Monthly Archives: December 2023

Godly Play – fall report

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Godly Play at the Cathedral was certainly active this past fall!

Our circle of Godly Players -- children between the ages of 5 and 12 -- have gathered together eight times since September, and explored stories regarding the Circle of the Church Year, Creation, the Great Family, the Exodus, the Ten Best Ways (the GP version of the Ten Commandments), the Ark and the Tent, and the weeks and themes of Advent.

Our children wondered and worked imaginatively with these stories -- and shared a 'feast' together after each one, too.

Our two Cathedral storytellers, Cheryl and Kurt, were mightily impressed with the faithfulness and interest demonstrated by the children. What's more, they are excited to welcome at least two more adult Doorpersons to the Godly Play roster early in 2024.

For more information about Godly Play at the Cathedral, and/or to connect a child or children who might be interested in joining, please contact Kurt Schmidt. Email <formation at christchurchcathedral.com>.

Read more about Godly Play.

Christmas Luncheon

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The ACW and Health Ministry enjoyed planning and presenting this luncheon, and sharing their collections of unique and favourite Santa Claus and Snowmen decorations.

The empty chairs you see in the photo were filled with more than 40 people from our congregation on 05 December, which was a lovely winter day.

The soups were a hit, and few Christmas sweets were left for the elves. There was no fee for the meal, but many donations and items in gift bags were collected for Grace House women’s shelter.

Deacon Debbie Edmondson offered a thoughtful and timely reflection as to the hope and anticipated joy of the Advent season. Catherine Macdonald provided a lovely piano medley of Christmas favourites during the lunch period.

To bring so many together to enjoy fellowship – and food, was a blessing and reward for the hosts of the day.

- by Kaye Small

2023 Christmas Pastoral Letter

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Open or download in PDF

Advent 2023

Dear Friends,

We miss it again and again, year after year. Christmas is well on its way now. Even though the retail sector has been cranked up for weeks with non-stop Christmas tunes in the background, we still miss it.

In the beginning, perhaps the first Christmas, or in the very beginning when everything was made, the glory of God was revealed and we missed it. A late night comedian recently suggested it was high time we got Christ out of Christmas since we’ve shown over and over, year after year, that we don’t really intend to follow him. We love to have the baby Jesus in a manger because he hasn’t said anything yet. Once he does begin to speak he causes nothing but upset. Get Christ out of Christmas so we can have the best party ever – the one that we all deserve.

The first chapter of the Gospel of John curiously contains logically contradictory words. “The true light ... was coming ...” (v. 9) John says. “We have seen his glory (v. 14) ... he was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.” (vss. 10, 11) How can this be? How does an intelligent human race miss this? It seems we keep doing it everyday.

This Christmas there are folks who will be reunited with family they haven’t seen in months. There will be quiet, cozy Christmas gatherings and celebrations of all that’s good about life. Others will take one more step in suffering because of illness or loss, loneliness or misfortune that makes celebration difficult, if not impossible.

Either way, it’s important that we not miss this. The gift God once gave, and continues to give to the world, which is Christmas, is “grace upon grace.” He is “the one true light.” Of all of the other lights in our lives, this light “shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (vs. 5) Whatever our circumstance, the message of Christmas is “from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace,” (v. 16) perhaps especially those who need it most. Christmas light shines for all.

For those of us who have somehow come to understand that we own the light, we best be reminded that we miss it regularly. Light shines where it wills. Nothing prevents the littlest candle lighting the darkest dark. If we’re in the dark we need to look to the Light. But we need to look. It shines for me. It shines for you. Darkness [will] not overcome it. To those who receive, he gives “power to become children of God.” (v. 12)

Join us during the Christmas season to worship the One who is the Light of the World. If you’ve drifted away from a communal expression of gratitude for grace upon grace, why not make a special effort to return to where others share in celebrating the Eternal? A schedule of worship is included here. As I pray that we don’t miss the Light today or in the days of a coming new year, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Geoffrey Hall
Dean of Fredericton
GMH

Christmas Outreach

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The Rev'd Canon Rod Black, Doug Milander, Susan Black, Steve Hayward & Michele LeBlanc

On Monday, 18 December, the Cathedral Outreach Committee and volunteers from New Maryland United Church welcomed people in need to Memorial Hall for a pre-Christmas edition of Monday Outreach (usually held on the last Monday of each month).

64 guests received goodie bags, fruit, candy, socks and groceries. Guests also received a Christmas card with a $20 grocery store gift card. Toys and treats were given to people with children or grandchildren, and people could choose gently used clothing and household goods from a table of donated items.

The next such event will be held 29 January, 2024 with treat bags, used clothing and $10 gift cards. The committee deeply appreciates the congregation's support of these efforts, and the support of New Maryland United Church, who also gave a substantial financial donation toward the Outreach program.

Ann Deveau with Steve Hayward from New Maryland United Church, handing out special treats prepared by his church (longtime supporters of the Monday Outreach program).

The photos show some of the volunteers that were at the Hall helping to bring Christmas joy to our neighbours in need. We missed getting a photo of the crew in the Formation Room with the children's items (Rev. Kelly Burke from NMUC, Julie Maston & Joanne LeBlanc Haley).

Thank you to everyone who helped, onsite and in advance. The pre-Christmas assistance was sincerely appreciated by the guests.

Four last things

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An advent reflection
by Canon Jon Lownds

Death, judgement, heaven and hell

Fifty years ago, when I (Jon+) began in ordained ministry, the season of Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, focussed on four “last things:" death, judgement, heaven and hell. With the Advent this year being as short as possible, and largely ignored even by devout Christians, (and being older!), I have been recalling Advents in the past and am reminded of this seemingly long-lost focus on last things and how they were indeed good news for Christians and helpful in preparing the way of the Lord.

Death, one thing it seems no one can ignore, and one that certainly gets a lot of attention in our society today with ongoing controversy over abortion access, Medical Assistance in Dying, and the increasing demands on our medical professionals and health care system to prolong life and avoid death. So what is it about death that could be called “Good News?”

Jesus, before raising his friend Lazarus from the dead, makes a remarkable statement to Martha, the man’s sister: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26) Good question: “never die” - do you believe this?

It becomes more than an academic issue when your wife dies at age 60 unexpectedly during surgery. I am faced with the question! I have been preaching the reality of the Resurrection, do I really believe death is transition, not termination - that death as death is a lie? That is Jesus who came for her, not death? Really?

In the Book of Common Prayer, the ‘Proper Preface’ for Easter in the Thanksgiving and Consecration Prayer says, “BUT chiefly are we bound to praise thee for the glorious Resurrection of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: for he is the very Paschal Lamb, which was offered for us, and hath taken away the sin of the world; who by his death hath destroyed death, and by his rising to life again hath restored to us everlasting life.” (BCP Page 80) Do you believe this?

The death of death as death? Death destroyed? Death not faced by those who believe in Jesus? I am reminded of a story told by Dietrich Bonhoffer in one of his letters about a Gestapo Officer torturing a Lutheran Bishop who in frustration gave up because the man was not afraid of death because he had already given himself to Jesus. To have made that decision to entrust yourself to Jesus, to rely upon, depend on, have confidence in Jesus is the gift of faith (Romans 12:3).

Today the First Sunday in Advent is the Sunday of Hope - the sure and certain hope we have in eternal life through our Lord Jesus. So the question remains, Do you believe this? And the answer makes a difference in that we look at ‘death’ as transition, or as the Salvation Army like to call it, “Promotion to Glory.”

Judgement is also interesting from this point of view. Jesus says that those who believe in Him do not face judgement but have passed from death to life. So, while all face Him after what we call death, resurrection is not optional, but judgement is and is based on our acceptance of His gift of Life, or more correctly, of Himself. (See John 3:17-18, John 5:24, 28-29.) Methodist Evangelist John Hobbs was fond of saying, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, peace is the presence of Jesus.” Peace then is the fruit of moving from death to life through entrusting ourselves to Jesus.

Heaven happens here. In Mark 1:14 we are told Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the Good News, saying the Kingdom of God has come near. The King has come and where the King is, there is the Kingdom. So Heaven is a state of trusting in, relying on, depending on Jesus rather than ourselves or anyone or anything in our world.

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life!

I came to Fredericton in 1967, Centennial year, as a political affairs reporter for Radio Atlantic, CFNB. Eventually I became a member of the legislature press gallery. This was during the days of Premier Louis Robichaud (Premier 1960 - 1970) and the Equal Opportunity era. Sitting alone in the press gallery one day I heard (in my inner ear), “There is no salvation here.” In these days of political unrest, particularly south of the border, it is helpful to remember that the Kingdom of God/Heaven has not changed - Jesus is Lord, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, or as I like to say, ‘large and in charge’. So no matter what happens, I can return to Joy if I will shift focus to Jesus. (Hebrews 12:1-2). Again a favorite saying of John Hobbs, “living in the Kingdom on the way to the Kingdom.”

Hell is a different issue. Love, the word associated with the last Sunday of Advent, carries with it the awful consequence of what is perhaps the second most important gift given humanity by the creator (after the gift of Jesus of course) - consciousness, awareness, which gives rise to self-consciousness, self-awareness, with the resultant danger of self-centeredness and self-reliance - also known as ‘sin.’

The Book of Deuteronomy records Moses telling the people “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life” (30:19) This is the fruit of love, the gift of choice. It is a gift and choice we get to make over and over again daily - to rely on, depend on, entrust ourselves to Jesus, to follow Jesus, or not. His way or the hell way, your choice. That we are given the freedom to choose is the cost and consequence of Love. This is where Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell come to a climax in the life of each and every one of us. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life!” The total extent of human freedom is this choice - His way (“Follow Me”) or your way (“I can do it myself”). Pray that no one ultimately hears “OK, have it your way.”

Advent, the call to prepare the way of the Lord, to make a highway for our God, to prepare in your heart a home where Jesus is welcome, listened to, relied upon and can bring us home. The challenge of Advent for me is to keep my focus on Jesus. “O come, O come Emmanuel ...” Amen.

20/12/23

 

Christmas at the Cathedral

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Celebrate Christmas in historic Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Fredericton!

You are warmly welcomed to join us in worship, whether you are a Christian who has worshipped in the Anglican tradition, are of another Christian denomination, another faith entirely or, simply interested in understanding more about what our faith community is all about. There is no dress code, you are free to sit where you wish and to participate as you feel comfortable.

Join us Christmas Eve morning to celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent, and then in the evening for 3 different types of Christmas Eve Worship. Join us again on Christmas Day.

4th Sunday of Advent (Sunday, 24 December 2023)
* 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) [no music]

Christmas Eve (Sunday, 24 December 2023)
* 4:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Contemporary/family) [organ & hymns]
* 8:00 p.m. Come Worship Eucharist (Contemporary) [band]
* 11:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist (Traditional/Book of Common Prayer) [organ, choir & hymns]

Christmas Day (Monday, 25 December 2023)
* 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer) [organ & hymns]

Children are welcome at any time. The 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service is a particular favourite of families with young children, and it lasts approximately one hour. An infant changing station is available in one of the washrooms. This service promises a couple of special treats for the Cathedral family – and families – this year. Some of the youngest ones among us will be helping to narrate the Godly-Play-inspired story of Christmas and the Créche. And then some of those same ones will be leading us in song as a newly-formed Youth Choir!

Masks/respirators are available for those who would like them.

Christ Church Cathedral is located at 150 Church Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick. On-street parking is available in our neighbourhood. Several accessible parking spaces are marked and available in the Cathedral driveway. The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible washroom.

Livestreams and recordings available on our YouTube channel.

If you would like additional information, please phone the Cathedral Office at (506) 450-8500. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Accessibility at the Cathedral

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Gary Barfitt, President of the Cathedral's Guild of St. Joseph (affectionately known as the Holy Joes), sent us this update about a recent project at the Cathedral. Thanks to the workers who keep our buildings tidy and safe!

Back in the late spring, at one of the last Holy Joes' meetings before summer break, one of our members spoke of the need for the carpet at the Cathedral west entrance to be replaced. We decided to take on the task.

Later in the summer, we removed the old carpet and, upon inspecting the wooden ramp, found that we needed to replace some of the wood. Once the wood was replaced, we contacted a local flooring company to supply and install new carpet.

The final "step" was to install a transition/threshold between the ramp and the driveway [for wheelchairs and walkers to easily roll over the gap]. That was completed recently.

Christmas in China

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A member of our congregation, Helen Liang, grew up in China, and she sent us a few photos of Christmas there.

She says:

Christmas is an important festival in China. Most of the photos are of outdoor decorations, with only one image of a floating Christmas tree in a mall. Christmas is also the busiest time for the church, with various Christmas decorations in the church and various praise performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But Chinese people don't eat Turkey at Christmas. There is no specific Christmas dinner, sometimes we will book in advance to eat at a restaurant.

Learn more about Christmas traditions in China: 9 Fascinating things about Christmas in China

A library (and more) fit for a Bishop

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Ben and Deborah Johnson with Ollie, one of their dogs. Luna is pictured in the slideshow below, in the living room.

When Deborah and Ben Johnson purchased their George Street home two and a half years ago, they knew they were purchasing an historically significant building. But until they started peeling the layers back, they probably didn’t realize just how much Fredericton history was contained within those many plastered walls. Included in that history, is a period relevant to the history of Christ Church Cathedral.

But let’s start at the beginning of Ben and Deborah’s story and how they became (in their words), “the caretakers” of this historical property.

Ben and Deborah were living in Starlight Village in Hanwell, when they decided the time had come to build their dream home. The blueprints were finalized and they had purchased the perfect piece of property to start seriously thinking of construction. Knowing that it would be a one or two year project, they decided to look for a downtown, two apartment house that they could live in and rent out while that construction took place. Their real estate agent was given the task of finding that house. And as luck – or fate – would have it, the George Street property was about to go on the market. Even though it clearly wasn’t a two apartment building, Ben and Deborah thought, “This isn’t the one but why not take a look at this beautiful home”. Upon entering the house, just one look at the grand staircase was all it took. And the rest really is history!

The exterior of the house. Interior photos can be seen in the slideshow below.

The current George Street house was constructed facing Church Street in 1840. It was a modest two storey home which grew in 1870, when it’s owner George Frederick Gregory, Judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick and Mayor of Fredericton decided to build an addition fronting on George Street. This addition was also two storey and the house increased significantly in size and grandeur. Mayor Gregory and his family lived here until his passing in 1910. In 1912, the property was purchased by Christ Church Cathedral Bishop and Chapter as the Residence for the Most Reverend John Richardson, Archbishop of Fredericton, resided here with his wife, Dora and family until his death. The house was owned by Christ Church Cathedral until 1938. While Richardson family resided here, the third and final addition was added, also fronting on George Street, and this addition was his official office and became known as the Bishop’s Library.

Ben and Deborah believe that it was this addition that really brought the original two houses together architecturally. It is currently listed in the National Historic House Registry specifically for those many architectural details.

The house went on to have several more interesting incarnations. After the death of Bishop Richardson, the house was purchased by Dr. Cowie, a Fredericton family physician. At that time, the hospital was housed just a block or so away on Church Street. Rumour has it that at one time, a tunnel ran from the George Street house to the hospital. But rumour also has it that a tunnel ran from George Street to the Cathedral in the Bishop’s time! Perhaps both Bishop Richardson and Dr. Cowie disliked cold winter walks.

In 1959, the house was sold to UNB and became Murray House, a student residence, and the Bishop’s Library was used as the Common room, quite a change from a Bishop’s office!

In 1982, it was purchased by Sam and Yolande Rubinstein who turned it into “The Very Best Bed and Breakfast’ which thrived as a B&B under their ownership for many years. The Church Street portion was turned into three one-bedroom apartments by the Rubinstein’s and the five bedrooms on the second floor became the guest rooms. Each bedroom had its own electric fireplace and ensuite bath added by the Rubinsteins. During this time, theatre folk performing at Fredericton’s Playhouse were among the many guests.

When the Rubinsteins decided to move to Calgary in 2019 to be nearer their grandchildren, the house changed hands again, this time, the purchasers intended to turn it into an Air BNB. Those plans were thwarted two years later, when despite significant renovation, COVID raged, travel was restricted and the Air BNB business did not thrive.

Original cabinetry in the Bishop's library.

Enter Deborah and Ben in May of 2021. After visiting with them (and with Ollie and Luna, the resident dogs), we feel certain that all past owners would be very content with the current interior design and decoration. We were very pleased to visit when decorating for the Christmas Season was in full swing. Ben and Deborah really do regard themselves as “caretakers of an historic property” and have done all renovations with this in mind. Right down to the removal of five to six layers of asphalt and cedar shingles, preserving plaster walls, repairing crumbling chimneys, updating the kitchen and more, they have been conscious of marrying today’s convenience with an eye to preserving the architectural history of the home.

The Bishop’s Library, as seen below, has had many of the original features restored and highlighted. The bookshelves and cabinetry are original as are the glorious stained glass windows. The fireplace, although not a working fireplace, has had the original interior details restored. We think Bishop Richardson would be more than happy with his office were he to pop by for a visit!

Thank you to Ben and Deborah for sharing their home in this way with the Cathedral Congregation and visitors to our website. We don’t have to wonder what the next incarnation of this fine residence will be. Ben and Deborah already have that worked out! While they love living here and will be sad to leave, their dream home is still calling. But the property will remain in the very caring competent hands of these two. Their plan is to turn it into a “shared living home” where five like-minded women can each rent their own room with private bath while sharing common spaces. They have a list of interested people, but are open to adding to that list if this concept appeals to you!

Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the pictures and story of one of Fredericton’s loveliest historic properties!

- by Gail MacGillivray

Photo credit: Lynne Tompkins

Bishop and Chapter News – December 2023

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Bishop and Chapter met on 11 December 2023 with 8 of 12 members present. R. Crowe attended as guest. Minutes of the 16 October meeting were adopted. J. Yeamans was elected meeting chair. The Dean lead discussion on an Alban Institute article “This Thing Called Church,” from A. B. Robinson’s “What’s Theology Got to Do With It?”

FROM THE DEAN

Cathedral

• 3 care facility Communions; Deanery Clericus; 1 funeral; 1 funeral attended; 8 committee/group meetings; congregational meeting 21 November; choir rehearsal 30 November;10 home/hospital visits

• noted: no work review, housing allowance or stipend review in 2023

• Chapter vacancies: Lay Chair | Vice Chair | Property

Diocesan

• 2 meetings of the Synod Finance; over-night Diocesan Council 1/2 Dec

Up-coming

• Spencer funeral 10am 16 Dec; Farraline 12 Dec; Windsor 28 Dec; Christmas Lessons and Carols (b) - 17 Dec; 24 Dec 8am, 4pm, 8pm (b), 11pm (b); 25 Dec 10am (b); 31 Dec 8am, 10:30 am; 01 Jan 11am (b)

DISCUSSION

• 2024 Budget - draft was discussed. Adjustments over the next month with the goal to adopt a proposed budget version in January

DECISION

• That we reimburse K. Schmidt $1500 for an October course on Celtic spirituality

• That the Dean request Bishop’s permission for Michele LeBlanc to administer the chalice in worship and administer Home Communions

• That staff salaries receive a 3% cost of living increase in 2024

• That the stipend of the Dean be $65,976 (3% cost of living increase, $16,906 above the diocesan minimum stipend scale (Regulation 7-2)

• With security cameras and locking system installed at the hall, that we end our contract with Garda Security (one visit per night) at the end of 2023

REPORTS

Treasurer - November reports need revisions for accuracy. Deficit to end of November $46,549. Bookkeeper Ben Bourque resigned in November; engaged Justin McCoy as bookkeeper. Working with Scotiabank on Anglican Church Women BMO shares conversion

Nominating - 4 meetings thus far. 2024 nominations remain to be required

Buildings and Property - R. Crowe graciously offered to be interim chair. 1) Cathedral sprinklers need maintenance ($60,000) in 2024. 2) Hall platform lift is inoperable needing replacement. Exploring grant and other fund possibilities. 3) East window has been repaired ($8257) insurance coverage less deductable ($5219). 4) Leaks inside Cathedral are an ongoing concern. Next meeting 09 January

Christian Formation - Advent programming proceeding. Consideration of Medical Assistance in Dying (Faith Seeking Understanding)

Health / Pastoral Care - assisted Anglican Church Women luncheon. Christmas gifts to be delivered by Cathedral Visitors. Chair of Health Ministries, Sally Dibblee has resigned.

Mission / Outreach - Angel Christmas gifts for children complete. Giving Tuesday exceeded $2000 commitment to school food and winter clothing programme

Worship - committee met in November including discussion/planning for Christmas worship including a possible youth choir. Meeting of Sunday intercessors on 07 November

UPCOMING

• 17 December, 4 p.m. Christmas Lesson and Carols

• 01 January, 11 a.m. New Year’s Day with our Bishop

GMH