As of December 23, 2020, we have returned to the red phase of our pandemic response plan. This means the church building is closed and all on-site worship services are suspended until further notice.
On-site Service Schedule – on hold
Church of the Ascension has decided to continue our Sunday Services of the Word on Zoom while also offering on-site services during the week for those who feel they can safely attend and wish to do so.
The printed copies of the service will be available or you can download a copy in advance.
What will on–site services look like?
The services will be short (30–40 minutes) and peaceful, filled with prayer, reflection, and communion. There will be no singing in the Eucharistic services but Aude will play the piano for us, filling the space with beautiful music. The Compline service will include a soloist but no congregational singing. Children are welcome but the children’s area and Sunday school remain closed so they have to stay in the pew with their household.
Attendance is limited to 40 people in a maximum of 15 social bubbles. Please reserve a place in advance (see below). Only one person from each bubble needs to make the reservation for the group.
Everyone must wear a mask and households or social bubbles must keep 2 metres away from one another.
When you arrive enter through either of the doors on Echo Drive and proceed directly to up the stairs to the church (don’t forget to use the hand sanitizer). A greeter will confirm you do not have any symptoms of Covid-19 and record your name and contact information in order to assist with public health contact tracing before directing you to your pew. We will fill the church from the front to the back and encourage you to sit towards the centre of your pew.
Should you need to use the washrooms during the service, please use the door by the piano and return the same way (unless you need the elevator). We want to avoid having people in the hall as much as possible.
When the Eucharist is celebrated, only the bread (in the form of both regular and gluten-free wafers) will be distributed. The priest will bring it to you in your pew.
At the end of the service, you will be directed to leave, one pew at a time, through the doors at the back of the church, down the stairs, and out the main doors. Sadly, we can not linger for conversation but have to save the chatting for Zoom!
*The elevator, of course, is available to anyone who needs it and we have space available for people who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
The church will be thoroughly cleaned between every service.
How do I make a reservation?
Unless the demand for spaces requires it, we will not be requiring advance registration. You will need to register on arrival however, as required by Ottawa Public Health.
Learn, Learn, Learn We will adjust as we go and as the circumstances require. Stay tuned for updates!