The large crucifix that hangs on the pillar in Christ Church Cathedral during the last two weeks before Easter is an adaptation of an Irish traditional form known as the "Penal Cross." One given to me many years ago hangs in my home, and gave me inspiration for my large version.
The original is simple and primitive in design, and shows many of the symbols associated with the Crucifixion: at the top, INRI ("Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," in Latin): the hammer and nails, and the sun going through its darkened phases. On Jesus' wrist are the cords that bound him, and on the other side, the tongs used for removing the nails; down the sides, the spear which drew blood and water from Christ's side, the whip used in the scourging, and the ladder used to take him down from the cross. At the bottom struts the cock that crowed at Peter's denial; below it, the pot used to catch Jesus' blood.
My own version uses all these symbols, and I added to them three of my own favourites: the dice which the soldiers used to cast lots for Jesus' cloak; Judas' thirty pieces of silver and the skull, often depicted in crucifixions, said to be that of "the first Adam."
The smaller version which hangs at home, is black, carved from Irish peat. My crucifix is done in encaustic paint (made with beeswax and pigment) on wood.
On a warm and sunny February afternoon – yes we did have some of those! – approximately 35 women gathered at the Cathedral Hall to hear Kathleen Snow’s presentation entitled Women Making a Difference – Where We are Planted.
Most Christ Church Cathedral congregation members know Kathleen as our Parish Nurse, a member of the 11:45 am Praise Choir, and an active member of Mothers’ Union. Kathleen has been involved with Mothers’ Union for over 30 years. She has served as the local Branch Leader, the Diocesan President, the National President and has gone on to work with the Worldwide Mothers’ Union. As she told the group gathered on February 17th, these roles have provided her with the opportunity to meet some amazing women of faith around the world who truly are making a difference where they are planted!
Before introducing the attendees to these women, Kathleen challenged the group to come up with a list of characteristics of women who make a difference. Most attributes were positive but the odd less- than-positive one did manage to creep in reinforcing the notion that no one is perfect! Here are some of the attributes identified: nurturing, strong, thoughtful, supportive, determined, flexible, organized, committed and bold.
... flexible, organized, committed and bold ...
One of the women that Kathleen went on to speak about was Claudette Kijeme of Burundi. Claudette is a Mothers’ Union Worker who has been leading a Literacy Program focused on women. Since the program started in the year 2000, almost 74,000 people have been trained and are now functionally literate. Literacy Circles have been established in many regions of Burundi and surrounding African countries and the testimonies of women (and men) who have participated were very moving. Life constraints have been removed through literacy. Women can successfully manage their market stalls and not be cheated because they couldn’t count change properly. Literacy became a main tool to empower women. As more and more men became involved, they came to see that women were not worthless as culture had dictated and relationships between husband and wife improved. They now recognize the importance of literacy for their children, a distinct advantage for future generations. Not surprisingly, Claudette’s work led to her being invited to address the United Nations Council on the Status of Women as a member of the worldwide Mothers’ Union contingency several years ago.
Sheran Harper of Guyana developed the Mothers’ Union Parenting Programme which also started in the year 2000. This support program for parents is now run worldwide by Mothers’ Union. Sheran trains facilitators to run the Program aimed at improving family relationships. Kathleen trained under Sheran who visited Fredericton in 2008.
Although Kathleen spoke of other women making a difference in far off places, she reminded everyone that in our midst there are women making a difference. Dawn DeCourcey, a Fredericton resident, quietly runs a program called the Fundy Peace Foundation (FPF). While visiting a school in Kenya as a representative of the Foundation, Dawn realised that even though children may obtain the necessary high rankings to get into high school, they are often too poor to attend. In response, FPF set up a scholarship fund to assist students. It was also noted that few females complete elementary school and become eligible for high school. The Masai Mara Project has raised over $10,000 to help address this need.
So many women making a difference. Blooming where they are planted and continuing to sow the seeds of help wherever they are needed through their faith and their relationships with others. It was noted that as our faith grows, we often look to demonstrate that faith and the love of God to others. These women have all succeeded and continue to succeed in living out their faith each day!
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund, seeking to build a truly just, healthy and peaceful world, works in 28 countries with a variety of local partners and covers a wide spectrum in the field of international development. We hope that this devotional will help you explore the history of PWRDF as well as the various pillars of PWRDF’s work: food security, preventive health, humanitarian relief and refugee support, poverty reduction, human rights and peace. We pray that this resource will help you in your mission to seek justice in our world. — PWRDF National Youth Council Resources Committee
Creator God, You loved the world into life. Forgive us when our dreams of the future are shaped by anything other than glimpses of a kingdom of justice, peace and an end to poverty. Incarnate God, You taught us to speak out for what is right. Make us content with nothing less than a world that is transformed into the shape of love, where poverty shall be no more. Breath of God, let there be abundant life. Inspire us with the vision of poverty over, and give us the faith, courage and will to make it happen. Amen.
During the Season of Lent, all members of the Cathedral congregation are encouraged to take part in small group study.
The resource recommended by our Bishop for 2018 is “Pray: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer” by Bishop Bill Hockin. We’ve also had an offer to provide one additional option on the poetic works of John Donne.
“PRAY: Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer”
In the words our Saviour Christ taught us. Divided into five sections. Study questions by Dr. Alan Sears.
11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays in Lent
Devotional poetry of John Donne (1572 – 1631)
Donne’s remarkable life included a secret marriage, a conversion from Roman Catholicism to the Church of England, and his transformation from a worldly Renaissance man to an Anglican Priest and Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral. His poetry is striking for its wit but also for its urgent searching after the face of God. We may want to discuss other poets and poetry as the occasion demands, but Donne will be our guide here.
7:00 p.m., Wednesdays in Lent
If you haven’t registered, please feel free to join. The study leaders would be happy to have you. See the Calendar for details.
Ash Wednesday is a moveable fast day in the Church calendar, this year falling on 14 February. The date of Ash Wednesday is determined by the date of Easter each year, which is 01 April in 2018.
While not as early as it can be, Easter is relatively early this year determined by the "Paschal Full Moon" (the first full moon after the spring equinox). In 1818 that moon fell on Saturday March 21 (the equinox). Therefore, the following day, March 22, was Easter. It will not fall as early again until 2285, a span of 467 years!
The Church customarily offers opportunities for study and spiritual growth during the season of Lent. A "holy Lent," the liturgical words of Ash Wednesday suggest, is a time of "self examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving" (we don't give because the Church needs us to but rather, because of our own need to give) and the reading and meditating on the word of God."
This year at the Cathedral, we would like to create as many opportunities as possible for those in our Cathedral family to engage in efforts toward the purposes of Lent. If you would like to offer to facilitate a study group, we want to hear from you! Groups might meet in homes, at the Cathedral Hall, at the Cathedral or another location depending on scheduling possibilities. You would be welcome to use a resource of your own choice or, two books are being suggested, both with study questions included:
If you would like to know more, speak to the Dean or Kurt Schmidt dean@ or formation@ christchurchcathedral.com. Watch for information on study times and locations.
Tasty sandwiches and warm socks aren't the only things handed out to people in need at the Monday morning drop-in run by the cathedral's outreach committee.
Archdeacon Pat Drummond always gives a blessing of praise and thanksgiving to start the morning's activities. At first, the clatter of dishes and chatter of voices would continue. But now everyone stops respectfully to listen to her.
Later, amid the hubbub of people in the great hall who are enjoying refreshments, live music and a selection of used clothing, she announces a Bible study will begin shortly in the nursery.
She first offered such a session in the autumn of 2015. Only one or two people took part at first, but now several usually attend weekly.
"Those who participate say they really enjoy it and would miss it if it didn't happen," Pat said.
Last year they read the Gospel of Mark, but now they are examining Genesis. On a recent Monday they read about the birth of Jacob's sons, the ancestors of the 12 tribes of Israel.
"We always look at a bit of background for the story we are about to read," she explained. "We talked about the language spoken by the people of the day, since the names of Jacob's sons have meanings in Hebrew. We talked about the position of women in that society. Then we read the story in a modern translation such as the Message."
OUTREACH BIBLE STUDY – Archdeacon Pat Drummond (at left) leads a Bible study attended by Monday morning drop-in guests such as Darcy, Wendy and Barb.
Some of the people in the group are regular churchgoers, some had a religious foundation in childhood, while others are curious seekers. Pat involves everyone in the discussions.
"We discuss things in our own lives which have impacted us and bear relation to the story," she said. "Today, for example, it was how many children were in our own families and our position in the family. We talk about issues in the story such as the relationship between Jacob's wives and the slaves who also bore his sons. And we discuss how we solve or have solved our own family issues."
We need to be where people's hopes and fears intersect with those of God ...
Bishop David Edwards has said that the church needs to look for new ways to share the presence of God in communities where it has traditionally been established.
"We need to be where people's hopes and fears intersect with those of God, and to provide ways in which people can connect with God when they need to," the bishop wrote in a recent column in the NB Anglican.
Charles Ferris from the cathedral regularly attends the Monday morning drop-in as a friendly visitor. He has found that many living in poverty have health or social problems, and they can either be extremely withdrawn or very eager to tell their troubles. He often joins Pat's Bible study.
"The quiet space and the learning opportunity Pat provides is like church for some of these people," Charles said. "They're searching for a sense of community and spiritual connection, and they find it here."
After the Bible passages have been covered, Pat always goes around the circle to see who would like prayer and for what purpose.
"I think they particularly enjoy finding out more about their comrades through our talks," she noted. "They appreciate the prayers for forthcoming doctor's appointments, surgeries, moves, etc. We pray and always finish with the Lord's Prayer."
The Bible study is not the only beyond-handouts activity the outreach committee has supported. Members have accompanied some Monday morning guests to court and visited others in the hospital. The pastoral care committee has also done the latter.
"We like to reach out compassionately to people where they are, which won't necessarily be in a pew in the cathedral on Sunday morning," outreach committee treasurer Doug Milander said. "The weekly Bible study Pat prepares and offers here is an important aspect of efforts to share God's love beyond the church walls. Her time is greatly appreciated by those who attend and by this committee."
At Christ Church Cathedral, we take health and safety seriously.
From time to time there are questions about precautions followed to reduce the risk of infection in the administration of the Holy Eucharist.
First and foremost, we follow our own diocesan Bishop's Directive 3.4 on the Administration of the Sacrament. This includes making intinction (dipping) of the host (bread) available for those who wish not to drink from the common chalice (cup). In following the practice of intinction, it is important that only the administrator of the host touch the host prior to it coming in contact with the contents of the chalice. Those who are making Communion are required to indicate their wish for intinction to the administrator BEFORE taking the host.
These instructions are included on church bulletins each Sunday.
For more information on Eucharistic practice and the risk of infection, see the article on the web site of the Anglican Church of Canada.
By David H. Gould, BA, MD,CM, FRCPC, FICA, A.Th Introduction With the discovery of AIDS a number of fears have arisen regarding the risk of the infection being spread by the use of the "common cup" at the Eucharist. This in turn has led to a re-examination of Eucharistic practices and their potential for transmission ...
Bishop David Edwards issued a challenge to people who attended the annual diocesan stewardship day this fall.
“Stewardship is not just about money,” the bishop said. “It is using the gifts that God has given us wisely to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and to advance the Kingdom of God. This means using your talent and time as well as treasure.”
He paused, and people leaned forward to listen.
“We all have different gifts and will use them in different ways,” he continued. “So exactly how are you going to share your time, talent and treasure? How?”
Another pause as people pondered this important challenge. It was certainly a key message to take back to their parishes and to respond to personally.
As stewardship day unfolded at St. John the Evangelist Church, speakers offered many meaningful examples of the bishop's suggested course of action. The theme was sharing in mission.
Stewardship is not just about money
Anglican Church Women (ACW) President Rosemarie Kingston showed pictures and described fund-raising done over the years to assist the Rev'd Canon Paul Jeffries and students at Bishop McAllister College in Uganda. In addition to finding sponsors for orphaned students, Rosemarie has gone to Uganda many times to work side-by-side with Paul and his staff. Sometimes her husband and grandson have accompanied her, giving their time and talent at the school.
The Rev'd Kevin McAllister from the Parish of Marysville and the parish of Minto and Chipman hatched the idea of a golf tournament to raise funds for a library at the school in Uganda. It turned out to be the wrong idea, but he helped as parishioners enthusiastically launched a bowling tournament instead. They urged other parishes to get involved, and people had huge amounts of fun as they worked hard together to exceed their fund-raising goal and to provide a celebratory meal.
Money is always needed when supporting remote ministries under the umbrella of the Council of the North. However, the Rev'd Tom Stradwick and the Rev'd Dana Dean said fellowship can be the real blessing. For example, it didn't take money but rather time and talent to visit the family of each baptized child. Considerable interest was stirred in the room when photos were shown of people from one nursing home who were taken to visit their old but seldom seen friends in another nursing home. A lovely tea party!
Doug Milander and Ann Deveau from Christ Church Cathedral talked about the recent refugee sponsorship project which included several parishes. They said raising thousands of dollars was the easiest part. It was harder to find people willing to spend time helping the Liberian family adjust to Canada, especially when huge health challenges arose during the year. They noted they had met fine people from the other parishes whom they might not otherwise have encountered, and this aspect was an unexpected reward.
A most innovative community ministry was described by the Rev'd Jasmine Chandra from Saint John. Her work to help struggling people in need in the inner city takes a great deal of patience, compassion and persistence. It requires plenty of creativity to overcome the uncertainties of difficult situations faced, but her presentation was much more optimistic than one might have guessed.
The bishop had savvy advice: find people of goodwill in the community and work with them, giving them an opportunity to say thanks to God. He and other speakers tossed out some specific ideas: community gardens near the church, act as chaplain to the local hockey team, build a playground outside the church, advocate for affordable housing, make soup for the hungry, offer an English conversation circle for newcomers, honour your parish volunteers, ask the youth group for ideas, repeat that bowling tournament.
Specific opportunities to share time, talent and treasure abound. How will you respond to the challenge?
Subscribe to our Question of the Week: Question: “Why is church attendance / going to church important?” Answer: The Bible tells us we need to attend church so we can worship God with other believers and be taught His Word for our spiritual growth.
In the past we’ve touched on the delicate balance that churches must maintain while appealing to millennials without pandering or changing theology. But what if we’re focusing our efforts in the wrong places? What if the loud music and fog machines are actually clouding the Holy Spirit and preventing people from connecting with God?
The large crucifix that hangs on the pillar in Christ Church Cathedral during the last two weeks before Easter is an adaptation of an Irish traditional form known as the "Penal Cross." One given to me many years ago hangs in my home, and gave me inspiration for my large version.
My own version uses all these symbols, and I added to them three of my own favourites: the dice which the soldiers used to cast lots for Jesus' cloak; Judas' thirty pieces of silver and the skull, often depicted in crucifixions, said to be that of "the first Adam."
Devotional poetry of John Donne (1572 – 1631)
