Cathedral Pewtersmiths just keep on giving

Posted on July 3, 2016July 13, 2016

The Cathedral Pewtersmiths officially ended their long association at the Cathedral in June 2016, with the presentation of a cheque to Dean Geoffrey Hall. President Charles Davies was pleased to present $11,896.13 during the Guild of St. Joseph summer BBQ event on June 9^th,.2016 This represented the final installment of the more than $120,000 the group has donated over the years to the Cathedral Restoration Fund.

Christ Church Cathedral Pewter

The Cathedral Pewtersmiths began in the mid 1980’s with a generous donation of seed money from Dr. Ivan Crowell and Canon Hubie Drillon. With that money they bought the equipment and installed it in the basement of the Cathedral Memorial Hall. With close instructions from Dr. Crowell, a small group of dedicated members of the congregation began their little business with the promise to donate $7500 to the Restoration Fund. They were more than successful in their endeavours!

Designs with many motifs borrowed from inside the Cathedral and stained glass windows, were drawn and sent to Saint John where a master mold was prepared of rubber. Then the pewter was melted and cast in Fredericton. Many helpers worked with the designs grinding and polishing them in their homes by hand. It was a dedicated group that not only helped design and make the ornaments, bookmarks, jewellery and other items but, they also sold the pieces at the back of the Cathedral, at Craft Shows at the University of New Brunswick, at the Delta Hotel and even in St. Andrews NB. Many pieces

Charles Davies examines pewter

were personally engraved in English, French, Dutch, Greek, German and Chinese, according to the wishes of tourists. This illustrates the wide distribution of the valued pieces from the Pewtersmiths around the world. Many thanks for all the efforts through the years of such a dedicated and successful group.

The president, Charles Davies, has led an interesting and varied life. Born in Quebec City, Canada, his family moved to Wales when he was very young. Educated in England, he spent many years in Guyana. That is where he met his wife, Jean. They were married in 1963. They came to Canada in 1971, expecting to live in Vancouver. However after friends gave them a tour of the Maritimes, they settled in Moncton. In 1985, they moved to Fredericton where Charles sold computers. The Cathedral has become their church home where both Jean and Charles are active members, contributing much to the life of the Cathedral.

Diocesan Open House

Posted on June 28, 2016July 9, 2016

The “Open House” on 19 June 2016 was a success! A first for the Diocese, the event offered a counter-balance to the reality of recent annual Synods where it has become difficult to provide a venue for diocesan groups and ministries to tell their story. Pleasingly, Christ Church Cathedral contributed well, with several displays by Cathedral groups and ministries.

Doris Norman and Diane Rayworth host the Cathedral Matters display

Included from the Cathedral: the Guild of St. Joseph, Cathedral Quilters, Parish Nursing (with a diocesan emphasis), the Cathedral Matters and Lucy’s Sewing Group. Of course many others from around the diocese, some of which are also recognized Cathedral ministries, took advantage of the opportunity. Tours were offered of the Cathedral, the Synod Office, Bishop’s Court and Discipleship House and Farraline Place. It was a glorious weather day and considered all in all a great success.

Charles Davies at the display for the Guild of St. Joseph

“Anglicans are not very good at telling our stories,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall. “Perhaps its the humility that is such a hallmark of the Anglican faith. We just want to serve, and seldom are we looking for credit for the enormously significant ways in which we serve our Lord. That’s a good thing. We’re not looking for credit. But not telling others about the good things God is doing through us leaves us diminished. We find ourselves feeling down because more is not happening. Plenty is happening. Not all that could be, but much. Its important for us to find a balance between a healthy witness and being the servants we are intent on being.”

View the Cathedral Facebook Open House Album with photographs from the day. Read the 28 June eNews story — “Open House draws a crowd.”

Plans being made for refugee family from Liberia

Posted on June 27, 2016July 11, 2016

The Archdeaconry of Fredericton refugee sponsorship committee has been waiting for months to bring a Syrian refugee family to Fredericton. A couple weeks ago we were advised that the backlog of applications is now so large (thousands!) that it would be well into 2017 before we could even think of being matched with a Syrian family.

It’s disappointing. However, there are literally millions of other refugees, some of whom have been waiting in crowded camps for years. We were told that, if we would agree to sponsor an African family instead, it could take only a few more weeks or months before they would step off the plane in Fredericton.

Liberia is on the west coast of Africa

The committee, made up of 10 parishes and the cathedral, prayed, discussed and decided to help a family of four from Liberia in West Africa now, instead of waiting until 2017 for a Syrian family. Our application is being reviewed by the federal government, and we are waiting for news.

We have a few details: the father is Phillip, age 47, who has worked as a farm hand; his wife is Esther, age 50, a trader, probably selling fruit, fish or charcoal in an outdoor market; her children are a son, Arene, age 19, and a daughter, Catherine, age 16.

The family profile does not indicate how long they have been living in the refugee camp, situated in the neighbouring country of Côte d’Ivoire. Knowing there have been two civil wars in Liberia, we suspect it might be years. The parents have been subjected to violence and torture.

We do not yet know their religion, but the file says they can speak English and French plus their native language called Grebo. Their educational levels are very low, especially given the ages of the children. Conditions in the camp are not good concerning health care, dental care, education, etc.

If our application succeeds, it will be a huge challenge for this family to adapt to life in Canada.

If our application succeeds, it will be a huge challenge for this family to adapt to life in Canada. Think of our weather (the average annual temperature in Liberia is 28C!), the different culture here, their lack of education, and limited work experience. It is possible that they may never have enjoyed 24/7 electricity, running water, and all the amenities we take for granted. Life here may be overwhelming for them.

That is why the committee continues to prepare to welcome and help them. Financial donations have reached about $22,000 — we need $30,000 to look after them for one year. Thanks to you, donations of furnishings are going extremely well. (See list of remaining items sought.)

The Missions Committee at the cathedral will keep you posted on the progress of the archdeaconry’s application. Please pray for this refugee family and for our efforts to bring them out of violence and misery to a safe home in peaceful Canada.

FURNISHINGS LIST (remaining items needed as of June 22, 2016)

LIVING ROOM – modern TV (not the heavy, old, tube-type)
MISCELLANEOUS – chair for computer desk

Items can be dropped off at Cathedral Memorial Hall during business hours.

If you wish to help support the family, you can provide a cheque, payable to Christ Church Parish Church, noting Refugee Fund on the memo line. The treasurer at that church is maintaining an account on behalf of all the parishes taking part in the sponsorship.

Ann Deveau

Cathedral Faces – Sally Dibblee

Posted on June 26, 2016March 4, 2017

Critically acclaimed soprano Sally Dibblee graciously agreed to a recent interview

Sally has enjoyed a career of twenty years in opera houses and concert halls throughout North America. Born in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Sally now lives in Fredericton with her husband, Chris Lynn, and two sons, Robbie and Patrick. They attend Christ Church Cathedral.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Mount Allison University and received a Diploma in Operatic Studies from the University of Toronto, where she studied with the wonderful Canadian soprano Lois Marshall. She was a member of the Opera Ensemble of the Canadian Opera Company and had her main stage debuts with the Canadian Opera Company in the roles of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi and Musetta in La Boheme.

Sally is active as an adjudicator in the Maritimes both at regional and provincial levels and gives frequent vocal master classes across Canada. Sally is featured on an ECMA 2007 nominated disc with the Saint John String Quartet and on Le Souvenir, Canadian Songs for Parlour and Stage with acclaimed baritone Russell Braun.

This very busy lady talked about the influence that the Anglican Parish of Woodstock has had on her life and career. Growing up, she was a member of the choir from an early age, and she even played the pump organ each Sunday during her high school years, at Christ Church Woodstock, on the St. John River. Our own Bill Turney was one of her mentors.

Sally frequently attended the summer Diocesan Choir School, which was for several years held at Camp Medley. The closing Evensong of Choir School in those days was always held at the Christ Church Cathedral, and again, Bill Turney was there!

Years later, after marriage to Chris Lynn (whom she met at Mount Allison), and two sons, her career took off. She was living in Toronto, and Chris was a “stay-at-home Dad.” They decided that it would be better for their little family to return to the Maritimes to live. Chris now has a successful banking career with President’s Choice Financial (PC Bank).

When it came time to choose a church home, the Cathedral was “a natural.” She already knew Bill, and had sung there with the Choir School. Immediately, she and Chris knew that they had made a good choice as everyone was friendly and supportive.

Both Robbie and Patrick were members of the Cathedral Treble choir: Robbie while Michael Capon was Director of Music and, Patrick with Dr. Willis Noble. “They loved it,” says Sally. As a result of this influence, (and the genes helped) both have continued their interest in singing, taking part in Calithumpians, school and university choirs (Robbie), and GODSPELL, (both boys), produced at the Cathedral recently with Willis Noble and Terry Pond. Patrick was a Cathedral tour guide during the summer of 2015, and currently has shown strong talents in stage management at Fredericton High School and with Theatre New Brunswick.

Robbie and Patrick have been both choristers and camp counsellors at Choir School, for several years now hosted again at Rothesay Netherwood School. They say that “It would be a good idea for teams of former Choir School choristers to go out to their local areas and tell about the wonderful times there, and maybe even show some videos to prove it!” The enthusiasm is contagious. “Many just don’t know what they’re missing!”

Sally is herself had slightly different sort of summer recently, playing the lead in a Broadway play at the St. Andrews Summer Theatre in St. Andrews, NB. Written by Stephen Temperley, “Souvenir” is a comedy of the vocally challenged diva Florence Foster Jenkins.

Sally and Chris are thankful for the congregation and staff at Christ Church Cathedral for the marvelous feeling of family and support they have experienced over the years. All is a positive influence.

Bishop and Chapter News – Jun 2016

Posted on June 26, 2016June 26, 2016

Bishop and Chapter met this past Monday with nine of 13 members present. Minutes of the May meeting were adopted.

Business Arising

• Employment – letters being finalized for Director of Music and Parish Nurse. Sexton permanent full-time position currently being advertised with applications closing 04 July
• Hall Front Steps – No update on repair
• Chapter vacancy – (Christian Formation) still in process.
• Piano – option of some funds from a recent bequest proposed

From the Dean

• Daily Offices – Reading of Morning Prayer (8:45 a.m.) and Evening Prayer (4:45 p.m.) at the Cathedral Monday to Friday began 20 June with the assistance of 14 volunteer leaders. Scheduling by way of VolunteerSpot
• Home Communions – 6 lay administrators received initiation
• Cathedral Piano – purchase will be negotiated this week
• Pastoral – Farraline Place and Windsor Court communions. Visits to hospitals, home visits and home communions.
• Vacation – 08 – 21 August 2016

Items for Decision

• Bishop’s Permission for Lay Administration of the Chalice: Lois Baker, Jim Clowater, Isabel Cutler, Gwen Davies, Tom Fetter, Sally Grace, Bonnie Greenwood, Victoria Hachey, Kelley Hall, Gayle Hanson, Dalton London, John Macaulay, Sarah Petite, Keith Radford, Geoffrey Richard, Catherine Schmidt, Doreen Smith, Kathleen Snow, Chris Stevenson, Barbara Toole, James Waugh, Henry (Hank) Williams.
• Bishop’s Permission for Lay Administration of Home Communions: Lois Baker, Isabel Cutler, Dalton London, John Macaulay, Harry Palmer, Kathleen Snow

Items for Discussion

• Member Visitation – Jamie Yeamans presented a draft report outlining results of the questionnaire, conclusions and recommendations. Consensus is that it was welcome and worthwhile, and should be done more often. Summary to web site this month.

Reports

• Treasurer – reported that our income and expenditures to the end of May of 2016 compare favourably to 2015 – offerings are up 3.6% over the same period a year ago, and normal expenditures are down 7.5%, in large part due to a staffing vacancy. She also stated that two reviews are underway: one dealing with insurance and the other dealing with the security and recording of weekly offerings and other cash receipts – from their receipt to deposit in the bank.
• Mission / Outreach – all signs point to an early arrival of an archdeaconry-sponsored refugee family.
• Communications – reported that they will be purchasing various Cathedral-related mementoes and gifts items (eg note cards, post cards, photos, puzzles, coffee mugs, etc) for resale in the Cathedral during tourist season and on into the fall.
• Health and Pastoral Care – Chris Stevenson has agreed to assume the chair of the Health Ministry Team

Next meetings

22 August (if necessary)
19 September
17 October

GMH

Sexton Required

Posted on June 16, 2016July 2, 2016

Sexton at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB
Permanent full-time position, 40 hours per week
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

Definition: This is custodial work in the cleaning and care of Christ Church Cathedral and the Memorial Hall. Work involves maintaining assigned premises in a clean and orderly condition with the goal of institutional health and safety. Minor repairs as required. Duties include sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and scrubbing floors, waxing and polishing floors and furniture, cleaning washrooms, cleaning windows, lights, walls and maintaining the cleanliness of the kitchen. Work also involves shoveling snow, removing ice from entrances at both facilities, mowing lawns, routine preventative maintenance, maintaining fire safety equipment and generally assuring access and security of both facilities. Duties also include setting up/taking down for special functions held at the Church and at the Hall as required. The successful candidate will report to the Dean of Fredericton with performance assessed on an ongoing basis. Other related responsibilities may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications: Completion of Grade 12 and a minimum of three years’ experience in custodial and maintenance work; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Strong interpersonal skills, good communications skills and a comprehensive knowledge of the Diocese of Fredericton and Cathedral policies specific to the job function are required.

To Apply: A completed application, including resume and covering letter may be sent by email or surface mail. Application deadline is 04 July 2016

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A criminal reference check consistent with the Safe Church Policy of the Diocese of Fredericton will be required.

Sexton Search Committee
Christ Church Cathedral
168 Church Street
Fredericton NB E3B 4C9
(506) 450-8500
christchurchcathedral.com
search [@] christchurchcathedral.com

The diocese, demystifed

Posted on June 14, 2016June 18, 2016

You’re invited to the open house on Saturday

Sandra Craft had a mission when she became part of Diocesan Council: take some of the mystery out of diocesan affairs. The best way she could think of was to hold an open house.

Sandra is the vice-chair of Diocesan Council, which will host an open house on Saturday, June 18, from 2-4 p.m. Visitors are welcome to tour Christ Church Cathedral, visit the synod office and Bishop’s Court, and take in mission and ministry displays …

Read “the diocese, demystified”

Let Your Life Speak

Posted on June 11, 2016June 26, 2016

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

By Parker J. Palmer
Jossey-Bass / 2000 / 117 pages

Parker Palmer is an author, educator, and activist who writes about teaching, life in community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is the founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage & Renewal, based in Seattle, USA. couragerenewal.org. Palmer is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

This book is constructed around a searching question: “Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?” With this, Parker Palmer begins a thoughtful meditation on finding one’s true calling. Let Your Life Speak is a candid reflection on how to find truth and fulfillment while living authentically amid the complexities of the 21^st century. No matter how lofty a person’s intentions may be, Palmer argues that vocation comes from listening to and accepting the “true self,” with its limits as well as its potentials.

Every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.

Palmer’s career trajectory has taken him from earning a Ph.D. in sociology; to serving as community organizer in Washington, D.C.; to living in Pendle Hill, a Quaker commune, for a decade; to his present-day work as a writer, consultant, and traveling teacher. He shares that he has been able to refine his understanding of life-choices by various experiences such as quitting seminary, getting fired from a job, and dealing with a bout of severe depression. Telling stories from his own life and the lives of others, he shares insights gained from seasons of darkness as well as times of personal fulfillment and joy.

Writing with compelling vulnerability, Palmer helps illuminate positive pathways for those seeking to find their true calling; their vocation. Parker Palmer’s writing is like a walk through a sunny forest glade – fresh, lucid and live-giving. He gives the reader valuable insights for the journey forward. Let Your Life Speak will be of interest to those with serious questions about their future direction. “Vocation is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be received.”

Selected quotes from Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak:

“If we lived close to nature in an agricultural society, the seasons as metaphor and fact would continually frame our lives. But the master metaphor of our era does not come from agriculture – it comes from manufacturing. We do not believe that we ‘grow’ our lives – we believe that we ‘make’ them. Just listen to how we use the word in everyday speech: we make time, make friends, make meaning, make money, make a living, make love.”

“Every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.”

“Before I can tell my life what I want to do with it, I must listen to my life telling me who I am.”

“Each time a door closes, the rest of the world opens up.”

“Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.”

“But if I am to let my life speak things I want to hear, things I would gladly tell others, I must also let it speak things I do not want to hear and would never tell anyone else! My life is not only about my strengths and virtues; it is also about my liabilities and my limits, my trespasses and my shadow. An inevitable though often ignored dimension of the quest for ‘wholeness’ is that we must embrace what we dislike or find shameful about ourselves as well as what we are confident and proud of.”

“Our strongest gifts are usually those we are barely aware of possessing. They are a part of our God-given nature, with us from the moment we drew first breath, and we are no more conscious of having them than we are of breathing.”

Gregg Finley

Home Sweet Home

Posted on June 10, 2016June 13, 2016

Spin the globe. Halfway around the world sits a refugee family dreaming of a better, safer life.

Spin the globe again. People from 11 parishes in the archdeaconry of Fredericton are collecting furniture and housewares to fill that family’s apartment here.

At this point, neither knows anything specific about the other, nor do they know when they will finally meet and start working together on the transition to a new life in Canada.

HELPING HANDS – Wendy Smith (at right), a parishioner from St. Margaret’s Anglican, delivers household goods donated by the congregation for the Syrian refugee family who will be sponsored by the archdeaconry. St. Margaret’s is kindly covering all items in the bathroom and personal supplies categories of a long list of furniture and supplies. Ann Deveau (at left) from the cathedral will put the items into storage until the family arrives in Fredericton. The timing is unknown because the archdeaconry is on a waiting list to choose a family.

Having met its self-imposed national target of 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of February, the federal government has slowed its processing of refugee applicants. This is frustrating for potential sponsors. Patience and prayer will be needed in the coming months until a match is made.

While waiting for the bureaucracy to grind its wheels, committee members are raising funds (as of May 1st, donations now stand at $20,030.83), researching apartment prices, finding Arabic interpreters, looking for a doctor and dentist, learning which foods will be needed in a Syrian pantry, getting cross-cultural training, and so on.

Parishioners have asked how they can help the family. Some donations have already arrived and are being stored in the basement of Cathedral Memorial Hall, such as area rugs, desk, bed, floor lamp, coffee table, toaster oven, coffee maker, bedding, sets of cutlery and dishes, coat hangers, and much more.

One parish offered to supply everything needed to outfit a bathroom as well as all the personal supplies.

As the exact composition of the family is unknown, some questions cannot be answered now. Will we need bunk beds? A crib? Dolls and art supplies for wee ones?

Curtains or blinds will be needed, but what size will the windows be in the apartment to be rented later? Some items will just have to wait!

However, here is a list of things most likely required. If you can donate any of these items (clean, in good condition and in working order, please), e-mail Doug Milander and Ann Deveau <amdrm at nbnet.nb.ca> or call (506) 455-3299.

Drop-off and/or pick-up dates can be arranged later this spring. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Don MacPherson helps move articles for short term storage

As of 10 June …

LIVING ROOM – modern TV (not the heavy, old, tube-type)

BEDROOMS – mattress and boxspring for a single bed, mattress and boxspring for a 54-inch bed, 3 waste baskets

DINING/KITCHEN – 4 kitchen chairs, hand mixer, muffin tin

MISCELLANEOUS – chair for computer desk, radio, alarm clock, wall clock, paper/pens/pencils, 3 umbrellas, combs and brushes

HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES – broom and dustpan, sponge mop, bucket, laundry detergent, cleaning rags, cleanser, toilet paper, paper napkins, recycling bin, freezer bags, garbage bags

Ann Deveau

What’s new with Belize? – June 2016

Posted on June 9, 2016June 23, 2022

Visit the Cathedral Missions site

Belize occupies not only a chunk of land in Central America, but also a special spot in the hearts of dozens of people from the cathedral who took part in mission trips there in 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2013.

“Our work as a church is to reach out and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ,” says Beverly Morell who led the four mission teams. “Belize is a wonderful example of one important way we do just that!”

Although a cathedral team has not gone south recently — largely due to the falling Canadian dollar which made the trip much too expensive — connections between the cathedral and a tiny Anglican parish in Belize continue.

Education is so important for these young people as is a well-equipped school …

For example, approximately $2,000 is sent annually to help St. Hilda’s Anglican School. It’s an elementary school (pop. 200) in a poor area in western Belize where three of the teams volunteered. The funds pay for school supplies as well as badly needed repairs such as fixing broken toilets and gaping holes in classroom ceilings.

Earth Day posters in Belize

The money for school supplies, including books, printer ink cartridges, paper and coloured pencils, is appreciated by the teachers. For example, it meant that the children had plentiful materials to work with when creating the Earth Day posters pictured here.

Another aspect of the relationship is assistance for higher education. In Belize free education stops at Grade 8. Many families live below the poverty line and cannot afford to send their children to high school. Former missioners and other donors have helped put several St. Hilda’s graduates through high school: Ashley Jones, Amieka Myers, Anfernee Vasquez, Jamal Whitty and Tianney Lamb.

Also thanks to donors from the cathedral family, three students from St. Hilda’s are currently attending high school: Aaliyah Augustine, Paul Jones and Anique Hernandez. Paul explains why the financial support and encouragement mean so much to him: “I come from a poor family, but I want to show other children like me that it doesn’t matter where you came from, you can still achieve the goal you set your mind on.”

Earth Day 2016 at St. Hilda’s

Originally, it cost $700 CDN per year per student, but the decline of our dollar means that it now costs $1,000 CDN annually per student. Although the existing students will be supported until graduation, unfortunately a high school scholarship cannot be offered to a St. Hilda’s graduate in 2016.

A couple years ago other donors at the cathedral kindly pooled resources to send two of the high school graduates to college. Although Anfernee Vasquez dropped out after a year, Amieka Myers intends to graduate with an associate in education certificate in 2017.

“Education is so important for these young people as is a well-equipped school,” says Brad McKnight, treasurer of the cathedral’s Missions Committee. “Our committee is considering a fund-raiser in late fall or early winter to make sure the financial support remains solid well into the future. Stay tuned for news about specific plans and for opportunities to volunteer.”

By Ann Deveau

Read the June 2016 letter from Principal Jane Martinez

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