About Us - Our Way of Life

The Julian of Norwich Anglican Church Way of Life:

Julian of Norwich was a Christian Mystic whose spiritual journey was inspired by viewing the world God loves through a window into the community and a window into the sacred. Julian served God by serving neighbourhood.

In the same way, Julian of Norwich Anglican Church is a community that strives to follow Jesus with an active gaze through a window in to the sacred and a window in to the neighbourhood. We are guided by the commandments to love God with our heart, mind, and soul and to love our neighbour as ourself.

Julian of Norwich Anglican Church seeks, with God’s help, to:

• create a welcoming space where all can enter as they are.
• strengthen relationships with God through worship, prayer and sacrament.
• actively live out mission and ministry by serving and caring for people and the environment.
• nurture spiritual growth by creating opportunities for learning, questioning, and transforming.
• prioritize relationships, governance and action that elicit the creation, maintenance, and growth of community-based quality of life and wellness that is intergenerational and inclusive of diverse cultures and faith expressions.

Energized by God’s love for all of creation, participants in the community life of Julian of Norwich Anglican Church are invited to:

• recognize yourself as a gift of God’s creation with a spiritual life that seeks to be nurtured.
• embrace regular worship, prayer and sacrament.
• show Christ’s love to neighbour and other in your everyday life.
• strive to create peace, justice, compassion, inclusion and equality in the world.
• be open to the way in which God is expressed in diverse people, cultures, and religions.
• share in the mission and outreach ministry of the community with your gifts of time and talent.
• support the mission and outreach ministry of the community financially.

Finding Us

Our church faces Merivale Road, between Rossland and Withrow Avenue. Our main entrance is at 7 Rossland Avenue. Parking is free, easy, and right at the main entrance. On Sunday mornings, there is additional parking across the street from the church at Elizabeth Wyn Wood School, which they are kind enough to allow us to use on Sunday mornings.

The church is accessible with several designated parking spots, a ramp to the main door entrance, and automated doors.

There are bike racks outside the main door and you can also use OC Transpo (Line 80 and 86 Bus stop at Merivale and Rossland Avenue)

Do I need to get dressed up to come to Julian?

We are informal, so please wear whatever feels comfortable to you.

What do I do when I arrive?

Whether you come to either the 8:00 am, or the 10:00 am service you will be met by a friendly greeter who will pass along to you whatever you need for the service. Please feel free to ask your greeter any questions that you may have, and please do sit wherever you wish.

What about my children?

At Julian of Norwich the whole community worships together; from one year old to 100 years old. There is a child-friendly play space at the entrance of the sanctuary with toys and a book shelf for children to play with if they get restless at the pew or to take to the pew with them.

How long is the service?

Currently our 8:00 a.m. service is a quiet service of Morning Prayer. The 10:00 a.m. service is a Holy Eucharist Service. As of June 2022 both services are accessible in-person, Online, and over the phone. How to access the services online and by phone. To attend in-person just show up at Merivale and Rossland Avenue.

How will I know when to stand, sit, or kneel?

The truth is, sometimes you won’t until you get the hang of the flow of the service and have figured out what is comfortable for you. No worries; you can easily follow the community’s lead on whether to stand, sit, or kneel. In fact, throughout the service we often give the option of assuming whichever posture is most comfortable for you, and enables you to best participate in the service. For example, if kneeling during prayer is uncomfortable, then please either sit or stand during prayer because we don’t want posture to get in the way of your being able to worship enjoyably.

What about receiving Communion?

All who are baptized are welcome to receive communion. If you are not comfortable receiving communion then you are welcome to receive a blessing – just indicate that you do not wish to receive communion by folding your arms in front of you.

What about gluten and other food sensitivities?

At Julian we provide gluten-free communion wafers in addition to regular wafers. Please indicate your gluten sensitivity to the minister serving communion.

Do I need to bring anything?

No. As our guest you are under no obligation to contribute to the work of Julian. However, gifts are always gratefully received and those who continue to be part of the community are asked to prayerfully discern how they will contribute to the parish with their time, talent and treasure.

What happens after the service?

We currently do not have a ‘coffee hour’, but you can always find people gathered at the entrance to the sanctuary before and after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. service. Don’t hesitate to join in the conversation.

What is the ‘Anglican’ church?

The Anglican Church in Canada traces its roots back to the Church of England, and today it is an independent, self-governing church in communion with the other 44 churches of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Church in Canada includes more than 500,000 members in nearly 1,700 parishes, and like Canada, the church has become culturally diverse. On any given Sunday the tradition of common prayer is expressed across Canada in many languages, including Inuktitut, French, Spanish, and Cree. For more information, please see www.anglican.ca

Is Julian an Inclusive Church?

Julian of Norwich Anglican Ottawa welcomes diversities of every kind. All are welcome; without exception. We are an LGBTQ+ affirming community. We are always looking for ways to expand our LGBTQ+ outreach and activities at the church and make efforts to ensure our parish is inclusive to different orientations, cultural backgrounds, and abilities. We march in the Ottawa Pride Parade as a visible sign of support and affirmation of the LGBTQ+ community.