Author Archive: Kirsten McKnight

Outreach support continues as the weather turns cool

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Doug Milander hands out vouchers to guests attending the monthly Outreach program.

Each month, volunteers from the Cathedral's Outreach Committee gather inside Cathedral Memorial Hall to offer support and hospitality to our neighbours.

When people in need visit Cathedral Memorial Hall for an Outreach drop-in, they receive a $10 grocery store gift card or bus tickets and a goodie bag containing fresh fruit, baked goods, a drink, a sandwich, and treats. Guests can also choose from a selection of non-perishable grocery items. During the Outreach program, visitors are also invited to choose items from tables of seasonal clothing and household items donated by members of the congregation and community. They are thankful for the the shirts, jackets, footwear, hats, gloves, water bottles, towels, and personal care items such as soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Charlotte McKnight and Sharon Miller set-up a table of children's items.

The need in our community is great, and volunteers typically help between 50-70 guests at each gathering.

The program would not be possible without the assistance of many people from the Cathedral and other churches (St. Margaret's Anglican Church and New Maryland United Church). Volunteers help onsite or with advance preparation, and others assist with baking. Many others regularly donate items or funds. We sincerely appreciate everyone's assistance!

 

Guests receive sandwiches, baked goods, fruit and non-perishable food items.

Recent requests:

The Outreach Committee has had requests from people in need for a few specific items: snow pants for a 7-year-old boy; mittens and winter hats for children; bottles of shampoo and body wash; a table to hold a computer and printer. Except for the toiletries, those items do not need to be new. Thanks for your support!

 

Ann Deveau displays warm, pretty lap blankets handcrafted by Mary Coffill Deveau of Kentville, NS, for people in need in Fredericton

Upcoming Outreach days:

* Monday, November 25, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
* Monday, December 16, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Click here to learn more about outreach activities supported by the Cathedral congregation.

If you would like to help prepare food or volunteer to help onsite, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500.

Sponsored students in Uganda

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Please pray for the students and teachers at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda, as well as the Reverend Canon Paul Jeffries, rector of the College and Seminary.

The Cathedral ACW (Anglican Church Women) support three high school girls enrolled at the school. New student Susan has just begun her studies, Deborah and Angel are continuing their education, and Moliance recently graduated, completing her advanced level.

Below, see photos of the students, along with their recent letters.

All Souls – Remembering those we love

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All Souls’ Day will be observed at Christ Church Cathedral on Wednesday, 06 November, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (after All Saints' Day on Friday, 01 November and All Saints' Sunday which will be observed on 03 November). Prayer requests for the departed may be added by using this online form, by email <office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.

Names must be submitted by the end of the day on Tuesday, 05 November, to allow time for adding to the list to be read during worship. Thank you.

~  ~  ~

This is a day of prayer for the departed faithful. Like All Saints’ Day, this commemoration is tied to the profession in the Apostles’ Creed of the communion of saints, which former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams broadly interprets as the “sharing between holy people” or the “sharing of holy things.” Based on the spiritual unity of all Christians, those living this earthly life and those who have gone before—the communion is a mystical bond in Christ not broken by death. The prayer cycle of the Office of the Dead is read/sung, and in some countries people pay tribute at their relatives’ graves.

- text from the Anglican Journal

 

A note from Health Ministry

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The Fall season is here and it is beautiful!

Along with this weather comes the flu, increasing numbers of COVID cases, and various viruses and colds. Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines, if not available now, will be very soon. Health care providers and pharmacies will be able to advise us and administer the vaccines.

Hand washing frequently, masking to protect yourself and others, and staying home when ill, are ways to protect ourselves and others.

Thank you for your care.

 

Clergy Appreciation Month

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October is 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. We are also thankful for our Director of Christian Formation, Kurt Schmidt, and our Director of Music, Thomas Gonder, whose contributions enhance our worship and ministries.

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 his service and leadership across the Diocese of Fredericton!

Welcome to our new Sexton

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We are pleased to welcome Darin Lewis as our new Cathedral Sexton. He began work on 01 October and has been working closely with the Property Committee and Cathedral staff members to learn about our buildings and programs.

He brings a wealth of experience to the position, along with a pleasant nature, lots of ideas, and a curiosity to learn. If you see him, please say hello and introduce yourself!

Originally born in PEI, Darin moved to Fredericton in the early ’70s and met the love of his life, Heather. They have two children, Connor and Kiana.

He has a background in maintenance and security, and looks forward to many years working with the Cathedral staff.

 

Prayers for Truth and Reconciliation

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On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are encouraged to continue our prayers.

Gather with us in the Cathedral on Monday, 30 September, 2024, 5:30 p.m.

The Cathedral Office will be closed that day, in recognition of the holiday.

 

Creator God, Sunkwiyatisu and Gitchi Manitou,
Of peace, justice, and concord;
Open our ears, our eyes, our lungs, and our hearts,
Give us the spirit of condolence.
Instill in us the Good Mind.
Let us seek your justice in a broken world,
Let us search for understanding in your Creation.
Help us to be reconciled to you and to each other.
In the self-giving ethic of the Cross,
Let us be emptied of hatred and apathy,
Greed and selfishness.
Fill us with the wideness and wildness of your Spirit,
In the name of your First Son, Jesus Christ,
We ask all this. Amen.

~ Collect for Orange Shirt Day

 

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Visit from Indigenous Archbishop… and a corn boil!

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We were pleased to welcome National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop Chris Harper to the Cathedral on Sunday, 15 September.

It was a privilege to learn from him. If you were not able to attend and hear him preach, watch a recording of the service.

Following worship, we were treated to a corn boil and picnic on the lawn. It was a beautiful and warm day, and many people stayed for food and fellowship. Special thanks to the Welcome and Hospitality Committee, and the many volunteers who pitched in to make the event possible.

Photos from the event are below, including some prep volunteers, Archbishop Harper with a Bishop's Crozier presented to him by the Parish of St. Andrews, and members of the congregation enjoying the event.

The NB Anglican has also posted an article about the Archbishop's visit to New Brunswick.

Back to School in Belize

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As another year begins at St. Hilda's Anglican Elementary School, the Belize Mission committee acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the teachers. May they and the students have a positive start to this new school year. Please keep them in your prayers.

Please also remember in your prayers our Cathedral high school scholarship students, Korey Kelly (grade 12), Caleb Martinez (grade 11), Sylvia Trapp (grade 10), and new scholarship recipient, Amalio Revolorio, who is entering grade 9.

Are you familiar with the story of how the Cathedral congregation became involved in Belize, and why we offer a scholarship program for high school tuition? Read on!

About the Cathedral's Belize High School Scholarship Program

In Belize, the average age at which a child leaves school is 13 years old, because of the prohibitive costs of tuition for high school. High school is not publicly funded in Belize, and many families do not have the financial ability to pay for their children to attend. Unemployment in the country is high, there are many large single-parent families, and almost half of Belizeans live below the poverty line.

Currently, the congregation of Christ Church Cathedral provides scholarships for four students who would not able to attend high school without support. Each scholarship is $1000 CAD per year, and we currently support one student in each of the four grades of high school. This additional education provides the teenagers with important skills and opportunities which can improve their lives.

The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8. Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have continued on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future.

We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school. Learn more about our mission work in Belize.

You can contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.

If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.

Reflection: The Story of the Cross

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This story was shared by a member of our congregation, Andreas Decken.

Photo: Young servers assisting with worship in spring 2024. The crucifer is in the middle, holding the processional cross.

Sometime in the early 1990's, I was living in Hamilton, Ontario as a graduate student. One winter, I decided stay in Hamilton and not go home to Germany to visit friends and family as I usually did. That meant that I was going to spend Christmas by myself. Luckily, a friend of mine invited me to spend part of the holidays with her family. On Christmas Eve, we went to her Catholic church in Oakville, where her mother was very active.

Her Mom had a long conversation with the priest, who came over to greet me. He then told me that the cross bearer had not arrived yet and asked if I was willing to step into the role. Of course I agreed, and I actually thought that it would be rather funny for a Protestant boy to carry the cross at the Christmas procession in a Catholic church.

All was fine until the priest explained the details. He said, " Andreas, you know that I have to follow the cross no matter where you take it, so please do not walk out of the church as I will have no choice but to leave as well."

I was terrified of taking a wrong turn, but of course everything worked out well. It is one of those stories you never forget, and it is my "Story of the Cross".

- Andreas Decken, as told to Carol Ann Melvin

At the Cathedral, servers assist with a variety of duties during worship, including carrying the cross (the crucifer). Anyone interested in becoming a server (youth or adult) should contact the Cathedral Office or the Dean.