Category Archives: Education

2024 ADVENT-ures

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The new Church year is once again upon us!

 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 2 December

  • The Four Last Things:  Seasonal study of the traditional eschatological themes—death, judgment, hell and heaven. Facilitated by the Dean, Geoffrey Hall. 1:00-2:00 pm in the Boardroom; online connection option.
    * Email to register <dean at christchurchcathedral.com>

TUESDAYS - beginning 3 December

  • Taizé Worship: A simple and contemplative half hour of scripture, prayer, silence and song. 5:30 p.m. start.
    3 and 17 December on Zoom
    10 December in-person and livestreamed from the Cathedral
    * Link through the Cathedral Calendar or from Kurt.

WEDNESDAYS - beginning 4 December

  • Celtic Advent Spirituality Series: Contemplative ideas and practices for Advent and beyond, presented in the “Threshold Gathering” model/format. Led by Kurt Schmidt. In-person, 3:00-4:30 pm, Memorial Hall Lounge.
    * Please reserve your seat with Kurt for any/all sessions.

THURSDAYS - beginning 28 November

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 any time -- or sign up to lead!
  • Dante Group: But reading not-Dante now! Led by Alan Hall. Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge.
    * Just drop in any time!
  • 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!

 

Preparation for Confirmation, Reaffirmation or Reception

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We hope to put together a group that will begin prepartion for Confirmation, the Raffirmation of Faith or Reception later in November or early December 2024.

The Holy Spirit bestows seven gifts—wisdom, understanding, knowledge, fortitude, counsel, piety, and fear of the Lord—to assist us in our mission and witness. Confirmation is the opportunity for the baptized to deep our baptismal life calling us to be missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ in our families, neighborhoods, society, and the world. Confirmation is a personal, public confession of the Faith made especially by those who were baptized as as a child.

Read more about Confirmation, Reaffirmation and Reception or the other pages linked under Groups and Community > Sacaments / Services

A Reaffirmation of Faith is for those who have in the past been confirmed but wish to renew that commitment by walking with others in preparation and a review of the basics of the Christian faith. It is often significantly enlightening for those who may have studied the catechism earlier in their life but now, from yet another perspective, are able to take a fresh look at what it means to be Christian.

Reception refers to making a similar commitment before the Bishop having been confirmed in another Christian denomination. It is an opportunity to publically and "officially" be received into the Anglican Communion and while far from necessary to participate in the Anglican Church, can be a meaningful way to express one's faith and again, participate with others as they journey through study forward in faith.

Baptism is the sacrament (sign) of membership in the Body of Christ. All of the other Sacraments serve to strengthen us in the primary relationships we celebrate and recongnize in baptism. The baptismal covenant, commitments, vows and promises made at baptism are answers to fundamental questions about what we believe and are asked of those who proclaim Christian faith as disciples of Jesus Christ:

  • Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
  • Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
  • Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
  • Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Saviour?
  • Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
  • Do you promise to obey him as your Lord?
  • Do you believe in God the Father?
  • Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
  • Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
  • Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
  • Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
  • Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
  • Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?
  • Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
  • Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation and respect, sustain, and renew the life of the earth?

See the Book of Alternative Services (page 151 ff)

Read through the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer (p. 554) or in a more contemporary form in the Episcopal Prayer Book (An Outline of the Faith on page 845)

 

Fall Formation Opportunities

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Many Cathedral programs are kicking off or resuming over the next few days and weeks -- that is, during and for this Season of Creation.

Godly Play resumes (biweekly) on Sunday, 08 September.

Taizé Worship resumes (biweekly) Tuesday, 10 September -- and we are moving Taizé gatherings (back) to Tuesdays. The first session will be online via Zoom and afterward alternate biweekly with in-person/livestreamed in the Cathedral.

The Wednesday Spirituality Series resumes (biweekly) Wednesday, 11 September, at 3:00 p.m. in the Hall Lounge. September's theme will be the wisdom of creation-mystic Hildegard of Bingen.

Life in the Eucharist first communion preparation program launches on Saturday, 14 September (biweekly, 2-3:30 p.m. in the Cathedral) with its 2024 cohort -- which currently stands at 8 candidates.

An Art & Faith session (online, 5:30-6:15pm) is scheduled for Thursday, 19 September.  One session of Art & Faith will be offered each month for September, October and November -- then weekly during Advent.

Hoping to launch this (school-)year's edition of CYG (Cathedral Youth Group) on Sunday, 22 September.

Any inquiries or expressions of interest can be sent along to Kurt Schmidt, Cathedral Director of Christian Formation. Email <k.schmidt at cccath.ca>.

Steps to Stewardship: what does the bible say about giving?

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Biblical giving encompasses the act of tithing, which involves giving a tenth of one's income, and giving — whether it be money, possessions or time — to advance the kingdom of God and bless others in need.

(Check out a Guide for Weekly Giving to see where you are in your giving and by moving one step to the left discover what growing by one percent would mean for you.)

The Bible teaches that everything we have belongs to God, and by tithing, we acknowledge God's ultimate ownership and trust in the provision we have been given. By obeying this command, we recognize that God is our ultimate provider on whom we rely for our needs. It is sometimes helpful to think about what we have as being on loan, "for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it." (see 1 Timothy 6:7)

Stewardship isn't just about money

God has given us unique gifts and abilities, and calls us to use them to the glory of God. Whether volunteering at our local church, serving in our communities or using our skills to benefit others, giving our time and talents demonstrates our willingness to be good stewards of the abilities God has entrusted to us.

Practically speaking

Practically speaking, being a good steward involves taking responsibility for our finances, time and talents and using them for God's purposes. It requires practicing generosity, supporting the work of the church and caring for those in need based on the foundational belief that we are the caretakers, not the owners, of God's blessings.

In the texts of Scripture can be found foundational budgeting principles: avoiding debt; giving generously and making wise investments. Budgeting helps us "steward" our resources. With practice we can learn and discover "good" stewardship by concurrently prioritizing needs, developing disciplines necessary for setting aside resources for specific and planned purposes and giving generously.

Taking steps toward stewardship

Collectively as a church, exercising good financial stewardship requires these steps:

    1. Establishing a church budget as a way of planning for the future that allocates funds based on needs
    2. Maintaining sufficient transparency so that as a body everyone has the opportunity to understand where the church stands as compared with the current plan (budget); the giving of others in the congregation, and knowledge of current circumstances
    3. Avoiding impulsive spending and accruing unnecessary debt
    4. Seeking financial advice from trusted sources when necessary
    5. Regularly reviewing financial statements, promoting ongoing stewardship education and, encouraging congregational focus on existing goals

By recognizing that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God, we can begin to grasp the concept of stewardship. As caretakers and managers (the definition of stewardship) of God's resources, we can live intentionally and respond with joyful and sacrificial hearts. Acknowledging God's ownership empowers us to use our blessings wisely, from our material wealth to our time, talents and the earth itself, by taking a heart-centered approach to stewardship and giving in alignment with God's will for the church and for us as individual parts of the Body of Christ.

 

Certificate in Stewardship – Atlantic School of Theology

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Atlantic School of Theology

Who is This For?

AST’s Certificate in Stewardship is available to anyone. People who work or volunteer in the charitable sector, non-profits, university, government, education, church, and other fields will benefit, as well as anyone who would simply like to do some learning and personal growth. As long as you have Internet access and a device that allows you to open a document, watch videos, and prepare a short final assignment, you can take this program.

Course Delivery: Entirely Online OR In-Person in a local setting

The seven modules of the Certificate in Stewardship can be taken in one of the following ways:

  • As an Individual. Learn at your own pace. You could complete the program over several weeks, in a weekend, or over the course of a week. It’s up to you. When you enroll, you will receive a workbook that will tell you clearly how to access all the learning materials.
  • As Part of the AST Stewardship Cohort. Over the course of 7 weeks in Winter 2025, join with other learners and a facilitator to go through the 7 modules, one per week, “live” in real time over the Internet. When you enroll, you will receive a workbook that will tell you clearly how to access all the learning materials. The start date, day of the week, and facilitator of the AST Stewardship Cohort will be identified in September.
  • As Part of a Local Learning Group. Organize a group in your local area to learn together. You will need a designated leader to register and organize the group. The designated learner could be a manager, minister, priest, or volunteer with strong group facilitation skills. Note: Local Learning Groups are self-directed without instructional support from AST.

Certificate in Stewardship Program Structure and Timeline

You may start the Certificate in Stewardship at any time as an Individual Learner. There is no set time limit for completing the Certificate, but a maximum of four months is recommended.

Those in the AST Cohort will start the program in Winter 2025 (date to be confirmed) and continue together for 7 weeks.

Local Learning Groups may be organized and start at any time, according to the timeframe determined by the designated leader.

The seven program components of this Certificate are Time, Talent, Trust, Treasure, Terrain, Theology, and Thanks. For each component, there is a module that includes:

  • Pre-recorded video teaching materials (one hour per module)
  • A list of recommended materials for further learning
  • Reflection questions (or discussion questions for group settings)
  • A final integrative assignment (written or video)

Your final assignment must be submitted to AST to receive the Certificate. The assignment is graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and you will receive constructive feedback. If the final assignment is submitted before April 1, you will receive your Certificate at AST’s Annual Spring Convocation. If you are unable to attend Convocation, your Certificate will be mailed to you.

The total time investment to complete the Certificate in Stewardship is approximately 30 hours. However, learners may progress as varying rates.

Admissions Requirements

  • Anyone is welcome to enrol in the Certificate in Stewardship. AST recommends a minimum age of 16 years. No prior learning credential is required.

Registration Process

To register for AST’s Certificate in Stewardship, please complete one of the following forms and submit to James Cheatley: [email protected]. The appropriate fee should be paid through the AST Business Office, as explained on the application form.

Certificate in Stewardship Program Fees

  • Individual Learners: $600 per person
  • AST Stewardship Cohort Participants: $600 per person
  • Local Learning Group: $1,000 per group (individual rates do not apply) for a group of any size

Financial Aid

  • Some employers, congregations, parishes, or other denominational bodies will sponsor or assist with your fees and expenses. Please make your own inquiries to these groups.

For clarification or assistance in registering

  • Please contact AST’s Continuing Education Convener, James Cheatley: [email protected]

More Information

  • For information about AST’s other programs, please contact our Recruitment Coordinator: [email protected]

Atlantic School of Theology Certificate in Stewardship

Stewardship: a foundational document for the Anglican Church of Canada

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Stewardship is a core Christian practice rooted in scripture. The Bible offers a commentary on human stewardship that begins with God’s purpose in setting our first ancestor in the garden “to till and keep it,” and ends in the new creation, in a recurring pattern of crisis and resolution. That pattern of human crisis and divine resolution flows through the Bible — in the creation, in the covenant with Abraham, in the law, the prophets and the writings of the Hebrew scripture, in the life of Jesus, and in the continuing life of his disciples after the resurrection.

The first crisis of human stewardship came with our first ancestors’ decision to test the sovereignty of God by consuming the only fruit in the garden reserved exclusively to the Creator. Rejecting stewardship and embracing the illusory promise of sovereign possession of the garden, they initiate a continuing pattern of exploitation, entitlement, violence and destruction that plagues human participation in the life of the earth. There is only one essential stewardship question:  Will we make use of resources entrusted to us to serve God’s mission, or for purposes that we ourselves devise or that are thrust upon us by an economy that depends absolutely on growing consumption to sustain it?

Stewardship is a response to the mission of God. When we invite persons into discipleship and baptize, we also invite them into the practices of faithful stewardship. Those practices are properly framed in terms of whether or not they contribute to what God desires in and for the life of the world.

The parable of the two sons opens up a stewardship crisis for leaders among the baptized. When we have turned inward to focus on our wants and needs, when we have used the language of stewardship to address our own religious agenda instead of God’s mission, when we have reduced the challenge of stewardship to servicing the existence, program and practices of the church, then we have squandered the treasure of God in a far country.

Will we make use of resources entrusted to us to serve God’s mission?

For Canadian Anglicans, no faithful conversation about stewardship can be undertaken without consideration of the Baptismal Covenant and the Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion. The former is, like the “Rule of Life” that preceded it in the Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer, (p. 544) a framework for faithful personal participation in the mission of God. And the Marks of Mission form a framework for faithful corporate participation in that mission. The Resources for Mission Department works in partnership with dioceses to foster a generous sense of stewardship across the Canadian Church.

The Baptismal Covenant offers an expansive vision of stewardship, including commitments to the community and its common life; to resisting evil and turning away from our participation in it; to offering the world the gospel of Jesus Christ as an alternative to its story of entitlement, consumption, and conflict, to embody that gospel in acts of service and to work for justice, peace and the dignity of persons.

The Marks of Mission complement and support the principles and practices of the Baptismal Covenant with a commitment to shape our common life in alignment with the mission of God., Beginning with “the Good News of the Kingdom” they offer a set of shared practices that include inviting people to inhabit that Kingdom through baptism, and to enact the Kingdom’s ethos in response to human need, in a commitment to justice, in care for creation and in reconciliation and peace-making.

God sets out in mission to make all things new. It is God’s mission to transform persons, to redeem us and restore us to joyful and useful participation in God’s work. It is God’s mission to transform the church as well, to redeem and restore our common life so that we might live as stewards of God’s abundant gifts, and invite others into that stewardship – for the sake of the world God loves.

This document was approved as a theological rationale for the work of the Resources for Mission Department of General Synod by the Standing Committee on Philanthropy.

Stewardship: A faithful response to God's mission

2024 Season of Creation – To Hope and Act With Creation

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The Season of Creation runs annually from September 1 through October 4. The world’s 2.2 billion Christians are invited to pray and care for Creation during this time.

The Season of Creation unites the global Christian family around one shared purpose. It also provides flexibility in celebrating prayer services and engaging in a variety of actions to care for Creation.

The Feast of Creation of September 1, also known as Creation Day or World Day of Prayer for Creation, is the big celebration that inspires and nourishes the larger season that flows from it. Inspired by a rich tradition of the Orthodox Church, it was later embraced by most other churches. Besides being a moment to repent for our sinful desecration of the gift of Creation and pray for its healing, the feast honours God as Creator and commemorates the great mystery of the creation of the cosmos (learn more about the feast’s history and symbolism).

In other words, it is not just about celebrating “Creation as the created world” that God gifted us, but most importantly it is about celebrating “Creation as foundational mystery” of our Christian faith. In a nutshell, it is a moment to thank and praise God as Creator.

Christians around the world are invited to give particular attention to praying and caring for God's creation as part of the global Season of Creation. General Synod 2019 passed a resolution adopting the Season of Creation in the Anglican Church of Canada as a time of prayer, education, and action and encouraging dioceses and parishes to participate. Resources and events related to Season of Creation may be found on the Anglican Church of Canada website to help you plan.

Note: To avoid confusion it is worth noting that the Season of Creation is not a liturgical season like Advent or Easter but rather a time of intentional prayer and reflection.

This year, 01 September happens to fall on a Sunday, so it could be a special occasion to include the feast and mystery of Creation in the Sunday celebration. It is worth reminding the community about Sunday’s dual symbolism as both “the day of creation” (“the first day of the week” when God began the creative act, as per Genesis 1) and “the day of the resurrection.”

Links worth visiting:

Season of Creation website
The Season of Creation Anglican Church of Canada
Season of Creation Church of England

Faith and Science Course – FREE at Fuller Equip

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Are faith and science incompatible? In Where to Start: Faith & Science, you’ll learn how to approach this topic with humility and discernment, whether you’re in a classroom, at a dinner table, or in a Bible study. Led by BioLogos President and astronomer Deborah Haarsma, this is an introductory course to integrating faith and science, with optional “Going Deeper” sections throughout for a more thorough exploration of the topics.

Discover the necessary relational and intellectual tools to navigate important scientific, theological, and philosophical questions surrounding faith and science. This course will provide you with a solid foundation for engaging in constructive and respectful conversations in pursuit of truth.

Where to Start: Faith & Science Registration page

4 Different Ways You Support Your Spouse

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Prepare EnrichSupporting your spouse seems like a given, right? Maybe your wedding vows didn’t express it in those exact words (or maybe they did), but the central tenet remains: the lifelong commitment you’ve made to each other includes supporting each other through whatever life throws your way.

When we think of supporting someone, we often associate it with them being in a weakened state or in a time of need. In marriage, that can certainly be the case. Other times, supporting your spouse can take a much more subtle form.  Read on here ...

Living with Dying

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A five-part presentation and conversation series called 'Living with Dying' will held in the Cathedral on five consecutive Wednesday evenings in May and June.

The series will consider many of the important topics related to death and the dying process. Topics will include: End of life care options (with presentations from Palliative Care and Hospice professionals); Medical assistance in dying (with a lawyer sharing legal dimensions and interpretations of MAiD legislation); and Christian teaching on death and dying.

All sessions will run from 7:00 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m.

15 May: Introductory Session ~ An informal conversation facilitated by Dean Geoffrey Hall, introducing some of the big ideas and considerations around end-of-life issues. We'll look forward in this session also to hearing from audience members about the most pressing concerns & questions on their minds regarding living and dying well.

22 May: Palliative Care Session ~ Palliative Care is a way to care for patients with life-threatening illnesses, with a focus on quality-of-life – including the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and their families. We look forward to having the chance in this session to meet and chat with some members of the local (hospital-based) and extramural palliative care teams.

29 May: Hospice Care Session ~ Hospice Fredericton provides excellence in end-of-life care and bereavement support to palliative patients and their families. Come along to this session to meet a representative of the specialized team from Hospice House, our city's 10-bed residential facility. (*Special note: The "grief library" at Hospice House is named in honour of our very own Penny Ericson!)

5 June: MAiD Session ~ In June 2016, the Parliament of Canada passed federal legislation that allows eligible adults in Canada to request medical assistance in dying. Come along to this session to hear from a practicing lawyer updates and about legal dimensions and interpretations of the Medical Assistance in Dying legislation.

12 June: Faith Perspective Session ~ Our concluding session of the series will consider the important Christian teaching(s) regarding end-of-life questions and considerations. Come join facilitator Archbishop David Edwards for this conversation.

Download the leaflet

Valuable advance reading: “Faith Seeking Understanding – Medical Assistance in Dying” Reflections by Canadian Anglicans. Watch our calendar for suggested downloads for each session. Read it online or order a book from anglican.ca. Visit our YouTube Channel playlist for video.