Learn
Let’s explore and learn together
Bible on Tap
First Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm.
Join a member of our clergy at the next bible study. 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.
Check our calendar for location and other details.
Reading Circle
The Reading Circle is a vibrant book discussion group designed for women in our parish and the surrounding community. We explore a diverse range of literature, including both fiction and nonfiction.
Our meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month from September to June in the Chapel. Be sure to check our calendar for information about our upcoming gathering and our book selection for this next season.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre is a partnership of the libraries of All Saints’ Westboro and First United Church. There’s a host of theology and spirituality in the Centre’s books: Christian Practice and Life, Church History, Comparative Religion, Social Welfare.
The Centre is a reference library but it’s also a circulating library, whose sign-out sheets reveal that our faith community regularly consults its resources. You’re invited to browse the Centre’s bookshelves, which are located in the lower hallway of the church.
Parish at Learning (PAL)
We occasionally host Parish At Learning (PAL) sessions in the chapel after the morning Eucharist, typically from September to May. All parishioners are welcome to join these sessions, which start at 11.15 am and conclude by 12.30 pm.
PAL hours are part of our Adult Education initiative featuring a range of presenters. The main goal is to increase awareness of various social issues we face today and the ministries offered by our diocese. Additionally, these sessions provide an opportunity for some of our members to share insights about their weekly work.
Please check our calendar for PAL sessions.
Social Gatherings
Learning about each other.
Come and be part of our events; some happen on a regular basis while others are occasional. Check our calendar for events, dates and locations.
Soup for the Soul
This ministry helps support individuals experiencing significant grief and loss in their lives.
During a humble meal of soup and bread, we come together to keep supporting each other on our paths.
Monthly Breakfasts
We are excited about this chance to create and strengthen friendships!
The men meet the first Tuesday of each month and the women meet on the third Monday of every month.
Black History
- “23 historical black Canadians you should know”
https://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/black-history-month/
- Check out the following movies:
- The Six Triple Eight – black women’s experience in the US military
- Greenbook – a refined pianist hires a street-smart driver in the deep south
- Remember Africville
https://www.nfb.ca/film/remember-africville/ - Journey to Justice – Viola Desmond
https://www.nfb.ca/film/journey_to_justice/ - For more options
https://blackcanadianfilm.ca/films/
The Children’s Church has explored:
- Harriet Tubman – USA. Harriet was born into slavery, but escaped to the North and was the first woman conductor to help others escape on the Underground Railroad. She was also a nurse, spy and leader in the Union Army and after the war worked for women’s rights and newly freed slaves.
- Father Broderick Grier – USA. Fr. Grier is an Episcopal priest who loves to help people come close to God by figuring out what the Bible has to say to us today, using our experiences and our imagination.
- February 23rd: Bayard Rustin – USA – India. Trusted advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr. and worked to end segregation. He studied non-violence from Mahatmas Ghandi and brought those lessons back to the leaders of the Civil Rights movement. Bayard went on to help others become ang
Connecting for Climate Change Action
What’s CfCCA? Connecting for Climate Change Action!
Early in 2023, Western University in London Ontario launched a pilot course on climate literacy for 40 learners. Two years later, Connecting for Climate Change Action — a free online course open to the public at large — has been taken by over 2500 students, ranging widely by age, background, and location. Among those who took the winter 2025 course were four from All Saints Westboro, who share some of their thoughts about it below.
CfCCA was designed jointly by faculty and administrators in the Geography and Indigenous Studies programs at Western, with the aim of combining mainstream science and indigenous wisdom about (especially, but not exclusively) Canadian climate challenges. The mainstream science material centred on the history and current state of climate change assessment, with lots of interactive graphs, video clips, and information about controversies within the field. The indigenous studies component included readings, video clips and mini-lectures about indigenous creation myths, accumulated wisdom teachings, and historical and present environmental stewardship practices.
The CfCCA course continues to be available for interested persons. It currently runs from May 12 to August 18, so registration may have closed. Enter Connecting to Climate Change Action –Western in your browser, and that will take you to the site for registration for a future course class, this coming fall or winter. And watch for us this fall, when we plan to do a PAL hour telling you more about our adventures with CfCCA!
Truth and Reconciliation
June is Indigenous History Month – Check out activities around Ottawa including pow wows, workshops and culinary adventures.
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.
Our Contemplative Garden
If you stroll by All Saints’ Anglican Church with First United Church, you will be able to pause and rest on one of the benches in our courtyard garden. Sheltered by healthy linden trees and made beautiful by the many shrubs and flowers which frame the courtyard, this place has become a haven for neighbours and strangers, pets and baby strollers.
Tucked into the east side of the property is a new garden which we call the Healing Forest, dedicated to the memory of the children of the residential schools. To acknowledge our relationship with the Indigenous people of Canada, we have set aside a small green space for peaceful reflection.
Follow the gravel path into this space where you may rest on one of the rocks at the centre. We hope you will find this a place for contemplation, prayer, or conversation with a friend.
Ongoing at All Saints’ Westboro
215 Dead Children; Kamloops, Albert Dumont, June 1, 2021 — Albert Dumont, Algonquin Spiritual Teacher in Residence, a well-known and respected Algonquin poet, artist, activist and spiritual guide has written a reflection. Read Albert’s reflection.
Statement from The Honourable Murray Sinclair, June 1, 2021 — Watch/hear The Honourable Murray Sinclair on Facebook.
Healing Forest — On October 13th, 2019, 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.
Indigenous Film Reviews
Here are some possible films to view – all previewed by members of our team — from the National Film Board of Canada, with reviews included. All can be found on the following website: www.nfb.ca/documentary.
54 mins., Drew Hayden Taylor, 2014
This film shines a light on Indigenous humour, a part of Indigenous culture that is often overlooked. It is funny, and informative while it examines complex issues such as identity, politics and racism.
1 hr. 37 mins., Alanis Obomsawin, 2017
This is the story of a Cree Community in Norway House (north of Winnipeg). It centres around the Helen Betty Osborne Educational Resource Centre which provides schooling from Kindergarten to Grade 12 for all students in the community, to develop their abilities and sense of pride. Teaching occurs in the classroom and the great outdoors.
It is a film that shows how outcomes can change for the better when sufficient educational funding is provided and when students can develop their abilities and a sense of pride.
1 hr. 24 mins., Alanis Obomsawin, 2014
Time went quickly as I learned about Treaty 9, that covers a great area of Northern Quebec and Ontario. There is a difference between what it says and what was explained according to the ancestors of the Indigenous people that put their mark on the document in 1905. The work of Idle No More, Chief Theresa Spence’s protest and the walk of the 6 young men from Northern Quebec to Ottawa are covered in beautiful and moving cinematography.
1 hr. 19 mins., Tasha Hubbard, 2016
In this deeply moving feature-length documentary, three sisters and a brother meet for the first time. Betty Ann, Esther, Rosalie and Ben were only four of 20,000 Indigenous Canadian children taken from their families between 1955 and 1985 (the infamous Sixties Scoop), to be either adopted into white families or live in foster care. As the four siblings piece together their shared history in this bittersweet film, their connection deepens, and their family begins to take shape.
58 mins., Eva Wunderman, 2017
Edna Elias, former Commissioner of Nunavut, is a great-gradndaughter of Petter Norberg, a Swede who came to Northern canada as a young man and worked in the fur trade. The documentary tells the sotry of Norberg’s life through the visit of Edna’s Swedish cousins to Kugluktuk.
Available on TVO at https:
52 mins., Tasha Hubbard, 2019
Following the shooting of Colten Boushie by a Saskatchewan farmer, this film follows his family’s pursuit of justice and raises questions about racism embedded in Canada’s justice system. (can be viewed on GEM for free)
Events and Programs
Events and programs not organized or sponsored by ASW that may be of interest.
- NAC Indigeneous Theatre – Upcoming Events and Tickets
- Canadian Museum of History – History Night at the Museum: Traditional Technologies
- CBC – Indigenous programs
Science and Christianity II: “Darwin and Evolution”
This interesting 3 part series has finished, but the audio and visual are both available online here.
Movies
From time to time, we host movie nights and potluck dinners that connect with current events and religious festivities.
It’s a great opportunity to relax, share delicious food, and connect with friends. We look forward to seeing you there!
