For many of us one of the significant losses during necessary safety restrictions during the current pandemic is singing.
At the Cathedral, we're fortunate that we've been able to strike a safe balance so as to have music continue to be a part of worship even though we've not been singing as congregations since last March. The size of our worship space and a less than mainstream direction from New Brunswick Public Health about a safe exception for leaders and performers means that even if we can't all sing, we can listen. We can follow the sung texts at least in our minds, maybe even hum along a bit and remain within safe practice.
Find here some reflections offered several weeks ago by Cheryl Jacobs about how "being asked not to sing" might be an opportunity to expand our outlook and our attitudes.
Yes, in these odd and tragic times, we in the congregation at corporate worship have been asked not to sing. This is a disappointment for many of us. Perhaps, however, it is an opportunity to consider and expand how we worship during a hymn or song.
Here are some thoughts:
Say the words, perhaps working on doing so from memory. Memorizing scriptural words and truths through song is good for our minds and our spirit as we hide God's word within us (Psalm 119.11).
Pray the words - in praise or for yourself, our church, or someone who comes to your mind.
Meditate on a phrase or verse. Those who are singing on our behalf can worry about all the words and we can focus on a particular aspect of God's love and grace, or our response to that.
Worship with your hearing, pondering the words of James that we should always be quick to listen and slow to speak (1.19).
Worship with other parts of your body: tap your feet (Jeremiah 31.13), or extend or raise your hands (Psalm 134.2). Give thanks that there will again be a "time to dance."
Cheryl Jacobs
I'll bring you more than a song For a song in itself is not what you have required You search much deeper within; you're looking into my heart. "When the Music Fades" (The Heart of Worship) Matt Redman
This January, Cathedral Organist and Director of Music Thomas Gonder is celebrating the one year anniversary of his arrival in Fredericton. As we reflect on the blessing of his music ministry during this most unusual year, we thought it appropriate to look back on this interview originally published in the NB Anglican shortly after Thomas' arrival in our city.
[Photos and text by Gisele McKnight, 2/18/2020]
Cathedral welcomes new music director
Some call it happenstance. Others call it God’s hand.
Thomas Gonder believes it was definitely God’s hand that brought him to Fredericton — specifically to Christ Church Cathedral as its new director of music. He began his role here in early January.
Thomas, 48 and originally from London, Ont., lived in Toronto for more than 12 years, working as an organist in Anglican Churches. His path to New Brunswick began last summer, when he was invited by Leo Marchildon to perform at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Basilica in Charlottetown.
A lifelong Anglican, Thomas decided to make the trip really count. He’d always wanted to visit Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton.
“I’d seen pictures, so I thought, ‘why not see if I can play there,’” he said. “Might as well make the trip more worthwhile.”
So he wrote to then-director of music, David Drinkell, who extended a hearty invitation. Thomas spent four or five days in the city, and loved every minute.
“I played an organ concert here on a Saturday night,” he said. “There were about 100 people there. I thought I might get 20.”
But while preparing to return to Toronto, he realized he didn’t really want to leave.
“I was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, the enthusiasm people have for music,” he said. “I was surrounded by trees instead of condos.
“When I went back to Toronto, I sank into a bit of a depression. I felt as if I really connected to this place in a specific way — not just with the Cathedral, but with the whole city. I crave nature and I couldn’t find that in Toronto.”
The sad and untimely death of David Drinkell later that fall opened up an opportunity that Thomas did not see coming. He’d struck up a Facebook friendship with Elspeth, David’s wife, and had lively correspondence with David. Now he realizes his August visit to the city was all God’s plan, not his. When the vacancy appeared, he felt he had to apply.
With an offer in hand, Thomas left St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Islington, in the Diocese of Toronto, to direct music in his first cathedral, and he couldn’t be happier.
“The draw to come here was irresistible,” he said. “I didn’t need this job. I had one I really liked, but I had to take this chance.
“I was growing so weary of Toronto — the cost of living, the hustle and bustle, the noise — it became too much for me. It was wearing down my senses.”
Now he walks to work via Odell Park, and revels in the bird song and the smell of trees, things he has sorely missed for many years. Moving to a new city in the middle of winter isn’t ideal, he said, but he’s enjoying the nature, the people and the work.
“I feel like it’s healing me,” he said. “Now that I’m here, all those feelings I had are confirmed.”
THE PEOPLE
What Thomas has found so far is a group of people — the choir and the 11:45 worship band — who are enthusiastic and skilled.
“I get to work with such a terrific choir,” he said. “And the 11:45 worship band is so talented. Everyone has made it very easy for me. I feel no stress.”
He’s also thrilled to return to his roots, “being able to play all aspects of Anglican liturgical music. I feel like a kid again!”
His great love of church music began when he was 10 years old, joining the choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
“It was a revelation, if 10-year-olds can have revelations,” he said. “I’ll never forget that moment.”
THE PLANS
He describes himself as a concert organist and liturgical musician, and he aims to put those talents to good use. As for the work, he’s got big plans.
At St. Matthews, he and the parish replaced the organ through a vigorous fundraising campaign and he hopes to use that experience here. The Christ Church Cathedral organ was last rebuilt in 1981, and Thomas believes it’s overdue.
“The goal is to renovate this instrument,” he said. “It’s showing wear and tear. Oddly enough, it’s a bit big for its environment. I think it needs to be reimagined for the space.”
Thomas sees that as a long-term project of up to 10 years, but in the end, “this could be the finest instrument in the Maritimes.”
He also sees a great deal of potential in the Cathedral itself: a beacon of inspiration for the diocese, a centre for arts and culture, a dynamic music program to share with the community.
“My goal is to make the Cathedral what most cathedrals have been for centuries — a centre for the arts,” he said.
Recently, as he listened to Dean Geoffrey Hall preach, he was struck by the sermon’s theme: ‘hearing the call, answering the call.’
“I had no urgency to leave my job, but I had to answer the call,” he said.
The Cathedral Communications Committee has invited members of the congregation to share their Christmas memories. Below, listen to a story from Claire.
Basswood on Cathedral grounds gains new life with carvers
When a 2020 summer storm struck and felled a large basswood on the east end of the Cathedral Green, Christ Church Cathedral congregation member and former forester Eric Hadley volunteered to step in and help with cleanup.
Unlike many large trees felled by wind storms, Eric saw that the roots of this tree had remained firmly planted while the tree trunk itself had snapped.
Closer examination revealed considerable rot within the tree. This outwardly strong-looking basswood was a bit of a disaster waiting to happen. And along came Mother Nature and her winds providing just that disaster!
Since there are other Tília Americana (basswood) trees on the Cathedral property, it seemed like a good idea to check for any signs of visible rot and potential for damage to the Cathedral building itself.
Sure enough, just outside the west end (main) door and directly in line with the stained glass window over that door, stood another big old basswood showing what Eric believed to be signs of rot.
a legacy for future generations
When Eric brought in Mike Glynn, assistant manager of Parks and Trees and city forester for the City of Fredericton, he confirmed the diagnosis and advised that this old beauty posed considerable risk to the building. He recommended it be removed.
Enter Calvin Thompson, manager of First Nations relations, City of Fredericton. Calvin contacted Cathedral officials to see if there would be an interest in offering the wood to the St. Mary’s First Nation community.
The answer was a resounding yes! Renowned indigenous woodcarver Percy Sacobie was delighted to accept the offer. Basswood has long been the wood of choice for indigenous carvers, coveted for its featureless, fine-grained, white wood that doesn’t splinter or chip easily.
Percy Sacobie, woodcarver, Mike O’Brien, Mayor, Eric Hadley
In addition, Bob Clowater of the Fredericton Woodcarvers group was interested in obtaining some of the wood for their 17 members who meet twice a week at the Johnson Street Seniors Workshop.
And thus, this venerable old tree, Tília Americana, will leave a legacy for future generations. It may no longer stand guarding those ancient Cathedral walls, but it will not be relegated to the wood chipper or the furnace!
Its God-given artistic form will be transformed into man-made artistic forms by New Brunswick woodcarvers and enjoyed for years to come.
The Cathedral Communications Committee has invited members of the congregation to share their Christmas memories. Below, read a story from Marilyn Lewell.
Apart from wonderful times with my family, my Christmas memories involve music. Having sung in choirs since an early age, including school, church and community choirs, I remember singing Handel’s MESSIAH for the first time at 12 years of age, and almost annually since.
A special year was when my husband and I lined up outside Kings College Cambridge to be in the congregation for the famous Christmas Eve Carol service. It was magical.
Perhaps the most moving memory involved volunteering for the nurses’ choir in our uniforms, as we sang carols while carrying candles and visiting each unit of the hospital where we worked. Needless to say, that is no longer a tradition in hospitals but it was very special to the patients and nurses alike.
At the Cathedral, we're fortunate that we've been able to strike a safe balance so as to have music continue to be a part of worship even though we've not been singing as congregations since last March. The size of our worship space and a less than mainstream direction from New Brunswick Public Health about a safe exception for leaders and performers means that even if we can't all sing, we can listen. We can follow the sung texts at least in our minds, maybe even hum along a bit and remain within safe practice.
