Bishop McAllister College Temporarily Closed
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Tea and Talk
Mother Nature seemed determined to keep our first Thursday Medley Tea at bay as we began the New Year. Storm followed storm in January, and while setting up for the Valentine's Tea on February 6th, the weather, once again, was looking iffy.
But clearly the regular attendees were not about to allow snow flurries to prevent them from coming out to spend time with their friends over a cup of tea and a sweet or two. Then came March and we were fortunate to get our March Tea in before social distancing arrived.
This once a month tea party often draws more than 25 folks including the young and the young at heart! Serving begins at 2pm and often the group is still going strong as 4pm approaches.
The organizers and servers try to make each month special by decorating with a theme such as Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day. There is always a 'lucky saucer' and a small gift for the one who gets it. The sweet and savoury treats are abundant and delicious and the tea is piping hot and served in the finest of china cups.
Of course, it will be a while before we will be able to be out and about in groups again. But while we wait for that to happen, here are some photos of our Medley Tea-ers! We so look forward to sharing a cup and a chat in person again!
--by Gail McGillivray
Yoga missing? Missing yoga!
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the rhythm of daily life, piling unwelcome stress onto most people. Yoga is one of many ways to cope with that problem.
“I got out my yoga mat and went through a stretching routine similar to the one our instructor, Tammy Blyth, uses,” said Sally Dibblee, who regularly attends Tammy's Monday afternoon classes at Cathedral Memorial Hall. “I felt so good afterwards.”
The weekly class, organized by the parish nurse, has had to be cancelled indefinitely due to the provincial state of emergency.
The class includes several beginners, so Tammy has spent time explaining the benefits of the ancient practice of yoga. This type of self-care can help reduce stress and inspire well-being. She said breathing deeply and deliberately provides oxygen to nourish the body; it can also relax the brain and nervous system.
“Tammy is always urging us to breathe, breathe, breathe,” Sally said.
The instructor has also pointed out that exercise and stretching not only boost the effectiveness of the lungs and circulatory system, but can also lift the spirits.
“This pandemic is an emotional time with the challenges of cancelled activities, physical/social distancing, worries about the health of loved ones, feelings of isolation, financial concerns,” Sally said. “Your whole body can tighten up before you even realize it, but yoga stretches can release those tensions and make you feel better physically and mentally.”
Diane Radford is another regular participant who misses Tammy's yoga classes.
“I liked learning new yoga poses, and I appreciated that Tammy was considerate of 'newbies' or older people who might not be as flexible,” Diane said. “She always offered modifications and alternatives for the poses.”
She said she also enjoyed the sociability of the hour-long class, which has attracted members of the cathedral congregation and people from the community.
“Tammy is always a positive person,” Diane commented. “She looks on the bright side of life. I'll be glad when it's safe for classes to resume.”
While waiting for the state of emergency to end, Diane continues to exercise by walking outdoors and by dancing.
YouTube is an option for yoga enthusiasts or for people who want to try it while having time on their hands. Many online classes are available there. The “Y” has also produced a series of exercise videos, including several yoga routines, which are available at YMCA360.org
Parish Nurse Kathleen Snow advises that yoga mats should be cleaned regularly at home with a damp cloth and a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. In these times of preventing the spread of virus, people may also wish to clean their mats with a disinfectant wipe or spray.
--by Ann Deveau
The parish nurse will announce resumption of yoga classes when public health authorities allow it.
Why not connect with virtual Taizé?
The article below, originally written in April 2020, gives an overview of an online Taizé service. Virtual worship continues in 2022. Consult the Cathedral calendar for times.
Psalm 130:5 is comforting to read, but, in these strange times of self-isolation during a public health emergency, it's reassuring to see and hear someone familiar saying it aloud. That's what struck me as I listened to Rachel Schmidt sharing: “I wait for the Lord; my whole being waits, and in His word, I put my hope.”
Her mother, Catherine, had just played The Lord is My Song on the piano in their home, with its oft-repeated line, All my hope comes from God. The song occurred just after Rachel's father, Kurt, had welcomed nearly 20 people from three provinces to a virtual Taizé service, thanks to a video conferencing platform called Zoom.
More people connected to the virtual service than normally visit the cathedral for a half-hour of simple, meditative prayer and music in the Taizé tradition. Through words, music and silence, participants can focus on a single, burning candle and an icon or close their eyes to listen for the voice of God.
Cath Coombes and Leith Box attended virtually from Gagetown, NB, and thanked Kurt for making it possible, calling it “lovely.” They enjoyed the peaceful, thoughtful silence which followed a reflection written by German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Bonhoeffer referred to chapter 8 of Mark's gospel in which the disciples are urged by Jesus to take up their cross and follow Him. He wrote that each person has his or her own cross ready, appointed and measured by God. For some, the sacrificial suffering will mean martyrdom; others will not be tempted beyond their strength, but a cross will be laid upon everyone committed to Jesus.
Participants pondered this theme, then joined in the prayers of the people and the Lord's Prayer, before closing with a Taizé-style song in Spanish, Nada Te Turbe. The words are attributed to St. Teresa of Avila, which is in Spain, a country whose citizens are currently being ravaged by COVID-19.
The translated lyrics are uplifting in these stressful times: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God alone is sufficient.”
Retired bishop Bill Hockin and his wife Isabelle have attended in person previously, but found the virtual service – necessary because of social distancing rules laid down by the chief medical officer of health – very well done.
Isabel and Nathan Cutler, former cathedral members who now live in Newfoundland and Labrador, signed on and found the service “beautiful,” adding they hope to take part in future weeks during Lent through “this great tool.”
Kurt plans to offer virtual Taizé on future Thursdays during Lent. Instructions for how to sign on to the Zoom meeting will be posted on the cathedral calendar and Facebook page the day prior. A person with a web camera or a forward-facing camera, as well as a microphone, will get the most out of the technology. But a reliable Internet connection will get you there, too. Even if you cannot be seen or heard, you will see and hear everything that is happening.
-- by Ann Deveau