First People communities with colonizing communities around the world.  Feel free to come and make use of this lovely site.

Resource Table — Stop by to see resources or chat with a member of the Truth & Reconciliation Team, in Steacy Hall during coffee hour following the 9:30 a.m. service on November 17th, and on December 1st.

Offered by Other Groups

Mondays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Rooms 5/6 — First United Book Study
They are currently reading 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act. The book is being discussed slowly until sometime before Christmas. Feel free to come and join in any Monday morning.

All Saints’ Westboro Truth and Reconciliation Team Members:  Barb Gillie, Diane Bays, Elsie Parkinson, Julie Cross, Linda Privitera, Marcie Taylor, Marg Hostetter, Sally Lees, Susan Gates, Wendy Wilker-Blakely

Local/Regional Events

Events not organized or sponsored by ASW that may be of interest.