The Territory of the People greatly appreciate the response of the wider Anglican community and if you or your parish is looking to support us you may do so in the following ways:
Pray for us
PWRDF has been in touch and support can be directed with donations
Donate to the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior Fire Fund. Monies that are donated to this fund will be allocated towards helping the parishes and individuals effected by the fires.
Best wishes to the 2017 graduating class from St. Hilda’s School in Belize! A special congratulations also to Miss Jocelyn Herrara, this years recipient of the “Canadian Friends of St. Hilda’s Scholarship”. I am 12 years old. I live in Georgeville Village. My greatest wish is to go to high school, sixth form and the University of Belize.
On July 1st we officially welcomed Kurt Schmidt to the role of half-time Director of Christian Formation at Christ Church Cathedral. Please pray for Kurt as he begins his work. Kurt brings a wealth of experience in education, spiritual formation and family life to us. Married to Catherine and father to Rachel, Kurt lectures as an instructor in Mathematics at the University of New Brunswick in the Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre.
The appointment of a Director of Christian Formation is a turning point for the Cathedral congregation. Kurt’s title is not “youth leader,” “teacher,” or “Sunday School Superintendent.” First and foremost Kurt’s role will be to facilitate, using an intergenerational approach to ministry, opportunities for us to learn from one another. Together, we will help to form, shape, mould and conform one another in Christian faith. Kurt’s job is to help make that happen in our midst.
Yes, something may be asked of you! Ultimately, the responsibility for forming Christians belongs to the whole Christian community. At baptism, the community stands and accepts the challenge: “Will you who witnesses these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” The difficulty is that most of us haven’t the foggiest idea of where that starts. What we intend to attempt to create at the Cathedral is the best possible model of that actually happening!
A Cathedral Church is a leader in an Anglican Diocese. That doesn’t mean that we are better than anyone else. What it does mean is that what we are a model, and help set a standard, for the Anglican Church, in our case, in the Diocese of Fredericton. Our Diocese happens to be coterminous with the boundaries of the Province of New Brunswick with its 70 plus parishes and more than 150 churches.
Kurt’s biography reads:
Kurt, Catherine and Rachel Schmidt from the 2017 Cathedral Photo Directory
Born in Illinois but raised in Littleton, Colorado, Kurt has lived in Fredericton since 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College (1997—major in Mathematics, minor in African Studies) and an MEd from the Institute for Humane Education in Surry, Maine (2011).
Kurt considers himself an educator at heart, and has spent the last 15 years working as a teacher in diverse contexts and at various levels. Kurt’s own spiritual journey includes formative periods among his Jesuit teachers and mentors in high school, with monastic friends during university, and alongside members of L’Arche communities in both Canada and the United States.
A lover of music, dogs, poetry and soccer (the real football!), Kurt lives in downtown Fredericton with his wife Catherine (an occupational therapist) and daughter Rachel (launching into her second decade).
Kurt says he is honoured and blessed to be part of the Staff Team as Director of Christian Formation, serving God and the dynamic Cathedral congregation.
The position description for the Director of Christian Formation:
Accountability
Day to day supervision will be by the Dean. The Christian Formation Committee of Bishop and Chapter will function as a support group for the Christian Formation Director. This group will work with the Director to develop yearly outcomes.
Scope
The Director of Christian Formation will see as a foundation of this ministry the facilitation of several formation and discipleship activities, working with other leadership towards an increased number of mission-minded followers of Jesus Christ within the Cathedral congregation.
Qualifications include having a living, maturing Christian faith, commitment and experience working with children, youth and families, and seniors having knowledge of and/or are supportive of the Anglican expression of the Christian faith.
Key Responsibilities
• co-ordination and teacher development for the children’s Christian education program, while looking to expand this to all ages;
• scheduling, co-ordination, publicity and recruitment of leaders and mentors for baptism, first communion and confirmation preparation;
• organization of intergenerational activities and learning events to recognize special times and seasons in the church calendar year;
• encouraging the organization of home-based study and prayer groups;
• training and support of leaders when required;
• support for families in both community and home-based Christian formation;
• support of Alpha Course leadership;
• development and support of a regular seeker/ new member/ new Christian learning programme(s);
• particular focus initially on families with children, including engaging with them to determine needs and expectations
The Diocese of Fredericton’s Choir School marked 60 consecutive years in July 2017, making it the longest continuously running school of its kind in Canada. Its ministry objective has never changed: to enhance the God-given gift of music in people and encourage them to share this gift in their home communities. Choristers come to stay in a residential setting for the week, and benefit from top level music instruction by accomplished church musicians as they sing for up to four hours per day.
A Choir School experience also involves recreation activities, Christian Education sessions, times to explore living the Christian faith in today’s culture, and, a key ingredient, down time, where friendships are cemented and dreams sometimes shared amongst friends. All of this would be very expensive to provide, and it is only with the help of many generous people, foundations, and more that we have been able to keep the cost of attending at a reasonable rate, while also supplying some bursaries to those in financial need.
The success of Choir School’s work is impossible to measure in any quantifiable way. On the one hand, we have had in our midst opera singers, church organists and choir directors, many music teachers, and others who have made music a part of their career lives. On the other hand, we have welcomed novice singers, and even those who have never sung in a choir before. Regardless of past experience, many have had life-changing experiences during the week, and/or have been inspired in their faith, in music making, more.
Today, in spite of a declining presence of church choirs and choral singing in some areas, Choir School continues to welcome over 100 people each year. But we “imagine more.” Not merely higher numbers, but more of what has made Choir School thrive in the faith lives of so many people. There are many songs still to be sung, and many times that the Holy Spirit can be felt in the midst of music making. God is always to be praised! Our family is diverse; our choristers range in age from eight into the 80s. We welcome people from several provinces, and several denominations. God’s praise continue to be sung. We are thankful first to our Lord God Almighty to be able to continue this good work, and to parish churches and families who choose to be a part of our community. Such a community would not exist today without the strong support of a wider community yet, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit. All of this and more, experienced over 60 years, celebrated at Choir School 2017.
A date to remember is July 9th, when the 60th Diocesan Choir School concludes with a triumphal service of Choral Evensong at 3:30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton.
Children from throughout the province will have spent a week at Rothesay Netherwood School, rehearsing for this occasion, and learning much about our church, its music, culture and rituals. Adult choristers swell the ranks on Thursday, and everyone can witness the result of their efforts at this magnificent celebration.
Opportunities like this should not be missed.
The Anglican Diocese of Fredericton’s first choir school took place in July of 1958 at Rothesay Collegiate School, the predecessor of Rothesay Netherwood. Gerald Wheeler, organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, served as clinician, and about 40 young people from various parishes throughout the Diocese participated in this exciting new opportunity for learning and fellowship. Mr. Wheeler continued as the Choir School’s musical director for fifteen years, and during those years the number of attendees increased substantially.
During the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s in the Anglican Church, the principal services of worship were Choral Matins and Evensong. As the decades have passed, these have been replaced by Holy Communion/Eucharist. Sung Matins is only offered at Fredericton’s Christ Church Cathedral, for example, four times a year; and Evensong is virtually a “thing of the past” in most parish churches. Musical selections are now more varied and contemporary in response to people’s preferences and to the requirements of communion services.
During the late 70’s and 80’s, Choir School became “Choir Camp,” taking place at Camp Medley at Upper Gagetown. At Medley, the atmosphere was less formal, and extra leisure activities were added to offer a more well-rounded program to the young participants. Music is the universal language, and its effect was everywhere in evidence in the lifelong friendships that were forged during those years. When adults joined the children for the week-end, entire families were able to enjoy a time of fun mixed with hard work, resulting in some splendid choral singing at the Sunday service.
In 1990, Rothesay Netherwood again became the venue for Choir School, and this year features Spencer Belyea, a music education specialist of note from Saint John, as the director for the younger choristers; and Dr. David Buley returns to teach the adults. Dr. Buley will be taking on a new position at Memorial University in St. John’s, NF, in the fall.
So, please mark July 9th on your calendar, and prepare yourselves for a dramatic commemorative service at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, at 3:30 pm. These are the kinds of events that help bring parishes together through a common bond. Opportunities like this should not be missed.
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
John Barnard
Psalm 13 View me, Lord, a work of thine – Lloyd
347, 592, 354, 87, 375
Carillon Sortie – Mulet
July 9 2017 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Harris in F
Psalm 45:11-18 Ave verum corpus – Elgar
619, 343, 617, 605, 491
Overture: The Occasional Oratorio – Handel
July 16 2017 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
Psalm 119:105-112 If ye love me – Tallis
645, 478, 328, 511, 649(454)
St. Anne Fugue BWV 552 – Bach
July 23 2017 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Darke in F
Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23 Teach me, O Lord – Byrd
398, 535, 631, 76, 399
Marche Trionfale on Nun danket – Karg-Elert
July 30 2017 – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Choral Matins (BCP)
Cantate Domino – Pitoni
Smith Responses
Venite Psalm 105:1-11, 45
Stanford in B flat
116, 572, 620, 320
Toccata on Lasst uns erfreuen – Choveaux
A tribute to those who serve at the Christ Church Cathedral breakfasts and those who come to enjoy them. Join us Saturdays September – June for breakfast 8:30 – 10:30 a.m..
Diocesan Choir School 2017 is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The closing evensong will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on the afternoon of Sunday, 09 July 2017 at 3:30 p.m.
Junior Choristers
Children from the age of 8 are able to attend Choir School, with the consent of a parent or guardian (they must turn eight by the end of the current year). Overnight accommodations usually consist of two people per room, in the dormitory-styled residence buildings. The days are very busy, so we encourage parents who are unsure about what is involved to contact the Administrative Director. A typical day begins at 7:45, and ends at 9:00pm, and includes chapel services, several rehearsals, classroom time, recreation, meals (of course!), an early afternoon rest period, and some free time.
Arrival time on the first day is between 3:00pm and 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon with supper at 5:30. Please come to the Dining Hall to register (follow the signs). For the benefit of all choristers, please do not send cell phones as it can create problems for those who are homesick, and others around them. Any cell phones found will be confiscated until the end of the week.
Thursday evening, we offer a Choral Evensong service at a parish church, to which all are invited. The last Sunday afternoon, at 3:30, is our final Choral Evensong service. Family and friends are encouraged to attend this service, which takes place at a large church or cathedral,; children can then be picked up after the service. This service is very well attended;
Choir School’s finest Daily paper provides vital information about… uh, nothing, but it’s fun to read each day.
For best seating, please arrive at the church just after 3:00pm, when the choirs finishes its rehearsal.
Adult Choristers
Adults who are attending Choir School are encouraged to come to the Thursday night Evensong service. From there, you can go directly to RNS (Rothesay Netherwood School) where you can settle into a room at Kirk House, on the RNS campus. registration takes place the following morning after breakfast at the Dining Hall. Some adults, however, are only able to join us on Friday, which is OK, too!
Choir School takes place every year in the first full week of July on the beautiful campus of Rothesay-Netherwood private school. Some stay in the residence buildings, while local choristers sometimes live at home, and come for the full day of activities. Each day is very full, and sleep becomes a rather precious thing by the end of the week. Through the week, the chorister’s day is filled with choir rehearsals, a classroom session of Christian Education, Christian culture, as well as recreation, chapel worship services, rest time, and special fun activities.
Since 2005, when Christ Church Cathedral sent the first of four mission teams to Belize, we have tried to help make the every-day education experience better for the students who attend St. Hilda’s. In the years following our visits, because we had raised enough money, we have been able to give St. Hilda’s approximately $2000 annually to pay for books, equipment, facility improvements, classroom supplies, school field trips and more. The exact amount has depended on the funds available and on what the principal, Jane Martinez, identifies as needed but can’t be paid for with her meager budget.
The plan is to continue this support for those in Grades 1-8 at St. Hilda’s in the coming years. We also want to continue our support of St. Hilda’s scholarship students at the high school and university levels and this is where we have been blessed and encouraged by the generosity of committed donors.
Watch this video message from Jamal.
For information about how you can be involved in making a meaningful difference in the lives of students at St. Hilda’s, contact Beverly Morell or Cindy Pope. The Cathedral Office will gladly provide contact information.
Is the whole community on board with nurturing children in the faith?
A timely and interesting discussion with the current initiative of employing a half-time Director of Christian Formation.
Business Arising
• Stipends and salaries – To be discussed. Staff reviews to be completed by the end of June. Compensation considerations part of the annual budget process.
• Cathedral Restoration Fund transfer – request made to bank to transfer from savings account to Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund. Other transfers as agreed in process
• Sexton appointment – letter of permanent appointment to the Sexton
• Christian formation – salary of half-time position for decision
• Chapter vacancy – Social and Hospitality
• HST rebates – the Treasurer has submitted applications for 2015 and 2016 reimbursement to CRA
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary of regular items including; diocesan meetings; Cathedral meetings: Cathedral trust funds management; Records management; Chapter Committees; home and hospital visits; marriage preparation; 1 funeral. Vacation: 7-20 August. Absent Sunday 02 July for a Parish 150th Anniversary.
• Pentecost – outdoor worship and BBQ following on 04 June well received. Some talk of the possibility of a corn boil in September
• O’Dell House – concern about the deteriorating condition of the porch and understandings regarding care-taking
• Current priorities – Ordination 18 June, Director of Christian Formation interviews; staff reviews by end of June
• Up-coming – Friday organ concerts and summer recital series
Items for Decision
• Designated Funds – a large number of “funds” exist labelled “designated. The Executive will consider disposition and collapse as possible and appropriate and report to the next meeting
• Director of Christian Formation – discussion and decision about salary for offer to the successful candidate
Reports
• Treasurer – the current regular monthly summary financial statement was reviewed
• Communications – intentions to create a Cathedral promotional video on hold for the moment. Photo directory well received
• Health and Pastoral Care – National Parish Nursing Conference in held in Fredericton in June. Health Ministry relayed a report from Kathleen Snow
• Properties – Hall step repair should be proceeding soon; sign standards on the green to be installed, south choir room door painted
Next meetings:
21 August (tentative); 18 September; 16 October; 20 November; 11 December
