Monthly Archives: July 2018

The Season of Creation 2018

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Season of Creation 2018 - 01 September - 04 October

Season of Creation 2018What is the “Season of Creation”?

Every year, from September 1st to October 4th, churches are called to participate in the “Season of Creation.” The World Council of Churches has been promoting this theme since 2008. This special time of year has gained popularity in Europe, and the United Church of Canada was the first to celebrate it here in Canada. Since 2017, all churches in Canada are invited to celebrate the “Season of Creation” in their faith community. The Green Churches Network is happy to offer a “box” of resources designed to make creation care more relevant and “doable” for your church. The Anglican Communion Environmental Network encourages Anglican churches worldwide to participate.

Why September 1st to October 4th?

In 1989, Demetrios I, Patriarch of Constantinople decided to dedicate the first day of the Orthodox liturgical year (September 1) to the protection of the environment. He then invited the whole Christian world to join in so that “every year on this day, we raise prayers of thanks for the great gift of the created world, prayers of supplication for its protection and salvation.” In 2015, Pope Francis named September 1st the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.

October 4th is the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of ecology in the Catholic tradition since 1979. He is a model of integral ecology, demonstrating that the love for the poor, the sick and for all creatures comes from the same Source.

What to do during the “Season of Creation?”

Christian communities are invited to organize various activities on the theme of Creation Care between September 1st and October 4th: prayer services, intergenerational activities, conferences, activities for children and young people, fund raising, etc.

The Green Churches Network has created the “Season of Creation in a Box” to help inspire educational, action-centered and spirituality-themed activities in your faith community.

Resources

Bishop’s bike ride event a success

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Bishop Rob Hardwick of the Diocese of Qu'Appelle rode into Fredericton on Sunday just after 2:30 p.m. on Sunday July 15th. His partner on the pilgrimage has been his wife Lorraine who drives the support vehicle. The Cathedral was so pleased to welcome them, and right on schedule for the planned event.

About a hundred were in attendance, from the congregation and the wider community. A 4:00 p.m. informal evening prayer was followed by a BBQ on the cathedral green.

"We so much appreciate the support of our partners," said Dean Geoffrey Hall. Christ Church (Parish) Church has been involved. We also value the contributions of Joy FM, and others named on the promotional flyer.

 

It was an uplifting afternoon of music, prayer and food. During worship, Bishop Hardwick shared some reflections on the meaning of his journey "to lay a foundation of prayer for unity, healing and reconciliation." "There is so much need in this broken world of ours," said Bishop Rob. "It seems we talk a lot about prayer but its another thing to do it."

Visit the Cathedral Podcast page to listen to the 4:00 p.m. worship with the Bishop's address.

To lay a foundation of prayer for unity, healing and reconciliation ...

Bishop Hardwick and bears

Bishop Hardwick on King Street with the Anglican Foundation Hope Bears

The Bishop and Lorraine invite others to join them in their effort in at least three ways:

  1. Use the Prayer Diary to follow along day by day as the ride comes to its conclusion on 01 August in St. John's Newfoundland. There are special prayer intentions listed for each day and a schedule for the stops along the way. You can be a prayer partner wherever you are.
  2. Follow the Ride on Facebook or the Bishop's Ride blog to get updates and reports on progress
  3. Make a contribution to the Living the Mission Financial Campaign. Find information in the Prayer Diary for sending a cheque or money order or click the donate button on the Facebook page or the Bishops Ride web page
  4. Ride with the Bishop as he leaves from the North Side Tim Horton's (534 Union Street) at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 17 July.

On Monday morning, Bishop Hardwick was the feature interview during the Joy Ride, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. on Joy FM. Later that morning, a pit stop at Savage's Bicycle Centre got the cycle in for a tune up to prepare for the final leg of the pilgrimage.

More information on the Bishop's Bike Ride can be found easily by searching "Bishop's Bike Ride Living the Mission" or from the previous post on the Cathedral web site.

Hardwick and Joy

Bishop Rob Hardwick interviewed by Aaron and Derek of Joy FM

Harwick and Hadleys

Bishop Rob Hardwick and Jane and Eric Hadley on 17 July 2018

Letters from Belize – a letter from Anfernee

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Hello Ms. Bev,

The news saddens me but you have served a long and wonderful time as the prime contact between Christ Church Cathedral ad St. Hilda’s and us scholarship students and families. I enjoyed every moment being in contact with you, all the advice and taking your personal time to show concern for me and all of us here in Belize.

Your time, love and overwhelming efforts and support to make sure we were our best in whatever we chose to do even if it wasn’t education related. Regardless, I’ll still be in contact because you are and will always more than just a contact, you’re family. It was nice seeing and talking to you again as well although I might not be the most outspoken person, you honestly don’t look like you’ve aged a bit.

We will never forget you

Loved meeting your husband for the first time, I always felt like I’ve met him before but I was wrong since this is his first trip down.

I’ve made inquiries about student loans but I’m awaiting an official acceptance letter from University of Belize. I’ve transferred into Architecture at UB to begin this August in Belize City. I’ll be in contact with Jamal for the best help in that area. Thanks for the concern and update but I will take care of it, just continue focusing on the high school students, they need the assistance way more.

Thanks for the help through high school and and through what I’ve completed at Junior College. UB does offer sports scholarship and I’ll be sure to look into it being that I play almost every sport in the country except soccer because I’m afraid it will affect my leg although it’s been years since the surgery.

Thanks for everything you, the congregation and your families there in Canada have done for me, my family and all of us here in Belize over the years Ms. Bev. We will never forget you and will always be in my thoughts and heart. Hope everyone and there families are doing great and enjoying the weather. Wish you nothing but the best.

With love,

Anfernee

Meet our 2018 tour guides

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We welcome Emily Leavitt and Holden O'Donnell to the Cathedral summer staff and are pleased they are part of our cathedral family for the time.

2018 Tour Guides

Holden O'Donnell and Emily Leavitt

Emily Leavitt is a 2016 graduate of Fredericton High School now studying for a music degree at Mt. Allison University. She hopes to go on to a Masters of Music when she completes her undergraduate degree. While at Fredericton High she was a member of the Pit Orchestra, the Glee Choir, the Concert Band and took part in many musical productions. She also participated in the FHS Kats Kitchen. Her experience runs the gamut from volunteering in several music programs and workshops to clerking at Westminster Books, working with Meals On Wheels and even being a polls revision officer for the municipal election.

Holden O’Donnell will be entering his grade 12 year in the fall at Fredericton High. He is very interested in history, particularly that of New Brunswick and Fredericton which is one of the reasons for his having applied for the job as guide. He is a two-time national finalist at the Canadian Geographic Challenge, is working toward his bronze level Duke of Edinburgh Award and member at the Fredericton South Youth Roundtable. His work experience is varied as an umpire in 2017 with the New Brunswick Umpire Association as well as a warehouse and production worker at Valley Graphics.

Hank Williams

Summer hiatus for Cathedral breakfast

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BreakfastDiane Ramsey always knows where she’ll be on the third Saturday morning of the month. She’s a regular at the community breakfast in Cathedral Memorial Hall. “I meet new people every time I come here,” Diane says happily. “I have such nice visits. The breakfast is such a treat and a break from my routine.”

In July and August she’ll have to find somewhere else to socialize because the organizers and volunteers, numbering about 20, are taking a well-deserved summer break until Sept. 15.

One of the people Diane met at the most recent breakfast was Janet Toole who found the food delicious and the atmosphere collegial. “I like to renew old friendships and meet new people, and the food is great,” Janet said.

I come for the super delicious biscuits and the beautiful homemade jam …

For $8, guests can order eggs any style prepared by a professional short-order cook, bacon or sausage, baked beans and toast. Tea, coffee and juice are self-serve, and a bowl of mouth-watering homemade tea biscuits are delivered to your table with a smile.

“I come for the super delicious biscuits and the beautiful homemade jam,” Ray Dixon said. “I really like the strawberry jam.” His wife Dot chimes in: “But the marmalade is great, too.”

Part of the breafast crew

QUICK BREAK – A few of the many volunteers who make the Saturday morning breakfast a success take a quick break at the end of the morning. Seated on the left side of the table are Michael Hines, Peter Jacobs, Harry Palmer and Carole Hines. On the right side are Jan Bonga, Bill Turney and Andrea LeBlanc.

Sandra Palmer makes all the jams, Cheryl Jacobs is responsible for the famous biscuits, and a busy team of waitstaff and dishwashers looks after everything else.

“I like helping out, and it’s a nice social interaction,” Shirley Rohleder said. “I have some regular customers, and everyone is always so cheerful here.”

Catherine Mac donald echoes that comment. “I enjoy meeting all the people and making them happy,” she said. “It’s a rewarding thing to do.”

Her husband Paul enjoys the volunteer effort, too, but he has another important reason to take part. “I help out of a sense of obligation because I’m part of the music team at the cathedral (he plays guitar in the praise band), and the money raised here goes into the sound system.”

Paul Mac donald

HARD AT WORK – Paul Macdonald is busy doing dishes in the kitchen following a recent Saturday morning community breakfast.

Breakfast organizer Harry Palmer explained that the breakfast raised $5,000 from last September until this June. It’s a tidy sum and for a good cause.

Harry estimates that about 30 per cent of the customers monthly are cathedral congregants, with the remainder being from other parishes, the neighbourhood and throughout the city. “As the breakfast has been operating for several years, a considerable amount of money has gone into making phased improvements in the sound system, thanks to many non-cathedral breakfast patrons,” he said.

He gave credit to the team of volunteers and to the cook, Paul LeBlanc, for making the breakfast the obvious success it is. “We’ll recharge our batteries and see everybody in September,” he said.

Ann Deveau

Audio Project updateThere is a June 2018 update on the cathedral Audio System Project towards which proceeds from Saturday breakfast have been destined for several years. Details on the specifics are included for those interested. You might also want to treat yourself to a reprise of Paul Mac donald’s Ode to Biscuits which may just make it to the charts yet!