Mothers' Union volunteers served students at university 'Pause Tables' in April 2024. Held during exam weeks, the event has become a welcome tradition.
The 'Pause Table' initiative has become one that is welcomed by university students during exam week.
Campus ministries at the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University are once again collaborating with faith communities to host the Pause Tables during upcoming exams, and the Cathedral branch of Mothers' Union will be participating again this year.
Volunteers will provide free food, beverages, a listening ear, and conversation, and handwritten personalized notes to give students a break from studying. Mothers’ Union will host a Pause Table on Monday, 09 December, 2024.
Donations of food from the congregation would be greatly appreciated. Non-perishable items such as hot chocolate, granola bars, juice boxes, microwaveable noodles etc.) can be delivered to the Hall Kitchen any day during office hours (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon). Perishable items (baked goods, sandwiches, fruit, etc.). can be dropped off on Sunday, 08 December during services. Please mark items for UNB.
Mothers' Union also welcomes anyone who would like to spend some time at the Pause Table interacting with students. Contact Diane Nash <mrsnash68 at gmail.com> or Susan Watson <bagel.watson at hotmail.com> if you have any further questions or wish to be added to the schedule for that day.
The Robinson and McKnight girls helped to decorate the trees in the Cathedral.
Sixty-five paper angels from Greener Village (the Fredericton food bank) are waiting to be chosen from small Christmas trees in the Cathedral. Each requests a specific Christmas gift for a needy boy or girl in our city.
Please print your name and telephone number on one of the clipboards to indicate which angel you're adopting (each clipboard lists different numbers). This is important in case you misplace your angel, and helps us keep track of the gifts. Bring the unwrapped gift, with the paper angel firmly attached, to the Cathedral on Sunday, 24 November. Drop-off boxes will be set up near the angel tree.
If you can't bring your gift on Sunday, please take it to the Cathedral Office any weekday between 9 a.m. and noon. The final deadline is Monday, 25 November at 12:00 noon.
Please mark your calendar - the Outreach Committee will have to buy any gifts missing at the final deadline.
If you have previously participated in this program, you will notice a change to the angels. This year, instead of asking for stocking stuffers, Greener Village is requesting a $25 Regent Mall gift card. This will allow parents the flexibility to choose stocking stuffers that suit their child's unique interests.
For over 30 years, the Angel Tree program in Fredericton has provided gifts for children in need, and the Cathedral congregation has been involved for over 25 years. The need is great, and this year, Greener Village anticipates filling wishes for over 2000 children in our city.
Another way to give:
Would you prefer to support Christmas outreach initiatives in a different way? Write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line or mark your offering envelope. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchen. Please deliver these cheques to the Cathedral Office by Friday, 13 December, to allow time for distribution to the charities.
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.
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’ 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.
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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.
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.
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!
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.
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.