Let's talk about religion and politics!
Mission & Outreach Team and UNB present lectures on religion in the public squareAbout 35 people came out on Oct. 10 for a noon-hour talk called Having Faith in Citizenship: The Place of Religion in the Public Square.It was held at Christ Church (Parish) Church, organized by the Mission &...
Author Archive: Geoffrey Hall
Opportunity Knocks – National Trust Conference 2018
The National Trust for Canada "helps Canadians save places that matter."
The annual National Trust conference is Canada’s largest heritage learning and networking event. Held in a different part of Canada every year, this national conference brings together a wide-range of people keeping Canada’s heritage alive: from grassroots advocates, professionals and planners, to elected officials, policy makers, and students.
The 2018 National Trust Conference is heading to Fredericton to explore the theme of "Opportunity Knocks: Heritage as a Social, Economic, and Placemaking Force." The conference will explore the transformative power of heritage to help turn places around, galvanize communities, and create fresh options. Bringing together the cutting-edge of heritage thought and practice, in Canada and abroad, the conference will emphasize inter-disciplinary insights on such diverse topics as heritage-led development, sustainability, museum/historic site regeneration, and Indigenous heritage.
Christ Church Cathedral will be front and centre
"As at least one of the primary heritage sites in the City of Fredericton, Christ Church Cathedral will be front and centre during the conference," said Dean Geoffrey Hall.
"I'm very excited about this. This is a unique opportunity for us to focus on discussions we've been having for years about what we might be able to do now to preserve the heritage value of the Cathedral and surrounding properties with an eye to long-term sustainability. I encourage the congregation to become involved. There is a plan to hold at least one session and perhaps a workshop on site at the Cathedral."
“The conference is the best and largest gathering of heritage professionals in Canada. It is the one event in Canada that brings together a diverse group of people with common interests and a broad set of expertise in the protection of historic places. This event creates the community of heritage professionals in Canada.” David Ecclestone – Partner, +VG Architects
Workshop on Thursday, 18 October 2018, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral (on site case study)
Forum on Saturday a.m., 20 October 2018 at the Trade and Convention Centre (religious heritage buildings)
Limited seating for Cathedral members has been reserved. If you're interested, contact the Dean or Bishop and Chapter Chair Jim Morell.
National Trust for Canada
2018 National Trust Conference
National Trust FAQ
Faith and the Common Good
2018 Thanksgiving Pastoral Letter
Thanksgiving 2018
Dear Friends,
Harvest Thanksgiving presents us with the opportunity to give thanks especially for the fruits of the earth in seasonal abundance now.
In our society, the work of agriculture and the production of food has generally been delegated to those with specific gift and talent for such things. Some of us have a backyard garden which helps us to keep in touch with the mystery and miracle of nature as we nurture and watch the earth yield fruit. In a culture of specialization, our resources are most used to do what we do best, relying on a portion of what is ours to be used to compensate those who work to fulfill our need for food.
This detachment of our hands-on involvement with the very natural task of food supply should not stand in the way of our remembering from where the gifts we enjoy truly come. The text of the refrain of a familiar hymn reminds:
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord, for all his love.
Living in one of the richest of nations, too often we take for granted that food is plentiful in our land. The fortunate are reminded as tables are laden: it is not only the work of human hands, directly or indirectly, that places food there. Without the generosity of God's provision, we would be hungry. The "... good gifts around us are sent from heaven above ..." The hymn uses straight forward logic to state "... then thank the Lord ..." Christians are challenged in text and tune to remember, indeed, to "praise God from whom all blessings flow."
I hope and pray you make use of this time to renew and refresh the relationships of family and friends and may your thanksgiving bring you blessing.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev’d)
Dean of Fredericton
What is Choral Evensong?
Choral Evensong is held monthly at 4:00 p.m. in the Cathedral. Check our calendar to confirm dates.
The article below, written in 2018 by former Cathedral Organist and Director of Music David Drinkell, answers the question, "What is Evensong?" Evensong is often livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
The Daily Offices are an important, but perhaps little-known, part of the Cathedral’s ministry. At Morning and Evening Prayer, each parish and organisation in the Diocese is remembered in the Mother Church, and prayer is offered for the wider Church and for the world.
Evening Prayer is one of the most balanced, logical and simple of our Anglican liturgies and is based on the monastic offices of Vespers and Compline. There is a penitential opening and a set of Responses to set the scene. The core of the Office lays out God’s Promise in the Psalms and Old Testament, the Wonder of God’s Coming to Earth in the Magnificat, Christ’s Life on Earth or the Holy Spirit working through the disciples in the New Testament, and the recognition and joyful acceptance of the Messiah in the Nunc Dimittis. This Faith is summed up in the Creed, and is followed by specific and general prayer.
Evening Prayer is a powerful devotion, even when read simply in private or quietly in the Cathedral alone or with a few people present. But one of the glories of Anglican worship is that, over nearly five centuries since it came into use, the Office has been sung in choral foundations in England and later throughout the world, clothed in some of the finest music ever inspired for worship. Choral Evensong sung in the Cathedral is an opportunity to experience this music-clothed service as a meditation on the mysteries of faith.
“Evensong is a very tiny fragment of something else: it is a fragment of the worship which is offered to God by Christian people every hour in every part of the world. When you come to Evensong it is as if you were dropping in on a conversation already in progress — a conversation between God and people which began long before we were born and will go on long after we are dead.”
-- by David Drinkell
Bishop and Chapter News – September 2018
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 17 September with twelve of twelve usual members present. Minutes of the 18 June 2018 meeting were adopted. The Dean provided an article entitled “Forming an Effective Nominating Committee.” Members of the Chapter discussed our current practices and considered potential improvements.
Business Arising
- Ending Homelessness in Fredericton - a follow up meeting was held on 15 September with updates on the status of the Project. A small group from the Cathedral will be gathered to consider next steps
- Mission and Outreach Belize Budget - at this time, it appears the 2018 budget may cover anticipated expense
From the Dean
The Dean reviewed usual items of commitment since June noting that summer seemed unusually busy. Items of note included:
- pending appointment of Caroline Vanicek as head server
- first Sunday of October being Thanksgiving, evensong on 14 October
- up-coming this fall one individual wishing to enter discernment leading to ordination. Discernment committee will be needed
- 11 November is on Sunday. 10 a.m. worship moved to 9:45 a.m.
- clergy conference with Hugh Halter attended in August on “Your Church in the Future.” Will share with Chapter in the future
For Decision
Hall usage - after determining that the downstairs hall floor is unsafe, it was decided to inform Scouts Canada to seek other meeting space
Discussion
Property (re) development - a lengthy discussion about status of the conversation regarding Cathedral and Diocesan properties. Bishop’s consultant currently working with the Cathedral on a “future mission plan.” A congregational meeting has been recommended by R. Goodfellow (October). National Trust Conference 18-20 October to focus on religious heritage buildings - diocesan/Cathedral participation
Reports
- Treasurer - to date, expenses exceed revenue in the amount of approximately $80,000. Compared to last year to date, revenue is down by about $47,000. Considerable concern expressed by members of the Chapter. No conclusions were drawn as to specific causes. Suggestions, including encouraging e-offering and a Sunday presentation by the Treasurer, were made and discussed.
- Christian Formation - programme in Fall startup: Godly Play, Taizé worship, ALPHA (19 September), Family Faith Fiesta, Youth Groups. A brief overview of our experience with Godly Play was shared
- Administration and Finance - Odell House and Cathedral Hall properties being migrated this week to land titles. On-going communication with the Diocese regarding creating a policy on giving. Manual being reviewed to re-establish policy for staff
- Health and Pastoral Care - Programmes resuming. Interest in Fit Club is down. Support group for care givers of those with dementia being created. Brochure in production
- Communications - Summer projects included neighbourhood invitations to corn boil and other event promotion
- Property - South door repair still being investigated; investigation of potential a memorial tree planting on the green; lower hall floor has been assessed as unsafe; asphalt repair at west door should happen this month
- Worship - will call a meeting next month
- Hospitality, Welcoming and Membership - committee bing formed and will first address terms of reference. Meeting 20 September. Suggestion for larger freezer at the hall to be considered
Up-coming
Bishop’s Town Hall, Fredericton (Canon XXI) 27 September 7:00 p.m.
Archdeaconry Greater Chapter - 18 October
Diocesan Synod - 03 November 2018
Next meeting: 15 October 2018
GMH
