When Liberian refugee Esther Gmah was in hospital for months last fall, she had time on her hands to hatch a plan.
“I want to visit all the churches helping my family,” she announced to a refugee sponsorship committee volunteer one day. “To say thank you,” she added.
Several parishes raised money and did paperwork to bring the family from a refugee camp in Ivory Coast to Canada last July, and volunteers have been helping them to acclimatize to Canadian life.
GATHERING – Parishioners from St. John’s in Gagetown and St. Stephen’s in Queenstown put on a reception for the Liberian refugee family sponsored by several parishes in the Greater Fredericton archdeaconry.
It was almost Christmas when she was released from hospital, winter storms were brewing, and it was not the best time for a woman who must use a walker to start hitting the road. However, Esther was determined.
So far, she has worshipped at several of the churches involved in the sponsorship of her family. Prior to her hospitalization, the family had attended services at St. Margaret’s in Fredericton, situated near their apartment, and have returned there, too.
I want to visit all the churches helping my family.
Despite wintry weather, they have made the rounds, taking part in a Christmas Day service at Christ Church Cathedral and later trying the 10 o’clock and 11:45 services. They have also made a few Sunday trips to St. Mary York and to Christ Church Parish Church with sponsorship committee members.
VALENTINE FLOWERS – Esther Gmah smiles upon receiving a bouquet of flowers from parishioners during a visit to St. John’s Anglican Church in Gagetown.
Sunday, Feb. 12Th, was a highlight for the whole family because they travelled much farther afield to meet people who have helped them. At a worship service in St. John’s Anglican at Gagetown, they received beautiful, handmade valentines from children in the congregation.
Joined by parishioners from St. Stephen’s in Queenstown, people from St. John’s held a reception afterwards and presented colourful flowers and boxes of chocolates to the family. Esther’s daughter, 17-year-old Catherine, pronounced the day “awesome.” The family was invited to come back for a service in the summer, perhaps to enjoy a picnic and a boat ride on the St. John River.
WELCOME – The Rev. Christian Persaud welcomes Phillip Weah to a reception following a worship service at St. John’s Anglican Church in Gagetown in February.
The Rev. Christian Persaud, who oversees multi-point parishes, said he would like them to visit the Parish of Cambridge and Waterborough which has also contributed to the refugee sponsorship fund. Esther had no idea where the church of the Good Shepherd in Cambridge Narrows might be, but she readily agreed to a future visit.
There was a sad event the same week as the joyous visit to Gagetown. St. Mary York volunteer Anne Buckland died unexpectedly. The family cried while attending the funeral of “a good lady” whom they adored.
Anglican churches in the Marysville area of Fredericton, Stanley, Nasonworth, Zealand and Fredericton Junction are also on the roster although visits have not yet been arranged.
“God is good to us, and we say thank you very, very much to be here in Canada,” Esther’s husband, Phillip Weah, summed up.
Bishop and Chapter met on Wednesday evening, 15 February with nine of thirteen members present. The meeting was postponed from 13 February due to weather. Minutes of the 16 January 2017 meeting were adopted. The Dean offered some reflection on the Gospel for the coming Sunday and the nature of truth as it is considered in light of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5:38-48).
Business Arising
• Stipends and salaries – while a cost of living increase was applied to Dean’s stipend and staff salaries, further consideration is pending with a goal of annual review
• Nominating Committee – two nominations for recommendation to the Bishop for appointment and one for election. Nominations for Synod delegates in two categories including age 16-25 have been secured. (See Diocesan Constitution s. 4) Further nominations will be accepted from the floor.
• Diocesan Safe Church Regulation – the task group assigned to propose a Cathedral implementation process has completed its work with the Chapter’s thanks. Items for decision from recommendations.
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary review of regular work
• Christian formation – continuing to investigate options regarding a possible near future staff position in Christian formation with a beginning focus on children and young families
• Scheduling – for honorary clergy participating in worship Mar-May should begin this week
• Vacation – scheduled for 17 – 30 April 2017
Items for Decision
• Safe Church Cathedral Policy – to become compliant with Diocesan Regulation 4-4 several actions recommended. Decision was made on three first steps:
1) The Executive negotiate and appoint a Cathedral Safe Church Officer beginning with a one year term, with honorarium if necessary, to coordinate implementation
2) That we proceed with initial requirements of training and police record checks for high risk volunteers and staff
3) That Health Ministry proceed with implementation requirements as needed for health ministries
• 2017 Budget – be approved as presented in the current Annual Report and be presented at the Annual Meeting
• South Porch Window – that the stained glass in the south porch be repaired at a cost of about $2000, restoration fund to be utilized
Items for Discussion
• Annual Meeting – some final details regarding child care and lunch were discussed
Reports
• Treasurer – absent due to family matters out of province, K. Percy provided the monthly statement for January 2017.
Thanks – were expressed to members ending their term, Dianne Wilkins, Kathy McBride and Catherine Schmidt
Up-coming Events
• Annual Meeting – 19 February (26 February snow date)
• After ALPHA (22 February)
• Belize Dessert Party and Silent Auction (25 February)
• Pancake Supper (28 February)
• Ash Wednesday (01 March)
Our Bishop recommends “Noticing God” by Richard Peace for study during Lent 2017.
In his opening words, Peace sets the goal of his book:
Where is God? How do we notice the presence of God? How do we encounter this God that we sense? How do we know it is God and not some figment of our imagination? Is it possible to know God at all? Questions like these have interested me for as long as I can remember. I suppose it all started when I was a child, probably around five or six years old, and I had a[n] experience …
In mystical encounters, in the ordinary, in the still small voice, in community, in creation, and more.
Books are available for $10 from the Cathedral Office; e-reader version for $9.99 at amazon.ca here: Noticing God.
Study on Mondays during Lent, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Lounge at the Cathedral Memorial Hall, 168 Church Street.
Bishop David Edwards installed the Rev’d Deacon Francene (Fran) Bedell, the Rev’d Greg McMullin, the Rev’d Wandlyn Snelgrove and the Rev’d Allen Tapley as canons of Christ Church Cathedral during a transferred celebration of Candlemas on 05 February 2017.
Wandlyn Snelgrove was collated as Archdeacon of Fredericton. The Ven. Patricia Drummond retired from that position at the end of 2016, continuing to serve as Archdeacon of Woodstock.
Archdeacon Cathy Laskey was the preacher at the Choral Evensong. She began by lighting a candle, noting that a Godly Play session, a popular Christian education programme for children, begins with the lighting of a candle.
“We carry the light and love of Christ wherever we go,” Archdeacon Laskey preached. “May we show that light and love to others.”
Canons of the Cathedral
The office of “Canon” is an honorary designation at the sole discretion of the Bishop of Fredericton.
Canon Four of the Diocese of Fredericton reads:
• The Bishop may appoint Canons who shall be installed by the Dean in seats in the canon stalls of the Cathedral.
• A Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, who is a Canon employed as a member of the Cathedral staff, shall perform such duties as the Dean assigns.
• As members of the Cathedral Advisory Chapter, Canons shall perform such duties as are prescribed in the Cathedral By-laws, and any particular work the Bishop assigns to them.
Archdeacons
Canon Four of the Diocese of Fredericton reads:
• The Bishop shall appoint Archdeacons to exercise territorial or Diocesan supervisory functions.
• The Archdeacons have precedence after the Dean, and shall be installed in seats in the Cathedral to which they have a right whenever present in Choir of the Cathedral.
• The Bishop may authorize an Archdeacon to assist in the supervision of an Archdeaconry.
• The names and jurisdiction of each Archdeaconry shall be fixed by regulation.
• The Diocesan Council may adopt regulations prescribing the duties and supervisory functions of Archdeacons.
• The Bishop, with the approval of the Diocesan Council, may create additional Archdeaconries or decrease their number.
The Parish of Madawaska, well represented and supportive of the Rev’d Deacon Fran Bedell (centre) on 05 February
Canons of Christ Church Cathedral (residing in the Diocese – 10 February 2017)
The Rev’d Canon Deacon Fran Bedell
The Rev’d Canon Malcolm Berry
The Rev’d Canon Neville Cheeseman
The Rev’d Canon Edward Coleman
The Rev’d Canon Wally Corey
The Rev’d Canon Patricia Craig
The Ven. Thomas Crowther
The Rev’d Canon George Eves
Canon Charles Ferris, QC
The Rev’d Canon James Golding
The Ven. Arthur Gregg
The Rev’d Canon Elaine Hamilton
The Ven. Harold Hazen
The Rev’d Canon Ross Hebb
The Rev’d Canon James Irvine
The Rev’d Canon David Jackson
The Rev’d Canon David Kierstead
The Rev’d Canon Bonita LeBlanc
The Rev’d Canon Jon Lownds
The Rev’d Canon Elaine Lucas
The Rev’d Canon William MacMullin
The Rev’d Canon Leo Martin
The Rev’d Canon Richard McConnell
The Rev’d Canon Bruce McKenna
The Rev’d Canon Gregory McMullin
The Rev’d Canon Keith Osborne
The Rev’d Canon John Sharpe
The Rev’d Canon Robert Smith
The Rev’d Canon Thomas Smith
The Rev’d Canon Albert Snelgrove
The Rev’d Canon David Staples
The Rev’d Canon Kevin Stockall
The Ven. Reginald Stockall
The Rev’d Canon Allen Tapley
The Rev’d Canon Walter Williams
Episcopal Directive (8.5) issued 25 October 2008, directs that archdeacons no longer serving in the function, take the original title of “canon.”
Archdeacons of the Diocese of Fredericton (10 February 2017)
The Ven. Stuart Allan
The Ven. Patricia Drummond
The Ven Brent Ham
The Ven. Cathy Laskey
The Ven. John Matheson
The Ven. Robert Marsh
The Ven. Wandlyn Snelgrove
Sadly, the Diocese said goodbye to Canon George Akerley this week at a funeral on 10 February 2017 in Rothesay.
Looking forward, looking back
At least once each year it is a healthy and good exercise to stop and look backward. That’s not a useless reminiscence, but rather an opportunity to allow what God has been saying over the past year inform what happens in the next. In my day to day ministry, the days fly by, the weeks turn one into the other and the months the same – its Christmas and before I know it we’re preparing church bulletins for Easter.
And each week I have a checklist of sorts. My best intentions are to collect as many checks as possible: an effort to meet church members on their home turf (home or workplace visitation), attention to those who are either celebrating something special or in some form of distress or sickness, preparation for the corporate experience of Sunday worship. For the most part, if I’ve managed to complete those commitments, I consider it a good week spent. But … but there is so much more. Every week brings with it unique needs and requirements. There are meetings. Oh the meetings, all important to both diocesan and cathedral life and they bring a busy punctuation to everything else. They too are important, but its sometimes difficult to see the immediate result. While Christ Church Cathedral is not a huge pastoral charge, it is among the largest in the Diocese of Fredericton. Being the one stipendiary priest brings with it a level of responsibility that is significant. I’m thankful for the honorary assisting clergy, the ministries of our staff, group and committee chairs, members of Bishop and Chapter and others who take our corporate life seriously and offer so much. I simply couldn’t do what I do and we couldn’t be what we are, without all of you.
New Staff
2016 was a year full of changes and challenges. This year we welcomed three new members of staff: David Drinkell, Kathleen Snow, and Lou McKnight. All have been a blessing to our team. Adam Lewis joined us for a time. It’s the unique gifts that each of them bring to their work that brings us closer to a comprehensiveness to which we need to aspire. The Christ Church Cathedral “package” and how we accomplish what we do is important for us, important for Fredericton and important for our Diocese. We can do better, but we are on the way.
A Diocesan Cathedral
Being a Cathedral doesn’t afford us an easier road than our sister parishes in the Diocese. Our boundaries are those of the Diocese, coterminous with the Province of New Brunswick. We hold a special place among Anglican churches in this part of God’s vineyard and with that place comes both rich blessing and great responsibility. The Cathedral should always be a church towards which our Diocese can look to see a best practices example of the challenging task of being Christian in the midst of our cultural context which, it would seem, is growing ever more secular. Excellence in worship, a leader in mission both far and near, exemplary pastoral care, a place where we are being formed into disciples of Jesus Christ. In short, we are a light on the hill and being that consistently takes effort, commitment and a huge dose of the grace of God.
Bishop and Chapter
The Chapter experienced several membership changes during 2016. Resignations of Bob Garland and Carol Dixon were received regretfully and we thank them for the contribution they so graciously made during their terms. We welcomed Ed Biden, Bonnie Greenwood and Kevin Percy, and to God we are thankful for their response to the call to serve. To members with terms concluding, Kathy McBride, Catherine Schmidt and Dianne Wilkins we express sincere thanks for their contributions.
During the Fall, members of Bishop and Chapter read “Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish” by James Mallon. In December a planning meeting identified several areas where as a church community we are doing very well. Two priorities needing attention were identified for the immediate future: 1) Ministries of Christian formation and 2) hospitality, welcoming and invitational ministries
The Good News
The good news over the past year is important to note:
• Confirmation preparation was held February to June, partnering with the Parish of New Maryland, and in June six Cathedral candidates were confirmed
• In May we began a regular schedule of the daily offices read in the Cathedral, Monday to Friday, 8:45 and 4:45 with help from a team of leaders – a very important addition to our regular worship schedule.
• Bishop and Chapter has continued to move into a council model of leadership and governance as we work towards functioning committees and drawing the circle of leadership ever wider
• The Cathedral hosted diocesan ordinations on 26 June and 18 September
• With permission obtained from our Bishop, home Communion administrators were trained, and began this ministry mid-year
• Financially we saw strengthened commitment in giving of about 11%. Commitments made to Parish Nursing is a significant part of that increase and certainly indicates we are being responsive to the corporate commitments we’ve made
• Several individuals responded to an invitation to become servers and we have been blessed with their service during worship
• In December David Drinkell began a regular Friday schedule of 12:10 organ concerts
• Choral Evensong continued on the first Sundays of the month
• Ministries, including the Director of Music, Parish Nurse and Sexton, were celebrated with commissioning on 20 November, the Reign of Christ
• Combined worship with all encouraged to join at 10:30 a.m. was held on Easter, Pentecost and the Reign of Christ Sundays
Some challenges
Needless to say, day to day operation and ministry is in itself a tremendous challenge. On the two “growing edges” identified by Bishop and Chapter I’ll briefly comment.
Christian formation
First of all, the word “formation” is new to many of us. It is not a substitute for the word “education.” Formation is a much broader term, recognizing that traditional education is only part of becoming Christian, something we are all doing every day. Worship, involvement in God’s mission and purpose for the Church, our witness to family, friends and the society in which we live, personal encounters with the divine – all of this and more are part of how we are shaped and formed into what God is calling us to be. How we are all constantly being moulded, “formed,” into disciples of Jesus Christ have come to light especially over the last few decades all across the Christian Church. Its not just the latest fad. Responsible for its recognition over the last several decades, is the reality of a growing secularism, or perhaps more accurately examples of religious faith publicly displayed and practiced being squeezed out of everything from Scouts to schools, Sundays to social life. Formation was somewhat automatic in times past. Community was different. The church was once central to the social and educational life of where we lived. What is being discovered is that if we as church are not intentional about formation at every age and stage of life, it may not happen. The absence of two or three generations of Christians in our midst is clear evidence. Parents leaving faith formation of their children to the corporate church, now too often clearly not equipped for the task, leaves a gaping hole.
Volunteers to run the programmes many of us expect should be automatic have become more and more difficult to engage. Do we have these people among us? I believe we do, but everyone will point to how busy their lives have become and that church, religion and faith now compete with many other important priorities. Few feel they are “qualified” and perceive they need training, co-ordination and coaching. It is for that reason that Bishop and Chapter and the Christian Formation Committee are seriously considering how we might bring that intentionality to how Christian formation happens at Christ Church Cathedral. It is yet another area behind which we will all need to get to take positive steps and begin to close the gap that many have been identifying for quite some time. Some will ask, “Is this about Sunday School?” The answer is “Yes.” But its about much more than Sunday School and includes an intergenerational approach to how we grow together in the faith. Those with experience have something invaluable to share with the younger in our faith family and, as is always the case, children always have something unique and valuable to teach us all. My prayer is that we stay tuned as we work our way forward because it is perhaps among the most critical of elements that will influence our present and determine our future.
Hospitality, welcoming and invitation
Hospitality is a biblical imperative. As a community of faith, the way we embrace those who are new, different and seeking is among the most important aspects of how we are the Church. “But my church is very friendly!” is not an uncommon sentiment I hear all too often. What we don’t often see is that the “my” in that sentence is the operative word. For those who already “belong,” my church is a friendly place! I know the people. I’m familiar with the surroundings. I know how things work. For the person unfamiliar, it can be, and is, an intimidating place to be indeed. While many believe a hand shaken and a copy of the Sunday bulletin at the door on a Sunday morning fulfills the hospitality requirement, that’s only the beginning.
This is the second priority for emphasis identified by Bishop and Chapter. How does a person who doesn’t yet belong to our congregational family become one of us? How do we consistently provide a sincere welcome to those who wander in and most often wander back out? Who is watching membership lists and assuring that those who are regular worshippers are identified correctly there? Does anything happen when someone quietly and unnoticed is no longer with us in worship? Does the onus lie entirely on the newcomer to attend to the necessary details of inclusion? Do we corporately and individually consistently make effective invitation? Is our church an inviting environment? Are we really an inviting place? Do we really want others to join us in the search for God in our midst? These are significant and difficult questions and the answers may surprise us all. And interestingly, we’ll unlikely find all the true answers among us.
Without a doubt, there are sensitivities that need to be recognized, but there is much that we can do to improve. Again being intentional and building in some systems and processes will go a long way to creating bridges where there now exists difficult terrain and sometimes even a great gulf in terms of membership boundaries and borders.
Conclusions
I continue to consider Christ Church Cathedral a very good place for me to be. After a decade in administration, my priestly vocation has been renewed over the past few years as I have the opportunity to preach regularly and attempt to be a pastoral presence in community. There are challenges. I could easily become overwhelmed. While I often wish I had the energy that was mine twenty years ago, it would seem That God has helped me learn the lesson one more time to take steps one at a time. I have a history of being a slow learner.
Pray if you will this coming year for Christian formation and hospitality, welcoming and invitation ministries.
The Cathedral is such a diverse and gifted church; our potential is incredible. I pray that we continue, by the grace of God, into 2017 relying of the Spirit of the One who calls us into his glorious light.
Respectfully submitted,
Geoffrey Hall. Dean of Fredericton
Lois Baker, a familiar face to the Cathedral family, has been an integral force in the Cathedral since she arrived here from Newcastle in 1956 as a student at Teachers’ College, living in the old Rosary Hall among the nuns. She met her husband, Gerald Baker, in Fredericton, and he wanted to marry her but he thought she was Roman Catholic, because she attended “the biggest church in Fredericton.” He was worried his family might have an issue with him marrying a Roman Catholic. She soon set him straight!
She and Gerald had four children, two boys and two girls and now five grandchildren. All their children grew up in Fredericton and attended the Cathedral regularly, but only two are still local.
Over the years, Lois has held probably every office possible in the Cathedral. She was a member of Bishop and Chapter, a Synod delegate for many years, Diocesan President of the Anglican Church Women (ACW) for four years, after being Vice-President for several, and then Past-President for another four – a “life sentence,” she laughs. Lois has also been a member of the Altar Guild, Kitchen and Catering, Friendship Guild and other groups.
She still works unceasingly for the Cathedral family, has many close friends in the congregation, recalls many “wonderful people” she has known and has lots of amusing anecdotes to tell.
Lois has been at the Cathedral since Dean Gray, and remembers many stories about all the Deans from that time to present. She is a fountain of information about every aspect of Cathedral life.
Life has not always been easy for her. She lost her husband a few years ago, and soon afterwards underwent major surgery in Saint John for an aortic aneurysm — not a smooth time for her. However, she is very thankful to have now made a full recovery. Lois is a very strong personality and comes from “good genes.” Her mother is still living and is in an assisted living home in Moncton, after living in her own home until she was 89 years old. Lois learned to drive when she was 30 because, she had a young family considered it was necessary. Her husband worked for the government and was frequently travelling. She tells of him earning an extra ten cents per hour because he was bilingual!
Lois can frequently be seen at the Cathedral and the activities connected with it, but her favourite worship time is Holy Eucharist on Wednesday mornings.
We are thankful to have Lois as a very active and special part of our Cathedral family.
05 February – Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
If ye love me – Tallis
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
Psalm 112:1-9
View me, Lord, a work of thine – Lloyd
393, 256, 502, 646, 330
Carillon – Murrill
4.00: Choral Evensong with Candlemas Liturgy and
Installation of Canons and Archdeacon
Smith Responses
Psalm 48
Stanford in B flat
There shall a star from Jacob – Mendelssohn
300, 645, 381
Introduction & Passacaglia (Sonata 8) – Rheinberger
12 February – Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Deliver us – Batten
Darke in F
Psalm 119:1-8
Ave verum – Elgar
7, 447, 497, 60, 384
Toccata Deo gracias – R. Keys Biggs
19 February – Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
A Prayer of King Henry VI – Ley
German Mass – Schubert
Teach me, O Lord (Psalm 119:33-40) – Byrd
From the rising of the sun – Ouseley
527(393), 171, 93, 84, 525
Prelude and Fugue in B minor BWV 544 – Bach
26 February – Last Sunday after the Epiphany
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Cantate Domino – Pitoni Missa Brevis – Murray
Psalm 20
O God, the King of glory – Purcell
424, 167, 505, 543, 320
Toccata on Lasst uns erfreuen – Choveaux
01 March – Ash Wednesday
7.30pm: Holy Eucharist with Ashes (BAS)
Missa l’hora passa – Viadana Psalm 103:8-18
Miserere mei, Domini – Allegri
Hide not thou thy face – Farrant
170, 180, 558
Prelude on O Mensch bewein’ BWV 622 – Bach