On Sunday, 04 June 2017, the Cathedral plans to go out of doors. Celebrating Pentecost (once well known in Anglican circles as Whitsunday), and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church, the plan is that it will happen outside of the west doors.
“Its an opportunity for us to go outside of the church walls,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall. “The Spirit is a gift for the world, not just those of us who worship within church walls. With an informal BBQ on the Cathedral Green, going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation, especially to our neighbours. We all have an inherent need to give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
… our going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation …
The celebration of the Eucharist is being titled a “Neighbourhood Eucharist.” Regardless of religious faith or Christian denomination, all are warmly invited to join us.
“The Cathedral is a church of the City for the City,” said Dean Hall. “While no one will be required to participate in Communion, at the least, a hot dog and some popcorn will be available for everyone.”
On Wednesday, door hanger invitations were delivered to the neighbourhood. While the invitation is open throughout the year, Pentecost is a special Sunday for the Church.
If weather is less than favourable, worship will move inside the Cathedral and the food following will be in the Memorial Hall.
England, Scotland, Indonesia, Bali, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and a Bible Study tour of the Middle East. That’s a list of a few of the places that Janet Mahar, the secretary of Bishop and Chapter, has visited and/or worked in over the past 34 years!
Janet grew up in Lincoln NB and graduated from the Devon Park Christian School. She was raised in the Baptist faith. After graduating from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in biology and worked for 2 summers at the Huntsman Marine Station in St. Andrews. Janet spent some time working in a lab in Liverpool, England and visiting Scotland.
Shortly after leaving the UK, Janet accepted a position teaching biology in an international school in Indonesia. In this environment, Janet found herself overwhelmed by the work and found it difficult to find the time or energy for church, or a Christian Church that didn’t follow what is known as the “Health and Wealth Gospel.” She taught in Indonesia for 3 1/2 years.
Janet in 2010, wearing a traditional costume from the Indonesian province of Sulawesi for Cultural Night
In 2011, Janet returned to NB and, seeking a new career, enrolled in a Pharmacy Technician course in Moncton in 2014. She attended a Baptist Church there until, wanting to try a different denomination, she attended the Palm Sunday service at an Anglican Church in Moncton where Bishop David Edwards was speaking. Coincidentally, it seemed, when Janet returned to Fredericton for Easter and attended the Good Friday service at Christ Church Cathedral, who should be there but Bishop David Edwards. Janet says that seeing Bishop David at the 2 services in 2 cities in 1 week was a connection for her, and it seemed to be a confirmation of where she should be.
She has been a part of the Cathedral congregation since graduating in June 2015. While participating in a Lenten Study last year, Dean Geoffrey Hall asked if she would be interested in taking on the role of secretary for Bishop & Chapter. Janet saw this as an opportunity to serve and gain more knowledge and experience of the Anglican faith. She is also a member of the Adult Choir and the Server’s Guild. Janet prefers the traditional 10 AM Eucharist. She says she “loves the words that have stood the test of time” in the liturgy.
Janet currently works as a Pharmacy Assistant at the DECH and is working towards her registry as a Pharmacy Technician. She has an older brother in Fredericton, and her younger brother and Mom still live in Lincoln. Janet’s Dad, John W. Mahar, the owner of Topmar Building Supplies and a well-known Fredericton businessman, passed away 9 years ago as the result of an accident.
We are fortunate to have Janet as a member of our congregation and serving the Bishop & Chapter. As one who is so skilled in taking, as she was told, “minutes not hours,” she is appreciated for her excellent work!
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 15 May with eight of eleven members present. Minutes of the 20 March 2017 were amended and adopted. The Dean led a conversation focussing on Acts 17:22-31 – “the altar with the inscription: ‘to an unknown god.’” What can we do to get outside of ourselves and our worship spaces to create a a better sense of belonging and invitation?
Business Arising
• Safe Church Officer – Nathan Cutler appointed
• Stipends and salaries – Administration and Finance Committee will initiate staff reviews to be complete by the end of June
• Christian formation – item for decision
• Sexton appointment – following six-month probationary period
• HST rebates – the Treasurer following up on past applications
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary of regular items including; diocesan meetings, 3 funerals, Canadian Bible Society luncheon in March
• Refillable liquid candles – Cathedral candles being converted
• Volunteers and leadership – several areas of leadership require volunteers. How do we more effectively engage the congregation in leadership?
• June – August Clergy schedule – will be created in the next week
• Pentecost 04 June – possibility of worship out of doors with BBQ
• Up-coming – Friday organ concerts and summer recital series
Items for Decision
• Resignation – regretfully accepted the resignation of John Ball as member of the Chapter and chair of the Hospitality Committee
• Administration and Finance Committee – terms of reference adopted
• Director of Christian Formation – half-time position will be advertised until 31 May with interviews in June, targeting 01 July as preferred start
• Commendation for Ordination – following the work of the discernment committee, Alan Hall was commended for further discernment leading to ordination
• Transfers to Diocesan Investment Fund (DCIF) – 1. Restoration Fund savings account to be closed and invested as Restoration Fund in the DCIF; 2. Surplus of operating to be invested
Discussion
Cathedral leadership needs – involvement of congregation in many ministries. e.g. worship greeters, servers, mentors, membership / welcoming team, member of Chapter (Hospitality), stewardship coordinator, Community Kitchen, assistant verger, Helping Hands, visitors, etc. Executive and Communications Committees to develop a plan to challenge all to greater participation
Reports
• Treasurer – current summary reviewed; trusts and designated funds being reviewed
• Mission Outreach – refugee sponsorship continuing challenges; Monday morning has concluded
• Communications – will develop a plan that will see leaders of various ministries speak for 2 minutes (max.) as part of weekly worship and the communication of leadership needs
• Health and Pastoral care – safe church implementation is a process
• Worship – recent meeting hosted conversation with related roles
Up-coming Events
• Hall steps repair to begin soon; Pentecost 04 June
Next meetings:
12 June, 21 August (tentative), 18 September
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton has an opening for a part-time Christian Formation Director/Coordinator to commence work on or around July 1, 2017. This contract position is based on the person hired working 20 hours per week.
The successful applicant will see as a foundation of this ministry the facilitation of several formation and discipleship activities, working with other leadership towards an increased number of mission-minded followers of Jesus Christ within the Cathedral congregation.
Specific areas of the ministry will include:
co-ordination and teacher development for the children’s Christian education program, while looking to expand this to all ages;
scheduling, co-ordination, publicity and recruitment of leaders and mentors for baptism, first communion and confirmation preparation;
organization of intergenerational activities to recognize special times and seasons in the church calendar;
encouraging the organization of home-based study and prayer groups and training of leaders;
support for families in both community and home-based Christian formation;
support of Alpha Course leadership;
development and support of a regular seeker/ new member/ new Christian learning programme(s);
particular focus initially on families with children, including engaging with them to determine needs and expectations
Day to day supervision will be by the Dean. The Christian Formation Committee of Bishop and Chapter will function as a support group for the Christian Formation Director. This group will work with the Director to develop yearly outcomes.
Qualifications of persons considered for this position include having a living, maturing Christian faith, commitment and experience working with children, youth and families, and having knowledge of and/or are supportive of the Anglican expression of the Christian faith.
Successful applicant will be expected to submit to a criminal record check.
Please submit your resume outlining your interest and experiences and two references on or before May 31, 2017. For further information, please contact: the Dean of Fredericton at (506) 450-7761.
Email: search at cccath.ca
Christ Church Cathedral
Attention: Formation Search Committee
168 Church Street
Fredericton NB E3B 4C9
… and we are almost as excited as Steve Martin when he proclaimed that classic movie line “the new phone books are here!” The directories arrived late last week and are available, free of charge, for pick up at the Cathedral Office to anyone that has a photo in the Directory. If you chose not to be in the Directory, but would like a copy, there are a few additional copies available at a cost of $20 each.
The members of the Communications Committee hope that the Directory will prove to be a useful communications tool for the Cathedral congregation and we look forward to any feedback that you might have.
For those who may have missed being in the Directory and who would like to be added, we are considering producing an addendum (insert) towards the end of June. You would need to provide a scanned photo and/or have your contact information in order to be added. We would like the Directory to be as up-to-date and inclusive as possible, so please feel free to consider this option.
We hope you enjoy the 2017 Christ Church Cathedral Directory!
10.00am: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
A Prayer of King Henry VI – Ley
Mass of St. Denis – Cabena
Psalm 23
Jesu dulcis memoria – Victoria
459,508, 444, 85, 216
Toccata – Mushel
4.00pm: Choral Evensong
Smith Responses
Psalm 103
Brewer in D
Blessed be the God and Father – Wesley
17, 515, 467
Prelude on Wir glauben all’ BWV 680 – Bach
14 May 2017 – Fifth Sunday of Easter
10.00am: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Almighty God, which hast me brought – Ford
Sumsion in F
Psalm 31:1-6, 18-19
A Gaelic Blessing – Rutter
217, 559, 377, 569, 550
Sonata in F major (1st movement) – Mendelssohn
21 May 2017 – Sixth Sunday of Easter – Rogation Sunday
10.00am Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Rejoice in the Lord alway – Anon. 16th century
Barnard in D
Psalm 66:7-18
Ye birds with open throat – Meek
2, 572, 394, 605, 215
Processional – Mathias
Thursday 25 May 2017 – Ascension Day
7.30pm: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Missa Secunda – Hassler
Psalm 47
God is gone up with a merry noise – Croft
245, 419, 310, 83, 247(206)
Heut’ triumphiret Gottes Sohn BWV 630 – Bach
28 May 2017 – Sunday after Ascension Day – Jerusalem Sunday
10.00am: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
O Lord, give thy Holy Spirit – Tallis
Missa collegium regale – Howells
Psalm 68:1-10, 29-32
O God, the King of glory – Purcell
320, 246, 486, 84, 379
Toccata on Deo gratias – Richard Keys Biggs
