BCUC's Response to COVID-19 as of March 12, 2020

These are the steps we are taking to minimize risk to everyone who uses our building effective immediately:

Please do not come to church or any gathering if you are feeling sick

if you are feeling ill, have a fever or have symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or shortness of breath, stay home or call your doctor. Call Telehealth if your doctor is unavailable as treatment options may be changing in the community.

Changes to Sunday services

Instead of shaking hands or hugging, we will greet each other verbally and minimize close physical contact. We will encourage social distancing whenever possible.

Communion is not scheduled until April 12 (Easter Sunday), so we will update our communion practices according to the information we have at that time.

Offering plates will be available with health concerns in mind. (i.e. ushers will use gloves and will receive the offering– no passing of the plates in the pews).

Stay informed

Monitor daily updates from Ottawa Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada for current information regarding COVID-19. Check current recommendations regarding travel and attendance at large gatherings including worship.

Our staff may be working from home. If you cannot reach them by phone, you can contact them via email. You can read our full COVID-19 response here (PDF).

Wishing everyone good health!

2020 Lenten Project: Veterans' House

VETERANS’ HOUSE, the Andy Carswell Building, is a housing community for veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The facility will provide supportive housing for 40 veterans. This latest Multifaith Housing Initiative (MHI) project is partnering with a number of agencies to offer mental health and addiction services, gathering spaces (including a communal kitchen and outdoor barbecue facilities), an indoor gym, and a dog park for service dogs.

MHI is four-fifths of the way to completing the fundraising for Veterans’ House, however there still remains 2.3 million dollars to finish the project. SOSA has set a goal of $8000 to support Veterans’ House. To donate, please contact the church office at (613) 820-8103 or office@bcuc.org.

Please contribute to the BCUC Book of Memories

The Church Board would like to create a new Book of Memories in 2020. We would like to receive a memory, story, photo with captions, from you.

To assist you in helping us, perhaps you can answer questions like this: What does BCUC mean to you? What effect did Bells Corners United Church have on your life? Who do you remember from the Church and why? What event at the church meant something to you?

Email your “memories” to Bob Ferguson, editor, via office@bcuc.org or write them out and bring or send them to the church office before April 5, 2020.

This is a project for the whole church, children, youth, adults. We hope you will take a part!