Our Missions Committee reached out to Canon Paul Jeffries at Bishop McAllister College and Anglican Seminary in Uganda to see how they are faring in the midst of the pandemic. He replied (March 19th),
"Thank you so much. Spent the day closing the school. Had about two weeks of food to give away to avoid it spoiling during this shut down, which now is set at 30 days. But we still don't have a case of the virus yet. I suspect that will change everything. Thinking of you folks at home. It is a bad situation. God bless!"
Please pray for the people of Uganda as they prepare to face the virus that much of the world is already battling.
Full confession: The first time I sent a fax, I was totally in awe. My best friend was on holiday in Scotland and we had just had a fax machine installed in our office. The very idea that she was receiving my words at the same time as I was pressing that button… Well, let's just say it was a moment in time for me.
Fast forward to last Thursday evening. The fax machine awe returned in spades! Our Bible study group face timed our entire study! It took me awhile to brave going from audio to video but I did it and what a great discussion we had! Contrary to the idea that we might talk over each other, being able to see faces made all the difference. It was like being in the same room, except we weren't! But what a nice feeling to actually see those faces!
From that experience, I have concluded that video chats with my family and friends are going to become part of my routine. There is comfort in seeing that face that you love and the many expressions that cross it during a conversation. The telephone is OK but if you have the technology, I encourage you to step outside the box and tap the video button. It's a little intimidating seeing yourself but the gift of seeing everyone else makes it all worthwhile.
We are all in this together so let's use the technology to be together when we can't!
By the way, it was really nice being at Church with 118 of you and thanks to everyone who made that possible!
At the Monday morning drop-in for people in need, we always display a colourful drawing done some years ago by cathedral member Rachel Schmidt. She illustrated Maya Angelou's famous quote: “Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
Currently, we are unable to be that rainbow for our usual guests or for any newcomers. Due to the COVID-19 threat and the provincial state of emergency, we cannot gather in a group larger than 10. Thus, no outreach drop-in!
“We always welcome 15 to 20 people, sometimes as many as 65,” outreach treasurer Doug Milander explained. “The new rules mean no drop-in, food and beverages, used clothing bank, live music, the popular services of the parish nurse, and so on. We miss helping people, and I'm sure our usual guests are disappointed not to be able to come.”
One longtime guest has often told volunteers that his doctor recommends regular attendance at the drop-in for the benefit of his mental health. He loves coming to chat, eat sandwiches, occasionally find a new shirt, maybe take home some fruit. He says the volunteers are always good to him, and he loves being there.
Marc Schneider plays the banjo and sings Christian music at the drop-in. He says he understands and respects the public health rules, but he does miss participating on Mondays.
“I try to bring a sense that Jesus offers solace, companionship and sometimes healing in our brokenness,” Marc said. “During my years playing with the music group, I have noticed that the lines between workers and attendees have blurred. More and more attendees seem to be helping.”
Some of the female guests have become volunteers in the kitchen, and some of the men help to set up the hall or put away tables and chairs and boxes of clothing at the end.
“Some of the attendees who were showing extreme symptoms earlier have become much more peaceful and happy,” Marc continued. “Healing is occurring, and I believe this drop-in is church, as much or more than the congregation that meets Sunday mornings for worship.”
Doug said he thinks the COVID-19 pandemic will be a difficult time for drop-in guests who range from a baby to a senior and everyone in between.
“They're already challenged by lack of money, and many have problems with inadequate housing, precarious health, unemployment, addictions, illiteracy, etc.,” Doug said. “A disruptive, unsettling event such as the pandemic is a real blow for them. Please keep these vulnerable people in your prayers until the crisis passes.”
He said he hopes that everyone can somehow keep safe. He looks forward to the resumption of the drop-in whenever authorities allow it.
-- by Ann Deveau
[Photo] PRIOR TO SOCIAL DISTANCING! - When drop-ins were still being held, outreach treasurer Doug Milander enjoyed chatting with Arthur Linton, a longtime attendee and a dependable volunteer.
A new family has arrived in San Ignacio, Belize, to assist Father David Alenskis (who, along with his wife, Mary Beth, has some baby news to share)! Evan, Missy, and Annabelle Hansen from Charlottesville, Virginia plan to be in San Ignacio for the next year.
Cathedral parishioner Capt. Jason Parsons had the opportunity to worship at St. Saviour’s Anglican church in Riga, while stationed in Latvia with the Canadian Armed Forces as part of a NATO group. Read his reflections about the experience in Latvia and worshipping while deployed, on page 11 of the NB Anglican (December edition).
Please watch this video from Jāna Jēruma-Grīnberga, chaplain of St. Saviour's. She is appealing for donations to repair the ceiling of the historic church, so they will be able to continue their ministries and mission work.
Can you step out in faith to help Fredericton’s needy?
Christ Church Cathedral supplies teams of volunteers who work at the Fredericton Community Kitchen on Saturdays year-round to help the cook at supper time. Duties include preparing and serving food, doing dishes, and cleaning up after the evening meal.
The time commitment is a mere two hours – from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. – and each team is assigned 13 Saturdays annually. Depending on the size of your team, you will not have to take part every time.
Jason Parsons is co-ordinating the cathedral's efforts for this worthwhile cause.
“I'm busy with my work and my three children, but it's a small commitment of time,” he said. “It really gives all of us a chance to be the hands and feet of God in our city, and the people who come for supper are so grateful for the work we do.”
If anyone is interested in joining a team, Jason can be reached at 455-9638 or jayparsons at rogers.com
Experience isn't necessary, and the work isn't hard. You might be peeling potatoes, buttering rolls, making juice, cutting pieces of pie, scrubbing pots, putting away clean dishes, and so on.
“One of our longtime volunteers told me that, too often, church can be about money and politics, not about helping people. He likes giving back in this way as a form of mission,” Jason said.
He also wanted to heartily thank all those who volunteered during 2018. “Some people have been faithfully helping out for many years,” he said. “It's greatly appreciated.”
