Monthly Archives: January 2023

2023 Prayer Diary

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This Prayer Diary, created by Mothers' Union, contains daily and monthly prayers. You are encouraged to use it to facilitate your devotions. Each month in the colourful book begins with a reflection, an opening prayer and a creative prayer activity.

"As we use this resource, we remember that we are united with each other, wherever we are, in our prayers. May we continue to seek transformation in our world and in our lives, with the profound knowledge that God is with us and shines through us," says Sheran Harper, worldwide President of Mothers' Union.

Download the 2023 Prayer Diary

More resources are available on the Mothers' Union website.

Mothers’ Union is a Christian organisation that has been supporting families worldwide for over 140 years. Started by  founder Mary Sumner in 1876 in her local parish, it has grown into an international charity with over 4 million members in 84 countries.

As a Christian membership charity, Mothers' Union demonstrates faith in action. This happens as they work towards stopping poverty, stopping inequality and stopping injustice. Members work at grassroots level around the world. They bring hope and practical support to millions of people every year through parenting, literacy and community development programmes.

Prayer is at the heart of their work. Members come together every day at midday to focus prayers for their communities, fellow members and for those in need, in the belief that the power of prayer is transformational and supports their work around the world.

Despite the name, Mothers' Union is an inclusive organisation with a growing number of men.

[excerpts from the Mothers' Union website]

Annual Report deadline approaching

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Officers, committees, groups and organizations are reminded that annual reports are needed by 31 January 2023. Ideally, emailed in open text or by file attachment to the Cathedral Office. If submitted on paper, please allow a few days before the deadline.

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, 26 February after worship. The 2023 Annual Report (for 2022) will be circulated one week in advance.

Bishop and Chapter News – January 2023

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Bishop and Chapter met 0n 16 January 2023 by video conference 11 of 13 members present. Members were asked to read in advance “5 Ideas for Managing Your Church Budget in the New ‘Normal’” by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries - United Methodist Church). The “ideas” included: quarterly planning, approaches to past comparisons, recognizing “inflation dollars,” use of technology to making funding the budget more efficient and, study of building assets. Minutes from 12 December 2022 were adopted.

CORRESPONDENCE

•   a note of thanks was received from Sexton Ashley Swim

FROM THE DEAN

•   funerals (2); outside Communions (1)
•   committee/group meetings (3); nominating committee (2); Narrative Budget Team (2); Chapter Executive (1)
•   usual staff meetings weekly
•   Christmas worship attendance: Eve: 187/70/81; Day 16/39
•   Vacancies

Safe Church Officer
Synod substitute (16-35)
Assistant(s) to the Verger
Mission Outreach

•   Diocesan Finance Committee
•   Vacation 11-25 April 2023

FOR INFORMATION

Planning Study - Meeting of Bishop and Chapter, diocesan officers and Source Alliance regarding the planning study being conducted over the next several months to determine potential renovation fund-raising

FOR DECISION

Amendment - minor correction for accuracy to November 2021 minutes
Reception of report - Cathedral Conditions and Issues Report official acceptance
2023 Budget - several issues pertaining to the 2023 budget were discussed and decided. Larger projects can complicate clear communication about giving targets and progress. Consideration of simplifying weekly bulletin updates in 2023 was discussed and may help continue to keep the most important information before us
Annual Meeting - Sunday, 26 February 2023
Investment - movement of some funds for year-end

REPORTS

Treasurer - December was a strong month for offerings with $84,047 enabling us to finish December in a surplus position ($40,368 offering over expenses). Overall offerings year over year down by $38,000. Underspending on maintenance and staffing, finishes 2022 in a slight surplus position
Administration and Finance - work on 2023 budget with the Stewardship Team working on a narrative version; intend return to staff handbook task; thanks to a retiring offering counter team; new team appointed
Property - continuing to deal with critical issues while minimizing expense where possible
Health and Pastoral Care - Health Ministry struggling to determine what events are appropriate under changing circumstances
Nominating - challenges exist regarding nominations for Chapter

UPCOMING

•   24 January - Source Alliance, Chapter and Diocese
•   21 February - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
•   22 February - Ash Wednesday
•   26 February - Annual Meeting
•   02 April - Palm Sunday

NEXT MEETING

Monday, 13 February 2023                                                                       GMH

Video Message from St. Hilda’s School in Belize

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We recently received messages and a video from Ms. Jane Martinez, Principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School in Belize. As you can see, the families from St. Hilda's have faced hardship, tragedy, and also found joy. Please keep them all in your prayers.

Scroll down to watch the video below the letters.

[December 23, 2022]

Greetings,

I pray all is well with you. This first part of the school year has been a great challenge for us here at St. Hilda's Anglican school but God's grace has kept us. We've had victories and heartbreak but to God be the Glory.

I am also sharing a video of some activities at St. Hilda's Anglican for the first Cycle,  September to December. I truly cannot find the words to express how blessed we are to have your support. We will continue to ensure that your investments are not in vain.

We love our Friends of St. Hilda's family and pray all the best for a wonderful holiday season and prosperous New Year.

Blessings,

Jane

[November 8, 2022]

Greetings Friends,

It is always a pleasure to send updates so that you know what is happening at St. Hilda's. I pray that all is well with you and your family as well as our Friends of St. Hilda's Family. The year has started out on a very busy note. I have been in classes since the beginning of September three to four times a week due to the absence of teachers so I have to multi-task. 

The month of October has been a roller coaster month. I say this because we've had to deal with tragedy as well as celebrate God's goodness. We have experienced a lot of illness at school recently; both teachers and students. Many of them are out with fever, cough and cold. Please keep them in prayer. We were to hold our inaugural ceremony for our preschool on October 19th. Unfortunately, on October 18th, one of our preschool babies died tragically in a road traffic accident just a short distance from the school. He was sitting in the front passenger seat along with his 6 year old brother in their neighbor's vehicle when she lost control. There were four students with her but he sustained serious head and body injuries and died a short while later. His name was Zaiden Villanueva. His parents are Joycelyn and Sylvester Villanueva and his brothers are Randy and Akeem. Please keep them in prayer as well as the other parent who was driving. She sustained injuries to her face and body but is doing much better physically. The mental aspect is of concern. This incident was a shock to us all and we had to suspend classes for the day. Our counselors came in to do grief counseling the following day. The following week, I was out sick. I had pain all over my body and fever. I later discovered that I had a kidney infection. Thankfully, I am feeling much better.

The highlight of the month was our school and church harvest. It was a wonderful celebration after suffering such a tragic loss. Our inaugural ceremony will now be held on November 9th. We are also thankful that we were spared any damages due to Hurricane Lisa. The staff, students and their families are all safe and doing well. 

In regards to the scholarship students, I do have mid semester reports for two of them so far. I will do my best to get the others and send them to you promptly.
I pray that you have a great day and rest of the week.

Best,
Jane

Bakers needed for monthly outreach program

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Outreach Committee volunteers hand out 8 1/2 dozen muffins and 8 1/2 dozen cookies each month to people in need who visit the Monday Morning Outreach Program.

A few members of the congregation faithfully bake homemade goodies, but additional contributors would be most welcome to replace some folks who have stepped aside or who are seasonally unavailable.

If you could help out by baking muffins or cookies occasionally, please let the Cathedral office know and you will be contacted by the committee. Thank you! Email<office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.

The Outreach Program operates on the last Monday morning of each month. Volunteers provide food, vouchers, bus tickets, clothing and information about local support programs to approximately 50 guests each month. Learn more about this longstanding program to help those in need in our community.