What we do
Worship Services
Worship is central to all that we do at St. Thomas.
We welcome and encourage you to join us as we praise the God who created us, gives us new life in Christ, and is with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our prayers are offered from the heart and on behalf of a world in need. And we are blessed and sent to join in God’s mission of healing the world. Worship at St. Thomas engages the head, the heart, and the hands, shaping our lives for serving the world that God loves.
Sunday Mornings
We worship year round on Sunday mornings at 8am and 10am and use the Book of Alternative Services (BAS).
8am
Our 8am service is a “said” eucharist, which means there are no hymns sung. It takes place in the chapel and is a quieter service. We use the BAS service on page 230 which has the feel of a Book of Common Prayer (BCP) service.
10am
The 10am service takes place in the main body of the church. It is a sung service of Eucharist using the contemporary BAS service. Our singing is usually led by our music director, choir, and organist. Guest musicians join us at various times throughout the year. Sunday School is offered at this service from September to June. Fellowship time follows this service.
On Christmas morning and Easter morning this is the only service time.
Mid-Week Services
From September to June we hold a service of anointing for healing on Wednesday mornings at 11 in the chapel. This is a quiet, contemplative service which includes Eucharist. Sometimes the service also includes music.
Evensong
BCP Evensong is held on the fourth Sunday of the month at 4pm. Guest choirs from the Ottawa area as well as St. Thomas’ choir offer the music for this service. It is organized by our Director of Music.
Principal Feasts of the Church Year and Rites of Passage
Special services are held during the year for important occasions such as Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost and are part of our regular yearly cycle of worship. Services to mark Black History Month, National Indigenous Day of Prayer, and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coincide with events in our community. Baptisms are incorporated into our 10am Sunday morning service at various times of the year, Confirmation happens during a bishop’s visit, while weddings and funerals are scheduled on an as needed basis.
Please see our Services & Events page for dates and times.
Getting here
If you are driving, there is a parking lot at the church, and parking on the street along Randal and Braeside should the lot be full.
For those in the neighbourhood who can bike, there is a bicycle rack at the side of the church.
You can also reach St. Thomas by OCTranspo. The number 44 bus stops right in front of the church. https://plan.octranspo.com/plan
Accessibility
There are three accessible parking spots located closest to the entrance to the church. The building is accessible via a ramp that leads into the chapel or a lift located at the “link” doors between the church side of the building and the office side of the building. The sanctuary and the Parish Hall can be accessed via this lift. Wider, accessible pews that can accommodate a walker or wheelchair are mid-way in the nave on either side of the centre aisle.
Children in Worship
We have a Sunday School at our 10am service each week from September to June. Children are welcome to join Sunday School, or may want to stay with their parents during the service. Children who stay in the service are encouraged to join in with the congregation in worship.
We have a “Prayground” which is a small open space at the back of the sanctuary where children and parents can still engage in worship but enjoy some free play space. They are welcome to be kids, so don’t worry if they make a little noise or wander around the church.
At various times during the year, such as our Christmas Eve or Easter services, there will be interactive points in the service specifically designed for children.
