Welcome to the Rice Lake Regional Ministry!

The Regional Ministry is a collaboration that began on July 1st, 2022 between six congregations in five parishes: the churches of St John the Evangelist, Peterborough; Christ Church, Campbellford; St George's, Hastings; St James', Roseneath; St Michael's, Westwood; and St John the Evangelist, Havelock.


It came about as a result of a conversation between the partner churches that began in the Fall of 2019.  Given the challenges and opportunities of ministry in the east end of the Peterborough Deanery, the conversation led us to enter into a two-year pilot project working together, sharing clergy and lay leadership and building stronger outreach, seniors, and youth ministries across the Region.


Pictured below are the five existing churches (St James' was destroyed by fire in 2019 and has not yet been rebuilt).  From left to right:  St John's Peterborough, Christ Church, St Michael's, St George's, and St John's Havelock.

Why Regional Ministry?

It is only through coming together as a Regional Ministry that we will have the resources and energy to continue our beloved traditional ministries and diversify to revitalize and offer programs and ministries that can reach new people through worship, care, and outreach. As a region we will be able to have:

  • Better programming with more options;
  • More priests, lay leaders and volunteers to support programs and ministries;
  • More creativity, more energy, and more resources to do ministry and mission in creative ways. Way which can focus on connecting with new people and people are not being attracted to our traditional ministries;
  • We can do more effective outreach ministries and have a larger impact on making positive changes in people’s lives;
  • We can have a stronger pastoral care program, connecting especially with people who are isolated, in care, or homebound;
  • COVID has shown us that we now need to be able to provide ministry in different ways including online. As a region we will have the capacity to diversify and strengthen ways we can offer worship and other ministry programs;
  • We would have a team ministry giving our congregations and communities a broader range of gifts and skills for ministry and mission and opportunities for collaboration and collegiality for the clergy;
  • The team could be specialized to best grow ministry in the area.

  • It would be easier to recruit priests into a Regional ministry team. 

News

Watch this space for news stories.


Regional Ministry "Grand Opening" a Success!

On Sunday, September 25th, Anglicans from across the region attended a special worship service and supper to celebrate the beginning of our shared ministry.  The congregation of 80 people filled St George's Church in Hastings and everyone enjoyed the choir-led service of Evensong which included the installation of the Rev. Max Dionisio as the Regional Curate (assistant clergy).  Following the service, we went into the church hall for a supper provided by members of the various congregations.  As everyone ate and mingled, new friendships were formed and we look forward to the next opportunity for worship and fellowship together.

Events

Check out events happening in the churches around the Region.  Some are Regional Ministry initiatives and some are from individual congregations.  All are welcome to any of the events listed below.

  • Advent book study

    Join our curate, the Rev. Dr Max Dionisio for a 5-week regional study based on Holy Disruption by Tracy S. Daub.  It starts Wednesday, November 23rd at 1:30 p.m. and will be held at St George's, 38 Bridge St, Hastings.  To sign up for the study, please contact the office at St John's (705-745-7624 or email).  Books are available for purchase for $18.50.


    The Gospel of Mark doesn’t have a nativity story—so where’s the Advent message? It’s in every aspect of Jesus’ life, to his death and beyond. The Incarnation—God come to earth in human form to be baptized, teach, heal, eat, and die—is what we celebrate at Christmas, and Mark shows us just how radical and celebration-worthy it is! Holy Disruption presents a fresh understanding of the holiness of Christmas grounded, not in a conventional cozy Christmas message, but through Mark's disquieting gospel which invites its readers to experience God's disruptive but transformative love for us and our world. Come for the conversation, to meet other people in the regional ministry, and to learn about Mark’s profound message of Christmas without a crib!

  • Biblical Storytelling workshop

    Biblical storytelling is an art and a spiritual discipline.  Rev. Mary Bell-Plouffe and Deacon Deb Wilson (of St John's, Peterborough) invite you to an introductory workshop on Sunday, December 4th, at 11:30 a.m. at St John's Church, 99 Brock St, Peterborough. Lunch will be provided.  No strings attached--just because you come that doesn't mean we expect you to tell in church.  Please sign up by calling (705-745-7624) or emailing St John's parish administrator Carolyn so we know how many to expect. Feel free to email Deacon Deb or Rev. Mary with any questions.

  • Christmas Carol Sing

    Sunday, December 11th, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at St John's Church, 99 Brock St, Peterborough.  Come and sing your favourite Christmas hymns and carols and raise a cup of cheer with friends from across the Rice Lake Regional Ministry. Refreshments provided.