Author Archive: Kirsten McKnight

Outreach continues with health precautions

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Doug Milander in the early days of the pandemic, with a mask outdoors handing out gift cards and bus tickets.

It's a challenging time for the Cathedral's Outreach Committee. The number of people-in-need is ticking upwards, the weather is getting chillier, and COVID-19 is still lurking around many corners.

“Our average number of guests for Monday Morning Outreach has always been 40-ish in past years, but we're routinely seeing 50-to-60 people a month throughout 2023,” Outreach Committee treasurer Doug Milander said.

“We've noticed that more families with small kids are coming, more newcomers to Canada, even international students,” he said. “Rising inflation, high grocery prices, steep rents have been taking a toll on everybody. We hear a lot of sad stories.”

Volunteer Mary Lou Cotter packs goodie bags.

He added that people really appreciate what's offered with a smile: a $10 gift card for a supermarket, some non-perishable groceries, a goodie bag with homemade treats and fresh fruit, free used clothing and toiletries.

The committee is blessed with a good budget from the cathedral coffers, donations from some individuals as well as from New Maryland United Church, and a steady supply of fresh fruit from St. Margaret's Anglican Church.

A kind-hearted squad of cathedral members bakes cookies and muffins, or makes sandwiches, for the goodie bags. “People are so good, and we're more than grateful for the help,” Doug noted.

What was once normal for Monday Morning Outreach: a room buzzing with people chatting, live music, and plenty of food served buffet style.

The committee thought the pandemic would be truly over by now so that indoor, buffet-style gatherings could resume for the guests who enjoy the chance to get out of the cold and socialize.

“New mutations of the virus keep popping up, and hospitalizations are rising again lately,” Doug said. “We hesitate to revert to a sit-down event because we want to keep our volunteers and guests as safe as possible.”

Local blogger Charles LeBlanc with then-parish nurse Kathleen Snow who offered blood pressure and glucose testing for guests.

He notes that the number of volunteers has already dwindled. Some folks who participated regularly have died, fallen ill, left the cathedral during the pandemic and never returned, or found other priorities. The parish nurse was also a valued aspect of the Monday gatherings, and now there is none.

- by Ann Deveau

If you would like to help prepare food or volunteer to help on the last Monday of the month, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.

Diocese welcomes new clergy with an orientation day

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What’s it like working in the Diocese of Fredericton? September 27 was set aside as an orientation day to help five new clerics and one new employee get a snapshot of their roles.

The Rev. David Smith (Parish of Grand Manan), the Rev. Robert McLean (Parishes of Fredericton Junction and New Maryland), the Rev. Isabel Cutler (deacon, Christ Church Cathedral), the Rev. Rick Cunningham (deacon) and the Rev. Nicholas Saulnier (Parishes of St. Mary, York; Marysville and Stanley), as well as director of young adult formation Kurt Schmidt were in attendance, as well as diocesan staff and two territorial archdeacons.

The day began with the regular Wednesday service at the Cathedral, and moved to the hall for the remainder of the day...

* * * * *

Click here to read the article by Editor Gisele McKnight, on the NB Anglican website.

Clergy Appreciation Month

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During Clergy Appreciation Month, take some time to say thank you to our clergy! We are blessed by all that they do to support our congregation and community, through their leadership, faithfulness, integrity, pastoral care and prayer.

Our Cathedral congregation is blessed with the service of Dean Geoffrey Hall, Canon Jon Lownds, Canon Rod Black, Deacon Debbie Edmondson, and Deacon Isabel Cutler. Please join the members of Bishop and Chapter in expressing our appreciation for all that they do. Special thanks also to Archbishop David Edwards for all that he does across the Diocese of Fredericton!

 

A time to share: Grief support

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Join Isabel Cutler, Deacon, on the fourth Saturday of each month for an informal gathering of Cathedral family members who have felt the loss of a beloved family member or friend. Reflect with others who have been following the same path, supporting each other in a shared experience.

Gatherings will be held inside Christ Church Cathedral, for ease of accessibility.

Join us on the fourth Saturday of each month, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Need prayer?

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There are several ways you can request prayer through the Cathedral.

If you would like your name, or the name of a loved one, added to the public Prayer List in the Sunday bulletin, please contact the Cathedral Office. Names will be listed for one month, but may be extended by contacting the office. You may include a full name or first name. Please ensure that you have the consent of the person to have their name listed publicly.

The Cathedral Prayer Network is a committee of caring individuals who provide immediate, confidential prayer. It is different from the public prayer list printed in the Sunday bulletin. Confidentiality is at the core of the group's work. Contact Coordinator Linda Waugh for details or with a prayer request. Phone (506) 450-3057 or email <lmwaugh at live.com>. The group welcomes new prayer volunteers. Learn more.

A team of Hospital Visitors can see patients admitted at local hospitals. Visits can be arranged by contacting the Cathedral Office or the Dean. Please make sure to let us know the unit and room number, as hospital visitors do not have access to patient listings. Learn more.

Communion at home or in the hospital is available. Please contact the Dean to make a request.

Other clergy, staff, and members of the congregation also support these ministries and engage in prayer.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

*NOTE* For time sensitive requests, please use the telephone.

Dean Geoffrey Hall: (506) 450-7761 <dean at christchurchcathedral.com>
Cathedral Office: (506) 450-8500 <office at christchurchcathedral.com>
Other Clergy and staff

 

Supporting students in Belize

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Since 2010, the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral has provided a scholarship program for students in Belize. High school is not publicly funded in that country, and finances are a barrier which prevents some children from receiving formal education past Grade 8.

For the 2023-2024 school year, our new scholarship student is Silvia Trapp. She is a 13 year old girl who recently graduated from St. Hilda’s Anglican School in Georgeville, Belize. Silvia lives with her parents and four siblings, and looks forward to the opportunity to be enrolled in Grade 9 this fall.

In addition to Silvia, scholarship students include Caleb Martinez (Grade 10) and Korey Kelly (Grade 11). Unfortunately, Edvin Perez was not able to remain in full-time studies after a long bout of illness after contracting COVID-19, and Gian Myvett was no longer a student in good standing in his high school courses. The Cathedral also provides funds each term to St. Hilda’s Anglican School, the elementary school from which each of these students graduated. Our congregation’s relationship with St. Hilda’s goes back to 2005.

Learn more about the Belize mission, and read quotes below from two of our current scholarship students.

"It’s been a privilege to be given the opportunity to further my education. I am very grateful I was awarded this scholarship. There are many kids like me that are raised by a single parent out there and are wishing for this opportunity. Thanks for the scholarship that was awarded to me and for the continuous support, I look forward to making St. Hilda’s proud, and be an example to the other students that will be awarded a scholarship."

- Korey Kelly

"My educational pursuits would not have been possible without your generous donation. Thank you for supporting me towards reaching my fullest potential."

- Caleb Martinez

Season of Creation film screening: The Letter

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Join us for a special multimedia event to mark this Season of Creation!

On Saturday 23 September, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge, we'll screen and discuss The Letter, an 82-minute documentary film providing environmental illustration, exploration and context to Laudato si’, the encyclical letter on the care of creation that was released by Pope Francis in 2015.

The movie tells the story of a recent gathering in Rome where Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders from many corners of the world met with Francis to respond to Laudato si’. The film is a fine witness and reflection on the climate crisis -- connecting climate change with human migration in Senegal; explaining the influence of unsustainable agriculture on deforestation and loss of human life in Brazil; telling the stories of Australian bush fires and flooding in India; and showing coral reef loss around Hawaii.

The stories in the film are presented in original languages with continuous translation.

Our screening will be followed by a brief reflection discussion.

Please reserve a seat with Kurt Schmidt: <k.schmidt at cccath.ca> or 506-259-3711.

Prayers for Truth and Reconciliation

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Saturday, 30 September is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and we are encouraged to continue our prayers on that day

Choral Evensong at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, 01 October, 2023
Watch here
Listen here

Read the letter from Linda our Primate and Chris, National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop

The Cathedral Office and Memorial Hall will be closed on Monday, 02 October.

 

Merciful God, you call us to loving relationship with one another.
Be with us now as we seek to heal old wounds and find joy again in this relationship.
Replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh.
Give us the gifts of honesty and openness, and fill us with your healing power and grace.
We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
[The Anglican Healing Fund]

You might also find the following of interest:

Video:

Chair Yoga in the Cathedral

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NOTE: The final two sessions of Chair Yoga before we break for the summer holidays will be Friday May 30, and Friday, June 13, 2025. Please note that yoga WILL NOT be held on June 6 due to a funeral. Following the last yoga class on June 13, everyone is invited to go for coffee and a treat at the Café in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.

Join us for Chair Yoga at Christ Church Cathedral, gathering with others for this gentle exercise.

An initiative of the Health Ministry, the classes are led by experienced yoga instructor Monique Smith.

Ideal for both young and old, chair yoga is a unique way to exercise while sitting in a chair. Classes are held in the Cathedral, making it easy even for those with mobility issues.

As Monique explains, “As far as abilities, even beginners will feel welcomed! … The key is to listen to one’s body.”

These weekly classes are sure to provide a stress-free way to exercise your body, mind, and spirit in fun and friendly group sessions.

Chair yoga classes are held on Fridays from 10:15-11:00 a.m., with occasional breaks for holidays. Check our calendar to confirm dates. All classes are open to the public to drop-in, with no need to register. The cost is $5 per session, payable each week. 150 Church Street, Fredericton, NB.

Still curious about Chair Yoga? Learn more in the article, Chair Yoga and Why Seated Yoga Poses are Good for You.

Cathedral Faces: Deacon Isabel Cutler

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In a letter dated 10 August, 2023, our Bishop has answered a request made by the Dean and the Bishop and Chapter to appoint Isabel Cutler deacon at Christ Church Cathedral. Our congratulations to Isabel and we look forward to having her once again part of the ministry team.

Isabel Cutler was ordained to Holy Orders as a Deacon in the Diocese of Western Newfoundland in July 2019. She and her husband Nathan, who was ordained to the Priesthood in August 2019, served in the Parish of Isle aux Mort, Margaree, FoxRoose on the southwest coast of Newfoundland for two years. This was a miraculous gift for Isabel, after a lifetime of serving Our Lord Jesus in a Lay capacity for most of her life.

Born, raised and educated in the UK, Isabel is aware of the strong Christian influence of her parents; the hospital environment and care of patients she lived alongside; the Anglo Catholic school she attended run by the Community of All Hallows; and the positive vocational attitude towards nursing as she did her general nurse training at St. George’s Hospital, London UK. In 1972 Isabel, armed with her State Registered Nurse, Midwifery and Public Health certificates and two years work experience, came for one year to work as a Public Health Nurse with the International Grenfell Association in St. Anthony, Newfoundland.

She met Nathan and they married in 1974 and had 47 happy years together. They welcomed Jenny, Andrew and Nicholas in quick succession and Isabel is very blessed to have six grandchildren. Fifteen years living in various parts of NL and then 30 years in Fredericton, NB with two years in the UK attending St. John’s College Nottingham where Isabel was able to audit theology courses alongside Nathan. All were times of formation of Isabel’s spiritual life especially in Fredericton. Always a member of Christ Church Cathedral, a longtime member of Mother’s Union, three times member of Bishop and Chapter, Chair of the Missions and Christian Education and Spiritual Growth Committees and then instrumental in starting, alongside a very positive team, the Health Ministry. Isabel held the first Parish Nurse position 2005-2015 while initially still employed as a Labour and Delivery nurse and with the Victorian Order of Nurses.

Isabel completed the Parish Nursing training programme in 2007. Both Isabel and Nathan went to “ACPO” and were accepted as Postulants for Ordination to the Priesthood. Isabel feels very blessed to have so many rich opportunities to have a close relationship with Jesus, through Cathedral and Diocesan programmes, spiritual direction for 25 years and through bible study and the diversity of worship.

It is now two years since Nathan died so very unexpectedly. Isabel is back in Fredericton near her sons and grandchildren whom she loves to spend time with. She likes to paint watercolours and to read, but time runs away! She feels very blessed in having her family close by and also loving friends. God is a God of Surprises as she realizes, at nearly 77 years old, He still has something for her to do as a Deacon. As Nathan used to say, “Life is Wonderful and Full of Wonder”. Alleluia.

- submitted by Isabel Cutler

In 2016, Isabel was featured in the NB Anglican, in an article written by Gisele McKnight. It highlights Isabel's presentation to the Anglican Church Women (ACW), reflecting on the people and places that have made an impact on her life. Read the article.