The life of Edith Nutter, widow of former Archbishop Harold Nutter, was celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral September 17.
Edith, in her 98th year, died July 29 in Perth, Ont. where she had lived for 10 years. A small, intimate service for family and friends was held there in early August, but the family wanted to come home for a memorial service and her burial next to her husband, thus the September service.
Dean Geoffrey Hall presided, while the Rev. Keith Joyce, former dean of the Cathedral, preached. The Rev. Bruce Nutter, Edith’s son, presided at the Eucharist, assisted by Archbishop David Edwards and the Rev. Craig O’Brien. ...
My family join me in saying: Thank you so very much for all your letters, cards, condolences but more especially contained within them expressions of such love, care and support in every way. You truly are a Scriptural example of following Jesus' teaching on how to care for those who are in grief and mourning. Your action through words and prayer have sustained me during this time. I have known the Grace of the Holy Spirit daily manifested in the peace, courage, stamina to do what I needed to do. My prayers have been for you. Please keep praying, it is early days yet!!
Who would have ever thought my dear Nathan, whom so many of you knew would leave us all so quickly?
As a long time member of the Cathedral family, Nathan loved and delighted in being involved in the Cathedral life; he was looking forward to the time when we would return. Nathan loved life. "Life is wonderful, full of wonder" he would say. He has taken that with him, I am sure as he steps forward into the 'great mystery" that is God.
We have postponed a Memorial Service at the Cathedral until next spring/early summer due to our present COVID situation. God willing we can celebrate Nathan's life with tears and laughter with the hope that COVID restrictions are eased. A small group will be planning a rose garden in his memory in Fredericton over these winter months. Any suggestions will be very welcome.
I have waited a few weeks, on my return to Fredericton, to send this message of thanks for all of you. I do so now at this time of Thanksgiving when we give our thanks to God Our Father, Son and Holy Spirit who loves us and is with us amidst all that we have to face, and who is so willing to fill us with His Grace, His gifts to help, and sustain us always.
Thank you dear friends. I look forward to when I can meet you face to face and give my thanks to you personally.
In the meantime, be safe and above all let us appreciate each other for the very special people God has made us to be.
I ask God's blessings for us all.
Isabel
NOTE: If you would like to reach out to Isabel, please contact the Cathedral Office by phone (506) 450-8500 or email for more information.
By now, you may have had an opportunity to check out Sarah Ecker's profile on our website under Clergy and Staff: Parish Nurse. While it gives you a glimpse into the life of this amazing, outgoing, bubbly, professional nurse, we think it just scratched the surface. And so, here's a slightly deeper look at our newest staff member.
Sarah was born and raised in Fredericton and thanks to her 'build one and sell it' father, she has lived in many different houses in different parts of the city. In typical New Brunswick fashion, it didn't take long to find a degree of separation connection between Sarah and I (Gail MacGillivray).
My Dad would not even consider the purchase of a vehicle that was not sold by Alison Monteith of Monteith Motors - Sarah's Dad! I recall many stops at Monteith Motors over the years. Alison was such a good salesman that he even managed to recruit Sarah to work for him. Her career as a used car salesperson lasted for about 2 years.
It was quite a leap from selling cars to nursing, and a whole lot of life experiences before and after both for Sarah.
Shortly after graduation, at the ripe old age of 17, Sarah headed for Virginia. A close friend of hers was heading off to a Bible College and Sarah decided to follow. Sarah's upbringing was as an Evangelical and this study of Theology gave Sarah a broader understanding of the many different ways that we worship. It was one of many life experiences where Sarah felt a calling to be in that place at that time. Her time at the College also gave her a chance to travel throughout the USA, to Northern Ireland and Jamaica, and to experience diversity in race, language, religion, lifestyle and more.
While Sarah was studying Nursing at UNB, she spent a summer working at a children's camp on the Miramichi. It was here that she met her husband, Andrew. Andrew was working on a degree in social work. Andrew was born in Ontario but grew up in Miramichi. As Sarah put it, "they just clicked" and by the next summer they were engaged.
Sarah and Andrew currently live in Mactaquac) and they have two children, chickens, a dog, a cat and a deep love for their community!
She describes their 6 year old son, Elias, as being "too smart for his own good" and says he is frequently referred to in her family as "the Mayor" as he always has a handle on what is going on and is more than willing to assume a leadership role. Elias is in Grade One and it sounds like he is destined to be class president! Daughter Mercy is 4 and her Mom describes her as "fire and ice". A deeply passionate spitfire who is also very tenderhearted. Andrew currently works for the Mobile Crisis Unit, a division of Horizon Health which responds to mental health crises.
Sarah and her family are deeply focused on their Christian beliefs and living a life in Christ internalized. When the Pandemic first broke out, like many people, Sarah and Andrew spent time at home in reflection. As Sarah put it, COVID gave them a chance to examine closely the human qualities most important to them, recognizing that what they wanted was "to be a part of a community that was part of their values." They came to the conclusion that their Church family, especially, had to reflect those values of justice, mercy and humility.
Sarah is "loving the new job" as our Parish Nurse. She describes herself as someone who "loves working in a team environment" and especially loves collaborating with different sectors and "building bridges". She looks forward to having the opportunity to work as part of a team focused on "bringing wellness to people in body, mind and spirit".
Once again, a hearty Cathedral welcome to Sarah, who hopes that everyone will reach out to her, if only just to say hi. She is looking forward to her role in Pastoral Care and to working with the many volunteers that allow the Parish Nurse to make a positive difference in the lives of our congregation members!
Pioneer, trailblazer, a man of firsts — they’re all good adjectives to describe Gerry Carty. The man had a list of talents, skills and hobbies that would boggle the mind. He was always busy, always enjoying himself, always making friends.
He was the first Black pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the youngest commissioned officer at 18. He flew 35 sorties over occupied territory during the Second World War.
While recovering in England from a plane crash, he studied electronics, and when, post-war, Air Canada rejected him as a potential pilot, he opened his own electronics store.
He was the first to bring cable television to Fredericton. He set up a tower in his backyard to facilitate an early communications system for the Fredericton Police Force. And with partners, he opened a charter air service in the province.
But that’s not all. He taught people to fly and helped found the Fredericton Flying Club. He was a beekeeper, Air Cadet commanding officer, musician and gymnastics coach. You could often find him at the YMCA. And he was a family man, raising four children.
It’s difficult to overstate the positive impact Gerry Carty had on his community, his province and his country...
[Continue reading below]
Read the full article about Gerry Carty, a longtime member of our Cathedral congregation. The article was written by Gisele McKnight and published in the September 2021 edition of the NB Anglican.
He is the Most Rev. David Edwards, bishop of the Diocese of Fredericton; and Metropolitan of the Province of Canada, which comes with the title of archbishop.
But he’d really rather be known as David.
How he got to New Brunswick is a winding story of God’s hand on his life that began in 1960...
It’s been a long time since Rosa Macaulay’s been home, seen her brothers and sisters and revisited childhood memories in her hometown. It’s not that she doesn’t want to return. It’s that she can’t.
Gang violence, government instability, severe shortages of basic goods, a poverty rate of 96 per cent and massive unemployment in Venezuela have kept her in Fredericton.
Her birth country has been the victim of its own success. When oil was discovered a century ago, the country grew exponentially, but in the wrong way — becoming almost totally dependent on one export while failing to build its infrastructure and diversify its economy. A succession of military dictators, corruption and unstable world oil markets put it in a precarious position.
Then a socialist president, Hugo Chavez, who promised so much, evolved into an authoritarian who took power for himself from every institution. He died in 2013, leaving more unrest and instability that has only worsened.
So the country with the largest oil reserves in the world cannot feed, educate or care for its own people, cannot maintain law and order and cannot sell most of its oil due to sanctions imposed by many countries. That is why Rosa stays in Fredericton.
CHILDHOOD Rosa is a middle child of 12. She grew up in San Antonio, a small border town in southwest Venezuela just across the Rio Tachira from Columbia. Her family was very close, her father a military man. Church, school and family were her life.
When she graduated from high school in 1975, the country had a scholarship program to send students away to foreign universities. The aim was for them to return as educated professionals, mostly in the oil industry.
“There were not many people prepared to work in the oil industry and not a lot of universities,” said Rosa. “So the country decided to give scholarships. I applied and ended up coming to Canada.”
Actually, if all had gone according to plan, Rosa would have gone to university in the UK, and come home to work in the oil industry as a chemical engineer.
But neither of those two things happened.
“While I was waiting to be told when to go to England, I got word that a group was ready to go to Canada,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
EDUCATION
When she looks back now, it seems quite amazing that she even left her country. She had never been anywhere and was always under the protection of her parents.
“I was very much shy. My mother and father represented me. I depended on them for everything,” she said.
She asked them if she should go to Canada. With 12 children in the family seeking their futures, of course the answer was to seize the new opportunity.
“That’s how I ended up coming to Canada,” she said.
A group of 35 Venezuelans arrived at Loyola College in Montreal (later Concordia University) with one goal — to learn English.
After that year, the students were encouraged to apply to Canadian universities, and Rosa applied to the University of New Brunswick, where the answer was no.
She continued to take courses, applied again, and the answer was yes. She entered the chemical engineering program, and that is where she met John.
MARRIED LIFE
Meeting John Macaulay was the second big turning point in Rosa’s life. Her future was now firmly set in Canada.
John graduated in 1981, and Rosa, due to delays, visits back home and her time in Montreal, graduated in 1983. In the meantime, the two became engaged, but John was in Alberta working on his PhD.
They did their marriage preparation classes separately, John with an Anglican priest in Edmonton, and Rosa with a Roman Catholic priest in Fredericton. They were married at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church in Fredericton in 1983, with both denominations participating.
Then it was back to Alberta. Rosa had a few job interviews, but without experience, she had no offers. Unlike her classmates who worked in the field during their university years, Rosa, on a student visa, was not permitted to work. And by this time, a recession was in play, closing a lot of doors.
After Alberta, the couple moved to St. John’s, NL for John’s post-doctoral work. In 1988, their daughter, Rachel, was born. Their son, Warren, was born in 1989.
“We always thought wouldn’t it be nice to go back to Fredericton, with at least one set of grandparents there. I really liked Fredericton,” she said.
They had a short stint in Ottawa, then in 1989, John accepted a position with the Research and Productivity Council in Fredericton, where he remained for the duration of his career. He retired two years ago, but Rosa works part-time.
ANGLICANISM
Rosa is still Roman Catholic, but she’s pretty immersed in Anglican life at Christ Church Cathedral. John was baptised there, and when his parents invited her to attend when she and John were dating, she was anxious.
She’d never been to anything but a Catholic service. Would it be formal? Big? Intimidating?
What she found was a service very similar to what she was used to, “but there was so much singing in the Anglican church.”
She loved the singing. They continued to attend Anglican services on campus in Alberta, and back in
Fredericton, the children were heavily involved in Cathedral life, joining choir, youth group, puppeteers and traveling to Belize for missions.
When she was asked to teach Sunday school, she was sure she was unqualified, but she said yes, and enjoyed years of teaching children. She became nursery coordinator and helped with the choir. And at her mother-in-law’s suggestion, she joined Mothers’ Union.
“I didn’t know anything about it. Now I’m still a member!” she said. “When you have kids, you say yes to everything.”
For 12 years she prepared and led Prayers of the People, which she counts as a privilege. She and John volunteer with Helping Hands, a ministry that provides food, drives and other help, mostly to seniors.
She enjoyed the faithful support of her in-laws throughout her marriage.
“I always had examples — John’s parents were always involved. I always looked to them as an example. They were very kind and very helpful. I have always been in good hands and I’ve always felt welcome.”
She cites Mothers’ Union members, especially the older ones there when she joined, as another positive influence on her life as a young wife and mother in a new country.
BACK HOME As things deteriorated in Venezuela many years ago, Rosa realized the importance of becoming a Canadian citizen.
“I’ve been very happy here. I love Canada. I’ve never felt anyone was against me for being from somewhere else.”
Years ago, the family usually visited Venezuela every other year, “so the children could meet their cousins, uncles and aunts. They loved going there and speaking Spanish,” said Rosa. “But we haven’t been there since Warren was 12. He’s 31 now.”
The families use Facebook to keep in touch, though they all miss family. Even if it were safe, though, there is still the issue of poverty.
“There would be more mouths to feed when we get there,” said Rosa. “It’s a very bad situation. It wasn’t like that. It shouldn’t be like that. It’s a rich country in ruins.
“It’s sad. I never imagined it could get to be this way. For 20 years we have been saying it can’t get any worse, but it has.
“I don’t know when we’ll ever be able to do that, but there’s hope. We hope. We pray all the time. That’s what I can do.”
Most of her siblings still live in Venezuela and they get by.
“They are doing well because we are helping,” she said, adding that even sending money to the country is getting difficult.
“I’ve put off retiring three times because I feel I need to do this — as long as I can and as long as they need it. We help, and the rest is prayers going their way.”
The New Brunswick Anglican's series, My Journey Here, features members of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton whose roots are far from New Brunswick. If you are from another country, but live and worship in the Diocese of Fredericton, perhaps you'd like to be featured. Contact Gisele McKnight for information: <gmcknight at diofton.ca> or 506-459-1801, ext 1009.
Chris Robinson is a familiar face around the Cathedral. He loves serving any way he can at church: reading and leading prayers during services, serving as assistant Verger, singing in the choir, playing in the Praise band, assisting with the Youth Group, Alpha, and helping wherever needed.
Chris is proud 6th generation Frederictonian. His Great(x6) Grandfather was Ira Ingraham, whose house is located at Kings Landing. Chris’s great grandmother, Addie Hanson (Williams), was even custodian of our Cathedral in the 1920s. Chris is very proud of his storied history with the Cathedral.
Chris is an only child – his parents were interviewed by CBC on what it was like to have a child at the age of 39! He has yet another connection with the Cathedral. His “honorary Grandfather” was long time Cathedral member Phil Lyons. Phil was a close friend of Chris’s parents, and when Chris was born, Phil was given the baby to hold. It transformed his life, and he promised to be a good example to the young child all his life. Phil taught Chris important lessons from the Bible, the importance of putting God first, and staying close to God even in difficult circumstances. Chris misses Phil every day, but holds fast to God’s promise that he will see him again.
Chris spent his first semester at Crandall University, but transferred to St. Thomas University to complete his degree in Journalism with a minor in Gerontology. An example of his work can be seen on YouTube. It is a wonderful video, narrated by him. Last spring, Chris completed his first M.Div course at Wycliffe College at the University of Toronto.
Chris now works full time as a Kindergarten educator at Kingsclear Consolidated School and volunteers every Sunday night as a youth leader at Christ Church Cathedral. He tries to walk outdoors daily, and can often be seen at Starbucks, riding his bike, or playing his guitar.
Living in this age of COVID, it is difficult to make long term plans. Although he has been offered a job as a Youth Pastor at a church (Baptist!) in Mississauga, he is enjoying his time in Fredericton. He says he takes life a day at a time, and trusts God to direct him. Chris feels extremely blessed to have the Cathedral family, as we are to have him, for as long as God directs. Thank you for all you do, Chris.
This January, Cathedral Organist and Director of Music Thomas Gonder is celebrating the one year anniversary of his arrival in Fredericton. As we reflect on the blessing of his music ministry during this most unusual year, we thought it appropriate to look back on this interview originally published in the NB Anglican shortly after Thomas' arrival in our city.
[Photos and text by Gisele McKnight, 2/18/2020]
Cathedral welcomes new music director
Some call it happenstance. Others call it God’s hand.
Thomas Gonder believes it was definitely God’s hand that brought him to Fredericton — specifically to Christ Church Cathedral as its new director of music. He began his role here in early January.
Thomas, 48 and originally from London, Ont., lived in Toronto for more than 12 years, working as an organist in Anglican Churches. His path to New Brunswick began last summer, when he was invited by Leo Marchildon to perform at St. Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Basilica in Charlottetown.
A lifelong Anglican, Thomas decided to make the trip really count. He’d always wanted to visit Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton.
“I’d seen pictures, so I thought, ‘why not see if I can play there,’” he said. “Might as well make the trip more worthwhile.”
So he wrote to then-director of music, David Drinkell, who extended a hearty invitation. Thomas spent four or five days in the city, and loved every minute.
“I played an organ concert here on a Saturday night,” he said. “There were about 100 people there. I thought I might get 20.”
But while preparing to return to Toronto, he realized he didn’t really want to leave.
“I was overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers, the enthusiasm people have for music,” he said. “I was surrounded by trees instead of condos.
“When I went back to Toronto, I sank into a bit of a depression. I felt as if I really connected to this place in a specific way — not just with the Cathedral, but with the whole city. I crave nature and I couldn’t find that in Toronto.”
The sad and untimely death of David Drinkell later that fall opened up an opportunity that Thomas did not see coming. He’d struck up a Facebook friendship with Elspeth, David’s wife, and had lively correspondence with David. Now he realizes his August visit to the city was all God’s plan, not his. When the vacancy appeared, he felt he had to apply.
With an offer in hand, Thomas left St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Islington, in the Diocese of Toronto, to direct music in his first cathedral, and he couldn’t be happier.
“The draw to come here was irresistible,” he said. “I didn’t need this job. I had one I really liked, but I had to take this chance.
“I was growing so weary of Toronto — the cost of living, the hustle and bustle, the noise — it became too much for me. It was wearing down my senses.”
Now he walks to work via Odell Park, and revels in the bird song and the smell of trees, things he has sorely missed for many years. Moving to a new city in the middle of winter isn’t ideal, he said, but he’s enjoying the nature, the people and the work.
“I feel like it’s healing me,” he said. “Now that I’m here, all those feelings I had are confirmed.”
THE PEOPLE
What Thomas has found so far is a group of people — the choir and the 11:45 worship band — who are enthusiastic and skilled.
“I get to work with such a terrific choir,” he said. “And the 11:45 worship band is so talented. Everyone has made it very easy for me. I feel no stress.”
He’s also thrilled to return to his roots, “being able to play all aspects of Anglican liturgical music. I feel like a kid again!”
His great love of church music began when he was 10 years old, joining the choir at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
“It was a revelation, if 10-year-olds can have revelations,” he said. “I’ll never forget that moment.”
THE PLANS
He describes himself as a concert organist and liturgical musician, and he aims to put those talents to good use. As for the work, he’s got big plans.
At St. Matthews, he and the parish replaced the organ through a vigorous fundraising campaign and he hopes to use that experience here. The Christ Church Cathedral organ was last rebuilt in 1981, and Thomas believes it’s overdue.
“The goal is to renovate this instrument,” he said. “It’s showing wear and tear. Oddly enough, it’s a bit big for its environment. I think it needs to be reimagined for the space.”
Thomas sees that as a long-term project of up to 10 years, but in the end, “this could be the finest instrument in the Maritimes.”
He also sees a great deal of potential in the Cathedral itself: a beacon of inspiration for the diocese, a centre for arts and culture, a dynamic music program to share with the community.
“My goal is to make the Cathedral what most cathedrals have been for centuries — a centre for the arts,” he said.
Recently, as he listened to Dean Geoffrey Hall preach, he was struck by the sermon’s theme: ‘hearing the call, answering the call.’
“I had no urgency to leave my job, but I had to answer the call,” he said.
The Cathedral Communications Committee has invited members of the congregation to share their Christmas memories. Below, listen to a story from Claire.
Edith, in her 98th year, died July 29 in Perth, Ont. where she had lived for 10 years. A small, intimate service for family and friends was held there in early August, but the family wanted to come home for a memorial service and her burial next to her husband, thus the September service.
