1. Daily prayer - Commit to attending the daily office in the morning (8:45 a.m.) or in the evening (4:45 p.m.) or both at the Cathedral Monday - Friday. It takes about 15 minutes.
2. D I F F E R E N C E - Prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom can take many forms. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has a passion for equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world. It is one of our greatest challenges but it has never been more vital. Co-sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral and the Diocese of Fredericton, we’ll explore ways to be engaged in being part of the solution. We can be a generation that crosses divides!
3. Pray for your FIVE - Choose a time each day to pray for 5 people you know that they will come to faith in Jesus Christ and know his love for them. Use the 2021 Prayer Journal to help guide and record your prayer or find other resources here.
4. Digital Family Resources - A fun-filled 11 part series for kids created in collaboration with the brilliant Cheeky Pandas! View a series of 11 reflections by youth on the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come. The Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map is a way to help your whole family take part in the 11 days of global prayer.
DAILY SHORT READINGS
FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to human beings, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2.8b-10 SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38,39 SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive. John 7.37-39a MONDAY
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40.28,29 TUESDAY
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7 WEDNESDAY
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29 THURSDAY
Jesus said, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11.9-13 FRIDAY
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. 2 Corinthians 1.20-22 SATURDAY
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.17,18
Join with thousands of Christians around the globe and let's light up the world in prayer! Visit the light up the world page to add a star to the map to light up your area!
ASCENSION DAY Jesus
Jesus shows us what humanity can be like when it is lived God’s way.
FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION Praise
God is the source and origin of everything, even the breath that we’re taking right now.
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION Thanks
Thanksgiving expands the heart. Pray that the whole world may find Christ.
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Sorry
The world has to change. But who has the answers? Who do we follow? Jesus says, follow me.
MONDAY Offer
The offer of the Christian faith is the offer of abundant life.
TUESDAY Pray for
Make your life a prayer. Pray for your FIVE. Make your life an offering.
WEDNESDAY Help
We are made for community with God and with each other and we can’t do it on our own.
THURSDAY Adore
Love is the complete self-giving that we see in Jesus. This is the love the world needs if we are to navigate a way though the huge challenges we face.
FRIDAY Celebrate
Faith is not a private thing, but a way of life lived in community. We need to nurture this life in celebration.
SATURDAY Silence
There is a place beyond words, where the heart rests in peace, in the knowledge of being known and loved.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST Filled with the Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit sends us into the world: praying for others, and serving them in the name of Christ.
READINGS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM
And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength – he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ Isaiah 49.5-6
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 52.8-9
Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4.2-3
‘While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ Acts 17.30-31
From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5.16-17
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2.19-21
Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.13-16
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28.16-end
DAILY OFFICE READINGS
to be used at Morning and Evening Prayer
Thursday (13 May) Ascension of the Lord
Morning Psalm 8, 47; Ezekiel 1:1-14, 24-28b; Hebrews 2:5-18
Evening Psalm 24, 96; (Daniel 7:9-14); Matthew 28:16-20
Friday (14 May) St. Mathias, Apostle
Morning Psalm 80; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 John 2:18-25
Evening Psalm 33; 1 Samuel 12:1-5; Acts 20:17-35
Saturday (15 May) Eve of Ascension Sunday
Morning Psalm 87, 90; Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14
Evening Psalm 136; (Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29); Luke 9:37-50
Christ Church Cathedral easily holds 250, but on April 1, Maundy Thursday, about 30 people were present for the Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils.
Archbishop David Edwards presided, with Dean Geoffrey Hall assisting. Cheryl Jacobs read the intersessions, while the Rev. Chris Tapera, new rector in the Parish of Bathurst, and Debbie Edwards gave the readings.
Layreaders, one deacon, priests and one bishop renewed their vows during the service. Normally a lunch follows, but with pandemic restrictions in place, no food was served.
During his sermon, David talked of the importance of marking the call of God to ministry.
“Today is in the holiest of weeks, and we gather here to celebrate and remember,” he said. “Some are called to ‘particular and weighty’ roles, though we are share a role.”
November 18th was the Feast of Saint Hilda. Members of the Cathedral congregation will recognize Saint Hilda’s name, through our connection with St. Hilda’s Anglican School in Belize.
Mission groups from Christ Church Cathedral have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018, and through these trips, bonds have been formed with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s, an elementary school in the rural village of Georgeville. Two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have gone on a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work through organizational support, donations and prayers.
To commemorate the life and work of Saint Hilda, at the worship service in the Cathedral on November 18, Canon Patricia Drummond shared these words.
Hilda was born in 614 A.D. She was a daughter in a royal household at the time when England had different royal families in various areas of the country. She was baptised a Christian at 13, but lived a secular life for 33 years. Then she became a nun. In 657 she was appointed the founding abbess of Whitby College and remained there until she died in 680. She followed strict ideals of monasticism - all property and goods were held in common, peace and charity were considered especially important, and everyone must study the Bible and do good works.
Hilda had a lot of wisdom and energy, and was a very skilled administrator and teacher. Kings and princes often asked her for advice.
St Hilda is the patron saint of the National Cathedral School for girls in Washington, D.C. Hers is also the name given to St Hilda's College in Oxford, established for female students, but now a college for both men and women.
For the last 7 years of her life Hilda was sick. She died on November 17th, 680 at 66 years old. In those days 66 was considered an advanced age. A man living nearby claimed he saw her soul being taken to heaven by angels.
St Hilda was an excellent example of someone who, as in St Paul's letter to the Ephesians (4:1-6), which was read earlier, lived a life worthy of the calling she had received, with humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with others in love.
Learn more about Saint Hilda in this video from the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Canon Dana Corsello speaks enthusiastically about St. Hilda during the morning prayer service (approximately between the 5-and-11-minute marks). She calls Hilda "a ray of light during the Dark Ages," referring to her as brilliant and as a strong proponent of Celtic spirituality. She was a princess in Britain before becoming an abbess, teacher and peacemaker. There is a school for girls situated at that cathedral, which is named after St. Hilda.
In this video message, Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls reflects on the challenges we are facing as individuals and as a community of faith during this time of pandemic. The light on the darkest days is our shared faith in Jesus Christ, and our practice of prayer brings us the gifts of stability and hope.
“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.
DIY instructional videos on how to say the daily offices, family prayers, the Litany and Compline from the Canadian Book of Common Prayer.
by the Rev'd Canon Ross Hebb
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.
While not a governing body of the Church, per se, (being neither Synod nor Council), the Lambeth Conference is a significant moment for the Anglican Communion, drawing together spiritual leaders from around the world about once every decade since the mid 1800's.
Lambeth is scheduled for this year - 22 July - 02 August 2020.
The Lambeth Conference has always discussed church matters and issues of global concern, including: the persecuted church, refugees, faith and order issues, marriage, the family, human sexuality, the ministry of women, racism, war and peace, Christian ethics and the Christian way of life.
The Lambeth Conference dates back more than 150 years; the first was held in 1867 with 76 bishops present and has happened about every 10 years since.
The Lambeth Conference in 2020 will welcome over 1000 active bishops and spouses from across the Anglican Communion.
In the 1860s a dispute in South Africa prompted Canadian bishops to petition the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles Longley, to call a gathering of senior leaders.
Fourteen Lambeth Conferences have met since, about every 10 years, with breaks during the two World Wars.
the Lambeth Conference dates back more than 150 years
Despite having no legal powers, Lambeth Conferences gradually gained respect and influence. Christian unity was addressed from the outset. The pastoral letter signed at the end of the first Conference declared Anglicanism was part of something bigger. It began, “We, the bishops of Christ’s Holy Catholic Church…” The ‘Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral,’ approved at the conference of 1888, remains the Anglican statement of the fourfold essential basis for a reunited Church.
I will admit that I often just skim through the Anglican Journal when it arrives - reading the article titles and picture captions, and perhaps the letters to the editor to get a sense of the national temperature. It is also often the case, that as a member of the bishop and synod staff, that I have read through a number of articles for the NB Anglican prior to them going to print - so I perhaps look at the paper as old news. But, having some downtime while on my trip to the Diocese of Ho, I read through the copy of the Journal I took with me.
The theme for the January edition of the Anglican Journal was around the challenge, the “wake-up call”, presented by the recent statistics report highlighting the declining numbers in the Anglican Church. Despite this bad news that one could focus on, I found many a good word to our church at this time.
My eye was first caught by the letter from the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of Cuba to Canadian Anglicans with lessons from the change in the Cuban church - a church that could have been wiped out by the change to Communism in that country. Bishop Maria noted the two-dimensional nature of the church, in Cuba and Canada, both an “institution that signaled guidelines and norms, and, the missional, sacramental and living church.” She warns of this shadow of secularisms that exists in both countries which can distance us from a lively, passionate faith; but because Canadians are also loving and accepting of differences, we have “great possibilities of deepening faith in the lives of many.”
In his Editorial Letter, Matthew Townsend cautions on how we speak about the state of decline in attendance in Anglican (and other) churches. One way we do so is to lament the loss of Christendom; and here, I must agree with the editor that this is really a good thing for the spiritual health of the church. Certainly, one can question how much long-term disciple-making was going on when Christianity was part of the culture. The other is speaking of decline as if it is still a future thing and we just need to come up with a solution, not taking God's will into account. Matthew’s article ends well: “Every time two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus Christ, the true King, the church lives. Everything else is just statistics.”
Our new Primate, in her column, continues on this theme, further encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus: “Like the Israelites in the Exodus, we are being sent out not knowing our destination. We are being sent out of the comfort and plenty we once knew into discovering a new resiliency.”
I found many a good word to our church at this time
Archbishop Mark MacDonald's column also helps us to accurately identifying our challenge: “survival, as a goal, tends to generate a morality and procedure ensuring death.” “The task is presented as the management of decline. The real task is the rediscovery of hope.” He identifies the challenge in terms of four crises: of identity, of commitment, of people, and of resources which, to my thinking, he correctly rewords to a crisis of imagination and faith.
Though longer and perhaps more of a disjointed read, the interview with awarded philosopher Charles Taylor is worth the effort as he discusses the spiritual restlessness of our time and what we have to offer.
And one should not miss the articles in the 20-40 section, including an inciteful one by our own Dr. Cole Hartin. He also supposes that God’s will in involved here and that we must realize we are in exile, grieve and then pray.
So let us not look back to Egypt. Let us set out on this new exodus, praising a God who is always faithful and grace-giving - who has entered our reality through the person of Jesus Christ to show us how to live, but who is God yesterday, today and tomorrow. Let us look for the pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud, and go where the Holy Spirit leads, knowing God's people are destined for the promised land and we want to share that with all God's creation.
Borrowing from Archbishop Mark's letter, it will be as we turn to Jesus, rediscover discipleship and reach out to the other, we will 'imagine a form of Eucharistic community that is replicable, sustainable and transformational.'
Footnote: Please do not miss the Green Shoots section on thriving congregations where two New Brunswick parishes are highlighted.
Psalm 126
5 Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.
Cheryl Jacobs Cheryl chairs the Diocesan Council Spiritual Development Team.
We began on 27 November with training for mentors and parents. The first "class" was Wednesday, 04 December beginning with supper at 5:30 p.m.. A schedule of classes and sessions is available on the Faith Alive! page. Any and all are welcome to join in classes that may be of interest beginning on the scheduled Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Faith Alive is built on the foundational approach of mentorship. "It takes a church to make a disciple." All participants are encouraged to have a mentor or "friend in faith" to walk along this journey with them.
Have you ever questioned what you really believe? Have you ever wondered how what you believe compares to the teaching of the Church and its traditions? Are you concerned about our ability to pass on the Faith to coming generations and the community where we live?
Early in December, with the advent of a new Church year, Christ Church Cathedral will embark on an exciting opportunity for the whole Cathedral Family.
Confirmation is the sacrament in which the Bishop lays hands on a candidate to confirm and reaffirm the vows of Baptism especially praying for the strengthening and guiding Spirit of God their lives.
Reaffirmation is for any and all who have been confirmed but wish they had an opportunity to refresh their understanding of the faith now that a few (or many) years have passed since confirmation. The Bishop will pray with them for the strengthening power of God.
Reception (not the refreshments after worship!) is for those who have come to the Anglican Church from another faith tradition, have been confirmed there by a Bishop, but wish to be more officially received into the Anglican Church (Communion).
As you can see, there is something for everyone, but there’s even more! What will facilitate the preparation for these individuals includes pairing each participant with a friend in faith (a mentor) who walks along side candidates to help where they can and assure that no one is walking alone.
Unit 1: Faith Alive in Scripture and Worship
Discover again how the Bible is the Word of God, our sacred story, and the authoritative basis for all that we preach and teach. Rediscover some of the depth of meaning behind and within Christian worship and prayer traditions
Unit 2: Faith Alive in Doctrine
Review the most basic Christian teachings on creation, who is God?, how are we to live as followers of Jesus Christ and inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven? We’ll explore how the church is structured and why, referring throughout to the Word that guides us.
Unit 3: Faith Alive in Law and Sign
Learn more about how the sacraments of the Church have for centuries been the physical signs of God’s great love and grace. We’ll discuss some of the spiritual tools readily available to the Christian, and have a guided tour of our Cathedral to explore how the faith is embedded there.
From now until Easter 2020, about every other Wednesday, we’ll meet (beginning with a meal) for teaching, presentations and discussion; alternating weeks are reserved for participants and mentors to meet one-on-one or in smaller groups to follow the session guides provided. Any of the “classes” are open to anyone to join for that or any combination of topics.
Are you interested in being confirmed? Would you like to reaffirm your faith or be officially received into the Anglican Church? Would you consider being a mentor?
2. D I F F E R E N C E - Prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom can take many forms. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has a passion for equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world. It is one of our greatest challenges but it has never been more vital. Co-sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral and the Diocese of Fredericton, we’ll explore ways to be engaged in being part of the solution. We can be a generation that crosses divides!
4. Digital Family Resources - A fun-filled 11 part series for kids created in collaboration with the brilliant Cheeky Pandas! View a series of 11 reflections by youth on the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come. The Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map is a way to help your whole family take part in the 11 days of global prayer.
