Author Archive: Geoffrey Hall

New vision for Cathedral and Anglican properties proposal

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For many years, Bishops, members of the Cathedral Chapter and members of the Diocesan Council have wrestled with the challenges of owning and maintaining five old Fredericton buildings (most of them historic) and paying their annual operating costs. Bishop Medley’s beautiful Cathedral is almost 170 years old and many of its aging parts cry out for another multi-million dollar restoration project. To that end a local heritage architect has given us a very comprehensive, multi-year maintenance plan that will be followed as funds become available. Cathedral Memorial Hall sits idle most of the time and, while structurally sound, it is in need of extensive and expensive renovations. Neither Bishop’s Court nor Odell House (the deanery) are being used as homes for the bishop or the dean, but we continue to spend good portions of our annual income to maintain them. The synod office at 115 Church St. is another beautiful old residence but it falls far short of being contemporary office space, and renovations are needed.

Meeting with the Bishop of Fredericton – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, 15 November 2016 at the Cathedral

Annual maintenance and operations expenditures for these properties are substantial. In recent years, the Cathedral congregation’s average expenditures have totalled just less than $200,000 per year for the Cathedral, the former deanery (Odell House) and Memorial Hall, not including insurance. Even with that level of expenditures the deferred maintenance on these three buildings is in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. The diocese is spending approximately $ 36,000 each year to maintain Bishop’s Court and the diocesan office.

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Partnerships key to success of Monday morning drop-in

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The guests who attend the Monday morning drop-in at Cathedral Memorial Hall are lucky. People who have never even met them collaborate to make the event a success.

They have a warm, welcoming place to hang out and socialize with their friends. Thanks to members of the congregation who generously donate sandwiches, muffins and fruit, they never leave hungry.

Thanks to others who set up the room, they can enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting in  comfortable chairs. Their dirty dishes will be made sparkling clean by volunteers in the kitchen.

Monday music

WHEN THE SAINTS – When the Saints Go Marching In is one of the favourite songs performed by a small group of Christian men who sing and play at the Monday morning drop-in.

Some guests are busy “shopping,” looking through the free stash of used clothing and small housewares donated by cathedral members, their relatives and friends.

Archdeacon Pat Drummond offers a Bible study each week. Parish nurse Kathleen Snow takes blood pressures and chats with people about their health problems, often pointing them toward helpful resources.

A few Christian men from a local Baptist church bring their guitars and banjos to play gospel music, with some country tunes and oldies mixed in. Sometimes there’s a singalong.

A social worker from the downtown health clinic circulates through the crowd to assist people he knows or has just met. Cathedral volunteers chat, making the day a little brighter for  guests struggling with loneliness, illness, poverty, and addictions.

Blood Pressure check

BP CHECKS – A blood pressure check is one of the services offered by parish nurse Kathleen Snow at the Monday morning drop-in for people in need.

“We enjoy wonderful partnerships with people from the cathedral and elsewhere in the community who believe in opening their hearts to help people in need,” said a smiling Penny Ericson who is chair of the Outreach Committee. “We couldn’t do it without their kind and faithful support.”

She noted that the Cathedral ACW helps by providing funding as well as food once a month as do the pastors and parishioners of St. Margaret’s Anglican and New Maryland United.

“We have a great time working together in the kitchen and talking with the guests,” she said. “The people who come appreciate what we offer very much. About 40 people attend every Monday, although on the last Monday of the month when we give out a $10 gift card or bus tickets, the turnout climbs. We are grateful to the Bishop and Chapter for the money to fund that part of our activities.”

Penny welcomes questions from anyone who is interested in learning more about the Monday drop-in.

Ann Deveau

Music Monthly – November 2016

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06 November 2016 – Twenty-Fifth after Pentecost – All Saints Sunday – Remembrance

10.00 Choral Eucharist and Holy Baptism
Christ hath a garden – Drinkell
German Mass – Schubert
Psalm 149
O quam gloriosum – Victoria
528, 250, 361, 274, 57, 276
St. Anne Fugue in E flat BWV 552 – Bach

4.00: Choral Evensong
Smith Responses
Psalms 148 and 150
Walmisley in D minor
Give us the wings of faith – Bullock
275, 520, 282
Sarabande in modo elegiaco – Howells

13 November 2016 – Twenty-Sixth after Pentecost

10.00 Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Cast thy burden upon the Lord – Mendelssohn
Darke in F
Psalm 98 And I saw a new heaven – Bainton
370, 515, 527, 76, 535
Sonata No. 1 (1st mve.) – Mendelssohn

20 November 2016 – Last after Pentecost – The Reign of Christ

10.00 Choral Eucharist (BAS)
O praise God in his holiness – Weldon
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
Benedictus O taste and see – Vaughan Williams
184, 606, 374, 48, 602
Exurgat Deus – Hurford

27 November 2016 – First Sunday of Advent

10.00 Choral Eucharist and Great Litany (BCP)
Wood in the Phrygian Mode
Psalm 122
How beautiful upon the mountains – Stainer
112, 99, 116, 52, 110
Passacaglia in C minor BWV 532 – Bach

4.00 Advent Procession
The Great O Antiphons of Advent
Matin Responsory – after Palestrina
O come, O come, Emmanuel
The Truth from above – arr. Vaughan Williams
There is a flower springing – Praetorius
Hills of the North, rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord alway – Anon. 16th cent.
‘Twas in the year – arr. Wood
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Vesper Responsory – after Praetorius
Lo! He comes, with clouds descending
Litanies – Alain

New director of music

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The congregation of Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton welcomed David Drinkell as director of music in July. He comes among us with his wife, Elspeth. The Cathedral has valued a high standard of music in the past and we are pleased that with David’s expertise and leadership it appears that  will continue.

David comes with a long history of accomplishments and experience. He was born in Colchester, Essex in England and had his first paid job as a church organist at twelve years of age! He was paid five shillings per week! Since then, he has earned his BA, FRCO, ADCM, ARCM and has been organist and choir master at many Cathedrals in England, Ireland and for the last ten years, at St. John the Baptist Cathedral, St. John’s, Newfoundland.

A Cathedral is a Cathedral, and it must be a leader in the diocese.

1610_drinkell_choir“A Cathedral is a Cathedral,” says David, “and it must be a leader in the diocese.”

However, that does not mean it must be too serious. He has been quoted to say, “Life is too short to be serious,” Indeed, choir rehearsals are peppered with anecdotes and funny stories about the composers and the music, keeping choristers amused.

“When you play a noisy beast like a church organ, you have to have a sense of humour.” He loves to bring to life all the various sounds the organ can produce.

David’s experience is extensive.

1610_drinkell_choir1Educated:

  • Colchester Royal Grammar School
  • Bristol University,
  • Homerton College, Cambridge, England

Church posts have included:

drinkell_keyboardDavid is known for frequent organ recitals. In Ireland, he played a different program in all 31 Cathedrals, all within one week! In St. John’s, the locals were treated to weekly recitals, totaling 200 consecutive performances. Fredericton audiences will be pleased to learn that he is hoping to continue that custom at Christ Church Cathedral, beginning this year with an Advent series, and continuing each Friday thereafter. He is also hoping that there will be enough interest among youngsters, to form a children’s choir.

His interests are varied and include choral and organ music, food, wine and restaurants and architecture, especially of old churches. He is extremely knowledgeable about many church organs, and regularly posts comments on organ sites by way of the internet with details about church organs.

Accompanying him is his talented wife, Elspeth, who is from the Orkney Isles in Scotland. She has already shown her versatility as a singer, helping in the soprano, alto and tenor sections of the choir, as needed – but not all at the same time! She is looking for employment as an administrator or secretary in the Fredericton area.

Since the position at the Christ Church Cathedral is only part-time, David is also checking out the need for accompanist, adjudicator positions in the Fredericton area.

We are hope David and Elspeth will enjoy being part of our Cathedral church family for a long time.

David’s short biography can be found on the Cathedral Clergy and Staff page. A new web site feature is “Music Monthly,” a listing of choral music planned for the month ahead.

Marilyn Lewell

Photos M. Lewell and G. Hall

On the Theology of Money

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Theology of Money report criticizes capitalist economics

The report of the task force on the theology of money argues that the current economic system is an example of “structural sin.” Image: Saskia Rowley On October 18,an Anglican Church of Canada task force has released “On The Theology of Money,” a report calling the faithful to embrace a “vision of ‘enough'” when it comes to material wealth.

Bishop and Chapter News – Oct 2016

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 17 October with ten of thirteen members present. Minutes of the September meeting were adopted. The Dean shared portions of the workbook that accompanies the book “Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance to a Missional Parish” by James Mallon focusing on the role of the pastor and the need for functional teams.

Business Arising

•    Hall Front Steps – Repair has been delayed possibly to spring.

From the Dean

•    Routine activities – a summary of pastoral and programme activities was outlined as usual
•    Meetings – Scheduling meetings continues to be one of the more frustrating challenges. Perhaps scheduling farther in advance would be more effective.
•    Leadership in isolation – further to the need for a change in leadership culture, leadership operating in isolation remains one of our corporate challenges.  Leaders need to gather to themselves effective and well-rounded teams for ministry tasks.  The Chapter needs to operate in an overseeing, strategic planning role.
•    To do’s pending – current priorities are Baptism Preparation for 06 November and calling together a Server Guild.
•    Thanksgiving Break-in – Police investigation is on-going.

Items for Decision

•    Chapter membership – Edmond Biden elected to membership as chair of Buildings and Property with thanks and appreciation.
•    Safe Church Policy – Diocesan policy is now in force.  Health and Pastoral Care Committee will lead implementation.
•    Signage – Communications Committee propose a new Cathedral sign for the southeast green and were granted permission to execute at a cost of between $500-600.
•    Church Lighting – a proposal has been made to change outside flood lighting at the Cathedral to LED at an estimated $1500 per year energy saving.  Referred to Property Committee for action.

Items for Discussion

•    Changing Church Culture – follow-up on of “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon.  Discussion on changing the culture towards better health.  Recognizing what we do well,  implementation of a strategy is needed.  The Dean was asked to provide a summary of areas where we are now effective and those not.  Executive charged with preparing a proposal for next steps.

Reports

•    Financial – the Treasurer indicated that income is ahead of the previous year at about 7%.  Gathering information from Cathedral ministries for preparing the 2017 budget needs to begin now. Committee chairs asked to begin that process.

Other

•    Treasurer Resignation– received from our Treasurer as of 15 December 2016.  The job is beyond what Carol can do at this time. Thanks was expressed to Carol for her service. A detailed list of suggested immediate needs was included and the Executive will facilitate a review of our situation.
•    Harvest Supper – organizational lead needs to be identified as Kathy McBride is unavailable due to unforeseen personal commitments
•    Up-coming Events – were noted and reviewed. Our Calendar.

Next meetings

21 November; 19 December. 16 January, 19 February (Annual Congregational Meeting)

GMH

October 2016 Vandalism

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The Dean of Fredericton, Geoffrey Hall, wrote to members of the Cathedral congregation on 12 October 2016 to communicate the news about vandalism that had taken place over the Thanksgiving weekend.  The note, with the subject line “Some unfortunate news” follows:

 

 

Members of Christ Church Cathedral Congregation,

I write with somewhat upsetting news that during the evening of Sunday, 09 October or the early morning of Monday, 10 October 2016, someone gained entrance to the Cathedral and subjected much of the interior to vandalism. A piece of outside furniture was taken from O’Dell House the evening before and there were reports of break-ins at other points along Brunswick Street. Unfortunately, the uncounted offering from Sunday was taken. E-offerings, of course are safe, cheques made out to the Cathedral will be unable to be cashed, but cash offerings were lost and the total amount is unknown. Monday morning is the usual time for counting and the bank deposit.

The Fredericton Police were on the scene early Monday morning and continue to process evidence obtained. The investigation is on-going and we await its outcome.

The good news is, there was a considerable mess created but no real damage. Thanks to members of the Sanctuary and St. Joseph’s guilds and others for helping to put things mostly to right again on Tuesday.

Needless to say, as with any act of vandalism or intrusion, the violation of our space creates a myriad of emotional reactions. Thankfully, this could have easily been far worse. The Cathedral and O’Dell House door locks have been changed, and the exterior and office doors inside the Memorial Hall will be completed on Wednesday.

Regards,

Geoffrey
Dean of Fredericton

Cathedral West Door

Photo: Dalton London

The Dean provided an update for the Sunday bulletin of 16 October to communicate additional details. Locks have been changed as indicated.

Since informing the congregation, it has been discovered that three items were also lost: two electric guitars owned by Paul and Catherine MacDonald and a harmonica owned by Tom Fetter, all members of the 11:45 Music Group.

As the note says, the investigation is on-going.

We can again reiterate our thanks to all those who have helped to right the wrong.  While cash given on Sunday, 09 October is gone, those who made offerings by way of cheques are encourage to reissue them, as the perpetrators will not be able to cash them.  E-offerings remain the safest, most secure way to give.  E-offerings also provide a way to assure a regularity of financial support for Cathedral ministry for those who have chosen to make it a priority.

2016 Flu Vaccines

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Please be advised the the Cathedral will not be holding a Flu Vaccine Clinic this fall due to the closing of the VON Service. Flu vaccines may be received from your family physician, local pharmacies, and pharmacies within Co-op, Costco, and Walmart. Some pharmacies are requesting that you make an appointment, while others are allowing walk-in service.

The flu vaccine is free of charge to adults and children with chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung and heart disease; cancer; healthy children 6 months to 18 years, and people 65 years of age and older. For further information please visit the Public Health website. Please note, Public Health Offices are only offering flu vaccines to children under six years of age.

Visit dontgoviral.ca for locations and other information.

Kathleen Snow, RN, Parish Nurse

2016 Thanksgiving Pastoral

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Dear Friends in Christ,

“A wandering Aramean was my ancestor …” Deuteronomy 26:5

Those words are found in a passage from the Hebrew Scriptures, the Book of Deuteronomy, appointed to be read at Harvest Thanksgiving this year (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). They may mean little to most of us, but for the People of God from whom we inherit an ancient faith, they were central to corporate expressions of thanksgiving at the time of Passover. Discussions about accurate translation and interpretation are centuries old, including questions about to which “Aramean” the writer is actually referring? and, is the Hebrew word preceding it best translated “wandering” or “destroying?” One observation about the message is clear. From where we have come is important. We inherit who we are and even what we have and, in looking back, we gain a fresh appreciation for what we now claim as our own.

dean_hall1The times in which we live can be identified, in more ways than we can count, some of the best any human society has ever known in the history of the world. While “the best of times” surely needs qualification, for most, new technology, instant communication and the wealth enjoyed by a first world society grants a standard of living far beyond what any of our ancestors could have ever imagined. In an age of entitlement, even those of us who have little are rich in comparison to those who have gone before. But for all that gain, all that progress, all the advancement, isn’t it a fact that the “true riches” remain exactly the same?

There is no substitute for sitting at table with family or friends. Nothing can replace the health we so often take so much for granted. Each day is a gift. A future and an eternal weight of glory awaits those of faith – something that money simply cannot buy. As we focus on giving thanks for the material, Jesus taught about “true bread which comes down from heaven.” He made the preposterous claim that he was, in fact, that bread. Giving thanks for the bounty of this season is but a symbol of our being thankful for the true riches – a sign of thanksgiving for the true bread.

I pray you identify the presence of Christ in your encounters with those close to you in this season and that you find yourself able to give “humble and hearty thanks for his goodness and loving kindness.” You’re invited to gather with the Cathedral family on Sunday, 09 October 2016, as we set the table and offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving at our normal times of worship:

8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist – Book of Common Prayer
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist – Book of Common Prayer
11:45 a.m. Come Worship Eucharist (contemporary)

Please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 <[email protected]> if you cannot be with us and wish to request Communion where you are.

Yours most sincerely,

geoffrey

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Geoffrey, Dean of Fredericton

Music Monthly – October 2016

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Music Monthly – October 2016

 

 

 

02 October 2016 – Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Let thy merciful ears, O Lord – Mudd
Festive Eucharist – Rawsthorne
560, 500, 508, 453, 467
Psalm 137;1-6
Ave verum – Elgar
A Trumpet Minuet – Hollins

4.00: Choral Evensong (BCP)
Smith Responses
Psalm 118
Stanford in C
O Thou, the central orb – Wood
17, 546, 306
Toccata Songs of Praise – Chappell

09 October 2016 – Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost – HARVEST THANKSGIVING
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree – Poston
Sumsion in F
Psalm 100
262, 429, 398, 559, 258
Thou visitest the earth – Greene
Sortie in E flat – Lefébure-Wély

16 October 2016 – Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BAS)
Deliver us, O Lord our God – Batten
Mass of St. Denis – Cabena
393, 521, 501, 617, 631
Psalm 119:97-104
O Lord, increase our faith – Loosemore
Praeludium in G minor – Buxtehude

23 October 2016 – Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Eucharist (BCP)
Lord, for thy tender mercies’ sake – Hilton
Harris in F
474, 361, 364, 85, 438
Psalm 65
O for a closer walk with God – Stanford
Postlude in D minor – Stanford

30 October 2016 – Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
10.00: Choral Matins (BCP)
Smith Responses
Psalm 119:137-144
Stanford in B flat
Behold, the tabernacle – Harris
384, 354, 466, 573
Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 532 – Bach