Author Archive: Geoffrey Hall

Bishop and Chapter News – October 2024

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Bishop and Chapter met on 15 October 2024 with 8 of 12 members present. Minutes of 17 September 2024 were adopted with thanks to J. Hand. “The Facilitator” by R. Schulte (the Center for Parish Development) was circulated in advance and briefly discussed. The author explored ways a leader can help a team with their work and the benefits to team members of doing so

FROM THE DEAN

Cathedral

• the usual summary of meetings and ministry since the last meeting of Chapter was delivered. Legal documents clarifying land title for the Cathedral were signed. A fall donation to the Anglican Foundation will be sent as per our recent usual practice. The Dean reiterated that of our 17 or so +/- 10% givers we have lost at least three over the last two years

Diocesan

• meetings of Diocesan Council, Synod Finance Committee; Synod Planning

Up-coming

• Greater Chapter 16 October. Diocesan Synod is 02 November

CORRESPONDENCE

• Atlantic School of Theology - fall request for financial support

DECISION

• Giving Policy Funds - Chapter concurs with removing the Parish Nurse Pledge Campaign from our current list of funds

• Replacement of Cathedral Furnace - that we withdraw monies from investment (Mary L. Boyce bequest) to replace the Cathedral furnace ASAP (approx $70,000) and apply to saveenergyNB for a potential portion rebate. There may be one Sunday without heat

DISCUSSION

Clarification with Synod - needed to aid in budgeting, determining ongoing maintenance and requirements in the future.

REPORTS

Nominating - an additional member of Chapter required for membership. One current chapter vacancy in Christian Formation.

Finance and Administration - D. Lewis engaged as sexton 01 October; Parish Nurse Pledge Campaign no longer exists; continue finalizing the Cathedral staff handbook; stewardship team (subcommittee) has been inactive for over a year

Welcome and Hospitality - organizing Safe Church training for 17 October; working on risk management Safe Church documentation

Health / Pastoral Care - potential for a fall blood pressure clinic on a Sunday; places to assist with an Anglican Church Women fall event; discussion about the installation of an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the Hall - estimated cost $1800-2600

Mission / Outreach - food cupboard has been installed (NW) by Mothers’ Union; Belize student scholarships and support for St. Hilda’s School has been sent ($5000 plus wiring fees); Christmas Angels programme to be organized by Kirsten McKnight and Claudia Vargus; Drop-in on the last Monday of the month will change to 9:30 a.m.

Treasurer - several statements and reports submitted for consideration including offerings by month, investment fund summary and Revenue vs Expense. September: Year to date Income - $432,841 Expenses - $478,804 Total deficit year to date (-$45,243)

Fredericton Cathedral Foundation - continuing work on legal articles of incorporation, land title clarifications, application for charitable status and the church’s operational requirements. No further word from the City regarding involvement

UPCOMING

• Next meeting - 17 November 2024
• Diocesan Synod - 02 November 2024

GMH

 

5 Real Tips for Tired Couples — Prepare-Enrich

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“I’m so tired.”

It can seem like being tired is just part of being an adult. You’ve got things to do, places to be, and only so much time for sleep. Sometimes your season of life dictates whether you’re getting enough of sleep, and it’s hard to change. Other times, you have more control over the situation.

While being tired is a normal part of life for many, the reality is that when you’re both exhausted, neither of you are at your best. You might be irritable, moody, overly sensitive, critical, or defensive. Your communication skills suffer, and you simply don’t have much left in the tank for each other. It goes without saying that this can be detrimental to your marriage over time. Want to avoid damage to your relationship? Grab a cup of coffee and check out these realistic tips.Prepare-Enrich

1. Assess the situation.

If you’re in agreement that tiredness is taking its toll, determine whether you’re able to make any lifestyle changes to better allocate your energy. It may be that you’re simply in an exhausting phase of life, whether it’s due to having young children, demanding jobs or schedules, caring for other family members, etc. However, if you find that you are able to tweak your daily commitments and activities to allow you to get more rest, that’s great. Come up with a plan to make those adjustments ...  read more at Prepare-Enrich

 

2024 Thanksgiving Pastoral Letter

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Open / Download as PDF

Thanksgiving 2024
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world. I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, and skies and seas,
his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world – O let me ne’re forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world! The battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heav’n be one.
M.D. Babcock

Dear Friends,

I remember singing those words in my youth. At one time I had named it my favourite hymn. I suppose initially it was the tune that held my attention but the meaning of the words has grown. We live in an awesome world, created by an awesome God. Beauty abounds. Complexity amazes. The glory of God shows through in creation. Recent events have proven some other words of that hymn too. The “wrong seems oft so strong.” We do need to remember, especially during misfortune, uncertain and trying times, “God is the Ruler yet.”

Human nature is such that we often fail to recognize the importance of what we take for granted until it’s removed. It is not until liberty is threatened that we begin to realize what it means to be free. We may not remember how wonderful it is to be fed until we are hungry. When death approaches we see life. The gifts freely given, especially in nature, are among those we too often overlook. It’s the purpose of celebrations of harvest and the Christian prayers which “round us ring” at this time of year that urge us to be mindful of just how glorious those gifts really are. God’s heart is pleased to hear expressions of thanksgiving in the midst of the bountiful creation.

The hymn also reminds me of just how in touch with reality our Christian practices of worship are when we celebrate the sacraments. All of the human senses are employed as the sacraments point to the most basic of God’s gifts, especially those we take most for granted. Water in baptism conveys the refreshing cleansing of the grace of God; bread and wine in the eucharist remind us of the nourishment which sustains; the sign of the cross in absolution should bring to mind the great price paid for us by the Saviour. There’s something very sacramental in sincere words of thanksgiving. Using the very things God has given, the stuff of the earth, we convey by their right and responsible use a kind of appreciation which is both pleasing to God and up-building for the community he calls into his presence.

For many, “Thanksgiving” is a day off work or school. Let the important symbols speak in your life as we gather to celebrate sacramentally the blessing of creation and our place in it. We’ll follow a regular schedule of worship (8 and 10:30 a.m.) on Sunday October 14th set in the context of harvest thanksgiving. You are invited and encouraged to make a special effort to join your church family to sing praises to the Maker of All. As always, if you are unable to be physically present and to make your Communion, remember us in your prayers, and please do not hesitate to contact me or the Cathedral Office to make arrangements to have it brought to wherever you may be.

Yours sincerely,

Give Now

Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev’d)
Dean of Fredericton
GMH

 

Bishop and Chapter News – September 2024

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Bishop and Chapter met on 17 September 2024 with 9 of 12 members present. Minutes of 18 June and 28 August 2024 were adopted. The meeting on 28 August was used to discuss initial work being done on the proposed Fredericton Cathedral Foundation. A “SWOT Analysis” was discussed identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats identifying our reality in each category

FROM THE DEAN

Cathedral

• the Dean offered the usual summary of activity since the last regular meeting on 18 June. Vacation was 08 July - 04 August.

Diocesan

• meetings of Synod Finance Committee; Synod Planning

Up-coming

• 2 funerals upcoming; 30 September - Truth and Reconciliation

FOLLOW-UP on DECISION

• Restoration Trust Fund - amended version posted

• Fredericton Cathedral Foundation

- R. Crowe continues work on a document describing a relationship with a Cathedral Foundation yet to be formed

• Safe Church - deadlines agreed upon

- 31 December - training for groups and committees, completion of risk assessments by all groups.

- 31 March: position profiles for volunteers, groups and committees, action plans resulting from the assessment of risk

DISCUSSION

Cathedral boiler requires attention. Several options, two of which were discussed: repair ($23,000) or replacement ($63,000). Further consideration and study, including funding possibilities required

REPORTS

Nominating - one chapter vacancy remains (Christian Formation)

Buildings and Property - 1) Cathedral boiler 2) Stairlift installation awaiting electrical upgrade 3) Floor tile scratches from Sprinkler maintenance being addressed 4) Hall janitor sink repair 5) Inquiry from Diabetes Canada about installing an outside clothing bin

Finance and Administration - Second round of Sexton interviews complete with hiring expected this week. Help on the Safe Church working group is needed. Need to clarify understandings re Synod and Bishop’s Offices

Welcome and Hospitality - corn boil 15 September. Future events in view. Sunday refreshments continue. Considering Safe Church commitments

Health / Pastoral Care - the chair inquired as to specific direction from the Chapter

Mission / Outreach - Food cupboard to be installed by Mothers’ Union; Monday morning outreach avg 60 attendees; mid-year funds sent to St. Hilda’s Belize - need to explore interest in a Belize mission trip; one request through Benevolence Policy processed; volunteers always needed

Worship - frequency of Sunday Evensong is being questioned

Treasurer - statements for June, July and August were presented. August: Year to date Income - $391,504 Expenses - $435,913 Total deficit year to date (-$44,409)

All committee chairs issue an invitation to become involved in ongoing activities and ministries. If you have an interest in becoming more engaged, please speak to a member of Bishop and Chapter

UPCOMING

GMH

New Worldwide President of Mothers’ Union

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Congratulations to Kathleen Snow on the announcement of her election as the new President of the Worldwide Mother's Union. The announcement was made via the mothersunion.org on September 3rd.

Mothers' UnionThe new volunteer board, which will assume office in January 2025, remains women-led and reflects the diversity of our worldwide movement, with trustees from nine different countries. United they will continue to advance Mothers’ Union’s vision to end poverty, violence, and social injustice in communities worldwide.

Leading the new Board will be Worldwide President Elect, Kathleen Snow from Canada. Kathleen has served on the Board for six years as the Zonal Trustee for the Americas and has been a volunteer facilitator for the worldwide parenting programme and the Mothers’ Union Listens, Observes and Acts (MULOA) consultation, which engaged 200,000 members globally. She is also the Chair of the MU Development Committee, overseeing programmes like the transformational literacy initiative that empowers women and breaks the cycle of poverty.

Accepting the role, Kathleen commented “This is humbling, and a great honour. I look forward to working with members and staff to continue to build God’s Kingdom through Mothers’ Union. I am particularly excited that, as we carry forward the torch in January, we will be building on the firm foundations of our transformational programme work. Just this week we are starting a new campaign, speaking up to right the injustice which means that, still today, 765 million adults cannot read or write, 2/3rds of them women, meaning they are unable to read medicine bottles, register the birth of a child, vote or ensure they get the correct change in the market.

For the entire announcement visit mothersunion.org.

National Indigenous Bishop visits September 15th

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Council of Indigenous PeoplesNational Indigenous Archbishop Chris Harper will visit the Diocese of Fredericton in September this year and will preach at the Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. on 15 September.

The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples of the Anglican Church of Canada began the search for the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop (NIAB) in 2005. appointing the first in the spring of 2007 with the installation held during the General Synod of 2007 in Winnipeg. The Elder’s of Indigenous Ministry gave the Archbishop five charges:

    1. To speak for Indigenous Anglican People in the Councils of the Church
    2. To interpret what the Councils of the Church are saying to Indigenous people
    3. To be a spokesperson for Mother Earth
    4. To act as a midwife for a self-determining Indigenous Church
    5. To represent the authority of Indigenous identity within the Anglican Church of Canada

The national Indigenous Anglican archbishop is the presiding elder of the Sacred Circle. Indigenous Ministries of the General Synod supports the Indigenous Peoples of Canada (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) spiritually, socially, economically and politically recognizing that the purity of the land base provides for all our needs. As active participants in the life of the church, the Council of Indigenous Peoples strives for reconciliation with the Anglican Communion and works towards Indigenous self-determination.

At the announcement of his appointment in late 2022, Primate Linda Nichols said, “Archbishop-elect Chris Harper brings years of experience in ministry among and with Indigenous Anglicans, urban and on reserve,” she said. “He has a passion for walking together with respect that will be essential as the Sacred Circle within the Anglican Church of Canada establishes its way forward.”

Archbishop Harper is the son of a residential school survivor, a Plains Cree and worked as an emergency medical technician before earning his certificate of Indigenous Anglican theology from James Settee College in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. He received his master’s of divinity degree from Wycliffe College in 2005 and was priested the same year. In 2016 Harper was appointed as Indigenous native priest for the diocese of Toronto, a role he held until his election as bishop of Saskatoon in 2018. He has served on numerous committees of the church including the Council of General Synod, and is a member of Sacred Circle.

Learn more about the role of the Indigenous Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Steps to Stewardship: what does the bible say about giving?

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Biblical giving encompasses the act of tithing, which involves giving a tenth of one's income, and giving — whether it be money, possessions or time — to advance the kingdom of God and bless others in need.

(Check out a Guide for Weekly Giving to see where you are in your giving and by moving one step to the left discover what growing by one percent would mean for you.)

The Bible teaches that everything we have belongs to God, and by tithing, we acknowledge God's ultimate ownership and trust in the provision we have been given. By obeying this command, we recognize that God is our ultimate provider on whom we rely for our needs. It is sometimes helpful to think about what we have as being on loan, "for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it." (see 1 Timothy 6:7)

Stewardship isn't just about money

God has given us unique gifts and abilities, and calls us to use them to the glory of God. Whether volunteering at our local church, serving in our communities or using our skills to benefit others, giving our time and talents demonstrates our willingness to be good stewards of the abilities God has entrusted to us.

Practically speaking

Practically speaking, being a good steward involves taking responsibility for our finances, time and talents and using them for God's purposes. It requires practicing generosity, supporting the work of the church and caring for those in need based on the foundational belief that we are the caretakers, not the owners, of God's blessings.

In the texts of Scripture can be found foundational budgeting principles: avoiding debt; giving generously and making wise investments. Budgeting helps us "steward" our resources. With practice we can learn and discover "good" stewardship by concurrently prioritizing needs, developing disciplines necessary for setting aside resources for specific and planned purposes and giving generously.

Taking steps toward stewardship

Collectively as a church, exercising good financial stewardship requires these steps:

    1. Establishing a church budget as a way of planning for the future that allocates funds based on needs
    2. Maintaining sufficient transparency so that as a body everyone has the opportunity to understand where the church stands as compared with the current plan (budget); the giving of others in the congregation, and knowledge of current circumstances
    3. Avoiding impulsive spending and accruing unnecessary debt
    4. Seeking financial advice from trusted sources when necessary
    5. Regularly reviewing financial statements, promoting ongoing stewardship education and, encouraging congregational focus on existing goals

By recognizing that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God, we can begin to grasp the concept of stewardship. As caretakers and managers (the definition of stewardship) of God's resources, we can live intentionally and respond with joyful and sacrificial hearts. Acknowledging God's ownership empowers us to use our blessings wisely, from our material wealth to our time, talents and the earth itself, by taking a heart-centered approach to stewardship and giving in alignment with God's will for the church and for us as individual parts of the Body of Christ.

 

Certificate in Stewardship – Atlantic School of Theology

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Atlantic School of Theology

Who is This For?

AST’s Certificate in Stewardship is available to anyone. People who work or volunteer in the charitable sector, non-profits, university, government, education, church, and other fields will benefit, as well as anyone who would simply like to do some learning and personal growth. As long as you have Internet access and a device that allows you to open a document, watch videos, and prepare a short final assignment, you can take this program.

Course Delivery: Entirely Online OR In-Person in a local setting

The seven modules of the Certificate in Stewardship can be taken in one of the following ways:

  • As an Individual. Learn at your own pace. You could complete the program over several weeks, in a weekend, or over the course of a week. It’s up to you. When you enroll, you will receive a workbook that will tell you clearly how to access all the learning materials.
  • As Part of the AST Stewardship Cohort. Over the course of 7 weeks in Winter 2025, join with other learners and a facilitator to go through the 7 modules, one per week, “live” in real time over the Internet. When you enroll, you will receive a workbook that will tell you clearly how to access all the learning materials. The start date, day of the week, and facilitator of the AST Stewardship Cohort will be identified in September.
  • As Part of a Local Learning Group. Organize a group in your local area to learn together. You will need a designated leader to register and organize the group. The designated learner could be a manager, minister, priest, or volunteer with strong group facilitation skills. Note: Local Learning Groups are self-directed without instructional support from AST.

Certificate in Stewardship Program Structure and Timeline

You may start the Certificate in Stewardship at any time as an Individual Learner. There is no set time limit for completing the Certificate, but a maximum of four months is recommended.

Those in the AST Cohort will start the program in Winter 2025 (date to be confirmed) and continue together for 7 weeks.

Local Learning Groups may be organized and start at any time, according to the timeframe determined by the designated leader.

The seven program components of this Certificate are Time, Talent, Trust, Treasure, Terrain, Theology, and Thanks. For each component, there is a module that includes:

  • Pre-recorded video teaching materials (one hour per module)
  • A list of recommended materials for further learning
  • Reflection questions (or discussion questions for group settings)
  • A final integrative assignment (written or video)

Your final assignment must be submitted to AST to receive the Certificate. The assignment is graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and you will receive constructive feedback. If the final assignment is submitted before April 1, you will receive your Certificate at AST’s Annual Spring Convocation. If you are unable to attend Convocation, your Certificate will be mailed to you.

The total time investment to complete the Certificate in Stewardship is approximately 30 hours. However, learners may progress as varying rates.

Admissions Requirements

  • Anyone is welcome to enrol in the Certificate in Stewardship. AST recommends a minimum age of 16 years. No prior learning credential is required.

Registration Process

To register for AST’s Certificate in Stewardship, please complete one of the following forms and submit to James Cheatley: [email protected]. The appropriate fee should be paid through the AST Business Office, as explained on the application form.

Certificate in Stewardship Program Fees

  • Individual Learners: $600 per person
  • AST Stewardship Cohort Participants: $600 per person
  • Local Learning Group: $1,000 per group (individual rates do not apply) for a group of any size

Financial Aid

  • Some employers, congregations, parishes, or other denominational bodies will sponsor or assist with your fees and expenses. Please make your own inquiries to these groups.

For clarification or assistance in registering

  • Please contact AST’s Continuing Education Convener, James Cheatley: [email protected]

More Information

  • For information about AST’s other programs, please contact our Recruitment Coordinator: [email protected]

Atlantic School of Theology Certificate in Stewardship

Stewardship: a foundational document for the Anglican Church of Canada

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Stewardship is a core Christian practice rooted in scripture. The Bible offers a commentary on human stewardship that begins with God’s purpose in setting our first ancestor in the garden “to till and keep it,” and ends in the new creation, in a recurring pattern of crisis and resolution. That pattern of human crisis and divine resolution flows through the Bible — in the creation, in the covenant with Abraham, in the law, the prophets and the writings of the Hebrew scripture, in the life of Jesus, and in the continuing life of his disciples after the resurrection.

The first crisis of human stewardship came with our first ancestors’ decision to test the sovereignty of God by consuming the only fruit in the garden reserved exclusively to the Creator. Rejecting stewardship and embracing the illusory promise of sovereign possession of the garden, they initiate a continuing pattern of exploitation, entitlement, violence and destruction that plagues human participation in the life of the earth. There is only one essential stewardship question:  Will we make use of resources entrusted to us to serve God’s mission, or for purposes that we ourselves devise or that are thrust upon us by an economy that depends absolutely on growing consumption to sustain it?

Stewardship is a response to the mission of God. When we invite persons into discipleship and baptize, we also invite them into the practices of faithful stewardship. Those practices are properly framed in terms of whether or not they contribute to what God desires in and for the life of the world.

The parable of the two sons opens up a stewardship crisis for leaders among the baptized. When we have turned inward to focus on our wants and needs, when we have used the language of stewardship to address our own religious agenda instead of God’s mission, when we have reduced the challenge of stewardship to servicing the existence, program and practices of the church, then we have squandered the treasure of God in a far country.

Will we make use of resources entrusted to us to serve God’s mission?

For Canadian Anglicans, no faithful conversation about stewardship can be undertaken without consideration of the Baptismal Covenant and the Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion. The former is, like the “Rule of Life” that preceded it in the Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer, (p. 544) a framework for faithful personal participation in the mission of God. And the Marks of Mission form a framework for faithful corporate participation in that mission. The Resources for Mission Department works in partnership with dioceses to foster a generous sense of stewardship across the Canadian Church.

The Baptismal Covenant offers an expansive vision of stewardship, including commitments to the community and its common life; to resisting evil and turning away from our participation in it; to offering the world the gospel of Jesus Christ as an alternative to its story of entitlement, consumption, and conflict, to embody that gospel in acts of service and to work for justice, peace and the dignity of persons.

The Marks of Mission complement and support the principles and practices of the Baptismal Covenant with a commitment to shape our common life in alignment with the mission of God., Beginning with “the Good News of the Kingdom” they offer a set of shared practices that include inviting people to inhabit that Kingdom through baptism, and to enact the Kingdom’s ethos in response to human need, in a commitment to justice, in care for creation and in reconciliation and peace-making.

God sets out in mission to make all things new. It is God’s mission to transform persons, to redeem us and restore us to joyful and useful participation in God’s work. It is God’s mission to transform the church as well, to redeem and restore our common life so that we might live as stewards of God’s abundant gifts, and invite others into that stewardship – for the sake of the world God loves.

This document was approved as a theological rationale for the work of the Resources for Mission Department of General Synod by the Standing Committee on Philanthropy.

Stewardship: A faithful response to God's mission

2024 Season of Creation – To Hope and Act With Creation

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The Season of Creation runs annually from September 1 through October 4. The world’s 2.2 billion Christians are invited to pray and care for Creation during this time.

The Season of Creation unites the global Christian family around one shared purpose. It also provides flexibility in celebrating prayer services and engaging in a variety of actions to care for Creation.

The Feast of Creation of September 1, also known as Creation Day or World Day of Prayer for Creation, is the big celebration that inspires and nourishes the larger season that flows from it. Inspired by a rich tradition of the Orthodox Church, it was later embraced by most other churches. Besides being a moment to repent for our sinful desecration of the gift of Creation and pray for its healing, the feast honours God as Creator and commemorates the great mystery of the creation of the cosmos (learn more about the feast’s history and symbolism).

In other words, it is not just about celebrating “Creation as the created world” that God gifted us, but most importantly it is about celebrating “Creation as foundational mystery” of our Christian faith. In a nutshell, it is a moment to thank and praise God as Creator.

Christians around the world are invited to give particular attention to praying and caring for God's creation as part of the global Season of Creation. General Synod 2019 passed a resolution adopting the Season of Creation in the Anglican Church of Canada as a time of prayer, education, and action and encouraging dioceses and parishes to participate. Resources and events related to Season of Creation may be found on the Anglican Church of Canada website to help you plan.

Note: To avoid confusion it is worth noting that the Season of Creation is not a liturgical season like Advent or Easter but rather a time of intentional prayer and reflection.

This year, 01 September happens to fall on a Sunday, so it could be a special occasion to include the feast and mystery of Creation in the Sunday celebration. It is worth reminding the community about Sunday’s dual symbolism as both “the day of creation” (“the first day of the week” when God began the creative act, as per Genesis 1) and “the day of the resurrection.”

Links worth visiting:

Season of Creation website
The Season of Creation Anglican Church of Canada
Season of Creation Church of England