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
World Refugee Day is June 20th, which gives us a chance to consider the plight of refugees around the world, to honour their will to survive, and to renew our commitment to helping them settle in Canada.
Last year at this time, a Liberian family of four was packing its meager belongings into two small suitcases and preparing to fly 10,000 kilometres from the misery of a refugee camp in the Ivory Coast to an unknown place named Fredericton.
A team of volunteers from the cathedral and 10 Anglican parishes raised funds, gathered furnishings, and hurried to prepare everything necessary to care for this family for one year. Nobody knew what an eventful year it would be.
With nearly 11 months under their belts, where do things stand for Phillip Weah, his wife Esther Gmah and her children, 20-year-old Arene and 17-year-old Catherine?
Phillip takes English language training at the Cultural Centre daily and is making progress. He has done some odd jobs such as mowing and raking. His goal is to learn to drive and buy a car.
“The church group is always good to us, they give us everything, and they take good care of us,” Phillip said. “Any problem we have, they come right away to solve it. I say thank you very much.”
Esther was not well when she arrived in Canada and spent from early September until Christmas in the local hospital, including time in the regional hospital in Saint John. By now, she is doing much better although her mobility is limited. She is learning English and hopes to learn to read and write.
The sponsorship team greatly appreciates the prayerful support of the cathedral family during the past year …
Arene went to high school off and on, struggling to fit into a structure and rules foreign to anything he had ever experienced. Currently, he is taking English lessons at the Cultural Centre, attending counselling and serving one year’s probation after pleading guilty in court to a charge of assault.
Like Arene, Catherine dances with the Making Africa Proud group. She attends FHS and is making good progress with the language. Unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with an illness which has required three trips to Halifax to see a specialist and which will result in surgery there this summer.
“She is a lovely girl who has captured my heart,” says her tutor Cathie Gerber. “She shows amazing strength in all that she has endured.”
Normally, refugee sponsorship ends after one year (July 2017 in their case) when funds run out. Sometimes, a family has found jobs and settled rapidly into Canadian society. More often, especially with less educated refugees who have suffered trauma, self-sufficiency is elusive. These families apply for provincial social assistance.
With the Weah-Gmah family, a third route has opened up. Our sponsorship agreement holder, the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, kindly helped us obtain additional federal funding to support the family for another year. The application was approved due to the complex medical and psychological challenges, not to mention language barriers and legal issues.
“The family will receive a monthly allowance from the federal government until July 2018, which will give them more time to adapt to Canada,” explained Archdeacon Patricia Drummond who leads the sponsorship team. “We will continue to be involved for the next year with big things such as Catherine’s illness, helping them with written forms or giving advice if needed, but not on a day-to-day basis with every little thing as has been the case this past intense year.”
Their current apartment is too expensive under the new funding structure, but, happily, a subsidized apartment has been found downtown, thanks to the good folks at Christ Church Parish Church who operate properties. Phillip, Esther and Catherine will move there by the end of July.
LOOKING FORWARD – The Weah-Gmah family from Liberia looks forward to celebrating many more happy, healthy birthdays in Canada. Pictured from left are Arene Gmah with a balloon, his mother Esther Gmah, her husband Phillip Weah, and seated with the soccer ball is Catherine Gmah.
“I want my own place,” Arene announced when he turned 20, and his family readily agreed it would be beneficial. A room to rent, or room and board, is being sought for him because it’s what he will be able to afford on his federal allowance.
Many tough challenges lie ahead for all of them on the road to self-sufficiency, but they have shown considerable resilience so far. The volunteers have put in countless hours, and it has been a real learning experience for them, too.
“It has often been very stressful and bewildering for us and for them, but sponsoring refugees rescues people from dangerous and hopeless situations,” said volunteer Doug Milander. “It offers this family the chance for a new life. It benefits Christ, and it’s absolutely the right thing to do.”
Some people have asked whether more financial donations are needed for the Weah-Gmah family. The money remaining in the refugee sponsorship account should cover their living expenses as the year ends as well as moving expenses, damage deposits and so on.
However, the family will have unexpected expenses related to visits to Halifax to deal with Catherine’s illness. They also must repay a $9,000 travel loan to the federal government, which is a significant debt for unemployed people to handle. Any contributions received would be put toward these special circumstances. Cheques can be made out to Christ Church Parish Church, adding Refugee Sponsorship on the memo line.
“The sponsorship team greatly appreciates the prayerful support of the cathedral family during the past year and especially as a second year in Canada begins for these former refugees,” Archdeacon Drummond concluded.
10.30: Eucharist on the Cathedral Green (BAS)
SPECIAL ORDER OF SERVICE
4.00: Choral Evensong (BCP)
Drinkell Responses
Psalm 145
T. Tertius Noble in B minor
Come, O Creator Spirit, come – T. Tertius Noble
637, 645, 22
Toccata Gothique – Boëllmann
June 11 2017 – Trinity Sunday – First after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Almighty and everlasting God – Gibbons
Missa Brevis – Paul Murray
Psalm 8 Hymn to the Trinity – Tchaikovsky
436, 257, 419, 81,433
Final (1st Symphony) – Vierne
June 18 – Second after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O come, ye servants of the Lord – Tye
Mass of St. Denis – Cabena
Psalm 116:1, 10-17
Tantum ergo sacramentum – Séverac
505, 561, 586, 592, 602
Toccata and Fugue in C BWV 564 – Bach
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (transferred)
4.00: Ordination
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
Psalm 34:1-6
This is the record of John – Gibbons
384, 210, 106, 75, 461
Marche Pontificale – Widor
June 25 – Third after Pentecost
10:00 a.m. Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Nolo mortem peccatoris – Morley
Missa Secunda – Hassler
Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17 So God loved the world – Gibbons
5, 431, 627, 59, 239
Marche Pontificale – Gounod
On Sunday, 04 June 2017, the Cathedral plans to go out of doors. Celebrating Pentecost (once well known in Anglican circles as Whitsunday), and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church, the plan is that it will happen outside of the west doors.
“Its an opportunity for us to go outside of the church walls,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall. “The Spirit is a gift for the world, not just those of us who worship within church walls. With an informal BBQ on the Cathedral Green, going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation, especially to our neighbours. We all have an inherent need to give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
… our going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation …
The celebration of the Eucharist is being titled a “Neighbourhood Eucharist.” Regardless of religious faith or Christian denomination, all are warmly invited to join us.
“The Cathedral is a church of the City for the City,” said Dean Hall. “While no one will be required to participate in Communion, at the least, a hot dog and some popcorn will be available for everyone.”
On Wednesday, door hanger invitations were delivered to the neighbourhood. While the invitation is open throughout the year, Pentecost is a special Sunday for the Church.
If weather is less than favourable, worship will move inside the Cathedral and the food following will be in the Memorial Hall.
England, Scotland, Indonesia, Bali, Ireland, New Zealand, the Philippines, and a Bible Study tour of the Middle East. That’s a list of a few of the places that Janet Mahar, the secretary of Bishop and Chapter, has visited and/or worked in over the past 34 years!
Janet grew up in Lincoln NB and graduated from the Devon Park Christian School. She was raised in the Baptist faith. After graduating from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in biology and worked for 2 summers at the Huntsman Marine Station in St. Andrews. Janet spent some time working in a lab in Liverpool, England and visiting Scotland.
Shortly after leaving the UK, Janet accepted a position teaching biology in an international school in Indonesia. In this environment, Janet found herself overwhelmed by the work and found it difficult to find the time or energy for church, or a Christian Church that didn’t follow what is known as the “Health and Wealth Gospel.” She taught in Indonesia for 3 1/2 years.
Janet in 2010, wearing a traditional costume from the Indonesian province of Sulawesi for Cultural Night
In 2011, Janet returned to NB and, seeking a new career, enrolled in a Pharmacy Technician course in Moncton in 2014. She attended a Baptist Church there until, wanting to try a different denomination, she attended the Palm Sunday service at an Anglican Church in Moncton where Bishop David Edwards was speaking. Coincidentally, it seemed, when Janet returned to Fredericton for Easter and attended the Good Friday service at Christ Church Cathedral, who should be there but Bishop David Edwards. Janet says that seeing Bishop David at the 2 services in 2 cities in 1 week was a connection for her, and it seemed to be a confirmation of where she should be.
She has been a part of the Cathedral congregation since graduating in June 2015. While participating in a Lenten Study last year, Dean Geoffrey Hall asked if she would be interested in taking on the role of secretary for Bishop & Chapter. Janet saw this as an opportunity to serve and gain more knowledge and experience of the Anglican faith. She is also a member of the Adult Choir and the Server’s Guild. Janet prefers the traditional 10 AM Eucharist. She says she “loves the words that have stood the test of time” in the liturgy.
Janet currently works as a Pharmacy Assistant at the DECH and is working towards her registry as a Pharmacy Technician. She has an older brother in Fredericton, and her younger brother and Mom still live in Lincoln. Janet’s Dad, John W. Mahar, the owner of Topmar Building Supplies and a well-known Fredericton businessman, passed away 9 years ago as the result of an accident.
We are fortunate to have Janet as a member of our congregation and serving the Bishop & Chapter. As one who is so skilled in taking, as she was told, “minutes not hours,” she is appreciated for her excellent work!
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 15 May with eight of eleven members present. Minutes of the 20 March 2017 were amended and adopted. The Dean led a conversation focussing on Acts 17:22-31 – “the altar with the inscription: ‘to an unknown god.’” What can we do to get outside of ourselves and our worship spaces to create a a better sense of belonging and invitation?
Business Arising
• Safe Church Officer – Nathan Cutler appointed
• Stipends and salaries – Administration and Finance Committee will initiate staff reviews to be complete by the end of June
• Christian formation – item for decision
• Sexton appointment – following six-month probationary period
• HST rebates – the Treasurer following up on past applications
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary of regular items including; diocesan meetings, 3 funerals, Canadian Bible Society luncheon in March
• Refillable liquid candles – Cathedral candles being converted
• Volunteers and leadership – several areas of leadership require volunteers. How do we more effectively engage the congregation in leadership?
• June – August Clergy schedule – will be created in the next week
• Pentecost 04 June – possibility of worship out of doors with BBQ
• Up-coming – Friday organ concerts and summer recital series
Items for Decision
• Resignation – regretfully accepted the resignation of John Ball as member of the Chapter and chair of the Hospitality Committee
• Administration and Finance Committee – terms of reference adopted
• Director of Christian Formation – half-time position will be advertised until 31 May with interviews in June, targeting 01 July as preferred start
• Commendation for Ordination – following the work of the discernment committee, Alan Hall was commended for further discernment leading to ordination
• Transfers to Diocesan Investment Fund (DCIF) – 1. Restoration Fund savings account to be closed and invested as Restoration Fund in the DCIF; 2. Surplus of operating to be invested
Discussion
Cathedral leadership needs – involvement of congregation in many ministries. e.g. worship greeters, servers, mentors, membership / welcoming team, member of Chapter (Hospitality), stewardship coordinator, Community Kitchen, assistant verger, Helping Hands, visitors, etc. Executive and Communications Committees to develop a plan to challenge all to greater participation
Reports
• Treasurer – current summary reviewed; trusts and designated funds being reviewed
• Mission Outreach – refugee sponsorship continuing challenges; Monday morning has concluded
• Communications – will develop a plan that will see leaders of various ministries speak for 2 minutes (max.) as part of weekly worship and the communication of leadership needs
• Health and Pastoral care – safe church implementation is a process
• Worship – recent meeting hosted conversation with related roles
Up-coming Events
• Hall steps repair to begin soon; Pentecost 04 June
Next meetings:
12 June, 21 August (tentative), 18 September
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton has an opening for a part-time Christian Formation Director/Coordinator to commence work on or around July 1, 2017. This contract position is based on the person hired working 20 hours per week.
The successful applicant 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.
Specific areas of the ministry will include:
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 to recognize special times and seasons in the church calendar;
encouraging the organization of home-based study and prayer groups and training of leaders;
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
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.
Qualifications of persons considered for this position include having a living, maturing Christian faith, commitment and experience working with children, youth and families, and having knowledge of and/or are supportive of the Anglican expression of the Christian faith.
Successful applicant will be expected to submit to a criminal record check.
Please submit your resume outlining your interest and experiences and two references on or before May 31, 2017. For further information, please contact: the Dean of Fredericton at (506) 450-7761.
Email: search at cccath.ca
Christ Church Cathedral
Attention: Formation Search Committee
168 Church Street
Fredericton NB E3B 4C9
… and we are almost as excited as Steve Martin when he proclaimed that classic movie line “the new phone books are here!” The directories arrived late last week and are available, free of charge, for pick up at the Cathedral Office to anyone that has a photo in the Directory. If you chose not to be in the Directory, but would like a copy, there are a few additional copies available at a cost of $20 each.
The members of the Communications Committee hope that the Directory will prove to be a useful communications tool for the Cathedral congregation and we look forward to any feedback that you might have.
For those who may have missed being in the Directory and who would like to be added, we are considering producing an addendum (insert) towards the end of June. You would need to provide a scanned photo and/or have your contact information in order to be added. We would like the Directory to be as up-to-date and inclusive as possible, so please feel free to consider this option.
We hope you enjoy the 2017 Christ Church Cathedral Directory!
