Music Monthly – March 2019

Sunday 3 March 2019 - Last Sunday after the Epiphany

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Cantate Domino - Pitoni
Missa Secunda - Hassler
Psalm 99
169(239), 521, 624, 619, 457
There shall a star from Jacob come forth - Mendelssohn
Fantasia and Fugue in G minor BWV 542 - Bach

4.00: Choral Evensong (BCP)
Drinkell Responses
Psalms 114 and 115
Stanford in C
O thou, the central orb - Wood
13, 631, 622
Toccata-Prelude on Vom Himmel hoch - Edmundson

Wednesday 6 March 2019 - Ash Wednesday

7.30pm: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Missa l’hora passa - Viadana
Psalm 103:8-18
Nolo mortem peccatoris - Morley
180, 542, 508, 541, 178(439)
Prelude on O Mensch, bewein BWV 622 - Bach

Sunday 10 March 2019 - First Sunday in Lent

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Great Litany
Short Service - Gibbons
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Almighty and everlasting God - Gibbons
175, 466, 458, 564
Choral No. 3 - Franck

Sunday 17 March - Second Sunday in Lent

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
God be in my head - Rutter
Missa Brevis XIII (Holy Cross) - Willan
Psalm 27
Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake - Hilton
10, 629, 607, 71(Kilmarnock), 491
Fanfare - Whitlock

Sunday 24 March - Third Sunday in Lent

10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Deliver us, O Lord our God - Batten
Missa O Westron Wynde - Willan
Psalm 63:1-8
Like as the hart - Howells
501, 511, 92(93), 400, 467
Introduction and Passacaglia in D minor - Reger

Sunday 31 March - Fourth Sunday in Lent

10.00: Choral Matins (BCP)
Let thy merciful ears, O Lord - Mudd
Smith Responses
Venite
Psalm 32
Benedicite - Naylor in G
Jubilate - Medley in B flat
474, 611, 348, 601
Praeludium in C BuxWV 137 - Buxtehude

Move over Harrod’s: February Medley Tea

I recently had the pleasure of helping to serve at the “Medley Tea” which takes place once a month on the first Thursday of every month in the Cathedral. For a few short hours, it was like being transported back to an afternoon spent in Harrod’s of London Tea Room.

Tables were set with crisp white tablecloths and colorful napkins. Candle lit centerpieces adorned each table. The awe- inspiring Cathedral interior served as a backdrop with its luxurious woodwork and stained glass. A far more elegant and inspiring interior than Harrod’s! Mrs. Medley would surely agree!

Sweets and savouries provided for the occasion by volunteers adorned every table and perhaps most astonishing was that every table was full! In spite of winter conditions here in New Brunswick when one cannot go out without coats and boots and scarves and gloves and braving icy conditions, no seats were empty. As the servers ventured forth with their teapots to replenish cups, lively conversations were taking place. Clearly, winter wasn’t going to stop this afternoon outing with old friends!

A special occasion was observed as a birthday cake was presented and Happy Birthday sung to Sharon Day!

Already I am looking forward to serving at next month’s Medley Tea and experiencing a little bit of England right here in Fredericton at our Cathedral!

If Mrs. Medley does indeed wander our beautiful Cathedral, she must eagerly anticipate the first Thursday of each month! Harrod’s, competition is fierce on this side of the Pond!

Gail MacGillivary

Paper Bag Singers

Paper Bag Singers"Individually, we can't carry a tune in a paper bag. Together, we sound GREAT!" Been told you can't sing, think you can't sing? Nonsense! Anyone can sing. Choirs and singing groups for people who don't have "a golden voice" have been springing up all across the UK and Canada. And now here in Fredericton, we have the Paper Bag Singers.

This is a casual group for people of all ages who just want to belt one out and have fun singing with like-voiced people. No auditions, no commitment; join us when you can. We meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, starting Monday, March 11th. Only $5 an evening. Find us online! email questions to: <paperbagsingers at gmail.com>

Listen to Lynn Melanson interviewed on CBC's Shift on 28 February.

Hi all - the main idea here is to have fun. Our esteemed Cathedral music director, David Drinkell, will be giving us tips and hints to help us along the way - thank you David. Check out our meetup site; it costs you nothing to join the meetup group and RSVP. Spread the word; the more the merrier. Attaching a poster, should you wish to print out a few to put up in your place of work or on a local bulletin board - thanks for that if you do.

Hope to hear you all in fine voice - oh, we'll all sound wonderful!

Lynn Melanson

When a congregational meeting is not … Annual 2019

It’s no secret that most people don’t get too excited about Annual Meetings. They can be long and they can be tedious and they can even be boring. But they shouldn’t be!

BurstThe Annual Congregational Meeting is a once a year chance to hear about what has been accomplished in the past year and the hopes and aspirations for the coming year. Read the Annual Report here.

Under the capable leadership of Lynn Meehan and the Welcoming and Hospitality Committee, the eight committees of Bishop and Chapter are hoping to make the upcoming ACM more than just an ACM.

An intentional goal has been set to bring more people out to the meeting and to have them leave looking forward to next year’s meeting! That’s an ambitious goal and to that end, some changes and additions have been made to the program.

It’s clear that one thing this congregation enjoys is a chance to share fellowship over a meal! And so, this coming Sunday, there will be a joint service at 10:30. The joint service is meant to make it easy for attendees of all three services to worship together and go directly to the Hall for lunch. No need to go home or find something to do until the meeting starts! Lunch will be a smorgasbord of the best chilis by the best chili makers (homemade vegetable soup for non-chili aficionados) and a ‘Noodle Town”, build-your-own pasta buffet for youngsters. Beef, chicken and vegetarian chili options will be available, along with sweets, hot chocolate bar (think whipped cream and other toppings), tea, coffee, juice and popcorn.

Not only do we want you to bring your children along, Kurt Schmidt, our Christian Formation director and the Christian Formation Committee, is working on a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment for them.

Annual Meeting posterA focus of the meeting will be on getting to know the eight committees of Bishop and Chapter, their members, highlights of their past year’s work, and a glimpse at what they hope to accomplish going forward into 2019. We often hear congregational members say that they don’t have a clear understanding of what happens beyond Sunday services at Christ Church Cathedral. In short and lively 2 minute presentations, the Committees hope to change that! Maybe you will find a place for your skill or talent on one of those committees?

Yes, there will be “normal” ACM duties. We can’t, nor should we, avoid this portion. We need to focus on business. We need to discuss budgets. But we need to do it in the context of understanding how much our Church means to us and to those that it supports through its various ministries. So, we are hoping that you will attend, that you will read your Annual Report, that you will listen carefully to what is being done with not a lot of dollars and that you will enjoy every minute of this afternoon of fellowship.

And, by the way, did I mention that there will prizes. For example, Fredericton Tourism will have a display set up with Wellness and Family Activity information for all. You must be present to have an opportunity to win one of their “Freddy Beach Family Activity Gift Packs."

Please mark February 24th on your calendar and plan to attend what will be so much more than a typical Annual Congregational Meeting.

Gail MacGillivray

Annual Meeting Slider

2019 Annual Report of the Dean of Fredericton

Report of the Dean to the 2019 Annual Meeting

Introduction
Drummer and founder of the Spanish band Mägo de Oz (Wizard of Oz) 1 has been quoted on the meaning behind the name chosen for the Celtic metal band he formed in 1989. "Life is like a yellow brick road along which we travel with others as we search for our dreams."

Cathedral life is a little like that. People come and go, choosing to walk with us for a while or a long time, and during the journey we help one another be the Church. It is a privilege to call oneself Christian, perhaps most especially at a time in our western culture when so many are searching for meaning and purpose. Finding the Cathedral is relatively simple - just look up. The cross on the steeple of Christ Church Cathedral towers high above the City of Fredericton – not intended in a dominating way, but as reminder and sign pointing to where we have been and where we are going. God lives in our midst. Through the Spirit of his Son Jesus we are empowered to be more than we can be on our own. We are his Body. Our time on earth is limited and so, we are also granted the assurance and comfort that what we see is not all there is. The best is always yet to come.

Thanks
Each year I invest a few words to recognize those who so graciously walk the road with me. Christ Church Cathedral can only accomplish a purpose, a mission, in the City of Fredericton, the Diocese of Fredericton and beyond because of the many, many efforts of so many. Honourary assisting clergy play a valuable role providing sacramental ministry at times and in places where the Dean is not. Cathedral staff bring an intentional specialization of ministry to our life together. While our director of music, parish nurse and director of Christian formation are half-time positions, our ability to mission into those special areas of expertise far exceeds our real expenditure of resource required to engage them. Our office administrator and sexton facilitate a large part of the work we do together. And then there are those who minister among us for very little or no monetary compensation. Our Verger, choirs, those who work tirelessly so that we can reach out to those who need, hospital visitors, members of Bishop and Chapter and committees, readers of the daily office, servers, readers, greeters and welcomers. There are also those who quietly fill other gaps unknown and unannounced. Together we are the Church – an organized army making the Word of God visible in our community in countless meaningful ways.

Highlights
I won't attempt to comment on the detail of the variety of Cathedral accomplishments in 2018, leaving that to those closest to and responsible for them. Some highlights include: the Belize Mission trip in January/February; meaningful seasonal celebrations at Easter, Pentecost, and Christmas; the visit of Bishop Rob Hardwick as he cycled across Canada, the September corn boil, hosting a workshop of the annual conference of the National Trust (heritage Canada), celebrating the work of the Anglican Church Women in November. Reviews were conducted with Cathedral Staff in June as that becomes part of a regular annual rhythm. The November Diocesan Synod was cancelled with the news of the death of Bishop David Edwards' wife Janet. We continue to pray for our Bishop as he lives into his new reality.

Being the Cathedral Church
Above all, it is a goal I believe worth pursuing, that as the Cathedral of the Diocese we might continuously strive to be an example. The purpose statement on our web site, created by our Bishop and Chapter, is that we are: "An Anglican community for Christian leadership, worship, and mission in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada." While leadership is important for any church, it is even more so for the Cathedral. When the Diocese (the parishes of our diocesan church) look to the Cathedral, its my hope and prayer that they see an encouraging example of how church can be. Being a building for diocesan gatherings, a place out of the cold for the Bishop's cathedra, is only part of our calling. If at the Cathedral we employ a "best practices" approach in all that we do, we can in fact provide a leadership for the Anglican Church in the Province of New Brunswick that makes us all stronger, faith-filled and a light to the world.

The Last Twelve Months
We all have things we like to do. I get satisfaction from communication. For me, that includes writing, preaching and these days, many things technological, Some of that fuels my sense of accomplishment and I never mind being engaged in those tasks, even in my "spare" time.

Day to day necessities and the expectations of many consume the lion's share of my working hours. Each year I try to identify a small number of general areas that are growing edges for me and my ministry and perhaps also for the overall life of the Cathedral. In 2016 those were: "Christian Formation," "Stewardship" and "Mission." In 2017: "Hospitality, Welcoming and Invitation." In 2018: "Invitation and Welcoming" and "Stewardship." You might only take a look around to see if we have made progress in these areas. Nothing is ever perfect or completed, but I'm pleased with a comparison between where we were, where we are and where we might be better prepared to go.

A Look Into the Future
As part of the annual pattern for members of staff, I too sat with members of the Chapter Executive who conducted an annual review with the Dean. From those conversations we rested on three areas of emphasis for the coming year: 1) Stewardship, 2) Ministry with Young Families and a 3) Focus on Facilities. All of those ministry areas have something in common: its only through a high level of co-operation and acceptance that we can progress towards a place we might rather be as the Cathedral Church in the Diocese of Fredericton. I see my role, perhaps most of all, to help move us towards that co-operation.

My leadership style pleases some and frustrates others. I don't see the role of priest as the individual who tries to fulfill every need even when that temptation is strong. To use the analogy of a wall, I see myself more as the mortar, filling in the gaps rather than being the foundation or the bricks from which the wall gets its strength. Mortar needs to be flexible. It needs to support the bricks. Mortar also needs to be in a unique relationship with the individual bricks and the whole. That is the challenging calling to which I pray I can respond.

1) Stewardship
Perhaps one of the earliest lessons I learned about leadership is the power of example. Where stewardship is concerned, my best tool is leading where I can only hope and pray others will follow. Stewardship is not fund-raising. I'm terrible at fund-raising. When I preach and attempt to teach about Christian stewardship, I see the stress on the faces of those with whom I am trying to communicate. No one relishes conversations that shine a light on how we use (or don't use) the resources we have been given. Perhaps if we were able to make progress in understanding one simple reality, it would be the most effective influence on our stewardship, both corporate and individual. Nothing is ours. Its all a gift. What we call "ours" is only on loan.

So as a first line of leadership in the area of stewardship, I strive to practice what I preach. The standard of Christian giving is the tithe. "Tithe" does NOT refer to what we give to the Lord's work. The tithe is a 10% share of what God has given to us, which we, at a minimum, make available for God's work through the church. The Bible speaks of "tithes and offerings." Biblically, offerings are the extra beyond the tithe we are moved by gratitude to give. If every Christian took even half of the tithe seriously, "we" would never be discussing money! Instead, 20% of the givers at the Cathedral provide 80% of the income.

I tithe, not to be praised, and not only because I need to lead, but also because I became convinced early on in my income earning years that it is required of me. According to Statistics Canada, the Dean's personal income puts him at the bottom of the average income category among residents of the City of Fredericton. Yet 10% places me among the top 15 givers.

So, as a spiritual leader, I'm regularly disappointed that more of our number don't put works of faith higher in their list of what's important. And that's my job. My experience is that I don't miss what I give to the Lord. I'm blessed by it. The Church may be blessed by it, but I am blessed by it! I'll continue in that because I believe that is what all Christians are called to do. And while many will wiggle and counter with queries about whether calculations are on gross income vs net, whether other charitable giving counts towards giving to the Church, argue that a tithe is an Old Testament giving model or claim to have more expenses than the normal household, none of that matters. The result is the same. The Cathedral needlessly struggles month to month to meet the minimum expenses of its planned ministry.

There are literally thousands of stewardship best practices. Planned giving (effective and cost efficient tools for both short and long-term financial planning and charitable gifts) is one and seems to be a topic we avoid at all cost. I'm thankful that we have just now assembled a group (Stewardship Task Force) to consider ways we might positively influence our stewardship formation both individually and corporately. We have everything and more than we need to get the job done. What's lacking? How might we all pull together (co-operate) to move us from where we are to where we need to be? I'll continue to encourage something different, but its only by way of that seemingly always allusive co-operation that we'll move toward a different future.

2) Ministry with Young Families
The appointment of our Director of Formation is the one most forward steps in the direction of bringing a more intergenerational approach toour whole ministry and programme package. Every generation requires attention and brings its own set of expectations. The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Cary, once said that "the church is always one generation from extinction." I'm very conscious of the concern when we look around our church family and detect at least a couple, if not three generations, not well represented in our number. Its not difficult to understand why others express concern too. It can just as easily be argued that it says something about the effective lasting effect those past hay day times had on current membership demographics.

There are many answers to the reality of what we perceive to be the challenges in our demographic distribution. First, this is 2019 not 1970. While that may be obvious, I hear comparisons being made between the present and the past. The cultural context of the 1970's is gone. Recreating the program of past days or measuring our expectations against what we may have seen as past success is not helpful. There are forces at work in the culture not part of the picture of the past. To name only a few: parents parent differently and face an entirely different set of challenges; choices are far more numerous; attention spans are much shorter. Competition for the attention of both adult and child is fierce.

Barna GroupA new report by The Barna Group 2 commissioned by ALPHA USA 3 entitled "Reviving Evangelism" shines an interesting light on much of what the Church is now experiencing in efforts of evangelism among younger generations. Almost half of millennial Christians believe it is wrong to share their faith with others. While they are measurably more quipped to do so, they are either opposed to or unsure about doing it. The current cultural atmosphere is that expressions of faith are too often considered judgmental. Millennials avoid being judgmental at all costs. The uphill climb in faith sharing is statistically steeper with younger generations. That's a cultural force, not just a worship or programming failure on the part of the Church. We can't swim where (or like) we did before because the water has changed. We need to know the water.

NCD CanadaI've never considered myself being particularly gifted in ministry with youth. The older I get the more that might be so. But I will always speak for and do what I can in our creating an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all ages. Regardless of the Barna findings, our greatest resource for drawing younger families into our Christian community is the families that are now part of the Cathedral family. Invitation is well known to be an essential skill for growing congregations, one in which we don't show great great levels of aptitude. Natural Church Development 4 (NCD) surveys measure church health. Anglican congregations predominantly reveal their lowest score to be in the category of "passionate spirituality."

We're making better decisions about programming with younger families in mind. That's a step in the right direction. Several offerings like Godly Play, the Family Faith Fiesta and special worship events are all valuable additions to our efforts to reach out and engage the young. Ultimately, that element of co-operation is all important in the results of those efforts. You can help.

3) Focus on Facilities
The issue of making decisions on our facilities, namely the Memorial Hall and the Cathedral church itself, seems to be based in an assumption that these buildings are either too expensive or not being used to their full potential. While this issue is identified as a separate area of focus, it too is very much a matter of stewardship. The Cathedral has enormous significance both historically and spiritually. Memorial Hall has many strikes against it: its age and the need for upgrades and repairs; a minimum of usable spaces designed to current need; inaccessibility requiring many steps to reach the main level; a location that physically separates it from our worship centre. Still, as I indicated to some a little while ago, simply closing the Memorial Hall to cut expenses would indicate that we are no longer in business. Our hall is not used 100% of the time but it does "facilitate" our Monday to Saturday ministry – a long list if we take the time to count.

Heating, repair and maintenance are regarded as expenses targeted at "things" rather than "people." Our "facilities" costs are called that because they "facilitate" (make possible) ministry with people. Consider our expenses in 2018. Note that the amount spent on buildings is about 17% of total. One businessman said to me recently that he wished his business could claim such a number. Are we using both the Cathedral and the Hall to their greatest possible advantage? I expect not. Are there significant repair and maintenance needs nipping at our heels? There certainly are. Can the circle to the right, in the future, reveal more being invested outside of our ourselves (mission) than inside? I hope so. As good stewards we need to examine the possibilities and make decisions not based on emotion. Where religion and faith are concerned, emotional attachments are never far away, and that's unfortunate. We need to see with a the clearest possible vision to best match our needs and our outreach beyond ourselves with our on-going investment, not only today, but for the decades to some. While we can't begin to predict where we or the church will be in 2045, it is the mandate of the Project 2045 Task Force to carefully and knowledgeably evaluate where we are and make recommendations on action now to put us in the best possible posture for the future.

Giving patterns limit what we could really be all about, just covering or (as in 2018) not quite covering the bare minimum ministry plan. What a different picture we could paint for God if financially we all got serious about the ministry at Christ Church Cathedral – our faith expressed through our Church!

Conclusion
All in all an eventful year. Challenges are ahead. With appreciation to all for their important part in being not just a worshiping body but also the Body of Christ in so many ways, I pray that in the year to come the Lord will bless us, keep us and challenge us in his service.

Respectfully submitted,
Geoffrey, Dean of Fredericton

Read the entire Annual Report

1. Mägo de Oz <magodeoz.com>
2. The Barna Group: <barna.com>
3. ALPHA USA: <alphausa.org>
4. Natural Church Development (NCD Canada): <ncd-canada.com>
5. ALPHA Canada: <alphacanada.org>
6. Project 2045 Terms of Reference <cccath.ca/home/groups-and-committees>

Bishop and Chapter News – February 2019

Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 11 February 2019 with twelve members present. Minutes of the 21 January were adopted. An article, “Joyful Stewardship” by Linda Buskirk (Episcopal Church Foundation) was discussed. The Chapter agreed on the value of developing a stewardship statement to help guide a culture of joyful stewardship in the future

Business Arising

  • Road Home letter of intent - Cathedral intent to be involved as a partner has been expressed. Project awaiting news on federal government funding
  • By-Law update - completed, filed, distributed and posted to the web
  • Committee work plans - template created to be shared with members
  • Project 2045 - inaugural meeting held. Monthly meetings on the last Monday of the month will follow

From the Dean

Usual commitments maintained. Meeting re World Day of Prayer planning, chapter committees when possible, focus on annual reporting. With an intention of attending the conference of North American Deans in May, there may be a possibility of scheduling some vacation at a different time this year but will advise

For Decision

  • 2018 Financials- Kendra Patrick (Bringloe Feeney Accounting) was in attendance to review year end reports. Following review, the draft statements were approved and, with the management letter (review engagement report) will be included in the report to the 2019 Annual. This is the second year under review engagement so processes for clarity are still being modified
  • 2019 Budget - finalizing the budget. Questions about comparisons with 2018 budget actuals matching financials resulted in agreement on the need for some further investigation, which the treasurer will see to. regarding the accounting restricted funds used and issues of possible depreciation not recognized by budget numbers
  • Congratulations - to Kathleen Snow on election to the Board of Trustees of the Worldwide Mothers’ Union

Discussion

2019 Annual Meeting - plans for Annual meeting reviewed

Reports

  • Nominating - progress on securing nominations is difficult
  • Administration and Finance - Diocesan Stewardship Officer Mike Briggs met with committee to discuss a draft giving policy and stewardship in general. A stewardship task group has been created. An automated external defibrillator to be purchased
  • Christian Formation - review of purpose and goals of the Family Faith Fiesta, “Do I Have to Kneel” event reported on website
  • Communications - continue with facilitating committee reports for Annual, maintaining social media and web communications
  • Welcoming and Hospitality - pilot of welcome initiative struggling for signups for welcomers. Taking the lead in planning for Annual meeting event
  • Property - Odell House sale preparation. An issue with the boiler at the Cathedral is being identified
  • Mission/Outreach - Monday morning dropin continues. Belize scholarships being administered. Dessert and Games 17 February to support Belize scholarships
  • Health and Pastoral Care - One pastoral visitor has stepped down. Service of Healing and Wholeness. 09 March, 5 p.m.

Up-coming

17 February - Dessert and Games Night
24 February - 10:30 a.m. worship, luncheon, Annual Meeting
03 March - World Day of Prayer
05 March Pancake Supper; 06 March - Ash Wednesday

Next meetings: 18 March; 13 May; 17 June

GMH

Dessert and Games Night for Belize, February 17th

On February 17, the Dessert and Games Night (all ages) will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cathedral Memorial Hall, 168 Church Street.

Drop in and stay as long as you like.

Games will include:

  • a kid-friendly area that will rotate games every 15 minutes (Charades, Pictionary, musical chairs, and cribbage)
  • a quiet room for bridge and cribbage
  • a wide selection of board games that you can take back to your table, or
  • just come enjoy delicious dessert and good company.

Admission is by donation.

All of the donations will support the Belize high school scholarships and St. Hilda’s Anglican School in Georgeville. Since 2005, Christ Church Cathedral has been supporting and sending mission trips to St. Hilda’s. The school has a wonderful, caring staff.

For more information, contact the Belize Mission Committee at [email protected]

 

Do I Have to Kneel? – info about Anglican customs

Approximately 30 people gathered at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, January 27th to hear the answer to the question “Do I Have to Kneel?” The afternoon session, which was something of an Anglican primer, included presentations by Hank Williams, Cheryl Jacobs and Dean Geoffrey Hall and was hosted by the Christian Formation committee.

The first speaker, Hank Williams, gave a brief but interesting overview of the Cathedral structure, the correct names for the different areas of the Cathedral and some of its history. He explained that the term Cathedral is used to denote the Bishop’s church and is the main church of the Diocese. Hank provided lots of dates and places of origin relevant to various items in the Cathedral including the font, windows, lectern and pulpit. Most of these items date back to the mid 1800’s. It was interesting to hear that the Cathedral clock began life as the prototype for the clock at Westminster Abbey and that it dates back to 1854.

Cheryl Jacobs

Cheryl Jacobs shares about the church liturgical year and colours in 'Godly Play' style

Next up was Cheryl Jacobs who explained the Seasons and Colors of the Anglican Church. Cheryl used a banner produced for Godly Play to show the purple, red, white and green colors and their accompanying seasons. She explained that hangings in the church are changed to reflect these seasons. Purple is considered the color of kings as well as being representative of prayer and penitence. White is for joy and celebration. Green represents growth and new life and white represents joy and celebration. Epiphany, Christmas and Easter are all represented by white and red, the color of the Spirit represents fire and is used for the Passion, Pentecost and for Christian martyrs.

The final presentation was given by Dean Geoffrey Hall. He pointed out that the church calendar walks us through the life of Christ. Anglican worship is primarily “liturgical” – liturgy means work of the people. The Anglican church is a product of the Reformation of the 1500’s, when many Protestant denominations were formed. The Anglican church endeavoured to bring balance in worship to word and the sacrament. Read an article about Henry VIII and the Anglican Church.

The afternoon was full of Anglican factoids! And yes, an answer to the question “Do I Have to Kneel” was provided. According to Dean Geoffrey, the Book of Common Prayer 1962 (BCP) and the Book of Alternative services (1985), offer “rubrics,” directions which are written in red. Recommended Prayer Book postures: sit to listen, stand to praise and kneel to pray. The Book of Alternative returns to suggesting, by way of rubric, that we return to an older Christian custom of standing for prayer. While there is always a recommendation that most will follow, its never inappropriate to sit, stand or kneel as any one of those is more possible or comfortable.

Lots of other questions regarding the Anglican customs were asked by attendees and interest was shown in more sessions of this nature. If you are interested in participating in the future, please contact a member of the Christian Formation committee or our Christian Formation Director, Kurt Schmidt.

Gail MacGillivray