The Prayer Shawl ministry in Christ Church Cathedral began in 2006 during the early stages of the Parish Nurse and Health Ministry. It was under the leadership of Wendy Brien and she soon invited Marilyn Lewell to join her.
Listen to Marilyn speak on the Prayer Shawl Ministry on 25 February 2018.
Recently, new knitters have joined the group – Carole Hines, Bobbi Milner, and Melissa Dawe. We have expanded on the original idea of Prayer Shawls, and have made and distributed fleece blankets to men, whereas the shawls are given to women.
Since we began, we have made and distributed 220 shawls, and 52 blankets to all ages and genders, to places all around the globe! We include beautiful prayers with the shawls and the shawls are prayed over during the knitting process. They are presented in a gift bag. We have never refused a request for a shawl or blanket, and we do not charge for them.
Many moving and touching thank-you notes have been received. Some families have told us that they have even buried their loved one with the shawl wrapped around them, and/or wrapped the shawl around the urn during the funeral. They have provided much comfort to many.
Anyone interested in joining this ministry is welcome to contact Marilyn Lewell for further information.
The flu season is upon us. A reminder to all that flu vaccinations are available throughout the City at a pharmacy near you. You may also make an appointment with your physician to obtain a vaccine in the physician's office or contact the Public Health Office in your area.
The flu vaccine is free of charge for adults and children with chronic health conditions, children and youth age 6 months to 18 years, and if you are 65 years of age and older. If anyone in your household or work environment is medically compromised, you are eligible for the vaccine as well.
Contact Kathleen Snow, Parish Nurse at (506) 461-8201 or [nurse at christchurchcathedral.com].
Publicly funded influenza vaccine is provided for individuals who are at high risk for influenza related complications as well as for members of their households through Public Health Offices, some pharmacies, family physicians, and other health care providers.
Is it appropriate for a Christian Church to practice yoga? The goal is fitness — to use yoga exercises, primarily stretching and breathing, to promote health and well being. The goals of the Cathedral Health Ministry and, more specifically our parish nursing ministry, is to provide opportunities to improve health of body, mind and spirit.
There seem to be a lot of (mis?) information around about what the term “yoga” describes in our 2017 north american context. While some ancient religions have used yoga, yoga is not a religion. It is questionable whether the yogo practiced in gyms, health clubs, and, yes, Christian churches, is really yoga at all in the way some ancient religions have used it. What will be offered at the Cathedral classes are: Hatha Yoga, and the gentler Chair Yoga and Yin Yoga, well suited for individuals with restricted mobility.
“Yogo,” as the term is being used, refers in a colloquial way, to a philosophy that guides exercises which admittedly promote a unity of mind, body and spirit through stretching, breathing and mindfulness. While meditation may be part of yoga exercises, its usually not. If meditation is part of an exercise, its the choice of the participant. Meditation is not “unchristian.” (See a resource about Christian meditation.) The focus of a mindfulness component, if it is desired, is entirely up to the participant. Some Christians who practice yoga use the time for prayer and meditation.
By some, yoga may be perceived as originating in ancient eastern religions, but yoga is actually much older than that. Those religions have identified in yoga positive benefits that are in line with their own spiritual goals and incorporated it as a spiritual practice. Its quite possible (and increasingly common) for Christians to do the same. Many Christians have discovered that “loving God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength” is furthered through yoga exercises.
Everyone will have an opinion. In the end, each will need to decide if yoga is for them.
15Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny. 16 ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2)
Stretching, breathing and mindfulness exercises (yoga) are quite commonly offered these days in both Christian and non-Christian contexts.
To read more about what yoga is and is not, follow the links below.
Please be advised the the Cathedral will not be holding a Flu Vaccine Clinic this fall due to the closing of the VON Service. Flu vaccines may be received from your family physician, local pharmacies, and pharmacies within Co-op, Costco, and Walmart. Some pharmacies are requesting that you make an appointment, while others are allowing walk-in service.
The flu vaccine is free of charge to adults and children with chronic diseases such as diabetes, lung and heart disease; cancer; healthy children 6 months to 18 years, and people 65 years of age and older. For further information please visit the Public Health website. Please note, Public Health Offices are only offering flu vaccines to children under six years of age.
Visit dontgoviral.ca for locations and other information.
The Safe Church regulation of the Diocese of Fredericton aims to ensure a working, learning and spiritual environment that is safe for all members of our communities. In our Bishop’s words “It is a matter of us getting our house in order.” The Safe Church training programme intends to reach these goals by systematically educating all church leaders and those who minister about the regulation, policies and standards held officially in the Diocese of Fredericton.
Both the implementation of standardized complaint procedures and the maintenance of Safe Church event standards are intended to allow for easy adoption throughout the diocese.
“Safe Church” means the protection of clergy, lay leaders and ministers, employees, volunteers, congregation members, families and visitors so that all may share ministry in a secure atmosphere.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Comprehensive training of the Safe Church regulation, policies and standards
Helpful forms and templates for ease of implementation
Knowledge of all complaint procedures
A variety of learning aids, including video, diagrams, quizzes and activities
Two delivery methods tailored for groups and individuals
Convenient Safe Church Event Checklist makes planning simple
Diocesan Safe Church Training Certificate after the program is completed
FACT OR FALLACY?
With Safe Church, we can never rent our hall again.
Fallacy! Under the Safe Church program, other community and church groups will still be able to rent the church hall. The community group will be asked to sign the “Agreement to Use a Diocesan Facility,” which maintains several Safe Church standards, and sets the conditions of use.
With Safe Church, we won’t be able to use our old buildings anymore.
Fallacy! Many of the older buildings may not meet complete safety standards, but will be required to update when future renovations take place. If an older facility does not include washrooms or emergency release doors, these standards need not be implemented unless the parish decides to make renovations, at which time the building should be brought up to standard. With Safe Church, we will not be able to maintain our programs for children or youth.
Fallacy! For most parishes, Safe Church should be easily implemented, with only minor changes such as the police record check, two adult standard and the open-room standard to ensure each program or ministry complies with the regulation. Safe Church has been designed to allow for a smooth, uncomplicated transition.
Safe Church is intended to prevent misconduct.
Fact! The Safe Church program is intended to create an environment of understanding and respect for all members of the church, by applying procedural and planning standards. This safe environment protects clergy and lay leaders in their ministry, as well as volunteers, employees, congregants, families and visitors.
TWO WAYS TO TAKE THE COURSE
Online: The online Safe Church programme allows (will allow) individuals to take training both on their own time and at their own pace. The online course involves five modules and quizzes that systematically provide an overview of the Safe Church regulation and, the course is completed on the participant’s schedule. The link to online training will be available here when available!
Group: The group Safe Church programme is for whole parishes/congregations or groups in which multiple people need the training and would prefer to participate together. The group course involves a two-hour presentation on the content of the Safe Church regulation, delivered by a diocesan Safe Church training team member, followed by a brief group activity that applies the information to potential scenarios.
It is suggested that most parishes/congregations offer initial group training on the regulation.
At present the Cathedral does not have a practicing Parish Nurse. Isabel Cutler held this role and calling for the last 11 years, and she retired in December of 2015.
What the Parish Nurse does for our Cathedral Congregation (In-reach)
The Parish Nurse:
ministers to us at a grass roots level on a daily basis when we are in crisis, or when we need a helping hand
coordinates obtaining assistance for us, whether it be providing meals and arranging for rides or accompanying us to office visits arranging for prayer shawls to be given to us or our family members who needed them and always upholding us in prayer completing home assessments i.e. arranging and planning for assistance in the home
assisting us to navigate the health care system
referring/partnering with physicians, Social Development and other services to obtain needed health care and home services, and
filling in the gaps in the health care system
Client Contacts in 2015:
380 contacts with congregational members
102 hospital and home visits
167 telephone visits/consultations
worked 773 hours, on call 24/7
organized events where 830 clients attended, and
coordinated the many volunteers in the Health Ministry
Confidentiality: Much of the care and ministry that the Parish Nursing team offered was confidential. There are strict privacy standards and provincial legislation to protect the privacy of our personal health information. In a faith community this can be a challenge, but the Parish Nurse has upheld this standard.
Comments from members of the congregation:
“Your kindness and thoughtfulness have been appreciated by Mom in her tough
journey.”
“The shawl has been such a comfort. It is as though God is wrapping His loving arms around me and filling me with His Peace and Love.”
“The comfort it gave me to know that I could call Isabel and ask for help. All I had to do was make one phone call, and help was there, in the form of a prayer shawl, meals, and more importantly prayer!”
“Isabel saved my life.”
What the Parish Nurse does for our Wider Community (Outreach)
The Parish Nurse has:
made partnerships with the wider community to draw people into our community and to Christ
established growing partnerships with Horizon Health Authority and Social Development
developed partnerships with Community Health Clinics, including the Downtown Clinic
collaborated with UNB Nursing students to participate in the Monday Morning Outreach activities
assisted in providing space in the Hall and support for Prenatal Classes and a Breastfeeding Support Group, and
was anticipating providing space for Social Workers and Counsellors to meet with clients in the Hall.
Why do we need to continue this ministry?
Congregational trust, expectation and reliance: The members of our congregation
• have developed trust and expectation that we will continue to support them when needed, and
• are relying on the Parish Nurse and the Health Ministry Team.
Christian Witness: What better example of Christian ministry and discipleship to the Diocese could we offer? We may be able to work with other parishes in supporting their congregations to develop this ministry.
Professional community partnerships: This is an opportunity to draw people into our community, to draw them into the love of God, while at the same time allowing us to reach out to them in love and service. We do not want to lose this momentum that the Parish Nurse Ministry has established.
What will we lose without a Parish Nurse?
No Parish Nurse to minister to us as noted above.
No Coordinator for the Health Ministry Team.
The Monthly Teas and the Prayer Shawl Ministry will continue as the volunteers are able to support.
The Helping Hands and the Cathedral Visitors will eventually cease if there is no coordination (also the Blood Pressure Clinics, Health Information Sessions, Fit Club, etc.).
No expansion of community partnerships i.e. outreach to the wider community
Funding: Bishop and Chapter supports the concept of hiring a Parish Nurse, but at the moment sufficient funds are not available. Money is the issue. Bishop and Chapter has endorsed a Pledge Campaign to support the funding for a salaried part-time Parish Nurse position.
We have a long-time congregational member who has undertaken the Parish Nursing Certification Training (funded by the Cathedral) and feels she has a vocation to this ministry. She is willing to take on this role.
A Pledge Campaign to financially support the Parish Nurse position
at Christ Church Cathedral
The positive/immense value of the Parish Nurse to the members of the Cathedral congregation has now been well documented and appreciated.
The Health Ministry Team, with the consent of Bishop and Chapter, is holding a Pledge Campaign in April to financially support a part-time, salaried position of a Parish Nurse at the Cathedral for at least the next 5 years. From April 10 -24, we will be accepting pledges to raise a minimum of $11,000 each year for the next 5 years.
We are asking you to prayerfully consider contributing to this campaign – whether it be a few dollars a week/month for the next 5 years, or perhaps if you are able, much more than that.
We are very grateful that, without even being asked, 3 members of the congregation have already each offered $1,000 or more for each of these 5 years.
It is important to note that the Bishop and Chapter requires that pledges made to support the Parish Nursing position be in addition to regular giving commitments.
Can you help? If so, please contact: Jaye Hawkins <jwh.hawkins at gmail.com> (506) 455-5519 Jaye and Barb Toole are co-chairing the Pledge Campaign
What follows is a summary of information shared in a presentation at the Cathedral on the morning of 14 February 2016.
At present we do not have a Parish Nurse practicing at the Cathedral. Isabel Cutler held this role, and calling for the last 11 years, and she retired in December of 2015.
What the Parish Nurse does for our Cathedral Congregation (In-reach)
The Parish Nurse
ministers to us at a grass roots level on a daily basis when we are in crisis, or when we need a helping hand
coordinates obtaining assistance for us, whether it be
providing meals and arranging for rides or accompanying us to office visits
arranging for prayer shawls to be given to us or our family members who needed them and always upholding us in prayer
completing home assessments i.e. arranging and planning for assistance in the home
assisting us to navigate the health care system
referring/partnering with physicians, Social Development and other services to obtain needed health care and home services, and
filling in the gaps in the health care system.
Client Contacts in 2015:
380 contacts with congregational members
102 hospital and home visits
167 telephone visits/consultations
worked 773 hours, on call 24/7
organized events where 830 clients attended, and
coordinated the many volunteers in the Health Ministry.
Confidentiality: Much of the care and ministry that the Parish Nursing team offered was confidential. There are strict privacy standards and provincial legislation to protect the privacy of our personal health information. In a faith community this can be a challenge, but the Parish Nurse upheld this standard.
Comments from parishioners:
“Your kindness and thoughtfulness have been appreciated by Mom in her tough journey.”
“The shawl has been such a comfort. It is as though God is wrapping His loving arms around me and filling me with His Peace and Love.”
“The comfort it gave me to know that I could call Isabel and ask for help. All I had to do was make one phone call, and help was there, in the form of a prayer shawl, meals, and more importantly prayer!”
“Isabel saved my life.”
What the Parish Nurse does for our Wider Community (Outreach):
The Parish Nurse has
made partnerships with the wider community to draw people into our community and to Christ
established growing partnerships with Horizon Health Authority and Social Development
developed partnerships with Community Health Clinics, including the Downtown Clinic
collaborated with UNB Nursing students to participate in the Monday Morning Outreach activities
assisted in providing space in the Hall and support for Prenatal Classes and a Breastfeeding Support Group, and
was anticipating providing space for Social Workers and Counsellors to meet with clients in the Hall.
Why do we need to continue this ministry?
Congregational trust, expectation and reliance: The members of our congregation
have developed trust and expectation that we will continue to support them when needed, and
are relying on the Parish Nurse and the Health Ministry Team.
Christian Witness: What better example of Christian ministry and discipleship to the Diocese could we offer? We may be able to work with other parishes in supporting their congregations to develop this ministry.
Professional community partnerships: This is an opportunity to draw people into our community, to draw them into the love of God, while at the same time allowing us to reach out to them in love and service. We do not want to lose this momentum that the Parish Nurse Ministry has established.
What will we lose without a Parish Nurse?
No Parish Nurse to minister to us as noted above.
NoCoordinator for the Health Ministry Team. The Monthly Teas and the Prayer Shawl Ministry will continue as the volunteers are able to support. The Helping Hands and the Cathedral Visitors will eventually cease if there is no coordination (also the Blood Pressure Clinics, Health Information Sessions, Fit Club, etc.).
No expansion of community partnerships e. outreach to the wider community
Funding: Bishop and Chapter supports the concept of hiring a Parish Nurse, but at the moment sufficient funds are not available. Money is the issue. The Health Ministry Team is working with Bishop and Chapter to provide a solution to obtaining funding for a salaried part-time Parish Nurse position.
We have a long-time congregational member who has undertaken the Parish Nursing Certification Training (funded by the Cathedral) and feels she has a vocation to this ministry. She is willing to take on this role.
Dr. Chris Stevenson
On behalf of the Cathedral Heath Ministry Team
14 February 2016
The church family of Christ Church Cathedral bids farewell to Isabel Cutler who is retiring from her position as Parish Nurse. Isabel has been Parish Nurse for 10 years and Chair of the Health Ministry Team for the past twelve.
Isabel had a vision and a calling to serve her church family and in this way be able to do God’s work.
John 10:10 says: I come that they may have life and have it abundantly. I believe this has been lived out by Isabel in many ways.
Parish nursing had been circling in Isabel’s thoughts well before her retirement from her position at the Chalmers here in Fredericton.
As a beginning,the Cathedral Health Ministry was established with members of the congregation serving on the Team. Members were already serving the church family in very many ways and these were all co-ordinated under the umbrella of the Health Ministry Team. As a certified Parish Nurse, Isabel began leading us on a remarkable journey.
A pebble dropped in a still pond sends out waves in an ever increasing circle. It all began here with Isabel’s vision, the support of Dean Joyce, Bishop and Chapter and of course our Cathedral family. Her vision slowly and surely began to spread outward to embrace and be embraced by the greater community.
Today the CCC Parish Nurse is a respected partner with River Valley Health, UNB Faculty of Nursing, Brunswick Street Community Health Clinic, and many other health related organizations in the community. There are close links with Parish Nurses ,other faith communities in the city and throughout the province and indeed the country.
As co-ordinator of the Health Ministry Team and as Parish Nurse, Isabel’s one day of office hours was in reality a full time plus job.
Her days were filled with visiting in home and hospital, telephone calls, meetings, education programs for the public, for professional learning, UNB nursing community experience, the Monday morning outreach with UNB nursing students, office hours, staff meetings, Red Cross certifications for staff and congregational members. Did I mention telephone calls both incoming and outgoing working with families, health care and long term facilities to achieve safe living environments for clients but keeping the clients preferences in front all the time. Not an easy mutually satisfying outcome to achieve. There are BP clinics, fit club, visiting, helping hands and traveling throughout the Archdeaconry and beyond to spread the Parish Nurse vision. Did I say telephone calls, at any time, anywhere?
Isabel accomplished this and more with a deep, confident and abiding faith.
She will tell you this was not accomplished on her own and indeed one person could not do it! Our church family, health ministry team, the support of Bishop and Chapter, Dean Hall and the staff as well as many others made this vision a reality. It was Isabel’s gentle and determined leadership that made it all happen. As part of of the Health Ministry Team and the Parish Nurse team, we have been privileged to walk this path with Isabel.
John 10:10 says: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
I join the rest of our church family and Isabel’s family in wishing her a happy, peaceful and fulfilling retirement. May God continue to richly bless you.
This is my last week as Parish Nurse. I retire at the end of this year after ten years as your Parish Nurse and two additional years as coordinator of the Health Ministry. I wish to say to you all I have been honoured and feel truly blessed to have been accepted so willingly by so many of you over the years as we have shared good times and some challenging times in our lives. Thank you for your love and care of me.
This is a team ministry and I could not have coordinated all that we have provided without the active help and support of the dedicated Parish Nursing Team: Michele LeBlanc, RN, Wendy Brien, Marilyn Lewell, Carol Hynes and Kathleen Snow RN. Alongside too are the multitude of congregational members who have provided their circle of care as Visitors, Helping Hands and in many other ways to our congregation at critical times in their lives. Thank you to Bishop and Chapter, the Health Ministry Team, Dean Geoff, Fran and the staff who have worked alongside to make this ministry work.
We do not know what the future holds for this Ministry at the Cathedral but we know God always has a plan, so we trust in Him to show us the way. God Bless you all and have a very blessed Christmas Season.
Since we began, we have made and distributed 220 shawls, and 52 blankets to all ages and genders, to places all around the globe! We include beautiful prayers with the shawls and the shawls are prayed over during the knitting process. They are presented in a gift bag. We have never refused a request for a shawl or blanket, and we do not charge for them.
