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
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.
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.
“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.
The 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.
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
Lucy’s Sewing Group meets Fridays to carry on an embroidery tradition. From left: Rita Cyr-Bonga, Jean Davies, Diane Radford, Ann Dalzell and Flo Harvey. ~ McKnight photos
By Gisele McKnight
Every Friday morning, between three and seven women gather at Cathedral Memorial Hall to keep alive the art of ecclesiastical embroidery.
They range in age from their early 60s to late 80s and they call themselves Lucy’s Sewing Group, based out of Christ Church Cathedral.
Together they have a few hundred years of sewing experience. Without them, and others like them, our Anglican church services would be hard pressed to function.
Their ministry is the embroidery of altar linens — corporals, credence cloths, fair linen, purificators and so on. Without purificators, for example, how would a priest celebrate Holy Eucharist?
“It’s definitely a ministry,” said Rita Cyr-Bonga. “It’s very important. I can’t put it into words.”
“From my point of view, I can sew, so I regard that as a gift. Therefore I should use it,” said Ann Dalzell, another of the members.
Production
The process of producing an embroidered cloth begins in Ireland at Ulster Weavers. Lucy’s buys it in a 10-metre roll. They tried the locally available linen, but it didn’t measure up, so they stick with the Irish.
Rita Cyr-Bonga rolls up a measuring tape after working with a bolt of Irish linen. Lucy’s Sewing Group doesn’t use the cathedral kitchen for eating, only for laying out and cutting metres and metres of linen.
Once it arrives in Fredericton, Rita takes it home for preparation.
“It has to be laundered, washed and ironed, before we use it,” said Jean Davies, who acts as the organizer of the group. “Imagine washing your tablecloth, but 10 metres of it. It’s not a job I would say ‘let me do it!’”
Laundering is to prevent shrinkage later on. Measurements for their products are precise, so this step is crucial.
Then it’s time for cutting the linen into the pieces for which they have orders. Once that’s done, the pieces are hemmed with mitred corners. Then finally, the embroidery can begin.
Flo Harvey explains the process: Fold the cloth in half to find the centre line. Stitch a blue line along it. Fold it the other way and repeat.
“When you’re finished, you have a cross in the centre,” said Flo, adding that’s where the embroidery will go.
A design is selected — either from their catalogue or one the customer provides — and the linen is placed over the pattern for tracing. Flo uses a light table at home and a washable ink pen to do the tracing. Then it’s ready for embroidery, once those blue stitch lines are removed.
When the embroidery is complete, it’s time for another laundering and ironing, and delivery to the customer.
While the group meets and sews each week, much of the work is done at home.
White-on-white embroidery design
Output
Lucy’s produces altar linens for the diocese, and as time and hands permit, they take on projects from elsewhere, even from as far away as the United States on occasion. They made four altar cloths for the Cathedral’s mission to a church in Belize, for example.
In an average year, the group will produce 40-50 purificators, five corporals, five fair linens, two credence cloths and two stiff palls. Turn around time is two months to several months, depending on the workload.
“We have a waiting list and we just do it as we go,” said Jean.
White-on-white embroidery design
Their price list hasn’t changed in a long time. A purificator is $12.50; a fair linen (altar cloth) is about $250. The latest roll of linen cost $306 Cdn, and fortunately, church linens are duty-free.
Their profits are donated to a variety of charitable causes.
Just a spark
Repair of altar linens is a tricky business. If a stitch is loose on a hem, it can be mended. But if it’s a hole in the cloth, its usefulness has ended.
“Traditionally we don’t mend altar linens,” said Ann. “There can be no broken threads on the altar. The only exception is hems.”
That’s why it’s important to snuff a candle, not blow it out. A spark can make a hole, and the only method of disposal is to burn it.
Lucy McNeill in an undated magazine article
Lucy’s origins
In an earlier era, ecclesiastical embroidery involved silk and gold threads on silk cloth. Some churches in the diocese still have these treasures. Now, however, the work of Lucy’s is white on white — white thread on white linen.
Ann, though, had the privilege of restoring Margaret Medley’s colourful embroidered frontals at Trinity Church in Dorchester about five years ago.
“The whole tradition started with Margaret Medley,” said Ann. “By the time she was in the country 12 months, she had started an altar guild.”
Photos of Margaret Medley’s embroidery
Margaret was the wife of Bishop John Medley.
Lucy’s Sewing Group, though, is not part of an altar guild. The roots of this group lie with Lucy McNeill, a somewhat stern but gifted embroiderer who lived next door to Cathedral Memorial Hall.
“Lucy was a rather formidable person,” said Ann. “People don’t realize she was very keen to get small group sewers going in our parishes. Lucy has had a terrific impact.”
Lucy once wrote a front-page article for Embroidery Canada, after which the magazine asked her to continue contributing.
Her answer: ‘I am not at all interested in domestic embroidery.’
She did, however, author a 32-page book called Sanctuary Linens, Choosing, Making and Embroidering, published by the Anglican Book Centre in Toronto in 1975. Two editions were published, but it’s rare to find one these days.
Some in the current group worked with Lucy.
“We were doing this work under her helpful hand and met at her house once a week,” said Ann. “We just kept on afterwards.”
Lucy died several years ago.
New members welcome
Jean was recruited about 15 years ago by the dean’s wife.
“She said, ‘You sew. Why don’t you join Lucy’s group?’ I didn’t know what Lucy’s group was.”
Diane Radford is one of the group’s younger members. She has a unique perspective as a member of the sanctuary guild.
“I find it interesting to see the other side of it,” she said. “You have no idea of the work that goes into it until you see this.”
While some might think the embroidery is too intricate or difficult, it’s a craft that can be learned, and the women at Lucy’s are eager to share it. They eagerly welcome new members. And because this group is senior in age, they understand the importance of recruitment.
To contact the group, call Cathedral Memorial Hall: 450-8500.
Many will remember the 2005 Cathedral Photo Directory. A directory is a useful tool to bring the family of God together as we come to know one another more fully. In 2005, Universal Studios was chosen to facilitate its creation. Once again, Universal will help us become closer. Its a win/win as they have the opportunity to market portraits to those who wish to purchase them while every participant receives a free directory.
Update Our 27 September – 01 October booking times have been filled. Additional sittings will be available at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 603 Union Street, (Northside) Fredericton, NB. Book online or contact Universal Portrait Studios to make an appointment.
This message was sent to the congregation outlining the details:
Universal Portrait Studios has been engaged to produce a Church Directory for Christ Church Cathedral. Over the next two weeks, if they haven’t heard from you first, they will contact the congregation to set up photo appointments beginning September 27th and running through to October 1st.
It has been several years since our last directory was published and based on feedback from that time, we have decided to include contact information for those who wish. You will be given the option to have photo, name(s) and contact information or just photo and name(s). Many members felt that the Directory would prove a more useful tool if contact information was included. All congregation members will receive a copy of the Directory. And, of course, portraits will be available for purchase if desired.
A sample of photos and Directory content has been placed at the back of the Cathedral. In addition, the Sunday Bulletin for September 11th will include a bookmark from Universal which provides some relevant information, including convenient ways to make an appointment by toll free phone: 1-888-769-7339 or by BOOKING ONLINE.
We encourage you to participate and look forward to having this updated communication tool available to everyone!
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday evening, 19 September with ten of thirteen members present. Minutes of the June meeting were adopted. The Dean shared a reflection on leadership culture.
Business Arising
• Employment – David Drinkell began as Director of Music (half-time) on 17 July. Adam Lewis began as Sexton (full-time) on 25 July. Kathleen Snow began as Parish Nurse (half-time) on 01 September.
• Lay Administrators – Permission received from the Bishop for lay administrators of the chalice during worship and the reserved sacrament at home
• Hall Front Steps – Repair requirements have been considered and should begin this week.
• Chapter vacancies – Christian Formation: Bonnie Greenwood is nominated. Buildings and Property: vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Garland – nomination is in progress
• Piano – The Baldwin piano at the Cathedral has been purchased
• Offering Counting Procedures – a new process was initiated on 18 September which better follows diocesan recommended procedures and controls
From the Dean
• Worship and prayer leadership – the daily office is being said Monday – Friday 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m.. Administrators of home communion are functioning in their role
• Pastoral – Farraline Place and Windsor Court communion in September. Visits to hospitals, home visits and home communions. One funeral.
• To do’s – Server Guild startup and training; baptism preparation during October for November baptisms
Items for Decision
• Chapter membership – Bonnie Greenwood elected to fill the chair of Christian Formation with the Chapter’s thanks and appreciation.
Items for Discussion
• Leadership Culture – leadership “culture” is the habits, practices and assumptions made regarding how an organization operates. The Cathedral is currently operating with a “puppeteer leadership model,” with the assumption that the dean is the puppeteer. Leadership is facilitating the contributions of others. The Dean shared his frustration that he cannot change the culture single-handedly but that it does need to change if we are to become more spiritually mature both individually and corporately. Chapter members having a group with which to work in their particular area of ministry is critical – things happen when people get together. The Chapter will read “Divine Renovation” by James Mallon.
Reports
• Financial – the Treasurer sent income and expenses report for information. Expenses will return to normal monthly levels and as budgeted for the period September – December.
• Mission / Outreach – brief update on the challenges of refugee sponsorship project and Belize Mission support. Visit the missions committee website for information.
• Communications – gift items sold during August at the Cathedral. Photo directory project underway. (Universal Portrait Studios)
• Administration and Finance – Several policies have been drafted and await consideration and adoption
• Hospitality – some changes to a fall supper (30 October) being recommended.
Next meetings
17 October; 21 November; 19 December
At the end of this year Doug Milander will turn in his apron after 10 years as co-ordinator of the cathedral’s community kitchen ministry.
For well over a decade, the cathedral has supplied teams every Saturday evening year-round to help the cook from 4 until 6 p.m. with food preparation, serving the crowd, and doing the dishes.
“The shift is only two hours a month, the work isn’t difficult, and it’s rewarding to help people in need,” Doug said. “It’s a really busy place, and our help is appreciated.”
However, 10 years straight is a long time to give to a monthly volunteer activity. He’s also busy with the cathedral’s Monday morning drop-in for people in need, the food bank basket collection, and the Christmas Angels program. As well, he’s part of the core group assisting the Liberian refugee family to settle into Canadian life.
“It’s time to pass the torch,” Doug said, noting the co-ordinator’s duties would include recruiting team captains and team members this fall, developing a schedule for the year ahead, and reminding people of their commitments.
It’s time to pass the torch …
Currently, four teams help at the Saturday suppers in rotation. Each team has more than a dozen members, and four-to-six people are expected to cover the two-hour shift. Ideally, a person’s turn would only come up every couple of months.
In recent years, the cathedral congregation has not been able to provide enough volunteers. People from other denominations have joined all four cathedral teams which does add a nice social aspect to the work.
“I would be glad to meet with anyone interested in taking on this important volunteer opportunity,” he added. His number is (506) 455-3299.
CLEANING UP – Doug Milander, longtime co-ordinator of the cathedral’s community kitchen ministry, takes a break from doing dishes to pose with his wife Ann Deveau, one of the team captains, and Fan Liang, a graduate student from China who joined a cathedral team to help people in need.
The Safe Church regulation of the Diocese of Fredericton aims to ensure a working, learning and spiritual environment that is safe for all members of our communities. In our Bishop’s words “It is a matter of us getting our house in order.” The Safe Church training programme intends to reach these goals by systematically educating all church leaders and those who minister about the regulation, policies and standards held officially in the Diocese of Fredericton.
Both the implementation of standardized complaint procedures and the maintenance of Safe Church event standards are intended to allow for easy adoption throughout the diocese.
“Safe Church” means the protection of clergy, lay leaders and ministers, employees, volunteers, congregation members, families and visitors so that all may share ministry in a secure atmosphere.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Comprehensive training of the Safe Church regulation, policies and standards
Helpful forms and templates for ease of implementation
Knowledge of all complaint procedures
A variety of learning aids, including video, diagrams, quizzes and activities
Two delivery methods tailored for groups and individuals
Convenient Safe Church Event Checklist makes planning simple
Diocesan Safe Church Training Certificate after the program is completed
FACT OR FALLACY?
With Safe Church, we can never rent our hall again.
Fallacy! Under the Safe Church program, other community and church groups will still be able to rent the church hall. The community group will be asked to sign the “Agreement to Use a Diocesan Facility,” which maintains several Safe Church standards, and sets the conditions of use.
With Safe Church, we won’t be able to use our old buildings anymore.
Fallacy! Many of the older buildings may not meet complete safety standards, but will be required to update when future renovations take place. If an older facility does not include washrooms or emergency release doors, these standards need not be implemented unless the parish decides to make renovations, at which time the building should be brought up to standard. With Safe Church, we will not be able to maintain our programs for children or youth.
Fallacy! For most parishes, Safe Church should be easily implemented, with only minor changes such as the police record check, two adult standard and the open-room standard to ensure each program or ministry complies with the regulation. Safe Church has been designed to allow for a smooth, uncomplicated transition.
Safe Church is intended to prevent misconduct.
Fact! The Safe Church program is intended to create an environment of understanding and respect for all members of the church, by applying procedural and planning standards. This safe environment protects clergy and lay leaders in their ministry, as well as volunteers, employees, congregants, families and visitors.
TWO WAYS TO TAKE THE COURSE
Online: The online Safe Church programme allows (will allow) individuals to take training both on their own time and at their own pace. The online course involves five modules and quizzes that systematically provide an overview of the Safe Church regulation and, the course is completed on the participant’s schedule. The link to online training will be available here when available!
Group: The group Safe Church programme is for whole parishes/congregations or groups in which multiple people need the training and would prefer to participate together. The group course involves a two-hour presentation on the content of the Safe Church regulation, delivered by a diocesan Safe Church training team member, followed by a brief group activity that applies the information to potential scenarios.
It is suggested that most parishes/congregations offer initial group training on the regulation.
