Monthly Archives: March 2021

2021 Easter Pastoral Letter

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Easter 2021

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Lent 2021

Dear Friends,

The old, old story will be told yet again this year. ("Tell me the old, old story") We who have walked the way of the Cross before will hear familiar words ... "Hosanna to the Son of David! ... Father, take this cup from me ... my God, my God why have you forsaken ... it is finished ... He is risen!"

Holy Week and Easter is a roller coaster of emotion. Lent, the journey from Ashes to Easter, now turns to the shorter one from the Sunday of Palms to the Day of Resurrection. The highs and lows are all part of the story of the redemption of humanity. Easter assures us that even though we die, God gives life. Even though we don't always make the choices best for ourselves and others, God and his mercy endures. Even though the shadows fall and darkness settles, the sun rises again and dawn breaks anew.

It is not by accident that the Church celebrates the mystery of Resurrection near the end of the longest, most trying season of the year. Perhaps Easter celebration this year will have been influenced by what has been an entire year of trying times! The Church year serves to illustrate the seasons of our life. Following a long harsh winter comes spring and the budding of the new. Christians are reminded that the dimming eye and the aged hand are not signs of the end, rather only the nearing of a fantastic transformation from this life into the next. In worship the promise of eternal life rang clearly through prayerful Lenten days this year. Soon, we celebrate the outcome of our trials in bright sunshine and the warming days of Easter.

Join this year in walking the way of the Cross in worship events that have been important to Christian believers throughout the world and through the ages. A schedule is below. If you’re not yet comfortable or unable to join us in person, visit The Cathedral YouTube Channel as we try to provide as many opportunities there as possible. If you wish to make Easter Communion at home, please contact the Cathedral Office.

Wishes for a blessed Easter to you and those whom you love.

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev'd)
Dean of Fredericton

 

Holy Week and Easter 2021
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB

Monday - Thursday: 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer and 4:45 p.m. Evening Prayer

The Holy Eucharist on 03 April is the first of Easter

Passion/Palm Sunday (28 March 2021)
 8:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms, Dramatic Passion and Holy Eucharist

Monday
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Tuesday
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Ministry Vows and Blessing of Oils
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Sanctuary

Good Friday
10:00 a.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Easter Eve (03 April 2021)
8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter, Renewal of Baptism and Eucharist

Easter Day (04 April 2021)
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
11:45 a.m. Come Worship Eucharist

 

 

Prayer Network Continues Under New Leadership

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Award-winning author Philip Yancey writes that prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet and relate.

“We're supposed to be a praying people,” agrees Carolyn Howlett in recalling why she got involved in the prayer network at the cathedral. “We're on a daily walk with the Lord, and it's important to listen, to care and to bring the needs of other people to Him.”

In 1996 a co-ordinator was needed to take over from Reid and Ethel Saunders who had capably led the prayer network for some time. Carolyn offered to step in, never thinking she would be at the helm for a quarter of a century.

“There was a small, willing group of volunteers in the cathedral community to pray for congregational needs and other issues, and it grew over time,” she says.

Sometimes people ask God for all manner of things: to sell their house, to find a job, to survive a divorce, to make it rain.

“We weren't dealing with those types of problems; we focused on requests for healing,” Carolyn says. She stresses that confidentiality was always of the highest importance, and it remains so.

She would inform the other members by telephone -- in more recent years by e-mail -- that a person was struggling with cancer treatments or a serious accident, that a major surgery was under way, that someone was hospitalized and near death.

Isabelle Hockin, one of several longtime members, puts it this way: “I think it’s a huge comfort to people with an urgent concern to know that they can turn to the prayer chain and trust that there will be a group of believers praying for them and/or their loved ones in their hour of need.”

She sees Matthew 7:7 as the guiding principle: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.

Feedback was usually positive, regardless of the outcome of the particular situation. Typical comments include “the prayer chain made all the difference” or “it uplifted us at a difficult  time” or “it helped me with my grief.”

After 25 years, the time has come for Carolyn to pass the torch to another member of the congregation who also believes that being a Christian means leading a life of prayer.

Linda Waugh has been a member of a Charis group for more than 20 years and has always been willing to pray for others.

“I have been thankful for their prayers when I needed them,” Linda explains. “Prayer is powerful, and it is very comforting to know there are others praying for you. In turn, I was glad to be able to pray for other members when they needed prayer.”

Linda thinks it's possible that some people in the cathedral family don't realize that they can ask for confidential prayers for themselves, their friends and family members who need God's love and healing.

“I hope people will feel free to get in touch with me, so that the good work done in the past can be continued for a long time to come,” she says. “My e-mail address is <lmwaugh at live.com> which will likely be published often in the church bulletin for people's convenience.”

Linda is also thankful that Carolyn has agreed to continue as a member of the prayer network.

“It's such a part of me,” Carolyn says, absolutely confident that prayer is effective in bringing God's compassion and comfort to people in their times of trouble.

 

--by Ann Deveau

Elm City String Quartet – Friday, 26 March 2021

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We're so pleased to host the Elm City String Quartet!

The Elm City String Quartet performs at the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral, featuring works by Haydn, Borodin, and Shaw.

The Elm City String Quartet returns to the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral for their first concert of 2021. Enjoy the charm of Haydn’s “Lark” quartet, the romance of Borodin’s quartet number one, and the dynamism of Caroline Shaw’s “Blueprint.” The concert will be one hour in length with no intermission. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Please bring your community mask.

Get tickets HERE!

Elm City String Quartet

Update from St Hilda’s Anglican School in Belize

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The following is a letter sent March 11/21 by Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal at St. Hilda’s Anglican School, to Kelley Hall of the Belize Mission Committee.

Good Afternoon Kelley,

I pray all is well with you and your family. I wanted to send you an update so that you know what is going on at St. Hilda’s Anglican. Due to the Covid19 situation, we are only at school Monday and Tuesday. We are still doing distance learning. Teachers print packages every week for students and they also do online sessions twice a week. It has been truly challenging because both teachers and students have to adapt to a new way of teaching and learning. My staff has been very vigilant in this exercise and I must commend their efforts. 
It is being said that the vaccine will be given to teachers soon and classes will resume in April. I’m not sure if that will work out. Some people are hesitant about getting the vaccine because much controversy surrounding it. There has been no Education or information given to the public and people are hesitant. 
The high school students have gotten some reports so I will forward that to you as well.  I’m still waiting for two more students to send theirs. They have also been doing online learning and receiving packages. 
I am including pictures of some repairs that we were able to get done in one classroom as well as the signs that we set up. I also bought folders for teachers to create a portfolio with lessons and packages that are sent out.  Overall,  I must say that we are blessed because we have all been able to cope and have stayed healthy. 
I continue to express sincere gratitude to our Friends of St. Hilda’s family. You all have truly blessed us. I keep seeing God working through your sponsorship. When we were at our lowest, that’s when the funds came through. We are truly thankful. Prayers for you all during this time. God’s continued blessing on your ministry. 
Blessings, 
Jane

Bishop and Chapter News – March 2021

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Bishop and Chapter met 15 March 2021 by video conference with 10 of 14 members present. A faith conversation and discussion of an article “We’re in the Innovation Business” (Dwight Zscheile) was lead by the Dean. Minutes of 16 and 22 February 2021 were adopted.

From the Dean

  • meeting with Pandemic Response Task Group making adjustments for yellow level restrictions Operational Plan 11 March 2021
  • no care facility Communions (Farraline/Windsor Court) in March
  • meetings with Chapter committees and other groups
  • Lenten programmes continuing with thanks to leaders/particpants
  • work progressing on proposal for security upgrades, main entrance monitoring/cameras and potential refurbishment of networking
  • upcoming need for congregational consultation regarding future facilities development

Items Arising

Cathedral Video Project - we await two more cameras. Current live streaming significantly improved thus far. Operators in training

Chapter By-law - members asked to bring current By-law items possibly in need of modification to the next meeting of the Chapter

Discussion

Housing First - information is needed about the current status of the Cathedral Housing First Project. S. Mayo will coordinate a meeting soon.

Resignation of Treasurer - the Chapter regrets having received the resignation of Treasurer Kevin Percy as of 30 April 2021.

Committee membership - J. Mahar will facilitate an accessible online document for submitting/listing up to date committee membership

Annual meeting - noted request for Cathedral consultation re facilities

Decision

Facilities development - The Chapter appointed Jim Morell to act as liaison in current discussions with the Diocesan Synod regarding facilities management and development

Thanks to the Treasurer - a vote of sincere thanks to K. Percy for his service as treasurer. The Chapter Executive will meet soon to discuss next steps

Reports

Treasurer - an overview of February financials noting that expenses significantly exceeded income ($22,500) year to date. Several other reports including the 2020 Diocesan Financial Return, Financial Survey for Diocesan use in applications on our behalf for government subsidy when possible, Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund to year end 2020.

Property - a report is expected from Heritage Standing updating renovation and maintenance required now and in the future. The current proposal regarding security/network will be shared with the Committee when available.

Health and Pastoral Care - Parish Nurse search: advertisement posted this past week with deadline for application of 30 April.

Mission and Outreach - Clarity regarding the Housing First Project is a priority. Financial management, committee membership and documentation describing commitments, responsibilities and expectations needed

Finance and Administration - the Committee continues to seek leadership for the Stewardship Team and a Safe Church Officer. Recent updates to the Report on Deferred Funds (money in our operating account designated for specific purposes) were considered and recommended. The chair will follow up on a meeting of the Stewardship Team in the near future.

Upcoming

  • Holy Week begins 28 March
  • Easter Day 04 April

Next Meetings: 19 April 2021 (if necessary); 17 May 2021

GMH

Pandemic Yellow Level at the Cathedral

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Zone 3 (Fredericton and area) is currently in the Yellow Level of the New Brunswick Pandemic Recovery Plan.

In-person worship at the Cathedral continues and Memorial Hall is open to the public, both with restrictions. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.

Pandemic precautions outlined in the latest revision of the Cathedral Pandemic Operational Plan (11 March 2021) will be followed. These include:

  • Worship gatherings are limited to 90 individuals (based on 50% of total capacity)
  • Meetings where 2 metres of distance with masks is maintained
  • 2 metres of physical distance between bubbles is required
  • Face masks are mandatory indoors at all times (with an exception for “leaders or performers whose activities require vocalization” while maintaining 4 metres of physical distance between bubbles)
  • Congregational singing with masks and 2 metres of distance between bubbles

Please note that we continue to be encouraged to limit contact outside of single household bubbles, especially in confined spaces. Please continue to pray for those who are at risk and those providing care and helping to keep us safe.

Worship reservations

With current limits of individuals, worship reservations continue to be required. Reserve online by visiting Cathedral Signups by 8:00 p.m. on the previous day. Telephone reservations are needed in real time (not by voicemail). If reserving by telephone, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 during office hours, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon, Monday to Friday.

Parish Nurse Wanted

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Parish Nurse for
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, FREDERICTON  NB
Permanent part-time position: 20 hours/ week with benefits

Definition:  Parish nursing emphasizes the wholeness of body, mind and spirit rooted in the vision of Christ as Healer. A Parish Nurse is a registered nurse who practices holistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care. See the Canadian Association of Parish Nursing Ministries.

Learn more about Health Ministry at Christ Church Cathedral
View the Health Ministry information brochure

Qualifications: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

  • Certification in Parish Nursing or willingness to complete the same
  • Registered Nurse in good standing with NANB (Nurses Association of New Brunswick)
  • *Minimum of 5 years nursing experience

Further inquiries: (506) 450-8500 or by email

Please inquire or apply with cover letter and resume via email or surface mail.

Application deadline: 30 April 2021

Parish Nurse: Search Committee
Christ Church Cathedral
168 Church Street
Fredericton NB    E3B 4C9
(506) 450-8500

[search at christchurchcathedral.com]
christchurchcathedral.com

Mothering Sunday – The Mothers’ Union

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Who is the Mothers’ Union?

Mothers’ Union has over 4 million members world-wide spread across 84 countries. Members work together to solve challenges in their local communities. By helping to restore and strengthen relationships in families and communities, Mothers’ Union gives a sense of belonging and acceptance to the stigmatized and vulnerable. Visit the worldwide Mothers' Union website.

The Mothers’ Union Approach

  • Strengthen communities all over the world
  • Help the most disadvantaged at home
  • Shape how we advocate for the rights of families
  • Build supportive, loving relationships
  • Develop a relationship with God

Globally, Mothers’ Union focuses its efforts on

  1. Creating a peaceful and safe environment for all,
  2. Fighting for gender justice, and
  3. Building individuals’ self-reliance.

Locally, branches are at the very heart of all that Mothers' Union does, coming together to work and pray in fellowship.

View / download the Canadian Mothers' Union information brochure

Mothering Sunday

Social togetherness is more important now than it ever was. Traditional festival days and related celebrative events in the calendar bring people together and strengthen communities. Mothering Sunday has come a long way from its origins but remains a means of fostering closeness.

Mothering Sunday, not to be confused with Canadian Mother's Day, is celebrated in Anglican Churches on the fourth Sunday in Lent.

Mothering Sunday customarily celebrated on the Fourth Sunday in Lent

It is a very old liturgical feast known by several names over the ages: Laetare Sunday to honour the Virgin Mary, Refreshment Sunday, Rose Sunday and Mothering Sunday. It dates back to the custom in England when domestic servants in the grand houses of the landed gentry were permitted to go home to visit their home church and mother. Often the housekeeper or cook would allow the maids to bake a cake to take home to their mother. Sometimes a gift of eggs or flowers from the garden (or hothouse) was allowed, or they may have picked wildflowers from the wayside, violets especially.

In Canada, Mothers' Union branches sometimes observe Mothering Sunday by distributing flowers to mothers and serving the traditional Simnel cake and/or cookies after the church service. Simnel cake is a light fruit cake made with a layer of marzipan in the middle and if desired a layer on top. The cake is decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 12 apostles minus Judas, the betrayer of Christ. If 12 balls are used, the 12th one is to represent Jesus.

Recipe for Simnel Cake

3/4 cup soft butter
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups raisins
1 cup currants
1/2 cup mixed peel
1/3 cup chopped candied cherries
2 tsp lemon rind
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
500 grams of almond paste, at room temperature

Directions:
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs 1 at a time. Add almond extract. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to eggs, then add the fruit and mix.

Put 1/2 the mixture in an 8” springform pan lined with waxed or parchment paper. Roll half of almond paste and place in pan. Spoon remainder of batter on top. Bake 30 min at 350°F then reduce heat to 300°F and bake 1 1/2 hours longer. Cool 10 min. Heat oven to 425°F.

Roll remaining almond paste into an 8” round circle and 12 small balls.

Put the circle on top of the cake and place the balls on top like the numbers on a clock.

Bake for 8 min watching closely so the balls do not flatten too much or burn.

Marvellous Macey – Caitlin Bangsund

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The Delightful Days ...

From the review on A Mama's Corner of the World - Marvellous Macey spotlight - Can you va va voom? Do you light up the room? Marvellous Macey does! She may not quite fit the mould, but she is living delightful days. Embrace Macey's world of imagination and ability to love and accept everyone. Life may not be perfect and some things might be hard, but Macey shows us how to live in the moment and find the delight! Be inspired by Macey to make everyday the BEST day.

5 4 3 2 1 GO

It’s a launch. The book is real. It’s on the internet. And in a local shop here in Okotoks AB.

Time to sit back and relax.

Or be busier than ever wildly trying to cover my bases, step up to the plate, and score - these are mixed metaphors. I think they are sports-related, but you get the point.

Flipped-lid-magic

Macey “flips her lid” daily. That simply means that her feelings get big and she loses her ability to think and act clearly.

She lives in a world that often doesn’t make sense. Her functional age is younger than the almost eight-year-old she is. I feel like a good parallel would be me living in a country where I don’t understand the language.

On Monday, March 1 we set out to have a little celebration to mark the official launch of “Marvellous Macey, The Delightful Days.”

And we did. It was lovely.

The magic part was that after supper when Macey did “flip her lid” I was not deflated.

Everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect. I know I’m not done learning this lesson, but I have gotten so much better at accepting that we wouldn’t have the magic we have without the “flip side.”

March is Developmental Disability Awareness Month. I chose to time my launch with this month because I wanted to promote inclusion and be an advocate.

Everything doesn’t have to be perfect to be perfect.

I finally have a tool to help start the conversation and to demonstrate that disability most definitely does not mean inability.

Into the unknown

A song from Frozen. And the place I’m wandering into.

One year ago (on March 6th exactly) I shared the first draft of “Marvellous Macey, The Delightful Days” with a group of authors in a publishing group I’m a part of.

I chewed my hangnails (like a do every day) and waited to see if I had written garbage or sunshine.

They suggested it was “delightful.” Having a draft is a far cry from having a real-life book in the world.

Now I do.

But having a real-life book is a far cry from it selling enough to pay your illustrator (or pay a desperately needed house cleaner).

I’ve been walking “into the unknown” for a long time so I guess it isn’t something to fear.

The unknown is uncomfortable and exciting all wrapped together.

True or false? “I made this book thing happen all by myself.”

False.

There is not one SINGLE thing I did all by myself. Not ONE.

I didn’t pay for the investment myself.

I have never self-published a book so I needed a coach, subscriptions, and memberships to things.

Um ... a picture book needs pictures so I had to hire an illustrator.

I didn’t even write all the words alone. I have a trusty side-kick who spent hours helping me (because even fully grown children need help from their mom).

I had help from a gracious editor for the fine-tuning.

There were logos to create, a website to build, publicity and marketing, and then books to be printed,

And more.

PLUS, there are all of you - the cheerleaders, buyers, and reviewers.

I love you so much for sharing screenshots of the book(s) arriving, pictures and videos of your kids and grandkids reading, words of encouragement, private and public reviews, and telling other people about the great new book you just ordered!

You. are. the. best.

The proof is in the pudding.

Is week two of the launch “the pudding” or is “the pudding” far away in the distance?

I don’t know. But I hope there is proof of this book filling hearts and homes with hope.

Press on,

Cait

P.S. Unless you really really really want off the hook please tell people about Marvellous Macey - the real girl - and about her book!

P.P.S. I was on a podcast last week talking about trial and triumph. I hope you will find it encouraging. See the graphic and go find it.

Find Marvellous Macey on Amazon
Find Marvelous Macey on Goodreads