4:00 p.m., Sunday,18 December in Christ Church Cathedral, 150 Church Street in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Whether you are a Christian who has worshipped in the Anglican tradition, are of another Christian denomination, another faith entirely or, simply interested in understanding more about what our faith community is all about, you are warmly welcome to visit or join us in worship. There is no dress code, you are free to sit where you wish and, to participate as you feel comfortable.
Do you have Christmas angel decorations? Share your ‘host’ of angels, a single ‘lovely’ or a bevy of the ’littlest’ for an angel display that will be enjoyed by guests attending a Christmas Tea hosted by the Anglican Church Women.
Join the festivities! Celebrate the coming of the Christmas season with Cathedral members and friends. Tea and sweets will be provided at this event hosted by the Anglican Church Women on Wednesday, 07 December, 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall. All ages are welcome to attend to enjoy conversation, sweets and the angel display. At the event, masks are encouraged when not eating.
As in past years, the ACW will collect items for the Grace House women's shelter. Personal care items are requested, as well as donations which can be used to purchase items.
Please drop off your angel(s) at the Cathedral Office between 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon weekdays, or contact Jennifer Griffiths <jmmgriffiths at gmail.com>. If possible, deliver angels by Tuesday, 06 December so the decorating team can display them in advance of the Tea. Please label your angels 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. You are encouraged and invited to add at least one new Advent-ure to your schedule this year!
*** Events begin after the first Sunday of Advent (27 November, 2022) ***
MONDAYS
So What About the Bible (Anyway)? Reflective study on the nature and purpose(s) of the biblical scriptures. Led by Cheryl Jacobs. In-person and livestreamed (hybrid), 2:00-3:00 p.m. from the Boardroom of Cathedral Memorial Hall.
* Please reserve your ‘seat’ with Cheryl or Kurt.
TUESDAYS
Art & Faith: Short, guided weekly meditation on a work of art related to the prior 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
December—Month of Miracles: Advent 2022 Talks with retired Bishop Bill Hockin and musical guests.
7 December - “A Friend Who Changes Everything”
14 December - “Miracles on the Margin”
* 12:15-1:00 p.m., Christ Church (Parish) Church
THURSDAYS
Virtual Taizé worship: A simple and contemplative half hour of scripture, prayer, and song. 5:30pm start.
1 and 15 December on Zoom
8 and 22 December in-person and livestreamed from Christ Church Cathedral
* Link through the Cathedral Calendar or from Kurt.
FRIDAYS
Adoratio: A simple and contemplative, Celtic-flavoured half hour of scripture, prayer(s) and quiet in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. 5:30 p.m., Christ Church Cathedral Side (Lady) Chapel.
* Just drop in!
DAILY / ONGOING
Divine Office: Regular (and brief) daily prayer, each weekday in the Cathedral. Morning Prayer at 8:45 a.m., Evening Prayer at 4:45 p.m.
* Just drop in!
Divine Comedy: Reflective study of Dante’s poetic masterpiece. 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.
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!
Advent candles are available from Mothers’ Union after 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. worship on November 20 and 27. The cost is $20 for a set of five candles and the booklet 'Celebrating Advent at Home.’ Candle sets can also be ordered by contacting Susan Watson <bagel.watson at hotmail.com>.
Watch a slideshow of photos from the Choral Evensong and Memorial in Commemoration of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, held in Christ Church Cathedral on 19 September 2022.
In September, the Guild of St. Joseph (affectionately referred to as the Holy Joes) gathered for a shared meal.
The last time this Cathedral men's group held a barbecue was in June 2019, over 3 years ago, and members were pleased to enjoy this time of fellowship, along with their spouses and Cathedral staff members.
Approximately 25 people attended and enjoyed socializing over hamburgers, hot dogs, fresh local corn on the cob, salads and desserts.
The Guild's motto is “Serving God and Church with heart and hands.” The focus is the maintenance and repair of the fabric of the Cathedral, the Green, and Memorial Hall.
Typically, the Guild hosts an annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (which they hope to resume this spring) and provides a Halloween watch, spring flood watch and the 'Greening of the Cathedral' during Advent.
The group meets in the Hall Lounge on the first Tuesday of each month (September through June), and warmly welcomes new members. For more information, speak with the Guild President, Gary Barfitt, or contact the Cathedral Office.
Thank you to all who assisted with the corn boil on 11 September, volunteering their time or assisting with food preparation.
After 10:30 worship, we served corn, watermelon, sweets and lemonade on the Cathedral lawn. The warm day made it very enjoyable to spend time chatting with others in the congregation, as well as some newcomers to Fredericton. We also appreciated sitting in the shade at the Calithumpians' picnic tables!
We hope to have more social events in the future, to foster connections within our Cathedral community, and we hope to see you there!
John Stackhouse is the Samuel J. Mikolaski Professor of Religious Studies and Dean of Faculty Development at Crandall University in Moncton.
On 12 October, 2022, he will present a lecture in Christ Church Cathedral, hosted by the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, offering a diagnosis, prognosis, and prescription for the condition of contemporary Canadian Christianity. The title of the lecture is Thick Churches: The Answer to Christianity's Decline in Canada.
This presentation is open to all, regardless of denominational affiliation or faith connection, and will be available in person at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton or through webinar format. There is no change for admission.
Professor Stackhouse will sum up the grounds of the Canadian Confederation in three sentences; the religious history of Canada in three stages; and the social history of Canada in five minutes. He will show that we are now in a post-Christian Canada and, more broadly, in a post-postmodern civilization. For many of our neighbours, the Christian Church seems like an enemy and the Christian gospel a threat. How, therefore, can Canadian Christians remain faithful to God while also reaching out in useful and welcome service to our fellow citizens?
Progessor Stackhouse has lectured at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Edinburgh, Bristol, Hong Kong, Macquarie, and Otago universities as well as across Canada. His work has been featured by media as diverse as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Times Literary Supplement, ABC News, and CBC Radio.
Click here to register for the lecture on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 7:00-8:30 p.m. (virtual or in-person).
Questions can be directed to Shawn C. Branch, Parish Development, Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, (506) 459-1801 ext 1008.
Since Queen Elizabeth II's death, many people have been reflecting on her life of service to her country, the Commonwealth, and the Church.
The Queen traveled to New Brunswick five times, visiting Christ Church Cathedral during her time in Fredericton. Here are photos of some of those visits.
In 1951, Princess Elizabeth signed the Royal Bible while in the Cathedral. In the photo below, you can see Dean Gray on the left, Bishop Morehead on the right, and Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh behind Bishop Morehead.
Here you can see the signatures written in the Cathedral's Royal Bible.
In this photo, Princess Elizabeth is seen leaving the Cathedral in 1951 with Bishop Morehead.
This National Film Board documentary of the 1951 royal tour shows a brief clip of the royal motorcade passing admirers outside of the Cathedral, and then visiting UNB. Scroll to the 42:10 minute mark.
Queen Elizabeth attended worship in the Cathedral in 1984, while in New Brunswick to celebrate the Bicentennial. She is seen in this photo, with Bishop Nutter wearing the mitre. Behind him is Dean Noseworthy. Prince Philip is standing behind the Queen.
The Government of New Brunswick has prepared a video tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's life and the everlasting legacy she left in New Brunswick.
A provincial commemorative service (Choral Evensong and Memorial) for Her Late Majesty will be held in Christ Church Cathedral at 2:00 p.m. on September 19, 2022.
She led a truly remarkable life.
Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
Thank you to all who assisted with the Provincial commemorative service for the Queen. Photos from the memorial will be shared on our website soon. *
A Provincial commemorative service for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held in Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton on Monday, 19 September at 2:00 p.m.
Attendance will be by invitation only, but the public is welcome to gather on the lawn. Loudspeakers will be placed outside. Please be aware that parking will be limited. A ceremonial gun salute will take place in conjunction with the commemorative service, resulting in increased noise levels in the cathedral area. For safety reasons, traffic and pedestrian access around this area may be suspended. Learn more about provincial commemorative events.
The service will be livestreamed by the Province of New Brunswick. It is a joint effort of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Province of New Brunswick, in collaboration with the Diocese of Fredericton and Christ Church Cathedral.
A Book of Condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be available in the Cathedral on Monday, 19 September, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Online condolences can be shared on the Government of Canada website.
* * * * *
A national memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II will be held at St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, 20 September 20 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (4:00 p.m. Atlantic). The service will be livestreamed on the Anglican Church of Canada's website.
Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth, for her faith and her dedication to duty. Bless us as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Members of the Cathedral congregation are invited to gather after 10:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, 11 September for food and fellowship!
Corn on the cob, treats and lemonade will be served on the Cathedral lawn. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. If the weather is poor, we will bring the festivities inside Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Are you able to prepare a plate of sweets to share? If so, please contact Kirsten McKnight at the Cathedral Office by email <office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.
Thank you to our volunteers - many hands make light work!
