Listen, Love and Pray: Grief and Loss Support

Join Deacons Isabel Cutler and Debbie Edmondson for a new program called Listen, Love and Pray: Grief and Loss Support.

Growing in faith, grace, gratitude, hope, and love - holding space for being together with loss. People feeling grief and loss of all types will gather to reflect and support each other’s experiences.

Beginning Monday, 09 December 7:00-9:00 p.m. and continuing on the second Monday of each month. Cathedral Memorial Hall, Lounge, 168 Church Street, Fredericton.

Anyone from the community is welcome to attend.

 

 

A note from Health Ministry

The Fall season is here and it is beautiful!

Along with this weather comes the flu, increasing numbers of COVID cases, and various viruses and colds. Flu vaccines and COVID vaccines, if not available now, will be very soon. Health care providers and pharmacies will be able to advise us and administer the vaccines.

Hand washing frequently, masking to protect yourself and others, and staying home when ill, are ways to protect ourselves and others.

Thank you for your care.

 

Prayer Shawl Ministry

The Cathedral's Prayer Shawl Ministry began in 2006 during the early stages of the Parish Nurse and Health Ministry. It was under the leadership of the late Wendy Brien, and she soon invited Marilyn Lewell to join her in making the shawls.

Prayer Shawl Ministries exist worldwide, and provide shawls free of charge to anyone who requests one. We make them primarily for those who are undergoing stress in their lives, usually for health reasons, but we have made them for happy occasions as well, such as weddings and births. Since these are for the women, our team decided to make soft fleece blankets for men. They are washable and cozy, and provide much comfort.

Since the Cathedral Prayer Shawl Ministry began, we have made almost 300 shawls, and 82 blankets for all ages and genders. They are wrapped in tissue and presented in a gift bag, accompanied by appropriate, beautiful prayers. Some families have even buried them with their loved ones or wrapped the shawl around the urn during a funeral service.

If you know of anyone who would benefit from a shawl or blanket, please contact the Cathedral Office or the Dean.

Unfortunately, we have lost our team of crafters, and Marilyn Lewell is currently the sole maker of blankets and shawls. If you wish to become a knitter, crocheter, or blanket maker for the Prayer Shawl Ministry, or donate to the cost of the yarn and/or fleece, please let the Office know.

- by Marilyn Lewell

Who was Elizabeth Scovill?

Many Anglicans in the Diocese will know the name Pickett-Scovil, but did you ever wonder who these people were?

In our Diocese, the Pickett-Scovil Memorial Fund, administered by the Anglican Church Women (ACW), assists retired clergy and widow(ers) with dental and medical expenses not covered by medical plans and Medicare.

Elizabeth Scovil, a nurse, started the fund in 1910 with friend and fellow nurse Lucy Vail Pickett, and...

* * *

Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published on the NB Anglican website on July 9, 2024.

Volunteers needed for hospital worship services

Worship services will soon resume at the Dr. Everett Chalmers hospital in Fredericton, and volunteers from multiple parishes are sought for the following ministry options:

  • Lead in the Service of the Word
  • Lead in music ministry
  • Offer a brief reflection

Members of the Hospital Worship team will become members of the Spiritual Care Department at the hospital. This requires a yearly renewal by completing a series of e-learning modules from Horizon Health Network which are the basic requirements of all Horizon Health employees. Each module takes about 15 minutes to complete. Members are also required to have an updated criminal record check and sign a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Members of the Spiritual Care Department receive free parking, access to the employee entrance, and access to the Hospital Library and any educational offerings that are relevant (and/or of interest).

Anyone interested in assisting with worship services at the hospital should contact:

The Rev'd Debbie Edmondson, Deacon <debbie.edmondson at anglican.nb.ca>
Eva Morton <eva.moron at gmail.com>

Spring Tea provides treats, treasures, and outreach support

Cathedral Health Ministries with help from the Anglican Church Women (ACW), hosted a 'Spring Awakes' Tea in the Cathedral on the afternoon of April 23. This all-inclusive gathering was in keeping with the Medley Tea of former years that celebrated the arrival of spring.

The Reverend Isabel Cutler and the Reverend Debbie Edmondson, Deacons, opened the afternoon “celebration” with prayer and poetry readings.

Hank Williams, a Cathedral Verger (and Cathedral lay historian) displayed historical tapestries, sacramental and decorative items, and shared stories associated with the items. Attendees were pleased to see three tables of treasures; some of which are typically stored in the Cathedral vault. Items included:

  • The Royal Bible, given to the Cathedral by H.R.H. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales on his visit in 1860. It was subsequently signed by many royals when visiting Fredericton, including Queen Elizabeth (as Queen, and when she was Princess), Prince Phillip, and King Charles (when he was Prince of Wales).
  • A Traveling Altar, used by Bishop Tully Kingdon, third Bishop of Fredericton (1892-1907) in his travels around the diocese.
  • Small bells made from molten metal from the original cathedral bells of 1853, following the fire in 1911. They were created to raise funds for restoration.
  • A silver communion set, said to have been given to St. Paul's Church, Public Landing, NB by George III.
  • Hangings for the high altar, designed and sewn by Lucy McNeill.
  • The Queen Victoria pulpit fall, said to be made from cloth from the coronation robes of Queen Victoria (unconfirmed).
  • An altar frontal with a label on the back which says it was hanging on an altar in Westminister Abbey on the day of the coronation of King William IV in 1830.

The Cathedral Outreach Committee was pleased and grateful to receive a large quantity and a wide variety of toiletries for the outreach program, which were donated by attendees of the Tea. These items will be offered to people in need, along with non-perishable groceries, supermarket gift cards, a bag lunch, used clothing and small housewares, during monthly gatherings held in Cathedral Memorial Hall.

Everyone enjoyed the afternoon gathering of conversation, tea, treats, and viewing the vault treasures. It is so important to continue to host gatherings, as these events strengthen the bonds of our church community - spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Gather for tea, treats and treasures

The Cathedral Health Ministry and Anglican Church Women (ACW) invite you to attend a Spring gathering in the Cathedral.

Join us on Tuesday, 23 April from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Enjoy tea, treats and treasures. You’ll have the opportunity to view rarely-seen historical treasures from the Cathedral!

The Cathedral is wheelchair accessible. All are welcome.

Donations of toiletry items will be gratefully accepted for the Cathedral Outreach program.

Christmas Luncheon

The ACW and Health Ministry enjoyed planning and presenting this luncheon, and sharing their collections of unique and favourite Santa Claus and Snowmen decorations.

The empty chairs you see in the photo were filled with more than 40 people from our congregation on 05 December, which was a lovely winter day.

The soups were a hit, and few Christmas sweets were left for the elves. There was no fee for the meal, but many donations and items in gift bags were collected for Grace House women’s shelter.

Deacon Debbie Edmondson offered a thoughtful and timely reflection as to the hope and anticipated joy of the Advent season. Catherine Macdonald provided a lovely piano medley of Christmas favourites during the lunch period.

To bring so many together to enjoy fellowship – and food, was a blessing and reward for the hosts of the day.

- by Kaye Small

Safe Church at Christ Church Cathedral

At Christ Church Cathedral we take the safety of all people seriously. We are committed to cooperating with our own Diocesan Safe Church procedures,  those of the Anglican Church of Canada and the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Over the last several years significant progress has been made at all levels of the church to help protect and assure that the church is a safe place to be. Perhaps especially we need to be vigilant with regard to ministry with children, the elderly and vulnerable individuals. Safety is the responsibility of us all and at all times.

Visit the Cathedral Safe Church page to find out more.

Fall 2023 vaccines & rapid tests

Remember to get your vaccines for both the flu and COVID-19. Let's be and keep others safe.

Click here for information about the influenza vaccine, and the updated COVID-19 vaccine.


Do you need rapid tests?

We no longer receive a supply of COVID-19 rapid test kits tests for the Cathedral and Memorial Hall, but you can still get tests for free from the NB government!

Visit this page to make an appointment to pick up test kits in Fredericton.

  • Click 'Register to pick up at-home POCT tests' to book an appointment for pick-up
  • Enter your birthdate, postal code and medicare number, and click the button for the appointment type: 'COVID-19 Point of Care Test (POCT) Kit Pick-up'
  • Choose your location
  • Select your time
  • Fill in your contact information
  • Confirm information

Then visit the Fredericton City Hall Service Centre at your appointment time to pick up your test kits. Administrators are giving multiple kits.

Note: Rapid test kits are also available at the Oromocto Public Library without an appointment.