Telling our story.
Line item budgets are boring. Not only that, but seldom do they tell the real story. It’s too easy for us to make assumptions about how the dollar we give is used or not used on what we specifically consider important. However, no facet of church ministry operates in a vacuum. For instance, music may be one’s own personal focus, but music cannot happen without a warm, dry and lighted space. In fact, if we think deeply, we begin to realize that in a very real way everything depends on everything else.
Monthly Archives: February 2023
Ad-LENT-ures 2023
22 February - 01 April 2023
During the Season of Lent, all members of the Cathedral congregation are encouraged to consider individual or small group study or reflection. The 40 days of Lent are an excellent time to take on a discipline of deeper reflection on the Christian life, growing personally in discipleship as well as helping us grow as a community of Christian faith. (See BAS p. 282 and BCP p. 612)
MONDAYS ~ beginning 27 February
Afternoon Study Group
Book study of Let Me Go There: The Spirit of Lent by Paula Gooder -- the Archbishop's recommended study book for 2023. Come join the conversation(s) about Lenten themes such as wilderness, journey, prayer and fasting. Facilitated by Dean Geoffrey Hall. 2:00-3:15 p.m, in Cathedral Memorial Hall. RSVP.
*Note: The Bishop's Office will be hosting online gatherings exploring the same text, facilitated by Shawn Branch and Cheryl Jacobs. Online sessions will be hosted on Mondays at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. Register through the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton website.
TUESDAYS ~ beginning 28 February
Art & Faith
An Ignatian-flavoured contemplative consideration of select works of sacred art. Hosted by Kurt Schmidt. 5:30-6:00pm, Drop-in online via Zoom. Link through the Cathedral calendar.
THURSDAYS ~ beginning 23 February
Taizé Thursdays
Ecumenical and contemplative services of worship that incorporate simple song, scripture and silence. 5:30-6:00pm, alternating formats -- online via Zoom and in-person/livestreamed from the Cathedral. Drop-in. Link through the Cathedral calendar or Cathedral YouTube channel. Curious about Taizé? Read about an online session and in-person Taizé at the Cathedral.
The Divine Comedy
Ongoing study group discussing Dante's classic poem. Hosted and led by Alan Hall and friends. 7:00-8:30 p.m, Hall Lounge. RSVP.
FRIDAYS ~ beginning 24 February
Stations of the Cross
Various versions of the ancient meditation on the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). 12:00 noon, Cathedral. Drop-in.
SUNDAYS
The Chosen
Intergenerational screening of the recently released third season of The Chosen, the largest crowd-funded media project in history, portraying the life of Christ and the disciples. 6:00-8:00pm, Cathedral Memorial Hall. Popcorn provided!
Contact Facilitators and Join
Please contact the facilitators directly to: express interest / ask a question / register / RSVP. Take special note of online options. Flexibility in schedules and locations may be possible within given restraints.
Geoffrey Hall: email or phone (506) 450-7761 or the Cathedral Office
Cheryl Jacobs: email or phone (506) 459-5795 or the Cathedral Office
Alan Hall: email or phone (506) 443-0196 or the Cathedral Office
Kurt Schmidt: email or phone (506) 259-3711 or the Cathedral Office
Memoirs: Archbishop Harold Nutter
'It Remains for Me to Say', a book containing the memoirs of Archbishop Harold Lee Nutter is available for purchase at the Diocesan Synod Office for $28 (plus postage if required). Drop by the Synod Office upstairs in Memorial Hall, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or email <office at anglican.nb.ca> for details. The book, edited by Archbishop Nutter’s son Andrew (Bruce) Nutter, tells a fascinating story of a long Anglican life.
A description of the book is below.
It Remains for Me to Say
The Memoirs of Archbishop Harold Lee Nutter
edited by his son Andrew with a foreword by David Adams Richards
After he retired the Archbishop recorded his memoirs for the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick in 1992. They have had to be extensively culled but tell a fascinating story of a long Anglican life.
Harold Nutter was born in Welsford and named after his uncle whose name is included on the memorial at Vimy Ridge following his death in the Great War. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was nine. Unlike other boys of his age, interested in hunting and fishing, Harold began studying Greek at the age of twelve. His father, who ran the village grocery store, found his son’s unusual interest difficult to explain to fellow villagers.
In his first year at Mount Allison a devastating fire destroyed the men’s residence just before Christmas in 1941. Harold had been assigned to a top floor room with four other boys, but several days before the fire, the Dean of Residence moved him to another room on the same floor. Sadly, all the boys from that earlier room died understandably leaving Harold to wonder why he should be spared.
Later he was the recipient of five honorary degrees, a member of the Order of Canada, and a social reformer under New Brunswick premier Louis Robichaud. He was offered the Lieutenant Governorship of the province, and a seat in the Senate.
The Archbishop was sounding alarm bells in the later part of his episcopate over the wayward and woke direction of his beloved church. His writings now seem prescient.
Not just for breakfast
Shrove Tuesday is just around the corner and for many Christians, that means pancakes for supper!
Not being a pancake lover, I decided to do a little research on this questionable meal choice. I knew that Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras) preceded Ash Wednesday when many folks give up something that they love as a sort of penance during Lent. Historically, it would be rich food of some sort that was given up and your Shrove Tuesday meal would be your last kick at the rich food can, so to speak.
This just made me all the more curious why anyone would choose pancakes as their last tasty meal!
Well, it seems that we owe a debt of gratitude (or not) to a lady in the middle of cooking up a pancake supper. When the Church bells rang in Olney, UK one day in 1445 indicating it was time for confession (where one would be “shriven” or absolved of sin), she ran to the Church in her apron, clutching her frying pan full of pancakes.
And now, centuries later, in many parts of the UK, pancake races are a big part of Shrove Tuesday celebrations. And, not surprisingly, the most famous race of all is held in Olney where local “housewives” don their aprons, hats and scarves, clutch their frying pans and race to the finish line, all the while flipping their pancake at least three times. The first woman to finish the course and arrive at the Church, serve her pancake to the bellringer and kiss him wins the race.
Pancake recipes can apparently be traced back to Roman times. The main ingredients – milk, flour, eggs – were considered “rich” ingredients which, I guess, accounts for their becoming the “rich” meal of choice.
Even if they aren’t my favourite food group, the following description of Shrove Tuesday at the Cathedral may be enough to entice me out this year. I asked Jim Morrell for his memories of Shrove Tuesday meals at Christ Church Cathedral.
Here’s what Jim had to say:
“Male members of the Cathedral (take that Olney!) have been preparing and serving pancakes, sausages and beans for the Shrove Tuesday congregation-and-friends supper for over 60 yeas. One of my childhood memories is eating pancakes that my Dad served to my Mother, brother and me in the original Memorial Hall lower level in the late 1950’s. Not only was it a tasty (mmmm) and plentiful meal for the growing number of post-war baby boomers like me, it was a 'day off' so to speak for our stay-at-home Moms who didn’t have to prepare it. It’s always been lots of fun for those who come to enjoy the food and the conversation and for those who cook and serve.”
Well, Jim, you and the members of St. Joseph’s Guild will be warming up your favourite pancake flipper in no time!
Maybe even I will put aside my pancake dislike and come out for that evening of fun with family and friends. After all, there will be lots of time after supper to grab some chocolate or other rich delicacy on the way home before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent!
by Gail MacGillivray
Celebrate the beginning of Lent by attending Christ Church Cathedral’s Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at Cathedral Memorial Hall on 13 February from 4:30-6:30 pm. Enjoy pancakes, sausages, and beans followed by gingerbread with toppings. Coffee and tea will be available. Admission is through freewill donation. Everyone is welcome, so bring your friends and family!
Thanks from Montgomery Street School
In December, Christ Church Cathedral donated $2000 to Montgomery Street School, a nearby elementary school with a number of children in need. The money, given by the congregation through a Giving Tuesday campaign, supported a school lunch program. We recently received a thank you note from the Home and School Association, signed by children in the school's Leadership Program.
A HUGE THANK YOU FROM US...
It is so heartening when we receive a gift from a generous group that allows us to say "yes, we can help" to one more child within Montgomery Street School. We would love to extend our appreciation and thanks from the children, staff and Home and School Committee to the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral.
With your generous donation that was provided, we are able to ensure that children are fed, have warm clothes for wintertime as well as all the extra needs needed by our students and families.
We are so lucky and grateful to have your support.
Reegan McDougall
President: Montgomery Street Elementary School, Home and School
Episcopal Church of Roatan / Nelson and Kara Ministry (December 2022 Update)
The Reverends Nelson and Kara Mejia are SAMS Canada (South American Mission Society) missionaries and priests in the Diocese of Honduras. Kara Mejia is the daughter of retired New Brunswick priest Gordon Thompson and his wife, Bell.
The Cathedral Missions Committee supports their Ministry in Roatan, Honduras with yearly donations.
By the Revs. Nelson and Kara Mejia:
At this time of year, as we recall and reflect on the nativity story, we’re reminded anew that Jesus really is the hope of the world.
In this month’s edition of our ministry update, I can see evidence of the hope, joy, and redemptive transformation that comes through the love of Jesus.
As we look back on the year and look forward to the next with hope and expectancy, Kara and I (Nelson) wanted to take a moment to thank you for partnering with us, for your encouragement, sacrificial giving and especially prayers that make our ministry possible...
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Click here to continue reading the full update, and see more photos! They have shared details about food deliveries to families, a community kitchen for kids, a women's meeting, clerical retreat, and deputation time, when Kara and Nelson will be visiting New Brunswick to share information about their ministry.
2023 World Day of Prayer
The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.
The World Day of Prayer service video for 2023 is available to watch online now. The 55 minute video, produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, can be watched at any time. A 24 minute children's video is also available.
The women who wrote the World Day of Prayer Service this year are from Taiwan. The Theme is “I Have Heard About Your Faith”. Based on the letter to the Ephesians, it is an invitation to active listening, which is the ground of our prayers. Following the example of the letter (1:15-19), where the author praises the church for their faith in Jesus and love toward all the saints, the worship service contextualizes the witness of the saints with the stories from Taiwan.
March 3, 2023 is the official date chosen as the World Day of Prayer.
World Day of Prayer services will also be held in-person in Fredericton:
- Friday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. Reception to follow.
Storm date: March 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. - Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 224 York Street. Reception to follow.
Monetary donations go toward expenses incurred in preparing the World Day of Prayer service, and providing grants to support women and children around the world who are fighting injustice and abuse. Donate online to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, or mail a cheque to 47 Queen’s Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C3. Receipts are provided for all donation of $20 or more.
If you have questions about the work of the Council or the 2023 prayer services, please contact Debbie Heustis with Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church. (506) 472-2916.