a small church with a big soup pot
Come in, sit anywhere, stay for lunch.
Cedar Hollow is a small congregation in a wooden church with a garden, in Nanaimo’s south end. We worship on Sunday, feed the neighbourhood on Wednesday, and keep the hall open for anyone who needs a room.
- Sunday worship
- 10:30 am, lunch after
- Find us
- 214 Wren Street, Nanaimo
come as you are
What a Sunday is like
About an hour of singing, a reading, a short talk from Ben and a time to pray for whatever people bring. Then the tables come out and we eat together. Nobody will ask you to stand up, say anything or sign anything.
- What should I wear?
- Whatever you have on. Rain jackets and gumboots are normal here from October to April.
- Can I bring my kids?
- Yes. There’s a corner with books, crayons and a rug at the back, and little noises are part of the service.
- Is there a way in without stairs?
- The ramp is on the garden side, and the washroom by the hall is step-free.
- What if I don’t believe much of it?
- You’re welcome to sit, listen and have lunch. Questions are fine, doubts too.
every Wednesday
Soup lunch for the neighbourhood
A hot bowl, fresh bread and a seat at a long table in the hall. Pay what you can, or nothing at all. Nobody is turned away.
11:30 am to 1:30 pm · the hall, side door on Wren Street
- There’s always one soup without meat, and we label anything with nuts, dairy or gluten.
- Take-away containers by the door if you’d rather eat at home.
- Volunteers start chopping at 9:30. Turn up once and see if you like it.
dig in
The community garden
Behind the church are fourteen raised beds, a tool shed and two rain barrels. Most plots are tended by neighbours, not members, and that’s how we like it. A plot is $20 for the season (March to October), and free if money is tight. Just say so.
- Ask with the form below and pick “a garden plot”, or catch someone at soup lunch.
- Meet Ruth or Dev from the garden team for a ten-minute walk around.
- Plant what you like. Shared tools, compost and water are included.
If every bed is taken, we keep a short list in the order people asked and call you when one frees up.
a room for your group
The hall
A plain, warm room with sixty folding chairs, eight long tables, a kitchen with a big stove and a projector. A recovery group, a seniors’ choir and a Tuesday knitting circle already meet here every week.
| Who | Rate |
|---|---|
| Support groups and mutual aid | Free |
| Non-profits and clubs | $15 / hour |
| Family events and parties | $30 / hour |
| Kitchen add-on | $20 flat |
Free on weekday evenings after 6 pm and most Saturdays. Ask with the form and choose “booking the hall”: Ben checks the calendar and gets back to you.
only if you want to
Giving
Cedar Hollow runs on what people give: the heating bill, the soup pot, Ben’s part-time pay. Visitors are never expected to give.
By e-transfer to give@cedarhollow.example
On Sunday in an envelope, in the basket by the door
This website doesn’t take payments. Questions about giving go to Margaret, our treasurer, at the same address.
no appointment needed
Talk to Ben
Ben Okafor
Pastor, part time
Ben is at the church Tuesday and Thursday from 10 to 3, and at the soup lunch on Wednesday. He’s glad to have a coffee with anyone, about faith, grief, a rough week or nothing much. If you need practical help, like groceries, a ride to an appointment or someone to sit with, say so and he’ll see who can come.
Prefer to call? (555) 555-0123 rings the church office. Leave a message any time.