“The way in which you read something can really change the way people hear it.”
That's a comment from The Rev. Chris Roth of the Anglican Diocese of Calgary who recently put together a half-hour You Tube video to discuss reading scripture in worship. He explains what is read and why during worship (Old Testament, psalms, epistles, gospel), and he offers several useful tips for readers.
“The most important thing is to be heard clearly and to take your time to speak the words in a way that shows you understand what you're reading and in a way that your tongue doesn't trip over the words,” Rev. Roth says.
He urges readers to know their text extremely well. “Practise the text many times and always do it aloud,” he advises. “Know the meaning as best you can. You should be able to tell somebody else what the story is about.”
To learn the context of a scriptural passage, he suggests consulting montreal.anglican.org/comments which provides the meaning and importance of each entry in the Anglican three-year cycle of readings.
He says a reader can also use a good study Bible to learn what a passage is about. “If you're confused, it will come across to the congregation,” he cautions.
“Avoid reading too quickly or too quietly or in a flat monotone,” he advises.
It's very important to read with feeling, he says, because it will help the congregation to understand the words. For example, is a passage you're practising sad or joyous? “Match your tone to the mood of the story,” he says.
Readers can stumble over unfamiliar words or place names. Rev. Roth recommends checking proper pronunciation on www.biblegateway.com and speaking the name confidently during worship. Mark up your page to be sure you remember the correct pronunciation.
It's also important to know how to use the microphone properly, make sure your printed reading is actually at the lectern before the service, and to pause briefly before you begin and when you finish a passage.
In his video, Rev. Roth says that scripture is a highlight of worship, along with the sacrament of the eucharist.
“So, be heard clearly, take your time, know your text really well, and say the words with feeling to show that you understand them,” he sums up.
Although Farraline Place could not hold its annual fall fundraising gala dinner due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing work and caring of its residents has not been cancelled. The challenge is ongoing to make a home for low-to-modest income residents, and this particular year is more crucial than previous years.
A virtual fundraiser was held with tickets $50 per person, and donations of any amount are still being accepted. For details about how you can support the home's important work, call Sharon Simms (Farraline Board) at (506) 452-8909 or Judy O’Donnell (home administrator) at (506) 455-6443.
Last week, the sounds of children’s voices were once again heard in our Formation Room, as Godly Play resumed for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared.
Godly Play looks a little different these days. Participants need to reserve in advance using the Cathedral worship signup, and there is a maximum of 8 children. Face masks, hand sanitizer, and physical distancing are employed, but the liturgical rhythm of Godly Play sessions remains. We'll be offering Godly Play on our usual schedule of the first and third Sundays of each month.
On September 20th, Cheryl shared the story entitled ‘The Good Shepherd and the World Communion’, which combines the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd from Psalm 23 and John 10 with the liturgical ritual of communion. In the lesson, people from around the world gather around the Good Shepherd's table.
Each Godly Play session, designed for children ages 5-11, involves a story and provides an opportunity for the children to engage their imagination while reflecting on the story. This helps them to explore their faith, gain religious language and enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play.
Kurt Schmidt, Cathedral Director of Christian Formation, shares, "The key thing overall that's been rich for me in the unfolding of Godly Play is that it's really important that we're remembering that Godly Play is about faith formation over and above faith information, and it's been lovely to see the children involved developing in their life of faith and their language around faith."
The next session of Godly Play will be held October 4th. Kurt will be sharing the lesson simply called ‘Creation’. This is particularly fitting as the 4th is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi and the official end of the Season of Creation.
Learn more about the Godly Play approach, and hear Kurt Schmidt speak about the importance of the program.
It was a long stretch (pun intended!) without yoga classes at Cathedral Memorial Hall. Thanks to the pandemic, the popular weekly classes ended abruptly on March 9th and finally resumed Sept. 21st.
Parish nurse Kathleen Snow, who organizes this wellness activity, is pleased that the classes can finally resume although certain restrictions are necessary.
“Participants must sanitize their hands upon arrival and sign in and out of the hall,” Kathleen said. “People have been asked to bring their own yoga mats, pillows and blankets rather than use items stored at the hall although some extra, sanitized mats will be available for the Monday afternoon classes.”
She added that people must maintain physical distancing while in the hall, but it isn't difficult since the mats are always set up a good distance apart even in normal times. The floor, with its pattern of foot-square tiles, makes it simple to stick to the rule of staying six feet (2m) apart.
While entering and leaving the building, and while setting up the mats, people must wear masks. However, it's permissible to remove them during the actual yoga practice. It could get hot and uncomfortable otherwise.
The first class attracted a mix of 13 new members and eager returnees who know that this type of self-care can help reduce stress and inspire well-being. The instructor, Tammy Blyth, said breathing deeply and deliberately provides oxygen to nourish the body; it can also relax the brain and nervous system.
Tammy also pointed out that exercise and stretching not only boost the effectiveness of the lungs and circulatory system, but can also lift the spirits. That's something most of us need in these trying pandemic times when life is so different.
Eric and Jane Hadley agreed it was good to be back for the physical and social aspects of the class. Although they kept busy all summer with gardening, hiking and biking, they looked forward to the resumption of yoga and the chance to see friends from the congregation and the community.
“I find that the gentle warm-ups to loosen shoulders, neck and back are helpful,” Ann Deveau said, “and the mix of standing and reclining poses can gradually increase mobility for people like me who are challenged by the stiffness of osteoarthritis.”
The yoga classes start at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoons except public holidays, last one hour and cost $5 per session. Kathleen asks people to arrive a few minutes early, due to the need for physical distancing and a requirement for newcomers to register the first time they participate.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unwelcome but unavoidable delay in construction of a three-unit, affordable housing project to be owned and operated by the cathedral.
A computer rendering of the triplex of small homes that will be built on Albert Street, near Regent Street.
"The original plan was to grade the land on Albert Street and start construction last spring, so that three people would be able to move into supported housing this fall," Outreach Committee chair Penny Ericson said.
"Money has been raised in the community, the City of Fredericton donated the land and transferred the title, the design work is done, and people at the cathedral are eager to help. This type of compact, affordable housing is sorely needed by the homeless population."
Then in March the Province declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 health crisis, and the economy ground to a sudden and prolonged halt.
The United Way's Housing First co-ordinator Jason LeJeune explained a domino effect impacted the project on Albert Street as well as a four-unit project on Jaffrey Street to be owned and operated by another local church.
"It was really kind of death by a thousand pinpricks," LeJeune said.
When the pandemic hit, the builder of the proposed small houses, Maple Leaf Homes, shut down. By the time the business reopened, it faced a large backlog of orders and heavy demand for building materials. The closure of some municipal and provincial government offices resulted in delays for elements of the project. The two building sites need water and sewer lines installed and this type of work is backlogged, too.
LeJeune said the delay is unfortunate because the projects are designed to help some of the city's most vulnerable people at a time when the vacancy rate for rentals is extremely low. Forty townhouses, each ranging from 34 to 43 square metres, will eventually be built.
Penny Ericson agreed the work slowdown has been frustrating, but she said numerous items to furnish and equip the three townhouses have already been collected and are in storage awaiting construction next spring.
"We look forward to seeing things get back on track next year so that three people can move into their new homes in 2021," she said.
More information will be made available next year about ways in which the cathedral family might be able to help with final details for this project.
While the Cathedral teams' regular Saturday volunteer shifts at the Community Kitchen have not yet resumed, Cheryl and Peter Jacobs have begun volunteering for a weekly shift, and they shared this reflection.
After three months of missing our every 4th Saturday evening shift at the Fredericton Community Kitchen due to the restriction of volunteers during our provincial lockdown, we discovered that the Kitchen was welcoming volunteers again with some revisions. In order to have as few different volunteers in the Kitchen as possible, they are asking people to commit to a weekly shift and those shifts are now four hours rather than the normal two. We decided that weekly on Saturday was not going to work for us, but with permission for me to leave work early one day a week, we have committed to Thursday afternoons from 2:00-6:00 and we started June 25.
Having volunteers in to help at all is a recent change. For several weeks, the amazing chefs and other staff carried the load of preparing and serving three meals a day on weekdays and two on the weekends - averaging 14,000 meals each month.
Much has changed at the Kitchen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Each meal is now placed in a take away container; this along with a wrapped dessert and baggie of cutlery, napkin, salt, pepper, sugar and coffee whitener, are bagged for quick and easy taking. Cold drinks are made ready and coffee is poured to order in paper cups. Meals are dispensed by the chefs on duty from behind a plexiglass shield mounted on a cart in the doorway. In the main dining area, most of the chairs are stacked on the sides and groups of tables are used as prep stations.
On our first Thursday shift, we helped prepare food items for use in future meals (e.g., Peter and a third volunteer Brian, cut 40 pounds of carrots while Cheryl cracked 40 dozen eggs for scrambling), prepared many cutlery bags, served up the take away containers and washed the pans and cooking utensils. The time passed quickly as it always did before. And Cheryl did not miss having to clean the chairs.
We did miss, of course, the interaction with the guests. Heather, the chef our Cathedral team had been working with on Saturdays for several months, commented she misses hearing the happy interaction of the volunteer teams and the guests. Expecting this new way of serving to carry on for a long time we mused about what it will be like in the winter when guests who have no place to go cannot come into a warm building to sit and eat.
The Kitchen is still looking for some volunteers to fill a few weekday and Saturday slots, on a weekly basis. The daily morning shift runs from 9:00am - 1:00pm. If you have some time to spare and would like to participate in this worthwhile activity, just send an email to volunteer@frederictoncommunitykitchens.com. You can also help by donating funds or food items to the pantry box program (supplying food to about 180 families with children from the school lunch program). More details can be found at www.frederictoncommunitykitchen.com/covid19.
Fran and I recently spent a very enjoyable hour on lawn chairs on the Cathedral green chatting about her life, and plans after her retirement in June. Fran has been our office administrator for the last eighteen years, and has helped to hold the Cathedral family together with her quiet efficiency and caring.
Fran grew up in Maugerville on the family farm with her parents and is the youngest of four, with two older brothers and one older sister. Her mother operated a small handicraft shop called Homestead Crafts at the roadside for many years, which happily provided a summer job each summer. Growing up on a farm, it was an idyllic life for a kid who loved and named all the barn animals (!) and enjoyed a succession of cats and dogs at her side constantly.
She graduated from Fredericton High School (what is now George Street Middle School) and Teachers' College with a diploma in Home Economics, and then she was off to Montreal to teach. She was just turning 21, teaching middle and high school age students, a couple of whom were even older than she was! The students were wonderful and great fun. A ‘study class’ of approximately 25 teenage boys became a test in creativity. Arrangements were made, after class, if they so wished, to participate in a Chef's Club, which turned out to be very successful. They all loved it. They learned to cook, bake and make a whole meal! And they cleaned up afterward!! When she finally resigned, a group of her most challenging students actually left her a cake and a sweet note at her apartment, saying they would miss her greatly! She was very touched by their sentiment (and their cake, she said, was delicious!!!).
From there, Fran went to the James Bay area of northern Quebec teaching Aboriginal children. She loved the students... they were shy at first but as time went on, they were certainly welcoming as were their families. She found out early on that goose season takes precedence over school classes, as suddenly no one showed up for class for two weeks!! However, the living and working conditions were not the greatest... the water was unhealthy, a number of staff were ill, and there seemed to be huge challenges in receiving a pay cheque. No amount of enquiring or protesting could seem to rectify the issues, so 75 percent of the staff resigned at Christmas.
Back to New Brunswick she came and worked for the federal government, in what was then the Unemployment Insurance Commission. Following that, looking for a change, Fran took a course in Travel Counselling, and became one of the front desk receptionists with Howard Johnson's Motel by the Princess Margaret Bridge. She met lots of interesting guests, including Charles Dutoit, the then conductor of the Montreal Symphony, Mr. Bacardi of Bacardi Rum fame, and had interesting situations arise such as the Tuba player from the Montreal Symphony who chose to practice his instrument at 11 pm! Diplomacy and patience are two highly desirable qualities when you work in the travel industry!
Fran also worked for ten years as a legal secretary in civil litigation at a large local law firm. It was a tremendously busy position. She worked in both English and French as the clients were from all over the Province. After ten years, and after some prayerful thought, and reflection, Fran decided she felt she was being led to make the decision to resign.
So she left the law firm and went to work at a summer job at Green Village, a plant nursery located in Lower Saint Mary’s. It was a job she loved. However, it was only for the summer months. About two months in, Keith and Elinor Joyce told her that the Cathedral secretary would be leaving and asked if she would be interested in the job. Well, the rest is history!
Fran has always loved dogs. When living away, it was difficult to have pets, so once back in New Brunswick, dogs began to reappear. Boots was her first childhood companion - a long-haired Collie, wonderful with kids and families. More recently, there was Sophie, a shepherd/lab, then Simon, a golden retriever, then Jesse, and Jack, both goldens as well. Jack had a bit of a struggle in the beginning of his life, and it took a great deal of patience on Fran's part to finally train him. As she describes the ordeal, her great sense of humour is displayed. Jack and Fran have daily walks on the city trails, in the woods along the Nashwaak River, on city sidewalks and in a large grassy field where they’re allowed to roam. The daily outings are a joy for them both, and keep them both fairly fit.
Fran plans to take a bit of a break for the summer months, deciding where life next will take her. Volunteer work is very appealing and the choices are many so that will take some investigating. She’s also looking very much forward to returning to worship at the Cathedral. At the moment, as spring is gloriously appearing, she is looking forward to working in her beautiful garden, taking lots of photographs, having friends over for a bite to eat, later on making jams and jellies when the berries and fruit are available, taking fun trips here and there, doing lots of baking, summer reading of good books, and re-painting her shed a lovely plum-purple colour, trimmed with white!
I asked Fran if she has any advice. “Simply be grateful for all that our Lord has poured into your life. Look around you and see all the blessings you’ve been given and then see how many blessings you can give to others.”
We wish her well and are glad she will still be an active part of our Cathedral family.
Visit the Cathedral at Noon on Fridays during Lent to participate in Stations of the Cross, and find two different meditations here on our website.
The depiction of the Stations of the Cross below features photos of the stations in the Cathedral, with text adapted from The Stations of the Cross for Kids, which we have used in the past. The video above contains alternate meditations. There are many different versions of the Stations of the Cross. Try a different one each Friday!
The First Station: Jesus Is Condemned to Death
Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate.
Jesus was alone.
Jesus had done only good things in life.
Jesus had to be put to death.
The procession was ready.
The gates were opened.
The soldiers lead the way.
Jesus followed.
Dear Jesus, you stood all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody defends you. Sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel afraid. Sometimes I feel like I am treated unfairly. Help me to accept unfairness and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me.
Almighty Father, many times people don't seem to understand me. Sometimes they are unfair. You accept me when I make mistakes. Help me to accept others when they make mistakes. Help me to forgive as Jesus did. This I ask through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Second Station: Jesus Accepts His Cross
The people wanted to crucify Jesus.
Pontius Pilate did not want to crucify Him.
He tried everything he could think of to change the crowd's mind but nothing worked.
He washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, "This is a righteous man."
He gave Jesus to the soldiers to be crucified.
Dear Jesus, you carried your cross. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you carried it just the same. Sometimes I get upset with the troubles that I have. Sometimes I get upset when people ask me to do things for them. I don't want to carry my cross. Give me the courage to carry my cross as You did.
Almighty Father, Jesus carried his cross without complaint. When I am tempted to complain, help me to remember Jesus and the cross he carried for me. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time
The procession moves out of the city gate.
Jesus was unsteady on his feet.
The soldiers were pushing Him.
Jesus is tired. He can hardly carry the cross. He fell.
The soldiers yanked him up.
The procession is moving again.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. When things get hard for me, sometimes I give up. Your cross was so heavy. It was hard for you. You never gave up. You fell, but you got up and moved on. Help me to get up when I fall and keep moving.
Almighty Father, I know there are many times when I give up before I should. When I fall, help me get up again and keep going. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Fourth Station: Jesus Meets His Sorrowful Mother
Mary sees the procession moving through the streets. She sees her son. She hurries to him.
There he was in front of her. The cross was so heavy, he was trembling. His body was bleeding. His mother tries to get closer to him. He tries to get closer to his mother but the soldiers pushed him away.
The procession moves on.
Dear Jesus, help me to see those around me who love me. Help me to understand that I need them as much as they need me.
Almighty Father, when I feel alone, help me to remember to turn to my parents for help and most of all, to you. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Fifth Station: Simon Helps Carry the Cross
The soldiers saw that Jesus was weak. They were afraid that he might not make it to the place where he was to be crucified. The soldiers see Simon of Cyrene.
A soldier pushes Simon toward Jesus telling him to carry the cross. Simon saw Jesus was bruised and bleeding and quickly picked up the cross. He carried it for Jesus. They moved on with Jesus following Simon.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I pretend not to hear when my parents call me. I leave when I know others could use my help. You gave help to everyone. When you needed help, you accepted it. Help me to give and accept help.
Almighty Father, help me to be a friend to friendless. Help me to help the needy. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Sixth Station: Veronica Offers her Veil to Jesus
Veronica steps towards Jesus with a wet cloth.
She wanted to comfort Jesus in any way she could.
She gently wiped his face.
The soldiers roughly pushed her back.
They continued along their way.
Dear Jesus, there are times when I see someone that is being picked on. There are times when I see someone that is sad. Just as Veronica wiped your face to comfort you, help me to always help others in whatever way I can.
Almighty Father, help me to see the needs of others. Remind me to be helpful, even if I am not asked. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time
Jesus is getting more tired.
Jesus is getting weaker.
Jesus falls.
Jesus struggles to get up.
He tries until He makes it to his feet.
He moves on.
Dear Jesus, you didn't give up. Sometimes when things get hard for me, it's hard to keep trying. I want to quit. When things get hard for me, help me to get up and keep going as you did.
Almighty Father, help me to keep trying when things get hard and when I fall. Help me not to give up. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Eighth Station: Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem
Jesus could hear the crying of the women in the crowd.
He knew they were sad.
He stopped and talked to them.
Even at this terrible time, Jesus was not thinking of himself, he was thinking of all of us.
Dear Jesus, you stopped to help those in need. I get selfish at times and think only of myself. Help me to reach out to others as you did. Help me to see the needs of others and put their needs above mine.
Almighty Father, help me not to be hurtful or selfish. Help me to see the needs others have even when I have problems of my own. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time
Jesus continues walking, tired, in pain, and pushed by the soldiers.
Jesus falls once more.
They laugh at him.
He gets up, steadies himself and walks the last few yards to the Place of the Skull.
Dear Jesus, help me to see that nothing is greater than you. Nothing is greater than your love for me. Help me to see that with your help, I can do your Father's will.
Almighty Father, Thank you for sending Jesus to us. Help me to always follow Him. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Tenth Station: Jesus Is Stripped of His Garments
Jesus arrives at the Place of Skull.
The soldiers remove his clothes, tossing them in a heap.
The soldiers didn't know what to do with his clothes.
They decided to throw dice for them.
Dear Jesus, You set an example of truth, humility and love. Help me to set a good example for others to follow.
Almighty Father, help me to always be respectful and follow the examples of Jesus. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Eleventh Station: Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross
The soldiers grab Jesus and lie him face up on the cross stretching his arms. They hold his wrist and hand to the wood. They drive the nail with a hammer. They do the same with the other arm. Raising his knees so that his feet would lie flat, they hammer.
It was done. Jesus was nailed to the cross.
Dear Jesus, sometimes I say or do hurtful things to others. You stretched your arms of love on the cross. Help me to bring Your love to others and cause them no hurt.
Almighty Father, help me to follow your son and make his hands bleed no more through my fault. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Twelfth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross
As Pilate had ordered, a soldier placed, above Jesus' head, a notice reading 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."
The cross was hoisted into place.
Mary and John stayed at the foot of the cross and prayed.
Jesus looked down and said to his mother "Dear woman, here is your son" and to John "Here is your mother."
Even at this terrible time, he was taking care of his mother.
The sky was dark.
Jesus said "I am thirsty". A soldier offered him wine mixed with vinegar.
The two thieves that were crucified beside Jesus talked to him. Looking at one of them Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus said, "EIi, Eli, lama sabachthani? - My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Then he said "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
A few moments later He said, "It is finished."
He died.
At that instant, the earth shook, rocks split, the curtain in the temple ripped from top to bottom. The centurion guarding Jesus saw the earth quake and said "Surely he was the Son of God".
Jesus died at 3 p.m. on the Cross at Calvary.
Dear Jesus, death is hard for us to understand. Remind us always that faith will carry us through our losses.
Almighty Father, help me to understand Jesus' death. Help me to understand the love Jesus has for me. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Thirteenth Station: Jesus Is Taken from the Cross
Sabbath was rapidly approaching and the crucified ones had to be taken down before the beginning of the Sabbath celebrations.
A soldier pierced the side of Jesus with his spear to be sure that he was dead.
The crowd hurried to their homes before the beginning of Sabbath or they would be excluded from the celebration.
Mary stayed under the cross with her son.
Two men came to the soldiers with orders from Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus. Joseph had offered his burial tomb for Jesus.
Jesus was gently removed from the cross.
Dear Jesus, how bad was your death but how gently you were removed from the cross. Help me to treatothers kindly always.
Almighty Father, help me to be a kinder, gentler person. Help me to always see the good in others. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
The Fourteenth Station: Jesus Is Laid in the Tomb
People had returned to their homes for the Sabbath.
John, Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and Mary, went from Calvary to Jesus' burial tomb.
Joseph and John carried Jesus into the tomb.
They laid him on the rock bench in the burial chamber.
The men moved a big boulder in front of the entrance to block it.
Dear Jesus, help me to carry on your work.
Almighty Father, thank you for sending Jesus. Help me to be like Jesus. Help me to share my life and love more fully. This I ask through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Dalton and Sheila London are familiar faces around the Cathedral. Both participate in the choir, Sunday readings, and in Charis groups. Dalton is also a member of the Religious and Spiritual Care Department at the DECH, takes communion to shut-ins, is a eucharistic assistant, commissioned by the Bishop, and presides over Evening Prayer on Mondays. Lately the Londons have become even more familiar to the community as a result of a recent article in the DAILY GLEANER, about their experience getting back to Canada after cutting short their holiday in France due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Dalton is a native of Woodstock, NB and Sheila is from Nova Scotia. They met while students at Acadia. Dalton then studied at Grenoble, France, where he received a Dd’U in French Literature, and later a post doctorate in Applied Linguistics at the Université de Savoie in Chambéry where they lived for their four full-year sabbaticals.
Prior to completing his doctorate in Grenoble, he was offered positions in Lethbridge, Mount Allison, and UNB. We are thankful that he chose UNB. Sheila received her BA and MA in History from UNB. Both are fluent in the French language.
Dalton was professor at UNB for 30 years, and has been retired for 22. However, it seems he is busier than ever. He volunteers regularly at the DECH, has a passion for photography, (Dalton has approximately 83,000 photos on their iMac), they are noted hosts (they frequently have guests for meals), love to garden, both are frequently seen at musical events and concerts, sing in the Cathedral choir, and are active participants in the lives of their grandchildren.
Dalton and Sheila have a son, Michael, (Vancouver) and a daughter, Marianne, who teaches at Bliss Carman Middle School. Her children are also familiar around the Cathedral. Sebastian, Caroline, and Christian are all members of the Server Team. However, Sebastian, has just recently returned from studying in his first year at St. Andrews University at St. Andrews, Scotland, where he is pursuing courses in Medicine. All three children are very musical and excel in the Fredericton Music Festival each year. This year, however, it appears that experience will be on hold due to the recent epidemic.
Since retirement, Dalton, Dalton has for the past 20 years volunteered in the Palliative Care Unit at the DECH and he and Sheila have spent 19 winters in France, 17 of which have been spent in Nice, on the French Riviera. They are both active in the Anglican Church there, Holy Trinity, and Dalton has volunteered at the Hôpital de Cimiez for the past 15 winters. He frequently shares with us many of the beautiful scenes there. This year, however, they had to cut their stay short. They were very fortunate in that they were on a plane to Frankfurt, Germany, on their journey home, when all of France went into shut-down! Just in time!! They were surprised at the ease with which they crossed borders without much checking on their health status, regarding the Covid-19. They are now undergoing the requisite self isolation, and so far all is well. We pray that they remain in good health, and we can all see one another again soon.
Mother Nature seemed determined to keep our first Thursday Medley Tea at bay as we began the New Year. Storm followed storm in January, and while setting up for the Valentine's Tea on February 6th, the weather, once again, was looking iffy.
But clearly the regular attendees were not about to allow snow flurries to prevent them from coming out to spend time with their friends over a cup of tea and a sweet or two. Then came March and we were fortunate to get our March Tea in before social distancing arrived.
This once a month tea party often draws more than 25 folks including the young and the young at heart! Serving begins at 2pm and often the group is still going strong as 4pm approaches.
The organizers and servers try to make each month special by decorating with a theme such as Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day. There is always a 'lucky saucer' and a small gift for the one who gets it. The sweet and savoury treats are abundant and delicious and the tea is piping hot and served in the finest of china cups.
Of course, it will be a while before we will be able to be out and about in groups again. But while we wait for that to happen, here are some photos of our Medley Tea-ers! We so look forward to sharing a cup and a chat in person again!
“The most important thing is to be heard clearly and to take your time to speak the words in a way that shows you understand what you're reading and in a way that your tongue doesn't trip over the words,” Rev. Roth says.
