Category Archives: Formation

Lenten Retreat – April 1st and 2nd

Posted on

LIVING WATER: Time at the Well

"All who are thirsty, come to the water!" - Isaiah 55:1a

LIVING WATER: Time at the Well Registration

A Lenten gathering on Zoom designed for lay people
Friday, April 1 (evening), and Saturday, April 2 (morning)
Join in these enrichment sessions from the comfort of your home
or with others in a gathering space at church.

 

Online retreat hosted by the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Feeling parched and spiritually dry? Are you weary and thirsty to have your soul refreshed? Come away with friends and soak in prayer, scripture, relaxed discussion and worship. Encounter Christ who offers the hope and revitalization of living water.

A Lenten gathering on Zoom designed for lay people - takes place Friday, April 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 12-noon. Join in these enrichment sessions from the comfort of your home or with others in a gathering space at church. Clergy are warmly welcomed to attend too.

Living Water includes a deep dive into several Bible passages, short talks, quiet reflection time, small group conversations and inspiring worship.

Hosted by the Diocese's Creating Missional Communities Team (VSST).

Got questions? Contact staff support, Lisa Vaughn (902) 789-4840 or <lvaughn at nspeidiocese.ca>.

Living Water Planning Team

Heather Carter, Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, NS
Eva Evans, St. James, Brooklyn (Valley), NS
Kent Gregory, St. Mark's, Halifax, NS
Scott MacQuarrie, Christ the King/Resurrection, Sydney, NS
Ann Moore, Parish of Hatchet Lake & Terence Bay, NS
Tanya Moxley, St. Nicholas' Westwood Hills, NS
Janet Vieth Forbes, Parish of Summerside & St. Eleanors, PE
Joe Young,  St. Francis by the Lakes, Lower Sackville, NS

Taizé worship during Lent

Posted on

This article about Taizé worship was originally written in 2018. Taizé is held weekly during Lent 2022, alternating between in-person at the Cathedral, and Zoom online sessions. Consult the Ad-LENT-ures schedule for details.

Candles flicker in the semi-darkness of the cathedral on a cold winter's evening as  people seated in a circle begin to softly sing in Latin to piano accompaniment.

“Laudate omnes gentes, laudate dominum.” The two simple phrases, which mean “Sing praises, all you people, sing praises to the Lord,” are repeated many times by the singers. The effect is calming.

So begins a Taizé worship service. It includes liturgical readings from the psalms and gospels, a couple periods of silent reflection, meditative prayers, chant-like songs in English or Latin, but no sermon or eucharist. The service, which lasts less than 40 minutes, is offered on the third Thursday of the month at the cathedral.

Jim Morell attended recently for the first time.

“I enjoyed it,” Jim said. “It was a chance to be with God in a peaceful, prayerful, quiet environment at the end of an otherwise busy day. Taizé will be a priority on my calendar of events, especially during Lent.”

Cathedral member Ann Sherman led such services occasionally and, after she died in 2017, this quiet style of worship was revived by Kurt Schmidt, Director of Christian Formation at the cathedral.

“Response has been great,” Kurt said. “The words, music and silence invite people into a stillness where they can listen for the voice of God, which is very important in today's noisy, hectic world.”

Kurt Schmidt at Taize

READINESS – Director of Christian formation Kurt Schmidt lights candles in the cathedral to prepare for a recent Taizé service which is a short service of simple, meditative prayers and chant-like songs.

He explained that this style of contemplative worship stems from an ecumenical, monastic community founded in the 1940s in the village of Taizé, located in the Burgundy region of France. Thousands of people, especially youth, have attended annual international conferences to learn from the monastic brothers who hail from many nations and who devote themselves to service and community. Catholics and Protestants around the world have adopted the Taizé style.

Chris and Diane Stevenson frequently attend the Taizé services.

“I like the quiet and the meditative time,” Diane said. “The Holy Spirit's presence can be felt here.”

Chris agreed. “During the service, it seems like a thin place – a place where God is definitely here and very near,” he said.

Beverly Morell said she likes the peacefulness of the service and the opportunity to reflect on the messages in the scripture passages. She was pleased to hear there will be expanded opportunities to take part during Lent.

“I invite people to visit the cathedral during Lent to try this lovely way of praising and meeting God,” Kurt concluded.

More information about the Taizé community is available at www.taize.fr

Watch ‘The Chosen’ With Us

Posted on

On Sunday 6 March, the first Sunday of Lent, as part of our Ad-LENT-ures 2022 offerings, the Cathedral and the Cathedral Youth Group (CYG) were pleased to host a screening of the first episode of The Chosen. More than twenty people gathered in the Cathedral Main Hall and were introduced in a new way to four important scriptural figures -- Mary of Magdala, Nicodemus the Pharisee, Matthew the tax collector, and Simon the fisherman.

The Chosen claims to be the largest crowd-funded media project in history, and aims to film and produce seven full seasons of eight episodes each, portraying the life of Christ and the disciples. All of the episodes can be streamed -- for free -- from The Chosen standalone app.

If you missed episode 1, watch it at home and join us on Sundays to enjoy fellowship and watch more episodes!

The Cathedral/CYG will be screening the first season of The Chosen on Sunday evenings during Lent, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Cathedral Memorial Hall.  Here is the tentative schedule:

  • 6 March ~ Episode 1
  • 13 March ~ Episodes 2 & 3
  • 20 March ~ Episode 4
  • 27 March ~ Episode 5
  • 3 April ~ Episodes 6 & 7
  • 10 April (Palm Sunday) ~ Episode 8
Please come along to any or all of the evenings for the viewings and a brief time of discussion afterwards. And bring friend(s)! Refreshments provided.RSVPs requested, to Kurt Schmidt -- by email to <k.schmidt at cccath.ca> or by text to 506-259-3711.

Adventures in Youth Group

Posted on

Recently, the Cathedral Youth Group (CYG) met at Mitch Clarke Park for an outdoor ice skating session.

The group of middle and high schoolers had taken a hiatus from in-person programming while the province was under more restrictive levels of the COVID-19 Winter Plan. Members of the group who were able to attend were thrilled to be back together and having fun outdoors.

Since then, CYG has been able to meet again inside Cathedral Memorial Hall. The kids typically meet in the Main Hall on the stage, which has been converted into a youth area now that the Synod Office has expended its offices into the former youth room upstairs.

Members of CYG are excited to host episode screenings of The Chosen as part of the Christian Formation Team's Ad-LENT-ures devotional programming. Individuals from the congregation and beyond are invited to visit Memorial Hall each Sunday in Lent from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (the typical youth group time slot), to watch the show about the life of Christ and the disciples. The kids plan to make popcorn to share with attendees.

World Day of Prayer: Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action

Posted on

04 March, 2022

Imagine Christians from over 170 countries coming together in spirit, uniting on a common day to pray for relevant issues affecting women and children. This is a reality: the World Day of Prayer movement has been active for nearly 100 years.

The 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.

Each year, a different country writes the service materials. The Prayer Service Video, prepared by the Women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada can be watched online.  A children's video, Kids Pray Too! is also available.

A television broadcast of the World Day of Prayer will be available to watch in Fredericton on Friday, 04 March at 9:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. and 10:05 p.m. on Bell Fiber TV channel 26 and Bell TV satellite channel 539.

Donations made online or by mail to Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada will help support women and children who are fighting injustice and abuse. Learn more at <wicc.org>.

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.

Ad-LENT-ures 2022

Posted on


02 March - 09 April 2022

During the Season of Lent, all members of the Cathedral congregation are encouraged to consider individual or 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. (See BAS p. 282 and BCP p. 612)

Listen to Kurt Schmidt speak about Ad-LENT-ures this year.

MONDAYS

Grace and Gratitude
Lectionary study with the Dean on the upcoming Sunday readings. 2:00-3:15pm, online or Cathedral Memorial Hall. RSVP to dean at christchurchcathedral.com or the Cathedral Office.

Lent us Pray
A five-part series of hands-on study and practice with various methods of prayer. Explore lectio divina, intercessory prayer, prayer with photography and poetry, the Psalms, and lament -- with a different local-expert facilitator for each session. Drop in to one, some, many or all! No RSVP needed. 5:30-6:30pm, Cathedral. **Please note that this time has been changed from the printed version. 07 March: Kurt Schmidt, lectio divina; 14 March: Isabel Cutler, intercessory prayer; 21 March: Jill Dunderdale, photography and poetry; 28 March: Kurt Schmidt, praying with the psalms; 04 April: Cheryl Jacobs, lament. 

TUESDAYS

Art & Faith
An Ignatian-flavoured contemplative consideration of select works of sacred art. Drop-in session hosted by Kurt Schmidt. 5:30-6:00pm, online via Zoom. Link through the Cathedral calendar.

WEDNESDAYS

Practicing Lament
Diocesan Lenten Study of the recent book by Rebekah Eklund. Led by Cheryl Jacobs and sponsored by the Diocese of Fredericton and Bishop David Edwards. 7:00-8:30pm, online via Zoom (beginning 9 March). Register here.

THURSDAYS

Virtual Taizé Thursdays
Ecumenical and contemplative service of worship that incorporates simple song, scripture and silence. 5:30-6:00pm, alternating online via Zoom (03, 17, 31 March, 07 April) and in-person/live-streamed from the Cathedral (10, 24 March). Link through the Cathedral calendar or Cathedral YouTube channel. Curious about Taizé? Read about an online session and in-person Taizé at the Cathedral.

The Power and the Glory
Study of the 1940 novel by Graham Greene. RSVP to host Alan Hall <alanwilliamhall at gmail.com> or the Cathedral Office. 7:00-8:00pm, Cathedral Memorial Hall Lounge.

FRIDAYS

Stations of the Cross
Various versions of the ancient meditation on the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross). 12:00 noon, Cathedral.

SUNDAYS

The Chosen
Intergenerational screening of the first season of The Chosen, the largest crowd-funded media project in history, about the life of Christ and the disciples. 6:00-8:00pm, Cathedral Memorial Hall. RSVP requested, and popcorn provided! Contact Kurt Schmidt <formation at christchurchcathedral.com> or the Cathedral Office.

 

Contact Facilitators and Join

Please contact the facilitators directly to: express interest / ask a question / register. Take special note of online options. Flexibility in schedules and locations may be possible within given restraints.

Geoffrey Hall: email or phone (506) 450-7761 or the Cathedral Office
Kurt Schmidt: email or phone (506) 259-3711 or the Cathedral Office
Cheryl Jacobs: email or phone (506) 459-5795 or the Cathedral Office
Alan Hall: email or phone (506) 443-0196 or the Cathedral Office

Phone Ministry – 26 January 2022

Posted on

PHONE MINISTRY: 12 Things to Attend To in Phone Visits

So many of our parishioners and community members are suffering with isolation and loneliness right now. Making caring calls can make all the difference and brighten someone's day!

Held Wednesday, 26 January at 7 p.m., the session offered insights on some best practices related to phone ministry. The Rev. Bonnie Baird, Associate Priest at Christ Church, Dartmouth, shares, real-life examples and her passion for visiting with people over the phone. You'll be inspired and encouraged by her presentation.

This session is 1 hour and open to anyone.

Hosted by the Diocese's Creating Missional Communities Team (VSST).

 

COVID-19, religious freedoms and the Christian response

Posted on

The Mission and Outreach team of the Diocese of Fredericton continued its Christian Forum series with a most timely topic entitled COVID-19, Religious Freedoms & Christian Response.

Dr. Alan Sears, Professor Emeritus in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick, was the speaker, his second time presenting for the diocesan Christian Forum. Alan’s main focus of study and research is citizenship, civic education and the intersection of religion and education.

To help combat the spread of COVID-19, governments worldwide have imposed stringent measures, including limits to public gatherings like religious worship services. Some have seen these rules as violations of their religious rights, and in response, have protested and even engaged in acts of civil disobedience. It is this backdrop that forms the context for Alan’s presentation.

[Continue reading below]

Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published in the December 2021 edition of the NB Anglican.

“There are many things to be concerned about in this world, but this politics of fear is toxic. It corrupts our empathy,” he said.

Watch the recording of the presentation from October 7, 2021:

The Sunday Paper and the Sunday Paper Junior

Posted on

The Sunday Paper is a new resource at the Cathedral as of the First of Advent 2021!

Each week, check the Quick Links of our regular weekly Friday email for links to current editions (or bookmark these in your web browser for quick access). The content will change each Friday, updated for the upcoming Sunday and prior to sending the email announcing the Sunday bulletin. These can be viewed or downloaded to a device or printed for use at home. (We'll plan on having a few paper copies at the Cathedral on Sundays.)

The Sunday Paper
The Sunday Paper Junior

“The Sunday Paper is informal, whimsical, faithful to Scripture, and in dead earnest.  It is not condescending or cute.  It helps children to acquire a vocabulary of crucial Scriptural images, and to relate the Gospel to the Old Testament, the life of the Church, and their own lives.”

The original SUNDAY PAPER appeals to intermediate through junior high, and presents one lesson (usually the Gospel) as a two-line cartoon; the other readings, and the Psalm, are presented as single vignettes. The lessons are tied together with a short commentary.

THE SUNDAY PAPER JUNIOR is aimed at younger children (preschool through grade 3 or 4). The SUNDAY PAPER JUNIOR features one lesson only, usually the Gospel. THE SUNDAY PAPER JUNIOR offers big, bold artwork, a simple storyline, an activity page designed to stir children's imaginations and spirituality and that requires pencil or crayons only (no glue or scissors) and does not involve word games or other literacy-based activities. THE SUNDAY PAPER JUNIOR can be used in church, nursery, or classroom.

Visit the Sunday Paper website or Facebook page for more information and other resources from many sources for providing formation experiences, especially with children.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Posted on

 

GivingTuesday - the world's largest generosity movement

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, taking place each year after Black Friday. The “Opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals join together and rally for favourite causes. In the same way that retailers take part in Black Friday, the giving community comes together for GivingTuesday.

GivingTuesday harnesses the potential of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities; it provides a platform for them to encourage the donation of time, resources and talents to address local challenges. It also brings together the collective power of a unique blend of partners - nonprofits, civic organizations, businesses and corporations, as well as families and individuals - to encourage and amplify small acts of kindness. Across Canada and around the world, GivingTuesday unites communities by sharing our capacity to care for and empower one another.

“We have two days that are good for the economy.

Now we have a day that is good for the community too.”

Visit the Giving Tuesday website

GIVE ONLINE NOW
Christ Church Cathedral