Author Archive: Geoffrey Hall

Safe Church – a safer place to be

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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.

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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.

Diocesan Safe Church brochure
Diocesan Safe Church Regulation

Trusting the Call – Matt Allen August Newsletter

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What does it take for you to go somewhere you have never ever been before? For some people they become filled with fear and never want to go, others they just need the money and they are already on the plane, and others still just need to hear the voice of God and they will be there no matter what the barrier.

I had the privilege of going down to French Guiana at the end of July to celebrate the 20th anniversary of having an Inter-Varsity group (GBU) in French Guiana. In 1996 there was a group of university students from Martinique who came to French Guiana to plant a GBU in the second largest city, Kourou, and there were a bunch of bumps along the way but they knew that they were called their so they faithfully followed. Since then GBU in French Guiana has expanded to the other university in Cayenne and onto 3 different High schools. All of this has happened by the initiative of volunteers and students because there are currently no staff workers there.

1605_matt_allen_news1For me it was also my first time in French Guiana and it was a mixture of exciting and scary to go to a place where I did not really know anyone but I had heard so many good things about. For me, seeing the teaching that was there, the way in which they celebrated and my time interacting with students it was a strong confirmation that I am being told to go somewhere I haven’t really ever been before. I am stepping out in faith and I hoping and praying that my contributions can have the same impact as those first students had when they first got off the plane and started ministering on the University campus. But so far what I have seen is so encouraging.

Funding report

This past little while I have been back in Winnipeg and I have been able to fundraise the first 30% of my budget so in the next month I am aiming to get to 100% of my fundraising. I want to thank all of those people that have already supported me. If you or anyone you know would like to support the ministry of Inter-Varsity I would love to come and meet with you and tell you how that might be possible.

Matthew Allen

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August 2016 Newsletter in PDF format

Cathedral Faces – Isabelle and Keely Tour Guides 2016

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This summer we are pleased to have two young people in the congregation serve as our summer tour guides for July and August – Isabelle Gaudet and Keely Rutter.

Isabelle and Keely began their work at the beginning of July after having been trained by the Cathedral Verger, Hank Williams. They will be in at the Cathedral, Monday – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for guided tours until August 31. Tours are offered in both official languages (no small feat!). Comments by our visitors indicate they are doing more than just an outstanding job.

Besides the tours of the Christ Church Cathedral , they are also there to help tourists with information about other things to see in Fredericton, other historically significant features, great restaurants to visit, etc. They also help out with hospitality at the Friday noon-hour recital series.

We are indeed fortunate to have such talented young women as guides this year.

When asked for their opinion of their job, comments ranged from “It’s very interesting and fun,” to “I enjoy so much meeting people from all over the world.” We are indeed fortunate to have such talented young women as guides this year.

cathedralWhile some tourists arrive at the the Cathedral door with at least some knowledge of New Brunswick history and maybe even knowledge of the religious history of the Province, others enter into an entirely new and unknown world of our local past. Christ Church Cathedral and the influence of Bishop John Medley, who envisioned it, is “a profound and foundational component of our NB heritage,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall.

“As the Christian Church would seem to be losing its place and prominence in contemporary society, it is an even more important ministry of the proclamation of the Good News to maintain this visible sign of the place of God in our human story. And even more importantly, that we have these doors open to all: the faithful, the inquisitive, the seeker and the curious.”

Hank Williams

Liberian refugee family has arrived!

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With a violent civil war and years in a refugee camp behind them, Phillip, Esther, Arene and Catherine flew more than 10,000 kilometres from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to Brussels to Montreal to Fredericton this week. The long trip is only the start of their challenging journey.

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FIRST CANADIAN PICNIC – The Rev’d Rick Robinson and his wife Nancy took the refugee family from Liberia swimming and for a picnic at Woolastook Park on July 31. Pictured with them are Arene, Catherine, Esther and Phillip. The young people also enjoyed dancing to music at the event which was celebrating Black heritage in New Brunswick.

A smiling welcoming committee waved balloons, welcome signs and Canadian flags at the airport. Parishioners came from the cathedral, Christ Church Parish Church, St. Margaret’s, St. Mary (York), All Saints in Marysville and Anglican parishes around Gagetown. Four exhausted people who hadn’t slept for two nights looked bewildered by all the attention.

“They were overwhelmed, probably feeling as if they had landed on another planet, but we made them feel as welcome, safe and comfortable as we could,” said committee member Doug Milander from the cathedral. “When we drove up to the door of the apartment building and I said, “this is your home,” Phillip began to sob.

“I don’t know what he had expected, but he could not believe what was happening. By the time he saw the spacious rooms, homey furnishings, and all the food, he cried harder. He thanked us and shook our hands many times.”

Phillip’s wife Esther deplaned in an airline wheelchair and walks very haltingly with a cane. The teenaged children look healthy and were curious. Everything is new for them: 24/7 electricity, potable running water, modern bathrooms and appliances.

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Representatives of the Archdeaconry of Fredericton await Phillip, Esther, Arene and Catherine at Fredericton Airport on Wednesday.

“This is an incredible and emotional experience for everyone,” said Kelly Humber-Kelly from St. Margaret’s who completed much of the paperwork related to the refugee sponsorship. “Everyone on the committee thanks you for the prayers, funds, and donated items you have given to this project in the past several months.

“But it’s no longer a project. These are people with hopes and dreams, a family who needs our help and loving care to regain their independence and transition to a new life in Canada.”

Updates will be provided as events unfold for the family. Ongoing prayers are appreciated.

Ann Deveau

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Catherine and Arene

Waiting for the family

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On July 26th a family of four Liberians, who fled a civil war and who have been living in a refugee camp for six years, will board an airplane in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, and start winging their way toward Canada.

The family will find a clean, fully furnished, comfortable, bright, three-bedroom apartment waiting for them when they arrive in Fredericton July 27th. The cathedral and 10 Anglican parishes have been collecting funds, furniture and food for the family, comprised of Phillip Weah, Esther Gmah and teenaged children Arene and Catherine Gmah. A team from the cathedral, Christ Church Parish Church, St. Margaret’s, St. Mary’s York and All Saints (Marysville) has been working hard to move furniture and supplies, clean and set up the apartment. Congregations have been enormously generous in donating items. The refugee sponsorship committee expresses gratitude for the help and asks for ongoing prayer for the Liberian family.

k_and_r_schmidt_at_workWhen they arive they will be nervously stepping into a whole new world. They will receive a warm welcome from members of the Greater Fredericton Area Anglican Parishes, a refugee sponsorship committee representing 10 parishes and the cathedral.

“We have been praying, preparing and raising funds for many months in anticipation of the family’s arrival, but we have been given only two and a half weeks notice of the specific date,” said Archdeacon Patricia Drummond who speaks for the committee.

setup“We have a LOT to do before that time, the most urgent being to find a convenient, three-bedroom apartment for a reasonable rent into which we can move the many furniture items and supplies we have accumulated,” she said. “We also need to stock the apartment with groceries. And there is considerable paperwork to do and meetings to set up related to banking, documentation, language assessments, health care, and so on.”

She added that it will be helpful for the African newcomers because it is not the dead of winter, but it will be hectic for the organizers because it is summer when some volunteers are away on holidays.

“In speaking over a scratchy telephone line with the father of the family, I discovered that the family is Christian. We would have happily accepted any faith, but this does make things easier in a number of ways.”

In speaking over a scratchy telephone line with the father of the family, I discovered that the family is Christian …

Liberia is on the west coast of Africa

Liberia is on the west coast of Africa

The archdeacon sincerely thanked everyone for their donations and moral support. Prayers for the family will be very much appreciated.

“Some people have asked if they can still contribute financially, and the answer is yes because we must support this family for an entire year,” she noted. “People in the various parishes have been generous, but we do not yet have enough money to cover the whole year. Cheques can be made payable to Christ Church Parish Church, marking Refugee Fund on the memo line. Any contribution is welcome.”

The only remaining item needed on our 10-page list of furniture and supplies is a chair suitable to use at a computer desk. It does not have to be new but it does have to function.

“God has been very good to us as we prepare for the family, and we know He will watch over them on their long journey here,” Archdeacon Drummond concluded.

Ann Deveau

Community and Growth

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Community and Growth
By: Jean Vanier

Paulist Press / 1991 / Paperback / 331 pages
Darton Longman and Todd / 2006 / Hardcover / 352 pages

Jean Vanier has authored some 30 books that reflect the many causes and concerns that have come together to shape his life.  Educated in England, France and Canada, Vanier entered the Royal Naval College, in Dartmouth, England in 1942. Three years later he went to sea with the British Navy, later transferring to the Canadian Navy as an officer on the H.M.C.S. Magnificent. In 1950 he went to France to study philosophy and theology and earned a PhD from the Catholic University of Paris.  His doctoral dissertation explored Aristotle’s understanding of what constitutes true happiness.

While in France, Vanier, founded L’Arche in 1964.  “L’Arche” has become a global network of compassion, offering homes, personal care and support to people with developmental disabilities: www.larche.org.

Currently, l’Arche operates in some 150 communities in 35 countries on 5 continents. The mission of L’Arche is “…to make known the gifts of people with intellectual disabilities, working together toward a more human society.” Vanier continues to live as a member of the original L’Arche community, which is located in Trosly-Breuil, France.

His book, Community and Growth, serves as a kind of down-to-earth manual exploring the sacred potential of life in a faith community.  It’s packed with Vanier’s reflections on the challenges and opportunities of living authentically within a Christian community.  For folks who belong to a local church (or Cathedral) congregation, it may be helpful in reading this book to substitute Vanier’s use of the word “community,” with the word “church.”

Community and Growth speaks directly to the day to day realities and vulnerabilities of a church community. Originally written in French in 1979, various revised editions have been published in English over the years, the most recent in 2006.

Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a sign that we don’t need a lot of money to be happy–in fact, the opposite.

The idea of “community,” like the idea of “church” can mean different things to different people.  For those who have struggled with the problems and frustrations of community and/or church-life, this book is essential reading.  Vanier’s writing is neither theoretical prose, nor a lofty academic treatise.  Instead, his ideas are grounded by wisdom and insights gleaned at the front lines, after years dedicated to serving those less fortunate than himself.   Vanier writes that our faith communities should be places of acceptance and mission, marked by joy, compassion and celebration.

He refers to the “gift” and the “anti-gift” within community. Some see themselves as ‘saviours’. They may have the intelligence to understand and exploit the failings of community, but they can cause much hurt and damage, i.e. the anti-gift.  Vanier suggests that the proper way to come into community is to feel at ease there, to be ready to serve, and at the same time, to be respectful of the existing ethos and traditions. The gift of being available to serve, writes Vanier, can be modeled and shared in love, from one person to another. It nourishes the thinking heart and feeling mind of the community.

Quotes from Community and Growth:

“Community is a sign that love is possible in a materialistic world where people so often either ignore or fight each other. It is a sign that we don’t need a lot of money to be happy–in fact, the opposite.”

“One of the marvelous things about community is that it enables us to welcome and help people in a way we couldn’t as individuals. When we pool our strength and share the work and responsibility, we can welcome many people, even those in deep distress, and perhaps help them find self-confidence and inner healing.”

“When people love each other, they are content with very little. When we have light and joy in our hearts, we don’t need material wealth. The most loving communities are often the poorest. If our own life is luxurious and wasteful, we can’t approach poor people. If we love people, we want to identify with them and share with them.”

community_and_growth_front“Jesus is the starving, the parched, the prisoner, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the dying. Jesus is the oppressed, the poor. To live with Jesus is to live with the poor. To live with the poor is to live with Jesus.”

“If people in a community live only on the level of the human, rational, legalistic and active aspects and symbols of their faith – which give cohesion, security and unity – there is a serious risk of their closing in on themselves and of gradually dying. If, however, their religious faith opens up, on the one hand to the mystical – that is, to an experience of the love of God present in the community and in the heart of each person – and, on the other hand, to what unifies all human beings, especially the poor, the vulnerable and the oppressed, they will then continue to grow in openness.”

“Old age is the most precious time of life, the one nearest eternity. There are two ways of growing old. There are old people who are anxious and bitter, living in the past and illusion, who criticize everything that goes on around them. Young people are repulsed by them; they are shut away in their sadness and loneliness, shriveled up in themselves. But there are also old people with a child’s heart, who have used their freedom from function and responsibility to find a new youth. They have the wonder of a child, but the wisdom of maturity as well. They have integrated their years of activity and so can live without being attached to power. Their freedom of heart and their acceptance of their limitations and weakness makes them people whose radiance illuminates the whole community. They are gentle and merciful, symbols of compassion and forgiveness. They become a community’s hidden treasures, sources of unity and life. They are true contemplatives at the heart of community.”

More on Jean Vanier

Gregg Finley

NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival 2016

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NotaBle Acts is a theatre company dedicated to the development and production of new plays by aspiring and established New Brunswick dramatists. This focus can be seen even in their name; yes, the capital N and B in NotaBle Acts stand for New Brunswick!  The Cathedral is pleased to host “First Sight” written by our very own John Ball on July 24, 26 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.  Read more about NotaBle Acts Summer Theatre Festival.

Street Scenes: Three Site-Specific Plays

The three winners of NotaBle Acts’ 2016 call for site-specific plays will be performed promenade-style, with the audience viewing three short plays that take them on a walking tour of scenic locations in downtown Fredericton, starting at Christ Church Cathedral and ending in the historic Garrison district. Each play runs approximately 15-25 minutes. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on if you like, and dress for the weather and bring a raincoat or umbrella if threat of rain.

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John Ball

First Sight by John Ball. Audience members taking a tour of historic Christ Church Cathedral will get more than they bargained for when a romantic comedy springs into life around them.
Directed by Len Falkenstein and starring Melissa McMichael, Miguel Roy, Judy Lavigne, and Lucas Gutierrez-Robert.

More about John Ball At the University of New Brunswick

 

 

 

Ralph and Laura and the River Valley Promo by Gordon Mihan. Serial failed entrepreneur Ralph Lawrence and his sister, Laura, decide to give it once last shot, filming a commercial for his new venture, Lawrence of Arugula Boat Tours on the beautiful St. John.
Directed by Jesse LaPointe and starring Jean-Michel Cliche, Arianna Martinez, and Lee Thomas.

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Fort Faith by Jean-Michel Cliche. In a neglected corner of a colonial empire, two soldiers, one English, one French, continue to play out their historic grudge, long after their armies have forgotten and abandoned them.
Directed by Alexa Higgins and starring Ian Goff and Jesse LaPointe.

 

Street Scenes
Starting at Christ Church Cathedral, 168 Church Street
July 24, 26 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $12 Regular, $10 Senior/Underage, $7 Student
available at the door.

 

NotaBle Acts Theatre Festival web site
NotaBle Acts on Facebook

Bishop’s Pastoral – 13 July 2016

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A Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Fredericton Concerning Proposed Amendments to Canon XXI of the Anglican Church of Canada (The Marriage Canon). First Reading Carried at the Meeting of the General Synod Held in Toronto, July 7th – 12th 2016.

July 13, 2016

Dear Friends,

I have taken a day to reflect upon the events of the last two days of the General Synod before writing this letter to you. As you may have heard there was a good deal of confusion about the vote caused by an error with the voting coding. My first task is to explain that to you before I go to the implications of the passing of the motion.

Members of Synod discussed the amendments to Canon XXI on three separate occasions. On Friday evening there was an introduction to the Canon by various people which was followed by discussion in small groups. Then on both Saturday and Monday there were similar discussions in larger groups. Later on Monday the Synod began the formal debate and that evening a vote was taken.

In order for the motion to pass, a two thirds majority was required in each separate house of the Synod. This is the case because it is the changing of a Canon. As with our Diocesan Synod there are three houses: Laity, Clergy and Bishops. When the result was published on the floor of Synod it was found that the motion had passed by the required majority in the Houses of Laity and Bishops, but failed by less than 1% in the House of Clergy. There was then a motion brought to the floor to have the result “reconsidered” – that was denied after some discussion. Consequently, we left the floor of Synod on Monday evening thinking the motion had failed. You may have seen the media coverage.

The Synod voted using electronic means. During Tuesday’s business various questions were raised about the accuracy of the computer system. A motion was moved and carried for the printed record of who voted and how to be given to the Synod. Seven paper copies were provided and an electronic version was published on the Synod app for all members to access.

Two issues emerged from this process. Some votes in favour of the resolution in the House of Clergy had not been recorded. In the end it was another issue which caused the decision of the evening before to be overturned. Each member of Synod was given an electronic “clicker” to vote with. What was discovered was that a mistake had been made with the information given to the computer company for the coding of the “clicker” belonging to the Venerable Michael Thompson, the General Secretary of Synod. His code registered him as a non-voting member of clergy, rather than a voting member of the House of Clergy. His vote was then placed in the House of Clergy. This resulted in the two thirds threshold being reached in each house. As a result, the Amendments to Canon XXI were passed on first reading.

I am sorry for this long explanation, but I wanted to be sure that you understand what happened. My comment on this is that this was extremely difficult for all concerned. Those in favour of the change were deeply upset on Monday evening, as were many opposed when the change happened on Tuesday.

What are the implications for the Diocese of Fredericton? Firstly, I want to acknowledge that no matter which way the vote had gone there would have been hurt and there is now hurt for many who are opposed to the changes. I also fully understand that we are not united as a Diocese on this matter and we need to listen to each other. I am the Bishop to everyone in the Diocese and will make myself available to you as I am able. That being said, I will be on Vacation from Wednesday July 20th until August 13th.

What we all need to appreciate is that the changes to Canon XXI have not finally been approved by the General Synod – that cannot happen until its second reading in 2019, the next scheduled meeting. Until then all Dioceses have been asked to enter into a study of same sex marriage in preparation for 2019. It is my intent to enable this to happen. As it is, the Marriage Canon of our Church remains unchanged.
It is my plan that there will be a meeting of the members of our Synod in the Fall (probably September) and details of this will be made known as soon as they are available. As your Bishop I will not authorize same sex marriages in this Diocese during the next 3 years in line with the requirements of the General Synod resolution.

As those of you who watched the “live stream” of the debate will know, I spoke against the motion and you should know I voted against it. I wish you all to understand that I voted as I did for two reasons: my understanding of the nature of Marriage; and my concerns for some of our indigenous peoples and allied to this, issues around the Anglican Communion.

As a pastor it is my belief that everyone should be included in the life of our Church and I have to say that at a personal level I am still coming to terms with the implications of all that has happened this week. I will be better able to comment when I have had more time for further reflection.

As you are aware during my short episcopacy I have tried to help us all to concentrate on matters of mission. I still believe we have to do this and it is my intention to redouble our efforts. I would ask those who feel uncomfortable (there are people both in favour and opposed to the changes) to bear with us. We do not know what the future holds and I ask that we stay together for the sake of the Gospel.

I want to thank our General Synod delegates for their diligence both before and during Synod. We spent a good deal of time together and were very supportive of each other in sometimes trying circumstances.

I ask that we now turn to prayer as we discern ways forward. It is the only place where I think we can go. Jesus is Lord!

In His Name,

+David Fredericton

Cathedral Faces – The Decken/Lazaris Family

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The Decken/Lazaris family consisting of Dad – Andreas, Mom – Roula and 14 year old Hannah worship at 11:45 a.m. on Sundays. After searching around for a home Church as newcomers to Fredericton, a good friend suggested that they might enjoy “11:45 at the Cathedral” and they’ve been regulars ever since.

Andreas came to Canada from Germany in 1987 as part of a student exchange program at McMaster University. He loved the Canadian experience so much that he went home, finished his degree and headed back to McMaster to do his PhD in chemistry. Andreas and Roula, met at the Hamilton Sailing Club where Roula, who was living and working in Toronto, frequently sailed with her sister and brother-in-law. They were engaged before the PhD was completed! After a 2 year stint in Austin, Texas doing a post-doctorate fellowship, Andreas accepted a position at University of New Brunswick. He is in his 21st year at UNB and currently holds the position as Assistant Dean in Science and Associate Professor in Chemistry.

You can breathe now, Andreas!

hannah_dekenNowadays, there are many young families and toddlers at 11:45 but when baby Hannah started attending, she was pretty much the only child! She went on to become the first little one to actively join in the worship music as she danced in the aisles! Then, when she was about six years old, she became the first little one to help prepare for Communion at the credence table assisting then Dean Keith Joyce. Andreas recalls the first day tiny Hannah was allowed to hold the chalice! “I was sure that she was going to drop it and only realized how nervous I was when Gregg Finley poked me in the back and said, “You can breathe now, Andreas!”

Hannah has been able to pass on the reins both for helping with Communion and dancing in the aisles. At almost 15 years old, she is more likely to be found at the back of the Church helping out with the toddlers!

Hannah, Roula and Andreas have been residents of Douglas for 18 years and members of Christ Church Cathedral since 1998.