Monthly Archives: January 2017

Bishop and Chapter News – January 2017

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 16 January with twelve of thirteen members present. Minutes of two December meetings were adopted. 10 December a planning session with our Bishop at which Treasurer Kevin Percy was appointed. 19 December was the regular monthly meeting primarily focussed on details of preparing the 2017 budget. The Dean offered reflections on Epiphany, the challenge of mission in our current context and encouraged the Chapter to identify their own epiphanies with the intention of sharing those by invitation. (John 1:35-42).

New member, the Ven. Wandlyn Snelgrove, Archdeacon of Fredericton-elect was welcomed. Guests Kathleen Snow and Chris Stevenson joined at 8:00 p.m. to address the topic of Safe Church

Business Arising

• Priorities – Two growth priorities identified in December planning were 1) cradle to grave Christian formation and 2) intentionality of welcome, hospitality and invitation. Motion carried to accept.
• Stipends and salaries – while a cost of living increase was applied to Dean’s stipend and staff salaries, further consideration pending
• 2017 budget – further revision since December. Now almost in final form to be finally adopted at the next meeting.

From the Dean

• Christmas worship – attendance review
• Routine activities – a quick review of normal activities during the past month
• October break in – note that the individual charged is to be in court for sentencing on 18 January
• 2016 Financial status – 2016 expenses appear to have been met comfortably with income. Issue of designated or target giving needs consideration by way of our accounting. A “giving policy” needs to be developed to communicate management assumptions clearly.
• Youth mission request – financial support requested for April
• Christian formation – doing some investigation about possibilities regarding a staff position in Christian formation

Items for Decision

• Nominating Committee – the Committee is the Dean, Jim Morell and Catherine Schmidt

Items for Discussion

• Safe Church – diocesan Safe Church (Regulation 4-4) is in effect. K. Snow and C. Stevenson have prepared an analysis of what needs our attention in order to work towards compliance. While significant detail has been determined for health and pastoral care ministries, there are larger questions and decisions to be made about processes and adjusting requirements to our own context. A “Safe Church Officer” is recommended by the regulation. Three individuals have been identified to work with the Chapter and the Officer (once appointed) as we endeavour to implement over the next several months.

Reports

• Treasurer – K. Percy presented a comprehensive list of his recent work and priorities as he settles in to the office of Treasurer

Up-coming Events

• Friday Organ Concerts at 12:10 p.m.
• Conversation re formation – 29 January 2:00 p.m.
• Choral Evensong, Installations and Collation – 05 February
• Annual Meeting – 19 February (26 February snow date)

Next meetings: 13 February, 20 March.

GMH

Photo Directory update

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Some have inquired about when the Photo Directory will be available.

First, thanks to so many of you for participating! Approximately 104 photo sessions took place and a few people who were unable to make any of the sessions, provided photos to Universal Portrait Studios for inclusion in the Directory.

This week, there was conversation with Kara Barnaby regarding how production is coming along. The first draft, should come to the Communications Committee for proofing by the end of January. Once that is done, it will go back and a final full colour draft will be received. One more final editing and it will be ready to print. Kara predicts that, if all goes smoothly, the directories may be ready by the end of February.

She also mentioned that there is time to submit a photo of your own for inclusion, if you still wish to do so!

The basic information (name, address, etc) that will be available in the back of the directory will be as it appeared on the permission slips signed and submitted when photos were done. If you didn’t sign a permission slip, please let us know. You can contact or speak with Gail MacGillivray or the Cathedral Office and include what you wish to have printed (ie: name(s), address, telephone, email).

Once again, thanks to everyone who participated. We anticipate that this Directory will not only help us to know each other better but will be a very useful communications tool for the many Cathedral groups and organizations.

Gail MacGillivray
Communications Committee

What is yoga?

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With the recent announcement of a plan to hold yoga classes at the Cathedral Memorial Hall have come some questions.

Is it appropriate for a Christian Church to practice yoga? The goal is fitness — to use yoga exercises, primarily stretching and breathing, to promote health and well being. The goals of the Cathedral Health Ministry and, more specifically our parish nursing ministry, is to provide opportunities to improve health of body, mind and spirit.

There seem to be a lot of (mis?) information around about what the term “yoga” describes in our 2017 north american context. While some ancient religions have used yoga, yoga is not a religion. It is questionable whether the yogo practiced in gyms, health clubs, and, yes, Christian churches, is really yoga at all in the way some ancient religions have used it. What will be offered at the Cathedral classes are: Hatha Yoga, and the gentler Chair Yoga and Yin Yoga, well suited for individuals with restricted mobility.

“Yogo,” as the term is being used, refers in a colloquial way, to a philosophy that guides exercises which admittedly promote a unity of mind, body and spirit through stretching, breathing and mindfulness.  While meditation may be part of yoga exercises, its usually not. If meditation is part of an exercise, its the choice of the participant. Meditation is not “unchristian.” (See a resource about Christian meditation.) The focus of a mindfulness component, if it is desired, is entirely up to the participant. Some Christians who practice yoga use the time for prayer and meditation.

By some, yoga may be perceived as originating in ancient eastern religions, but yoga is actually much older than that. Those religions have identified in yoga positive benefits that are in line with their own spiritual goals and incorporated it as a spiritual practice. Its quite possible (and increasingly common) for Christians to do the same. Many Christians have discovered that “loving God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength” is furthered through yoga exercises.

Everyone will have an opinion. In the end, each will need to decide if yoga is for them.

15Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny. 16 ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2)

Stretching, breathing and mindfulness exercises (yoga) are quite commonly offered these days in both Christian and non-Christian contexts.

To read more about what yoga is and is not, follow the links below.

The Christian Yoga Myth
Christians Practicing Yoga
Yes to Yoga – Christianity Today
Is it Okay for Christians to Do Yoga? – Relevant Magazine
Yoga 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Practice, Meditation, and the Sutras

GMH

Letters from Belize

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Greetings Mrs. Bev,

It has truly been a while since we communicated. I must apologize for lack of communication. There have been so many challenges this year that for some time it became overwhelming. By God’s grace we finished our first term and are looking forward to the rest of the school year. We begin classes on January 3rd. Our vacation was cut short in order to make up time that was lost during the strike in October.

I pray that all is well with you and yours. Season greetings to you and the church family. I pray God’s continued provisions and guidance to your ministry for the new year.

I just wanted to greet you and say thanks once again for your support of St. Hilda’s Anglican School. Have a blessed and enjoyable New Year!!

Best Regards,
Jane Martinez
(Principal of St. Hilda’s School)

Greetings Ms. Bev,

Happy new year to you and your family, I wish you a prosperous new year. Thank you for the wishes and prayers as well, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

I’m happy to learn that my fees are paid, and I’m excited to venture off to the final courses of my program. However, classes begins January 16th and I won’t be able to meet with Ms. Stuart until then to discuss the circumstances of my final outstanding course. I’m hoping and praying all goes well.

I will utilize any financial assistance with traveling for this semester. I would appreciate it very much.

I’m sure you’re enjoying the winter season in Canada, it must be very beautiful and cold. On the contrary, the weather in Belize is very hot during the day and chilly at night. God is truly an amazing God, we are experiencing different weather under the same sun.

My mom sends her warmest greetings and thanks to you and your church for being such a blessing in my life. Thank you.

Amieka Myers (Belize College Sponsored Student)
God Bless

Dear Ms. Bev,

I want you to know I am very happy in school. I am working very hard at doing the best I can in all subject areas. I am having a wonderful semester completely loving my friends and my teachers. I really love math because it gives me the opportunity to expand my mind and see my world differently. It is my favorite subject . I am thinking of taking accounting in third form therefore I will need to have a strong foundation in Mathematics. The subject that poses more of a challenge to me is Spanish because I don’t speak a word of Spanish at all and the subject is taught in the Spanish Language. It is the area that scares me the most but I’m proud to say that for mid-semester I got an A in it.

This year a couple teachers came together to start a cheer leading squad at school . I tried out and was chosen to join. I really love it because I get to cheer for my team and to travel to different schools and districts. My mom has made me promise to keep my grades up or she will take me off the squad so now I’m working extra hard because I love being a part of a group of girls that are positive like me.

I really enjoy school because I learn new things every day that will help me in life. I am very grateful to you because you gave me the opportunity to go to school. I am sure that my mom would have found a way to send me to school but this scholarship that you gave me makes me feel like I’m helping my mom through hard work. This scholarship is proof that if I work really hard nothing is impossible. My life has never been happier and for that I say thank you very very much.

I am very curious about how you look and would like to see a picture of you(if you would like). I would like to wish you and your church a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. May the lord bless you guys in many ways,for you are doing his work. You are helping students with your kind heart. You all are very caring and loving. I am very happy that people like you all are in this world.
I have attached a few pictures of myself, My first form Honor Roll certificate and my mid-term report card

P.S It doesn’t snow here but it gets really cold in October through to February or March each year.

With love,
Anique Hernandez (Belize High School Sponsored Student)

 

Happy 17th birthday!

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In Liberia your relatives and friends dance and sing to celebrate your birthday, but Catherine Gmah just turned 17 and found out how it’s done in Canada.

Several people from the archdeaconry’s refugee sponsorship committee gathered at the Liberian family’s apartment on Catherine’s special day. One arrived with colourful balloons, another carried a beautifully decorated cake, and others brought cards or presents.

Catherine, who can be shy sometimes, was delighted to be the centre of attention.

Catherine's Birthday PartyAnne Hunt and Gail McGillivray from the cathedral lit 17 candles on the cake and explained that a secret wish is made while everyone sings “happy birthday to you” and the candles are blown out. Catherine giggled so much at the whole idea that it took a few breaths to extinguish all the candles. Everyone clapped, and her parents were as pleased as Catherine.

Among other gifts, she received a shawl, a calendar, a bracelet, cash and gift cards to buy clothes or snacks. She had not expected anything like this to happen so soon after Christmas when the whole family received presents from some of the parishes supporting them during their first year in Canada.

They don’t care for some of the food they have tried in Canada, but the whole family likes sweets. Catherine enjoyed the delicious cake and thanked her Canadian friends.

Her Dad, Phillip Weah, shook everyone’s hand in gratitude. He will be the next one to celebrate a birthday as his is in March. Catherine’s mother Esther and her brother Arene have birthdays in April.

Ann Deveau

Music Monthly – January 2017

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01 January – The Naming of Jesus
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
There is a flower springing – Praetorius
German Mass – Schubert
Psalm 8
Infant holy, Infant lowly – Polish Carol arr. Willcocks
155,622,135,148,150
Praeludium in D BuxWV 139 – Buxtehude

08 January – The Baptism of the Lord
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Call to remembrance, 0 Lord – Farrant
Harris in F
Psalm 29
Behold the tabernacle – Harris
627(362),45,385,555,156
Psalm Prelude Set 2, No. 3 – Howells

15 January – Second Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O Praise God in his holiness – Weldon
Mass of St. Denis – Cabena
Psalm 40: 1-12
Bread of the world – Bancroft
162,270,454,455,132
Crown Imperial – Walton

22 January – Third Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
O come, ye servants of the Lord – Tye
Missa l’hora passa – Viadana
Psalm 27:1, 4-11
Exsultate justi – Viadana
157(508),432,546,619,467
Prelude and Fugue in E minor BWV 533 – Bach

29 January – Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Matins (BCP)
O Lord, increase our faith – Loosemore
Smith Responses
Psalm 15
Stanford in B flat
439,446,466,438
Grand Choeur in D – Guilmant