Category Archives: Events

Annual Congregational Meeting

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2021 Annual Report (for 2020)

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held in the Cathedral on Sunday, 21 February at 11:45 a.m, following worship. A representative from each family in the congregation is urged to participate.

Members of the congregation can participate in three ways:

1) Attend the meeting in-person. Please sign up separately for worship and in-person attendance at the meeting. Maximum capacity of 50 for each event, according to pandemic regulations for gatherings in the Orange Alert Level.

2) Observe the meeting by watching the livestream on the Cathedral YouTube channel.

3) Participate online via Zoom, using the link in your Friday bulletin email (if subscribed), or email the Cathedral Office <office at christchurchcathedral.com> for the link. If you've used Zoom on your device before, you're all set. If not, you'll be given instructions for installing the Zoom application. Zoom participants will be able to view speakers at the lectern, vote, and ask questions through a moderator. Looking for detailed instructions for voting via Zoom?

See the "Voting on Zoom" how-to guide.

Please bear with us as we launch out in these new ways of being the Church in community with the uncertainties we face.

View the Annual Report or obtain a print copy at the back of the Cathedral.

2020 ADVENT-ure

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Download in PDF format

With a new Church year  upon us! ...
Why not add something to your devotional life to mark a fresh start?


Listen to Christian Formation Director Kurt Schmidt talk about opportunities for ADVENT-ure


Choose from the following list of diverse opportunities on the Advent weekdays to deepen your prayer or study—you’re encouraged to add at least one new ADVENT-ure to your schedule!

MONDAYS

TUESDAYS

  • Short guided meditation on the upcoming Sunday Gospel in the tradition of Ignatian contemplation (imaginative prayer), 5:30-6:00 pm on Zoom. Link through the Cathedral Calendar or from Kurt Schmidt.

WEDNESDAYS

  • “Advent of the Heart” series—an in-person study of some of the Advent meditations of Alfred Delp, heroic German priest and martyr of the 20th century. Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge, 6-7pm. Sign up with Kurt to access the preparatory reading materials.

THURSDAYS

  • Virtual Taizé worship series, 5:30-6pm on Zoom. A simple and contemplative blend of prayer, song & silence.  Link through the Calendar or from Kurt.

FRIDAYS

  • “Mini” Advent Lessons-&-Carols series—in-person and live-streamed (both) each Friday evening, 6-6:30pm, with different musical styles and singers featured:
  • 4 Dec—Come Worship Group
  • 11 Dec—Traditional Choir and Organ
  • 18 Dec—Cathedral Youth Group (CYG)

Please use the Cathedral Sign-Ups platform if you would like to attend in person.

________________

Please also consider the diocesan Advent Retreat with Archbishop David, online with live teaching and guided prayer. 11-12 December (Fri-Sat), beginning at 4pm on the Friday.  Register here.

The Cathedral Branch of Mothers' Union has advent wreath candles available for purchase again this year. Contact a branch member or the Cathedral office.

Questions or expressions of interest can be communicated to Kurt Schmidt <formation at christchurchcathedral.com> by phone/text to (506) 259-3711, or contact the Cathedral Office.

“Being shaken awake is entirely appropriate to thoughts and experiences of Advent. But at the same time there is much more to Advent than this. The shaking is what sets up the secret blessedness of this season and enkindles the inner light in our hearts, so Advent will be blessed with the promises of the Lord.”  Fr. Alfred Delp, SJ  --  December 1944

Organ Concert – 20 November 2020

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On Friday evening, 7:00 p.m., 20 November 2020, J. Thomas Gonder, Director of Music and Organist at Christ Church Cathedral will be in concert.

Thomas recently played a concert at the cathedral of Notre Dame in Moncton and will reprise several of the selections from that concert at the Cathedral.

There is no charge for tickets (get them here) with the hope that any and all who wish to attend are able to do so. Donations to the Cathedral Organ Renovations Fund are encouraged and welcome.

The poster for the event can be viewed or downloaded here.

Farraline Place Fundraiser

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Although Farraline Place could not hold its annual fall fundraising gala dinner due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing work and caring of its residents has not been cancelled. The challenge is ongoing to make a home for low-to-modest income residents, and this particular year is more crucial than previous years.

A virtual fundraiser was held with tickets $50 per person, and donations of any amount are still being accepted.  For details about how you can support the home's important work, call Sharon Simms (Farraline Board) at (506) 452-8909 or Judy O’Donnell (home administrator) at (506) 455-6443.

Yoga is back!

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It was a long stretch (pun intended!) without yoga classes at Cathedral Memorial Hall. Thanks to the pandemic, the popular weekly classes ended abruptly on March 9th and finally resumed Sept. 21st.

Parish nurse Kathleen Snow, who organizes this wellness activity, is pleased that the classes can finally resume although certain restrictions are necessary.

“Participants must sanitize their hands upon arrival and sign in and out of the hall,” Kathleen said. “People have been asked to bring their own yoga mats, pillows and blankets rather than use items stored at the hall although some extra, sanitized mats will be available for the Monday afternoon classes.”

She added that people must maintain physical distancing while in the hall, but it isn't difficult since the mats are always set up a good distance apart even in normal times. The floor, with its pattern of foot-square tiles, makes it simple to stick to the rule of staying six feet (2m) apart.

While entering and leaving the building, and while setting up the mats, people must wear masks. However, it's permissible to remove them during the actual yoga practice. It could get hot and uncomfortable otherwise.

The first class attracted a mix of 13 new members and eager returnees who know that this type of self-care can help reduce stress and inspire well-being. The instructor, Tammy Blyth, said breathing deeply and deliberately provides oxygen to nourish the body; it can also relax the brain and nervous system.

Tammy also pointed out that exercise and stretching not only boost the effectiveness of the lungs and circulatory system, but can also lift the spirits. That's something most of us need in these trying pandemic times when life is so different.

Eric and Jane Hadley agreed it was good to be back for the physical and social aspects of the class. Although they kept busy all summer with gardening, hiking and biking, they looked forward to the resumption of yoga and the chance to see friends from the congregation and the community.

“I find that the gentle warm-ups to loosen shoulders, neck and back are helpful,” Ann Deveau said, “and the mix of standing and reclining poses can gradually increase mobility for people like me who are challenged by the stiffness of osteoarthritis.”

The yoga classes start at 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoons except public holidays, last one hour and cost $5 per session. Kathleen asks people to arrive a few minutes early, due to the need for physical distancing and a requirement for newcomers to register the first time they participate.

Getting ready – outreach summer 2020

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GETTING READY  - Canon Patricia Drummond packs goodie bags as part of the cathedral's summer outreach efforts. Due to the pandemic, the weekly drop-in for people in need has not been held since mid-March, but supermarket gift cards are distributed outdoors on the last Monday of the month. On July 27th, 50 people received a gift card or bus tickets plus a bar of soap and a goodie bag containing bananas, homemade muffins, cookies, a sandwich, a granola bar, and bottled water. Food items were donated by members of the cathedral family. A similar effort will take place August 31st.

Calithumpians – Summer 2020

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Summer Theatre

Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre (FrOST)

FrOST is the umbrella term for our summer season offerings in downtown Fredericton. We have been performing in Fredericton's Historic Garrison District for over 35 years!

CalithumpiansFrOST usually runs two complementary museum theatre programs: The Calithumpians, who provide live outdoor theatre in Officers' Square, and The Fredericton Fencibles, who provide heritage interpretation activities in the Historic Garrison District. But this year, because of Fredericton's decision to close the Guard House, our interpretive centre, our two traditional troupes have been merged! The Calithumpians will provide outdoor theatre and guided walking tours 6 days a week - Monday to Saturday - and the Haunted Hike 5 nights a week.

We are a professional theatre troupe that provides a valuable summer employment experience to students who are trained and rehearsed to conduct educational entertainment and family fun.

Come enjoy FrOST in Downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick! Click here for a full schedule and information.

Read the entire article

Lenten Studies 2020

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

The 40 days of Lent are an excellent time to take on a discipline of deeper reflection on the Christian life, growing personally in discipleship as well as helping us grow as a community of Christian faith in the world.

Download, fill and save, print or email the registration

 

Living the Fifth ~ the Fifth Mark of Mission is: to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. The online webinar from Queen’s College, Newfoundland, will explore the three themes. Wednesdays: 3-4 pm 04 and 18 March; 03 April

Liturgy of the Ordinary ~ Two groups offering a series of reflections on this diocesan-recommended text urging becoming aware of God's presence in overlooked moments and routines. Mondays, 2:30 p.m. OR Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.

More Monk-y Business ~ The Roots of Western Monasticism conceived as a 'sequel' to the series last Lent on the Desert Mothers and Fathers, will further explore the development of monasticism in western Europe, legacies of prayer and discipline. Mondays, 6:30 p.m.

Faith Alive! Deep Dive ~ Conversations on class (or session) topics from “Faith Alive!” – the Confirmation, Reaffirmation or Reception preparation programme now underway. Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m.

Parables: Scandalous Stories of a Saving Grace ~ exploration according to the book of the same title by Bishop Bill Hockin. Thursdays, 1:00 p.m.

Resources

Resources will be made available by the leaders of each of the studies. Contact the leaders directly to: express interest / ask a question / register, place the form on the offering plate or submit to the Cathedral office. Some flexibility in schedules and locations may be possible within given restraints.

Group Leaders

Mark Nichols, Creation Car Animator (Eastern Nfld and Labrador)   Webinar link
Kurt Schmidt <formation at christchurchcathedral.com>  (506) 259-3711
Alan Sears <asears at unb.ca>  (506) 450-9971
Geoffrey Hall <dean at christchurchcathedral.com>  (506) 450-7761
Harry Palmer and Keith Radford <radford at unb.ca>   (506) 452-1793
Cheryl Jacobs <cajacobs84 at gmail.com>   (506) 459-5795

Five opportunties at six different times

“Living the Fifth” Online webinar format
Wednesday, 04 March - 3-4 p.m. “A missional calling”
Wednesday, 18 March 3-4 p.m. “A communal calling”
Wednesday, 01 April 3-4 p.m. “A personal calling”
Open the link in your web browser to join     Mark Nichols

 “Liturgy of the Ordinary” Charis Group
Mondays 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Cathedral Hall Lounge     Harry Palmer/Keith Radford

More Monk-y Business
Mondays 6:30 - 7:30 p.m
Cathedral Hall Formation Room     Kurt Schmidt

Faith Alive! Deep Dive
Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:15 pm
Cathedral Hall Formation Room    Geoffrey Hall

Parables: Scandalous Stories/Saving Grace
Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Cathedral Hall Formation Room     Alan Sears

"Liturgy of the Ordinary” Home Study
Thursdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Jacobs’ Residence   Cheryl Jacobs

Please register by completing the form, place it on the offering plate or email to Kurt Schmidt.

What is the World Day of Prayer?

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The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement which brings Christians of many traditions together to observe a common day of prayer each year. Through preparation and participation in the worship service, we can learn how our sisters of other countries, languages and cultures understand the Biblical passages in their context. We can hear their concerns and needs and can join in solidarity with them as we pray with and for them. In this way, it is possible to enrich our Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression.

World Day of PrayerThe motto of the World Day of Prayer movement is Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action. Through our participation in the World Day of Prayer, we affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence on the world.

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