Author Archive: Kirsten McKnight

Art and friendship, one stitch at a time

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The Cathedral Quilters meet in the lounge of Cathedral Hall on Tuesday and Thursday mornings to quilt by hand beautiful quilts ranging in size from baby to queen.

Recently, the group of four women have been working on a large mermaid quilt, to be given to two young sisters. They also gifted a lap quilt to Cathedral Sexton Ashley Swim. Ashley, his wife Lana, and their daughter Piper will soon welcome a new baby girl into their home.

In 2021, the Quilters finished a sampler quilt made of spring-hued fabrics of purples and yellows, a lap quilt made in a cat's cradle pattern in turquoise batik and navy background, and a compass rose quilt that had been started by former quilter and Cathedral member Judy Colson and finished by the Quilters after her passing.

Funds raised through quilting services is primarily used to support girls who attend Bishop McAllister College in Uganda.

The Quilters are very skilled and willing to share their knowledge. If you would like to know more about the group or request their handiwork on a project, please contact the Cathedral Office or speak with quilter Jennifer Griffiths.

Helping to ‘TP the Town’!

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Thank you to everyone at the Cathedral who donated toilet paper and hygiene supplies to the 7th annual TP The Town campaign!

This spring, Fredericton High School students partnered partnered with community groups, churches, and other schools to collect toilet paper and as many feminine care and personal hygiene products as possible. Monetary donations were also gratefully accepted.

Cathedral youth Alex and Claire, along with their fellow student council members, have been counting rolls as they arrive. Their goal is 25,000 rolls!

Products will soon be delivered to shelters and transitional housing locations in the Fredericton area, such as Chrysalis House, St. John House (the men’s shelter), Grace House for women, Gignoo House, Transition House, and the 12 Neighbor’s Village.

The Student Representative Council of Fredericton High School provides leadership opportunities and serves the student body, the school, and the community. An integral part of their program is to provide service to our community.

A letter from the student council expressed appreciation for the support of TP the Town, "Thank you for helping give back to those that struggle to take care of what we take for granted."

We’re hiring! Summer Tour Guides

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Do you love history and enjoy meeting new people? Apply for a summer job as a Cathedral Tour Guide!

Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, New Brunswick is pleased to once again open its doors for tours this summer. Two part-time tour guides will be hired to provide a warm welcome and excellent hospitality to visitors and locals.

With hundreds of people choosing to visit the Cathedral each year, it is a wonderful opportunity for our guides to share the key role of our church in Fredericton’s past and present. Previous summer tour guides have enjoyed meeting people from around the world, learning the history of the Cathedral, and gaining experience in bilingual tourism.

A job as a Cathedral tour guide involves welcoming visitors in English and French, providing tours, and assisting with events. Training will be provided. The guides will be under the supervision of Hank Williams, Verger. The positions are available to adults or youth 16+ years old. Candidates for this position are not restricted by religious affiliation; however, knowledge of the Anglican church would be considered an asset.

Click here for details about the position.

Application Process
Please submit a resume and a cover letter which explains why you have applied for the position and why you feel you are a suitable candidate. Applications may be submitted by postal mail, email, or in person during office hours (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday).

Email: <office at christchurchcathedral.com>

Christ Church Cathedral Office
168 Church Street
Fredericton, NB  E3B 4C9

Deadline for Applications
Applications must be received by Friday, 20 May, 2022. Interviews will take place with selected candidates during the following two weeks.

Tea and Flowers

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Parishioners and friends were recently invited to Cathedral Memorial Hall to welcome spring with tea and sweets.

The event, hosted by the Anglican Church Women (ACW) and held on May 21, also celebrated the birthday of Mary Allwood, a long-time, very active ACW member.

Many hands pitched in to create beautiful decorations and table settings which featured the art of the Cathedral Matters rug hooking group. A large banner highlighted important events from 1925, the year of Mary's birth.

The celebration was well attended by several dozen people over two hours, and was enjoyed by all.

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

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On Good Friday, Cathedral youth, children and families participated in the Way of The Cross (also known as Stations of the Cross) during worship.

A slideshow of photos is below. A video of Good Friday 2022 worship is available on our YouTube channel.

Help Needed With Flowers

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Arranging flowers is a rewarding and creative activity, and working in the peace of the Cathedral creating something to the Glory of God and to enhance a beautiful building is a gratifying experience.

Mary Pugh is hoping to build a team of volunteers to look after the flowers in the Cathedral throughout the year. She proposes a workshop on 14 May (or another date suitable for the volunteers) to show a few techniques in handling flowers and what specifically is suitable for the Cathedral. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Mary as soon as possible so flowers can be ordered. Please indicate your preferred date. Email <Pugh at nbnet.nb.ca> or contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.

Spring Tea

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All are welcome to enjoy tea and sweets at an event hosted by the Anglican Church Women on Thursday, 21 April, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall.

The tea will also fête Mary Allwood, a long-time, very active ACW member on her birthday (best wishes only, at Mary’s request).

Masks are required at the tea, except when seated and eating.

Caring For Our Community

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Many members of the Cathedral congregation have recently helped neighbours in our community by donating items for a young mother, and by providing snacks for the monthly Monday morning Outreach program for people in need. Your generosity is appreciated!

Here is a letter of thanks from the young woman, who received items to furnish a new apartment for herself and her son.

Click to enlarge

From Our Parish Nurse: Accessing Treatment for COVID-19

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[Updated April 12, 2022]

Our Parish Nurse shares information about Paxlovid, a new treatment for COVID-19.

As another week of COVID-19 continues on with cases surging and reduction to public safety measures, I wanted to remind those who are eligible (see below) that Paxlovid is a treatment option for eligible New Brunswickers who contract COVID-19.

To obtain the medication, a positive result from a COVID test administered through Public Health is required, so book a test immediately if you think you might have COVID. You must receive a PCR test, not an at-home rapid testing kit.

Inform your Primary Care Provider that you have tested positive for COVID-19 and you would like to be assessed for Paxlovid. If you do not have or cannot reach your primary care provider, call 811 or e-VisitNB to see a New Brunswick nurse practitioner or doctor online.

Paxlovid can be given in the first 5 days of symptom onset. It is available to those who are:

  • 80+
  • 50-79 and partially or under-vaccinated
  • 50-79 who are residing in a long-term care setting; or living in, or from First Nations communities or those receiving home care services
  • 18+ and immunocompromised

To be eligible for this medication you must meet the following criteria:

  • COVID-19 infection confirmed by a PCR test, or an Abbot ID Now test in First Nations Communities, or a positive rapid test in a nursing home during in an outbreak
  • Mild to moderate symptoms present (fever, cough, mild shortness of breath, loss of appetite, loss of smell and/or taste, fatigue, runny nose, muscle aches, etc)
  • Symptom onset was within the past 5 days.

Additional information about Paxlovid and criteria is available on the New Brunswick Public Health website. Contact your Primary Care Provider for more information.

Second COVID-19 booster doses are set to become available in New Brunswick on 19 April at participating pharmacies. Adults over the age 50 are eligible if it has been at least 5 months since a previous booster. NB Public Health is strongly recommending second boosters for individuals over 70 and long term care residents, First Nations, Inuit and Métis and their non-Indigenous household members aged 18 and over. Anyone with a recent COVID-19 infection should wait 3 months from the time of infection before receiving a second booster dose.

Visit the Government of NB website for more information about COVID-19.

Cathedral Parish Nurse Sarah Ecker is available to answer questions. Email <nurse at cccath.ca> or phone the Cathedral office (506) 450-8500.

Clergy Day Stresses Need for Discernment

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Photo credits: Shawn Branch (top), Gisele McKnight (bottom)

The need for discernment in these uncertain times was the theme of an all-day gathering March 30 at Christ Church Cathedral.

The event began with the annual Blessing of Oils and Renewal of Vows of Ministry. About 40 listened as Archbishop David Edwards preached about the pandemic, its aftermath and the role of the church in that.

“I am reminded of the letter I sent out two years ago, when it all began, about the government closure for two weeks, and saying ‘I think we’ll be back by Palm Sunday,” he said with a wry laugh.

[Continue reading below]

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Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published April 5, 2022 on the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton website.