parkdale united church

429 Parkdale Avenue, OTTAWA, Ontario K1Y 1H3

Governance & Service

Mission and Outreach

Parkdale is a caring church with a vibrant Mission and Outreach ministry. Through givings to the United Church of Canada's Mission and Service Fund we help to enrich the lives of many people in Canada and overseas. Working through the Queensway Social Action Group, Parkdale collaborates with local churches to support Ottawa West Community Support Services, Parkdale Food Bank, and the Queensway Preschool. In addition, we assist needy individuals and make financial contributions to groups such as The Mission, Shepherds of Good Hope, MacLaren Women's Shelter, Urban Christian Outreach, and Schools Breakfast Programs at Cambridge and Connaught Schools. Parkdale has had a long standing tradition of passion for mission. In 1951, Jean MacDonald a member of Parkdale responded to an invitation from the United Church of Christ in Japan and went out as a missionary under the auspices of the Women's Missionary Society of the United Church of Canada. She worked in Japan for over 30 years, always maintaining her relationship with Parkdale. When Miss MacDonald retired, we decided to honour her through an annual donation of $1,000. She requested that the money be used for Mission and Service, preferably in the field of Christian Education. Consequently, a Mission Fund was established. Over the years, the Mission and Outreach Committee has made donations from this fund to various programs including the Scrivens Fund. Since last year, Parkdale has been donating 6 periodical subscriptions to The Institute for Theological Leadership & Development (ITLD), a training program of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. At the heart of the institute's training is the immediate transfer of learning to the context of ministry. Programs offered include training in Full-time Ministry, Lay Pastorate, Youth Ministry, Teaching and Religious Education, Guidance and Counselling, and Church and Community Work. Studentspursue pastoral duties under the supervision of a senior minister and the guidance of staff tutors. The congregation becomes the laboratory for practising what has been learnt. For teachers of Religious Education, Guidance Counsellors and Church and Community Workers, the school and community become their classroom. ITLD is very appreciative of the periodical donations, because they have limited resources, especially in foreign exchange. This story is a demonstration of the wideness of God's love. Miss MacDonald responded to the call of God to serve in Japan and now she is touching lives in Jamaica. Through our donations to an organization such as ITLD we are responding to God's call to love one another, and honouring Miss MacDonald's request to support Christian education. To God be the glory.

The Official Board

How we are Organized

Parkdale United Church has a Board (known as "the Official Board") which oversees the management of the church.

There is also a "session" (also called the elders) who are responsible for the spiritual life of our church. All members of Session are also members of the Official Board.

Others on the Official Board include the Chairs of all committees, members of the Financial Planning Committee, as well as a Chairperson , Vice-Chair, Past Chairperson and Secretary.

The Official Board makes decisions on behalf of the congregation, between annual meetings, on policy and financial matters affecting our church. The Official Board meets four times a year

The Session

How we are Organized

The Elders of Parkdale form the "Session", responsible for the oversight of the spiritiaul interests of the congregation. The Chairperson of the Session is the Minister, Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey. There are 55 elders in the church. Each year, some step down upon completion of their term, and new elections are held.

Elders play an important role in the life of the church, providing leadership to deepen the spiritual committment of the congregation. elders participate in regular meetings of the Session and join session committees (Pastoral Care, Mission and Outreach, Christian enrichment, Membership Development, and Worship committees)

Elders serve communion. They also visit members of the congregation in their homes. Each elder covers one district. Elders visit 4 times per year before each communion service, and on other occasions

Christian Enrichment Committee

The Christian Enrichment Committee is made up of volunteers and a staff associate. There is representation of Youth Group, Sunday School Coordinator and teachers, and Adult Educators. We meet every 2 months to coordinate C.E. programs and organize events. Our Sunday School, the "Rainbow Connection" is run by a large team of volunteer teachers, and coordinated by the Sunday School Coordinator, and other members of the committee. There are currently children aged 3- 15 enrolled in one of 7 different classes. We coordinate a nursery for children under age 3. In addition there are Youth Groups who meet a couple of times a month to participate in fun fellowship activities. In Adult Education, several programs are active. There is a Tuesday morning Bible Study Series led by Dr. Bailey, our Senior Minister, and periodic special evening series such as a Lenten series offered on Wednesday evenings. To support these educational endeavors the C.E. Committee periodically sponsors special teachers' workshops, parenting sessions, etc. Other special events include the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Lenten Video, Sunday School Barbeque and Games, Advent Lunch and Christmas Pageant. As you can see, we are an active group requiring a great deal of volunteer time, talent and energy.

Pastoral Care

The Pastoral Care team is responsible for providing support during times of difficulty or poor health. Members of the team regularily visit our members who are too frail for church attendance, and organize regular services at nursing homes for residents. They also organize a special communion service at the church twice a year for frail members. The members are transported to the church and refreshments and fellowship follow a service in the chapel. The committee provides the brochures at the back of the church concerning issues such as dealing with loss, prayer, health challenges and divorce. The team regularily looks for new members to visit or programs to offer. If you would like to join the team, suggest topics or activities or ask for help, you can leave a note in the office slot.

Membership Development

Membership at Parkdale United Church reflects a wide range of talents and commitments by those who have chosen to make Parkdale their place of worship. The Parkdale family is a dynamic, as well as diverse family, where ministry becomes a wonderful opportunity for shared spiritual growth as individuals and as a community. As we continue to grow in faith as a congregation, it is important to ensure that everyone at Parkdale feels welcome and has a chance to experience what so many of us consider to be our larger family. Fostering this atmosphere is an important mandate of the Membership Development Committee. Whether it is city-wide advertising inviting others to join with us in the spirit of Christian fellowship, developing linkages with the many aspects of life at Parkdale United or simply posting signs to navigate the many rooms of our church, the Membership Development Committee serves the members of Parkdale by actively sharing and communicating the great blessings of our Church.

Ministry and Personnel Committee

The work of the M&P Committee is important enough that its mandate and tasks are described in the by-laws (Manual) of the United Church of Canada. Every one of the United Church's 3800 congregations must have such a committee. The M&P Committee is a confidential, consultative body that supports the paid Ministry Personnel and other paid staff. In the United Church we describe ourselves as "being in ministry together" since the work of our paid staff is only part of the work that takes place in the congregation. The duties of the M&P Committee are as follows:

  1. Provide a consultative and supportive body for Parkdale's staff and the members and adherents of the congregation.
  2. Review working conditions and remuneration for staff.
  3. Oversee the relationship of the staff to members of the congregation and others.
  4. Oversee the relationship between and among members of the staff with respect to their responsibilities and authority.
  5. Consult with and encourage the staff to plan for and carry out continuing education activities.
  6. Review and evaluate the effectiveness of the staff as defined in position descriptions relative to the congregation's objectives and goals.
  7. Review regularly the responsibilities of all staff and revise position descriptions as required.
  8. Maintain liaison with the Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee. The M&P Committee meets about 6 times per year. In addition the members host an annual staff appreciation evening and arrange gifts for staff at Christmas. Members also attend Presbytery workshops on current issues.

Some Stewardship Thoughts

As generous saints here at Parkdale, seeking to be obedient and faithful to God in the way in which we live out our faith and life in the congregation and beyond, we need to ask
ourselves:
  1. What are we worth to God?
  2. What are those whom God has called us to serve in ministry worth to God?
  3. What is our congregation's mission worth to us?
  4. How vibrant and responsive do we want our congregation to be?
  5. What is required of us to generously support this mission and this vibrancy?
  6. What more do we have available to give, and when?
”They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” 1 Timothy 6:18-19

Anthony Bailey



A Testimony from Anniversary Sunday

This being Anniversary Sunday, Barbara Faught asked me if I would pass on a few things that made me proud to be part of Parkdale United. 

I decided that this church was the place that I wanted to hang out.  So, in December 1931, I had my parents bring me to the front of the sanctuary to be baptized.  Since then, there have been many different activities that have confirmed my choice.  I was lucky to have Pearl Rickey as my Sunday School Superintendent.   She made each Sunday a thoughtful inspiring and meaningful time.  We looked forward to the annual Christmas pageant each year.   I was lucky enough to be one of the wise men for several years.  Unfortunately the part did not rub off in real life for me.  I attended Cubs and the 15th Boy Scouts. We had a very active scout hockey team and one year we got to play our final game on an indoor artificial ice rink – what a thrill.

In the fifties, we had morning and evening services.  Once a month, in the evening service, we had a religious movie of which I was the projectionist.  I was so lucky that I could sit at the back and hold my girlfriend’s hand.

There was also a very active Young Peoples Union.  The nurses-in-training at the Civic hospital would take time on Monday nights to attend the meetings.  This situation sparked several males to also attend.

The YPU, as it was called, put on stage plays in the Tape and Memorial halls.  We would then take the production to other churches in the district.  This was a good fundraiser for the rural churches.

The Ottawa Presbytery young people were also very busy. We would have get togethers and dances.  Most were held at Parkdale, in the Memorial Hall. New Years Eve was a special dance time, with a live orchestra.  Another dance was called Sadie Hawkins.  That was when the girls did the inviting and running.  There would be 200-300 attending these functions.

Parkdale also had a softball team and we would play the other United Churches in the Ottawa Presbytery.  The winner would then play against the winner of the Montreal Presbytery.  One of the rules was that there must be a minimum of three girls on your team.  It was great fun.

Barb and I were married in 1957 in this church and the wedding reception was in the Memorial Hall.  My father-in-law had to pay the exorbitant price of $2.50 per person for the luncheon.

In 1958, Dr. Norman Coll was a little concerned that there was a gap between the YPU and married couples in the church.  He got us together and we formed a couples club which we named the Ark club because we went in two by two.  Fifty years later many of that group still get together socially.

Another successful program is the Parkdale Orchestra, started in the mid forties by Bill Morris’ father, Stu Morris. It is still going strong and they played in the church service a few weeks ago.

Regarding outreach programs, in the early thirties Parkdale started Ottawa Neighbourhood Services.  It took in used clothing, old furniture and electrical appliances.  They employed handicapped persons and then sold or gave away this merchandise to the local area people.  It is still operating in a lesser degree.  We now have the ‘In From The Cold’ program and that has been very successful as of late.

Over the years we have been blessed to have fine ministers and great staff.  Anthony and Barbara are right at the top of the list.  Parkdale has always been a warm and friendly church, and I am proud to have been part of it all these years.

Len Baird