The Coldest Night of the Year is on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
CNOY is a family-friendly national walk-a-thon that helps you raise funds for charities that serve hungry, homeless and hurting people in your town, and in 136 communities across Canada.
Faith Alive!, the group preparing for confirmation, reaffirmation or reception are being encouraged to be team members as a "mission activity" as part of the Programme. Our Team Captiam is Kurt Schmidt. Our Youth Group is also planning to participate in the walk, but anyone can join. If you can't walk, perhaps you would consider sponsoring one of our team? Check our team's coldest night page to track our progress.
Join our Team, Sponsor one of our members or find out more ...
This note of thanks is sent to you on behalf of the Welcoming and Hospitality Committee for volunteering your time and/or for the many food donations that made our Reign of Christ congregation luncheon such a wonderful event!
The hall was set for 120. We only had a few vacant seats so I guess it is safe to say Chef Paul LeBlanc's delicious soups were a huge hit again this year!
We were very grateful to have Paul LeBlanc and his wife Andrea lead the soup preparation for a 2nd year in a row. I was so glad Paul wanted to say a few words to the congregation. I think it was a special moment for everyone and he was very touched by the response.
It really does take "a small village" of volunteers to make a our Cathedral events happen. Many of you have been congregation volunteers for many years, so I don't have to tell you that, but here's a look at the luncheon's "small village:"
twenty people contributed food items
eight people volunteered for Saturday soup preparation and hall set up
seventeen people volunteered Sunday for lunch service, clean up and hall reset
Though all roles are equally important, I want to give a special shout out to our Saturday morning crew of happy "slicers, dicers and peelers." Next year, I promise we will secure a few more "slicers & dicers," and we will draw straws to see who wins the prize of peeling the squash!
Thanks also to the volunteers who took the leftover soup and rolls to St. Paul's emergency shelter. I am sure the delivery was well received.
Congratulations everyone on a great team effort! Your contribution made all the difference and is sincerely appreciated.
Thank you!
Lynn Meehan
on behalf of the Welcome and Hospitality Committee
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?
Did you know that beyond the highly visible issues being considered at General Synod this year are many more less visible but significant ones?
Some of these are the resulting reports from the enormous body of work done over several years in many areas of church life.
Response to the “Iona Report” is progress towards a unified vision of the ministry of vocational Deacons.
Many liturgical texts have been in trial use, including alternative collects, rites of gathering and confession, daily prayer and others.
Material supporting the Catechumenate (those preparing for initiation by way of baptism or confirmation) include liturgical rites for presentation and the welcome of inquirers, families and their children into the Church.
Motions will be put to receive responses to “A Common Word Between Us” laying foundations for the relationship between Christians and Muslims.
Our prayers were answered as Sunday, June 23rd dawned bright and clear, if not a little windy; it was the day of our combined 10:30 am worship to be followed by our Picnic & Pies event on the Cathedral grounds.
Lunch on the lawn
The setup crew were at work by 9:30 am and within an hour had all the tables ready for the hot dogs, drinks, watermelon, pies, and cake; the barbecue was all organized and ready to go. Chairs were brought out and placed around the area. Various games were put out for the children: badminton, ring toss, horseshoes, bats and balls. Signs were put up, a last minute check done, and then, the first hymn could be heard; the crew rushed inside to join the service.
The service over, everyone streamed out of the Cathedral into the bright sun. Some headed right for the food, while others gathered in little groups to chat and get caught up. The hot dog table developed a steady line of parishioners anointing their dogs with their chosen condiments. The popcorn machine was an immediate hit; bags of popcorn were seen clutched in the hands of children and adults alike. Parched throats had a choice of iced tea or lemonade, not to mention those juicy slices of watermelon that were so refreshing. And then there was the pie table, covered from end to end with amazing, delicious pies: strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry, Saskatchewan, lemon meringue, apple, cherry, butterscotch ― often with more than one of each flavour. Decisions were not easy and took some time, with many opting for half a slice of this and half a slice of that. Or just coming back for seconds and thirds. No calories at a church picnic!
Doris and Audrey
With their plates loaded with food, people settled into groups around the grounds. Young families spread out on the grass while little ones explored nearby. The shade seekers congregated on chairs under the big oak next to the pie table―a smart move perhaps on two counts. Some opted for being out in the sun, no doubt letting its heat evaporate any memories of our winter past. Conversations ebbed and flowed, people wandered from group to group meeting friends old and new.
While the big people ate and chatted, the children checked out some of the games and toys. A badminton net had been set up, but the wind proved too much for that game. But it was not too windy for balls to be tossed and caught or tossed and hit. There was not much interest in the horseshoes, maybe just as well. However, the ring toss game did garner some interest, initially for its original purpose, but in the end it was the sand in the box that proved to be more fun; the rings were later found buried in the cup under quite a layer of sand.
Safety is always important at any gathering, so colourful little pinwheels were stuck in the ground in front of pegs and ropes to warn people of a tripping hazard. This worked well until one of the youngest members of our congregation found them; a pinwheel clutched in each little fist, he happily stumped around the area, the wheels spinning wildly. And no, no one did trip over any of the pegs.
Lynn, Bonnie, Gail and Isabel
There was a last minute run on the pie table, but then, it was over. Pleasantly satisfied with food, conversation, and companionship, people drifted away home. And then, the cleanup crew sprang into action. Many hands make light work, and in no time tables were cleared, wiped, and loaded for transport. Toys, games, dishes, odds and ends were gathered up and tossed into cars and vans. The grounds were cleared and everything back to the church hall in no time.
Of course an event like this doesn’t just happen. It takes a great team effort of volunteers to make our congregational events successful and special; from our task teams on set up, service, and clean up, to all our food donation volunteers that are so very important. For Sunday’s Picnic & Pies we had over 22 volunteers from within our task teams and more than 21 food volunteers, who donated hot dog buns, chips, watermelons, and those 15 delicious pies! In addition, the Anglican Church Women (ACW) donated a lovely light cake in honour of Hank Williams and Norma Jean Belyea, which was enjoyed by all. The few pieces of pie that were left over, along with some iced tea and lemonade, were offered at the afternoon reception at the Cathedral Hall. A sincere thank you to all our volunteers―we greatly appreciate all your efforts!
During the Season of Creation, Christians around the world rejoice together. We’re called to honor the Creator by loving creation and each other. This year, we’re protecting the web of life in all its variety, because each species reveals the glory of the Creator.
Powerful local events
Local communities across the globe host events for the Season. Some pray, some do hands-on projects, some advocate. A dozen ideas are in the celebration guide.
An annual celebration
It begins on 01 September and ends on 04 October, the feast day of St. Francis. The suggested theme for 2019 is “the web of life.” One million species are threatened by the current lifestyle of human inhabitants of the earth. Solving this challenge serves the Creator of all.
To what is God calling you?
There’s lots to do at the Cathedral and the community needs you!
If you have interest in
Servers’ Guild, Sanctuary Guild, Verger’s Guild, Guild of St. Joseph, Lucy’s Sewing Group, Anglican Church Women, Mothers’ Union, Choirs,
Matters Rug Hooking,Quilters, Prayer Network, Lectors, Intercessors, Greeters,
Worship Welcomers, Outreach Drop-in, Housing First Project for the homeless,
Reading the Daily Office, Administration at Communion, Stewardship,
Baptism Preparation, Sacramental (baptism/confirmation) mentoring
or any one of the eight ministry areas of our community life
under the leadership of members of the Bishop and Chapter
Visit the “Groups and Community” tab –> “Groups and Committees detail”
to find out who to talk to OR contact the Cathedral Office
It began with a query from someone in a parish in the diocese: Do you ever exhibit all the needle-work Christ Church Cathedral has?
That query came to fruition on April 13 when dozens of people came in to view all that was on display: “the fabrics, falls and frontals that grace pulpit and altar,” as the Cathedral bulletin announced.
The Cathedral’s Anglican Church Women hosted the event, with guides, the Rev'd Canon Pat Drummond, a skilled fabric artist, and verger Hank Williams, giving information to curious visitors.
The many years of work illustrate the signs and symbols of the faith, and “the variety of stitches used that enhance these magnificent ecclesiastical hangings – some of which date to the 19th century.
Lucy’s Sewing Group members were on hand to explain the work behind the altar linens on display. This group meets weekly to work and chat and many work at home on their needlework for the Cathedral and other projects. Refreshments were appreciated by those who dropped by for an enjoyable afternoon admiring the many works of art.
Dean's note: Lucy's Sewing Guild continues today in memory of Lucy McNeill, a skilled, energetic and passionate proponent of eccesiastical art expressed through church fabric art.
“Okay everybody. On your feet. Let's do a little warm-up, shall we?”
And with that, 45 self-professed I-can't-sing singers rise to their feet to follow Christ Church Cathedral's director of music, David Drinkell, as he has them shake out their hands, relax their necks, suck in their guts, and lower their shoulders. Then comes the vocalization exercises: humming and me, me, meing up and down the scales. “You should feel it between your eyes, just where your glasses sit, for those of you who wear glasses.” Apparently those sinus cavities you curse when you have a cold are what helps sound resonate when you sing; who knew?
With the exercises over, David has the Paper Baggers “rocking, rolling, riding, out a-long the bay,” on the “Morningtown Ride,” an easy song to warm up with and familiar to most everyone there. Then came the main event: “American Pie,” a song we all know and love and which turned out to be more difficult to sing than we'd thought. “Up you go!” shouts David over the sound of the grand piano, encouraging everyone to, again, suck in those guts and raise the eyebrows, both of them, to hit those high notes; amazingly, it does work. And no, we didn't sing the whole eight minutes and 36 seconds; maybe just as well. Thankfully, “Yesterday” proved an easier sing. “Well done; you sound quite good.”
Then it was time for a break and some socializing. Little knots of people developed around the room as friends, old and new, chatted away; a congenial group of people who love to sing, but who thought, or were told, they couldn't sing, along with a few who do sing in choirs, but who come to Paper Bag Singers so they can sing just for the fun of it.
We welcome people of all ages and singing talent.
And so the evening went, as have the four previous sing togethers: warm-up; sing two or three songs a number of times each; take a break; sing a few more songs, some new, some repeats; and wrap up with one more crack at a particular song. Interspersed though the evening are David's tips on how to sing particular passages as well as his wonderful stories garnered from his years of working with choirs and schools across Britain and his time in Newfoundland.
So join us, won't you. Only two more events this season: Monday, May 27th and Monday, June 10th. We welcome people of all ages and singing talent. We sing mostly the music we grew up with – all you flower children out there – and some we might not be so familiar with – always good to learn new things. Paper Bag Singers: it's all about having fun together. And oh yes, we did take a last crack at “American Pie” – we won.
On February 17, the Dessert and Games Night (all ages) will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cathedral Memorial Hall, 168 Church Street.
Drop in and stay as long as you like.
Games will include:
a kid-friendly area that will rotate games every 15 minutes (Charades, Pictionary, musical chairs, and cribbage)
a quiet room for bridge and cribbage
a wide selection of board games that you can take back to your table, or
just come enjoy delicious dessert and good company.
Admission is by donation.
All of the donations will support the Belize high school scholarships and St. Hilda’s Anglican School in Georgeville. Since 2005, Christ Church Cathedral has been supporting and sending mission trips to St. Hilda’s. The school has a wonderful, caring staff.
For more information, contact the Belize Mission Committee at [email protected]
It's cold out there!
