A newsletter project of the Bishop and Chapter Communications Committee begun during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis to share information and stories about members of Christ Church Cathedral and others.
Holy Week 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
Lent is for Christians a time of preparing. The Ash Wednesday exhortation invites us to “observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and meditating on the word of God.” The intention, of course, is that we find that within ourselves that keeps us from good – keeps us from God. When we have identified it, God calls us to confess it, turn from it and live a new life in him. Like a plant that benefits greatly from pruning, we too can accomplish much from “pruning” in our own lives, allowing room for growth, renewal and for God!
This season marks the darkness of the days just before our Lord's final struggle with death and his victory over it. We’re encouraged to walk the way of the Cross. This is a Holy Week and Easter unlike any of us have ever seen. From isolation and quarantine, walking that way will be different this year. There is a sadness I feel knowing that we are not able to be physically present to one another. But there are opportunities, some of them from within, to assist in our own spiritual walk. Worship where you are. It is my hope that you will find what works for you. There are lessons in this for us all.
At the Cathedral, we’ll be watching our financial situation carefully over the coming weeks. The ministry we can maintain will depend, as always, solely on continuing support of the Cathedral family. Please consider delivering your Easter offering to the Church Hall or make a donation securely online from the Cathedral web site or Facebook. Our Envelope Secretary John Macaulay (506) 453-1980 would be pleased to talk with you about how to begin using e-offering (automatic debit) if not only for its convenience, for the way in which it helps to stabilize and anticipate our giving. There have been many who have offered to do pickups for any who might find it helpful.
Looking forward to its glory, have a blessed Easter!
Yours in Christ,
Geoffrey Hall, Dean of Fredericton
GMH
Christ Church Cathedral “closed” until further notice
"Closed" is such an unpleasant prospect?
In light of the Province-wide “State of Emergency” called by the Premier of New Brunswick on Thursday (19 March 2020), the Dean of Fredericton announces that Christ Church Cathedral and its offices are closed until further notice.
Difficult and without restriction, it's what we are "called" to do.
As the global, and now local situation of the COVID-19 crisis unfolds hour by hour, it has been my goal to see us stay closely in step with the direction expert health, government and ecclesiastical officials are giving us. What’s been the leadership challenge is to stay in the ‘Goldilocks Zone’ -- not too hot, not to cold, but just right. Being over or under reactive will just never do and, it has been for me the real leadership challenge.
In conversation with other leaders both at the Cathedral and around the Diocese, we’re all struggling with these same unique challenges. We find ourselves in a situation unprecedented and, for most of us, not comparable to anything in memory.
Leadership at the Cathedral, including the Dean of Fredericton and the Executive of Bishop and Chapter are keenly aware of what all of this may mean, especially for members of Cathedral staff. While we are conscious and aware that it is impossible to continue salaries for work not being done, we’re also deeply sensitive about our Christian responsibilities of fairness and generosity. Assurances given to staff include that we will make decisions in the very best interest of all and, with the highest degree of consultation possible. What we are able to do for those with whom we have employment relationships depends ultimately upon the continuing financial support of the Congregation. If you haven’t yet considered e-offering or online giving options, now might be the opportune time? In a time of uncertainty, you can make a difference. Read “But how do we give ... when we’re not in church?”
As circumstances change swiftly it becomes more and more necessary to face both evident and eventual realities. Our economy will need to flutter and adjust, hopefully gently. It’s increasingly impossible to make guarantees about details of the future. It’s also difficult, impossible or at the least unwise, to make premature decisions. We need to continue to take this one step at a time.
Who we really are has very much to do with community – not just represented by in-person meetings, corporate worship and other gatherings
Working in our favour is that the Cathedral congregation is committed to and, even more, is the life-blood of ministry supported financialy by what we offer in partnership. While it is true we have paid staff positions uncomparable to most parishes in our Diocese, we also recognize that those members of staff enable and organize the lion’s share of Cathedral ministry of the baptized of our number called into ministry. Those commitments are not likely to wane any time soon, especially during a difficult time such as this. Many, many are coming forward to offer assistance in a vast number of ways. The Cathedral is taking steps to reduce expenses wherever possible with the first priority of that which does not withdraw the ministries to which we are committed. Our temporal ability to continue that approach is my prayer.
Who we really are has very much to do with community – not just represented by in-person meetings, corporate worship and other gatherings as important as they are. This is a unique opportunity for us to become more fully who we "really" are. This is an opportunity for each of us to further develop our more introspective spirituality for both our own personal growth and our growth in community. I, for one, hope to eventually reach the stage where I can catch up on projects too often labeled “important” but too easily eclipsed by what is “critical,” including the daily and weekly necessities.
We need to give thanks for the multiplicity of options within easy reach in this age of technology. Several Cathedral groups have met virtually over the last week and encouragement continues toward those ends. Planning continues by various groups to establish additional creative ways to stay in touch enabling us to be the Body of Christ.
Offers to help are more than welcome by well-established, competent and committed leadership in various areas of our ministry. If any have a need, please connect. Don’t hesitate, instead, reach out to one another. Pray for our leaders, care-givers and the world. Do not be afraid.
We will get through this together. No one is alone. Thanks be to God!
Christ Church Cathedral continues to remain as current as possible with responses to the global situation with the COVID-19 virus. The responses of all of society are easily identifiable. Above all, we as Church need to continue to be, most especially, leaders and partners with government, corporate and private sectors, doing what is agreed upon to be necessary under the circumstances. Protocols for non-essential meetings as announced on 14 March continue and mean postponement, cancellation or relocation.
At about 2:00 p.m. on Monday, 16 March, David our Bishop issued further direction suspending public gatherings for worship throughout the Diocese until at least Palm Sunday, with on-going assessment as we progress. Our Bishop has also recommended that churches remain open where possible for personal prayer with added care and social distance.
God continues as close to us now as always
The Cathedral will remain open Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.. The daily offices will continue with the necessity of paying close attention to current protocols including social distancing, already in place for those who choose to participate. Once again, if you are ill, stay home. Those who have travelled, please self-isolate. Taking advantage of the many audio and written forms of daily devotional material, including the sometimes overlooked daily offices, can enable participation wherever you are. Praying the office from any one of these sources or one of our service books at 8:45 or 4:45 Monday to Friday joins you in prayer with the whole church. On the Cathedral website: Groups and Community tab –> Pray with us –> Daily Offices Online
The response is disruptive and for some distressing. While there is significant uncertainty all about, please be reminded that we are joining with others in a response that puts us ahead of the threats. While COVID-19 is serious, it is not a certain killer. Not taking it for granted, especially when we or those we love could be vulnerable and at risk is the best possible way to care for one another.
Please be reminded that God continues as close to us now as always, if not more so. We need to continue to pray for all in leadership, health care, researchers, government and those who are directly impacted, including by uncertainty of their livelihood, over work in essential services, those who are sick and those who in these times of separation are in mourning. May Christ grant wisdom and peace in all of the challenges.
“It is an ill wind that blows no good.” You may find a post by Kara Root at Faith and Leadership (formerly the Alban Institute), pointing out that the 20 second hand wash is about the length of time it takes to say the Lord’s Prayer. Being forced to slow down creates rich opportunities to focus, seek calm and affords the time we are too often convinced we don’t have to do that which is both nurturing for us and of help to others.
While we may be prevented from being together physically, we are the Body of Christ, very much “in communion” and together spiritually. While we are routinely the “Church gathered,” we are now being forced to be the “Church scattered.” Whatever your situation, you are never alone. Over the next little while, we’ll be exploring simple and practical ways to maintain community and contact, ways to encourage non-physical communication with one another and assure that Cathedral staff and leaders are available for pastoral care and/or advice. Watch for continuing email, check the website for podcasts and word about other ways to connect. Let’s get creative. The distance we are being asked to create between us may make possible more time with those closest to us, more time for prayer and reflection, and create somewhat unique opportunities to become more centred, more focused and more aware – all of which could be very good for all of us. Choosing to view the extraordinary circumstances in a positive light will be important for our own spiritual well-being. Concentrating on what we can control will help offset fear and anxiety over what we cannot.
An excellent example of that, still perhaps somewhere in the fog of the future, is the financial one. Over that we do have some control. Many could face personal economic hardship. Christ Church Cathedral and its ministry will be affected. While we sometimes jokingly speak of the sadder reality “those who don't attend don't contribute,” it doesn't have to be that way. We’ll be vigilant to identify ways to reduce our expenses, but bills will continue and you’re urged to give that your consideration. Read “But how do we give ... when we’re not in church?” to learn how you can help us address that potential earlier rather than later.
These times hold promise for making us stronger in many ways, caring more deeply for one another, a stern reminder about what we too easily take for granted and, make the appeal of the Apostle Paul all the more helpful – “give thanks to God in all circumstances.” Please reach out to one another in care, alert us if you have a need, and we’ll see this through together.
Geoffrey Hall
Dean of Fredericton
Bishop of Fredericton - 16 March 2020 Directive
But how do we give ... when we're not in Church?
15 March 2020 Cathedral response to health concerns
The Cathedral COVID-19 Response Team was assembled with representation from Bishop and Chapter, Cathedral Staff, and the Health Ministry Team on an as needed basis. The Dean thanks them for their contributions.
