Category Archives: Events

Ending Homelessness: How can the Fredericton Anglican community help?

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Penny Ericson on 11 March 2018 – Homelessness Initiative


The community of Fredericton is working to drastically change the way we collectively respond to homelessness through the implementation of a multiyear Plan to End Homelessness developed through collective planning by non-profits, different orders of government and community members.

The $10 million Plan, The Road Home, will work to house and support 267 chronic and episodically homeless and stabilize 1,033 households at risk of or experiencing transitional homeless. Moving from merely managing homelessness through emergency service to adopting a community wide strategy will create $3.2 million in savings in the first four years.

The Road Home is grounded in Housing First: an evidence-based model that focuses on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into independent and permanent housing and then providing additional supports and services as needed.  This model rejects 'housing readiness' approaches that have far too often left our most vulnerable trapped in a long-term or inescapable cycle of homelessness.

Information Session
Saturday, 24 March 2018, 10:00 a.m.
Cathedral Memorial Hall
with
Mayor Mike O'Brien - City of Fredericton

AUDIO Listen to an interview with Faith McFarland on 04 April 2017 about affordable housing
AUDIO Listen to an interview with Faith McFarland on 10 May 2017 about ending homelessness
VIDEO Portrait of a formerly homeless woman - Sandy Robb
VIDEO Housing First Initiative in Fredericton
Homeless Hub - Making Research Matter - Canada
Download or view the Plan

From the Plan ...
Our Plan sets forth a course of action that will result in significant shifts in our community’s collective approach to a widespread social challenge. We cannot promise that no one will ever experience homelessness again in our community: the root causes involved in housing instability are well beyond our capacity to redress in this Plan. Factors like poverty, the macro-economics of housing markets, public policy decisions, systemic discrimination experienced by groups including Aboriginal people, as well as the challenges of mental health and additions play critical roles in the dynamics of homelessness. These are structural and systemic factors that we must continue to address, though we cannot resolve them in the short-term. However, there is much we can do.

This Plan is a call to action, first and foremost. It sets out a roadmap that will lead to significant improvements for those experiencing homelessness in our community. It calls for the creation of new interventions, using the proven and cost-effective Housing First approach, to rapidly house and support those in need.

The Plan proposes the enhanced coordination of our homeless-serving system, and its intentional integration with other partners, including health, corrections, police, and child protection. It calls for enhanced information sharing, performance management processes and capacity building to support our frontline service providers. The Plan recognizes the key role all partners play in our collective

2018 Lenten Studies

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During the Season of Lent, all members of the Cathedral congregation are encouraged to take part in small group study.

The resource recommended by our Bishop for 2018 is “Pray: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer” by Bishop Bill Hockin. We’ve also had an offer to provide one additional option on the poetic works of John Donne.

 

“PRAY: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer”

In the words our Saviour Christ taught us. Divided into five sections. Study questions by Dr. Alan Sears.

11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays in Lent

Devotional poetry of John Donne (1572 – 1631)

Donne’s remarkable life included a secret marriage, a conversion from Roman Catholicism to the Church of England, and his transformation from a worldly Renaissance man to an Anglican Priest and Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral. His poetry is striking for its wit but also for its urgent searching after the face of God. We may want to discuss other poets and poetry as the occasion demands, but Donne will be our guide here.

7:00 p.m., Wednesdays in Lent

If you haven’t registered, please feel free to join. The study leaders would be happy to have you. See the Calendar for details.

Celebrating Women making a difference 17 February

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The successful event hosted in 2017 by the Anglican Church Women, was titled Celebrating Women – in the 21st Century. Thirty five women, representing all generations, were inspired by the presentation of Vicki Hachey. We enjoyed ‘creative’ interacting, examining the intricate needlework on our Cathedral linens, the expertise of our quilters, and delicious food.

This year we celebrate with our presenter Kathleen Snow, whom our congregation knows as the Parish Nurse. For many years she has been a member of Mother’s Union and her commitment to that organization led her to national positions in the organization and interaction with women from scores of countries. Her topic will be: “Women Making a Difference – Where We Are Planted.” With stories and video she will share experiences of women working with challenges of culture and local economics.

Following Kathleen’s presentation, we meet and mingle. Ros Maston will be on hand sharing her knitting creativity. Godly Playis an introduction for our youth to our faith and the Schmidts willshare the teachings and rewards from this program. The Matters, the Cathedral Rug Hooking group will let you try working the narrow strip of wool that is the start to the design. The refreshment table will be prepared for your enjoyment.

Bring yourself, a friend, your mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister to Celebrate on Saturday, 17 February, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Cathedral Memorial Hall. Questions (and dare we suggest a weather concern) phone: Kathy McBride, (506) 472-8954 or Kaye Small (506) 454-7630.

View the poster here.

Reading Scripture in Public – 28 October 2017

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Overview

Reading scripture and liturgy in public is an honour that deserves our time and attention as it provides an opportunity for people to hear God’s word. Learning how to connect with those who are listening by speaking clearly and audibly helps people understand and make sense of what you are saying.

Download the Poster

Objectives

On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. describe practical steps to effectively read scripture and liturgy in public
  2. identify the differences between ‘reading’ to yourself and ‘speaking’ in public
  3. read effectively in public

 

9 am - 12 Noon, Saturday, 28 October 2017
Christ Church Cathedral, Corner of Church and Brunswick

There's no cost to register, but we do need to know you're coming

Register HERE

 

Other Resources

Season of Creation Taizé Prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury

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During the Season of Creation, Christians are called to pray and act as one. Please join us for this special time of song and reflection as we come together for our common home.

 

We will participate in reflections by:

  • Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby
  • Other Christian and environmental leaders

We will also listen to beautiful music written by the Taizé community in France. This unique ecumenical monastic order is home to more than 100 Protestant and Catholic brothers. The order lives in kindness, simplicity, reconciliation, and its songs are well-known.

This event will invite deeper communion within our Christian family and our Earth community. Please join us.

Date: September 19, 2017
Time: 12 Noon
Place: Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB

Ah … there was music – choir school evensong on July 9th

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The Diocese of Fredericton’s Choir School marked 60 consecutive years in July 2017, making it the longest continuously running school of its kind in Canada. Its ministry objective has never changed: to enhance the God-given gift of music in people and encourage them to share this gift in their home communities. Choristers come to stay in a residential setting for the week, and benefit from top level music instruction by accomplished church musicians as they sing for up to four hours per day.

A Choir School experience also involves recreation activities, Christian Education sessions, times to explore living the Christian faith in today’s culture, and, a key ingredient, down time, where friendships are cemented and dreams sometimes shared amongst friends. All of this would be very expensive to provide, and it is only with the help of many generous people, foundations, and more that we have been able to keep the cost of attending at a reasonable rate, while also supplying some bursaries to those in financial need.

The success of Choir School’s work is impossible to measure in any quantifiable way. On the one hand, we have had in our midst opera singers, church organists and choir directors, many music teachers, and others who have made music a part of their career lives. On the other hand, we have welcomed novice singers, and even those who have never sung in a choir before. Regardless of past experience, many have had life-changing experiences during the week, and/or have been inspired in their faith, in music making, more.

Today, in spite of a declining presence of church choirs and choral singing in some areas, Choir School continues to welcome over 100 people each year. But we “imagine more.” Not merely higher numbers, but more of what has made Choir School thrive in the faith lives of so many people. There are many songs still to be sung, and many times that the Holy Spirit can be felt in the midst of music making. God is always to be praised! Our family is diverse; our choristers range in age from eight into the 80s. We welcome people from several provinces, and several denominations. God’s praise continue to be sung. We are thankful first to our Lord God Almighty to be able to continue this good work, and to parish churches and families who choose to be a part of our community. Such a community would not exist today without the strong support of a wider community yet, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit. All of this and more, experienced over 60 years, celebrated at Choir School 2017.

Visit the Choir School web site
The closing evensong on Sunday, 09 July at Christ Church Cathedral
Watch the Procession | View the Order of Service | Listen to the audio

Choir School 2017 – Evensong not to be missed

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A date to remember is July 9th, when the 60th Diocesan Choir School concludes with a triumphal service of Choral Evensong at 3:30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton.

Children from throughout the province will have spent a week at Rothesay Netherwood School, rehearsing for this occasion, and learning much about our church, its music, culture and rituals. Adult choristers swell the ranks on Thursday, and everyone can witness the result of their efforts at this magnificent celebration.

Opportunities like this should not be missed.

The Anglican Diocese of Fredericton’s first choir school took place in July of 1958 at Rothesay Collegiate School, the predecessor of Rothesay Netherwood. Gerald Wheeler, organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, served as clinician, and about 40 young people from various parishes throughout the Diocese participated in this exciting new opportunity for learning and fellowship. Mr. Wheeler continued as the Choir School’s musical director for fifteen years, and during those years the number of attendees increased substantially.

During the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s in the Anglican Church, the principal services of worship were Choral Matins and Evensong. As the decades have passed, these have been replaced by Holy Communion/Eucharist. Sung Matins is only offered at Fredericton’s Christ Church Cathedral, for example, four times a year; and Evensong is virtually a “thing of the past” in most parish churches. Musical selections are now more varied and contemporary in response to people’s preferences and to the requirements of communion services.

During the late 70’s and 80’s, Choir School became “Choir Camp,” taking place at Camp Medley at Upper Gagetown. At Medley, the atmosphere was less formal, and extra leisure activities were added to offer a more well-rounded program to the young participants. Music is the universal language, and its effect was everywhere in evidence in the lifelong friendships that were forged during those years. When adults joined the children for the week-end, entire families were able to enjoy a time of fun mixed with hard work, resulting in some splendid choral singing at the Sunday service.

In 1990, Rothesay Netherwood again became the venue for Choir School, and this year features Spencer Belyea, a music education specialist of note from Saint John, as the director for the younger choristers; and Dr. David Buley returns to teach the adults. Dr. Buley will be taking on a new position at Memorial University in St. John’s, NF, in the fall.

So, please mark July 9th on your calendar, and prepare yourselves for a dramatic commemorative service at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, at 3:30 pm. These are the kinds of events that help bring parishes together through a common bond. Opportunities like this should not be missed.

Carolyn and Bill Turney

2017 Choir School Evensong

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Diocesan Choir School 2017 is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The closing evensong will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on the afternoon of Sunday, 09 July 2017 at 3:30 p.m.

Download the poster

IT’S ALL ABOUT …  A Full Week of Busy Days

Junior Choristers
Children from the age of 8 are able to attend Choir School, with the consent of a parent or guardian (they must turn eight by the end of the current year). Overnight accommodations usually consist of two people per room, in the dormitory-styled residence buildings. The days are very busy, so we encourage parents who are unsure about what is involved to contact the Administrative Director. A typical day begins at 7:45, and ends at 9:00pm, and includes chapel services, several rehearsals, classroom time, recreation, meals (of course!), an early afternoon rest period, and some free time.
Arrival time on the first day is between 3:00pm and 5:00pm on Sunday afternoon with supper at 5:30. Please come to the Dining Hall to register (follow the signs). For the benefit of all choristers, please do not send cell phones as it can create problems for those who are homesick, and others around them. Any cell phones found will be confiscated until the end of the week.

Thursday evening, we offer a Choral Evensong service at a parish church, to which all are invited. The last Sunday afternoon, at 3:30, is our final Choral Evensong service. Family and friends are encouraged to attend this service, which takes place at a large church or cathedral,; children can then be picked up after the service. This service is very well attended;

Choir School’s finest Daily paper provides vital information about… uh, nothing, but it’s fun to read each day.

For best seating, please arrive at the church just after 3:00pm, when the choirs finishes its rehearsal.

Adult Choristers
Adults who are attending Choir School are encouraged to come to the Thursday night Evensong service. From there, you can go directly to RNS (Rothesay Netherwood School) where you can settle into a room at Kirk House, on the RNS campus. registration takes place the following morning after breakfast at the Dining Hall. Some adults, however, are only able to join us on Friday, which is OK, too!

Choir School takes place every year in the first full week of July on the beautiful campus of Rothesay-Netherwood private school. Some stay in the residence buildings, while local choristers sometimes live at home, and come for the full day of activities. Each day is very full, and sleep becomes a rather precious thing by the end of the week. Through the week, the chorister’s day is filled with choir rehearsals, a classroom session of Christian Education, Christian culture, as well as recreation, chapel worship services, rest time, and special fun activities.

Visit the Choir School website