While we’ve been focused on the global pandemic for almost exactly a year now, the urgency of working on climate change has not diminished. We should be putting as much effort into stopping that as we are into stopping the pandemic.
Climate change is more than a science issue, it's a spiritual and moral issue too. Our churches have an important role to play. While we tend to shy away from discussions of climate in polite society, that is something that author Jim Antal is calling us to change. Join this discussion group to learn more about how to lead or support your community of faith in engaging to make a difference for future generations.
We will talk about ways to engage with this big, scary topic, and how we can take meaningful action – in our social circles, in our workplaces, in our families, and especially in our places of worship.
If you want to get a taste of the type of information and hope that you will encounter in the book, take a listen to Jim Antal interviewed by Laura Hunter, Minister for Justice and Mission at the United Church of Canada on her podcast “Making Hope Visible”
Here are some places you can get Climate Church, Climate World by Jim Antal (prices vary). Make sure to order yours in time to start the study:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Feel free to bring your lunch.
This initiative is sponsored by the Anglican Diocesan Environment Network (DEN) of the Diocese of NS and PEI and St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Fredericton NB.
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
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
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.
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
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 mandatoryindoors 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 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.
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
Creating a peaceful and safe environment for all,
Fighting for gender justice, and
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Bishop and Chapter met 16 February 2021 by video conference with 11 of 14 members present. Guests Kendra Patrick (Bringloe Feeney LLP) and Tom Maston were welcomed. A faith conversation and discussion of the article “We’re in the Innovation Business” (Dwight Zscheile) was postponed to the next meeting. Minutes of 18 January 2021 adopted.
From the Dean
during Orange Alert level no hospital (end of life care only) or home visits. Telephone contacts when possible. Communion is available upon specific request following restrictions
refresher course on Prepare Enrich - relationship inventory tool and resources for preparing couples for marriage
conversations continue regarding Synod and Cathedral sharing and future development
Items Arising
Cathedral Video Project - one PTZ camera received and temporarily installed yielding significant improvement in the quality of our live streams. Remaining equipment expected soon. Project overview
Chapter By-law - several needed adjustments being identified. Possible revisions to be considered by the new Chapter in 2021
Parish Nurse - Search Committee (S. Dibblee chair) is at work. A next step is finalizing and posting an advertisement for the half-time staff position as soon as possible
Committee and Group Reports - thanks to all for attention to annual reporting. The 2021 Annual Report has been circulated.
Nominating Committee - a current version of the report to the Annual was circulated. Last-minute adjustments in a final version circulated for the Annual Meeting, new nominations up to the time of election
Decision
Financials - 2020 reports including Review Engagement presented by Kendra Patrick and approved for presentation to the Annual Meeting. 2021 Budget approved for presentation
Invested Funds - Agreement between corporations and the Synod regarding participation in the Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund, as an investment tool of choice, moving to Diocesan Regulation 5-3 from individual contracts. No substantial changes. Motions carried
2021 Nominating Committee - member nominations recommended
Discussion
Annual Meeting - 1) In-person (by signup), 2) observe by live stream 3) Zoom video conference option. See details in the normal Friday email.
Reports
Treasurer - Brief overview of January month-end and Proposed Budget.
Property - Heritage Standing update of 2016 report on Cathedral maintenance on-going
Christian Formation - “Ad - LENT - ures” opportunities for Lenten study and reflection complete with all encouraged to participate
Mission and Outreach - progress on Housing First Project - construction expected by summer 2021. Monday morning last Mondays
Finance and Administration - stewardship team hopes to continue progress on narrative budget. Mike Toole has resigned as committee member, Stewardship Team Chair and Cathedral Safe Church Officer
While we’ve been focused on the global pandemic for almost exactly a year now, the urgency of working on climate change has not diminished. We should be putting as much effort into stopping that as we are into stopping the pandemic. 
