The ACW and Health Ministry enjoyed planning and presenting this luncheon, and sharing their collections of unique and favourite Santa Claus and Snowmen decorations.
The empty chairs you see in the photo were filled with more than 40 people from our congregation on 05 December, which was a lovely winter day.
The soups were a hit, and few Christmas sweets were left for the elves. There was no fee for the meal, but many donations and items in gift bags were collected for Grace House women’s shelter.
Deacon Debbie Edmondson offered a thoughtful and timely reflection as to the hope and anticipated joy of the Advent season. Catherine Macdonald provided a lovely piano medley of Christmas favourites during the lunch period.
To bring so many together to enjoy fellowship – and food, was a blessing and reward for the hosts of the day.
Celebrate the coming of Christmas with Cathedral members and friends!
Gather for soup, rolls, sweets, tea and coffee, surrounded by a display of Snowmen and Santa Claus.
This holiday event will be hosted by the Anglican Church Women (ACW) on Tuesday, 05 December, from 11:30-1:30 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Personal care items and donations will be collected for Grace House women's shelter.
Share your snowmen and Santa decorations to help us decorate! Deliver items to the Cathedral Office between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon on weekdays. Don't forget to label items with your name, so they can be returned!
Why not add something to your devotional life to mark a fresh start?
Choose from the following list of diverse opportunities on the Advent weekdays to deepen your prayer and/or study and/or worship.
MONDAYS - beginning 27 November
Spirituality of Advent – Prayer Series: Contemplative ideas and practices for Advent and beyond. Celtic Advent, Centering Prayer and Labyrinth Walks among the topics to be covered. Led by Kurt Schmidt. In person, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge.
* Please reserve your seat with Kurt for any/all sessions.
TUESDAYS - beginning 28 November
Art & Faith: Short, guided weekly meditation on a work of art related to the upcoming Sunday’s Gospel and in the tradition of Ignatian (imaginative) contemplation. 5:30-6:00 p.m. on Zoom.
* Link through the Cathedral Calendar or from Kurt.
WEDNESDAYS - beginning 29 November
Advent Book Study: Seasonal diocesan study of Paula Gooder’s book, The Meaning is in the Waiting. Facilitated by Shawn Branch. 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Zoom.
* Registration required through the diocesan website.
THURSDAYS - beginning 30 November
Taizé worship: A simple and contemplative half hour of scripture, prayer, silence and song. 5:30 p.m. start.
30 November and 14 December in-person and livestreamed from the Cathedral.
7 and 21 December on Zoom.
* Link through the Cathedral Calendar or from Kurt.
DAILY / ONGOING
Divine Office: Regular, short daily prayer opportunity in the Cathedral. Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m., Evening Prayer at 4:45 p.m. Weekdays.
* Just drop in!
Dante Group: But reading Milton now! Reflective study of Paradise Lost. Led by Alan Hall. Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge.
* Just drop in!
Holy Eucharist: Wednesday mornings, 10:00 a.m. in the Cathedral.
You are encouraged to add at least one new Advent-ure to your schedule this year!
Questions or expressions of interest can be communicated to Cathedral Director of Christian Formation, Kurt Schmidt by email <formation at christchurchcathedral.com> or by phone/text to (506) 259-3711. Thank you, and Advent Blessings!
In 2022, the contracted firm of Heritage Standing delivered a comprehensive report on the significant costs of the maintenance issues facing the Cathedral.
Earlier this year the Cathedral and Synod contracted with Source Alliance to undertake a study on the feasibility of funding required renovations. Approximately 45 individuals/couples were interviewed and a report was produced. Bishop and Chapter have reviewed the report.
The dean is calling a congregational meeting to share the recommendations and propose possible next steps.
All are encouraged to attend on 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, 21 November in Cathedral Memorial Hall. Refreshments will be served.
* * * * *
UPDATE: Minutes from the meeting can be found in your 2024 Annual Report (for 2023).
Join Isabel Cutler, Deacon, on the fourth Saturday of each month for an informal gathering of Cathedral family members who have felt the loss of a beloved family member or friend. Reflect with others who have been following the same path, supporting each other in a shared experience.
Gatherings will be held inside Christ Church Cathedral, for ease of accessibility.
Join us on the fourth Saturday of each month, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
On Saturday 23 September, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge, we'll screen and discuss The Letter, an 82-minute documentary film providing environmental illustration, exploration and context to Laudato si’, the encyclical letter on the care of creation that was released by Pope Francis in 2015.
The movie tells the story of a recent gathering in Rome where Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders from many corners of the world met with Francis to respond to Laudato si’. The film is a fine witness and reflection on the climate crisis -- connecting climate change with human migration in Senegal; explaining the influence of unsustainable agriculture on deforestation and loss of human life in Brazil; telling the stories of Australian bush fires and flooding in India; and showing coral reef loss around Hawaii.
The stories in the film are presented in original languages with continuous translation.
Our screening will be followed by a brief reflection discussion.
Please reserve a seat with Kurt Schmidt: <k.schmidt at cccath.ca> or 506-259-3711.
The Cathedral Office and Memorial Hall will be closed on Monday, 02 October.
Merciful God, you call us to loving relationship with one another. Be with us now as we seek to heal old wounds and find joy again in this relationship. Replace our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Give us the gifts of honesty and openness, and fill us with your healing power and grace. We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen. [The Anglican Healing Fund]
NOTE: The final two sessions of Chair Yoga before we break for the summer holidays will be Friday May 30, and Friday, June 13, 2025. Please note that yoga WILL NOT be held on June 6 due to a funeral. Following the last yoga class on June 13, everyone is invited to go for coffee and a treat at the Café in the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Join us for Chair Yoga at Christ Church Cathedral, gathering with others for this gentle exercise.
An initiative of the Health Ministry, the classes are led by experienced yoga instructor Monique Smith.
Ideal for both young and old, chair yoga is a unique way to exercise while sitting in a chair. Classes are held in the Cathedral, making it easy even for those with mobility issues.
As Monique explains, “As far as abilities, even beginners will feel welcomed! … The key is to listen to one’s body.”
These weekly classes are sure to provide a stress-free way to exercise your body, mind, and spirit in fun and friendly group sessions.
Chair yoga classes are held on Fridays from 10:15-11:00 a.m., with occasional breaks for holidays. Check our calendar to confirm dates. All classes are open to the public to drop-in, with no need to register. The cost is $5 per session, payable each week. 150 Church Street, Fredericton, NB.
Once again, some of the provincial celebrations for the August civic holiday will be held on the riverside Cathedral Green, next to the walking trail.
The Cathedral Office will be closed on Monday, 07 August. On that day, we encourage you to spend time with friends and participate in the celebrations!
New Brunswick Day festivities will be held on both sides of Queen Street, at the Legislature and the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Beginning at 12:00 noon, family-friendly activities and entertainment will include: cultural performances, music, art workshops, street performers, bouncy castles, games, face painting, and a craft market. The Beaverbrook Art Gallery will have free admission from noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Calithumpians theatre troupe will perform at noon on the Cathedral lawn, and the Cathedral will be open for guided tours from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Discover the historical impact of the Cathedral on our city and province!
Emancipation Day will also be celebrated at the same time, with activities on the riverside Cathedral Green from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. This recognizes the Abolition of Slavery Act enacted in 1834 by the British parliament, which became law across all the colonial territories claimed by Great Britain, including land that is now referred to as Canada. Commemorating Emancipation Day along with New Brunswick Day highlights its historical and present-day importance.
Family-friendly activities on the Green will include music with DJ-Wakanda, a photo booth, local artists, and vendors.
A variety of food trucks will be downtown during the festivities, and fireworks will be displayed over the Westmorland Street Bridge, beginning around 9:45 p.m.
Read the details, and come on down to celebrate history and heritage!