Category Archives: Mission and Outreach
Warm hearts far away help outreach program
BEAUTIFUL – Outreach Committee Chair Penny Ericson and volunteer Rose MacDonald delightedly show off some of the many scarves, hats, mittens, socks, and lap robes handcrafted by two generous women from Nova Scotia who wanted to help make Christmas brighter for people in need in Fredericton. The items will be distributed at the Monday morning drop-in December 18th along with other Christmas goodies.
How long would it take you to handcraft 41 hats, 38 scarves, four pairs of mittens, four pairs of socks, and three lap robes?
In my case, it would take until the 12th of Never to create 90 items because I lack talent and patience to knit or crochet.
For two women from the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, it took only a few months, and they accomplished the task on top of making lovely things for their family and friends, tending large vegetable gardens, and living busy lives.
This Christmas the cathedral’s Monday morning guests will be the recipients of beautiful and useful items handmade by Mary Coffill Deveau of Kentville and her friend, Trina Long, who lives at Sunken Lake near Wolfville.
It’s not the first Christmas they have presented such a generous gift to people in need in Fredericton – people neither woman has ever met.
“We enjoy making things, and we love helping people,” says Mary, adding “everyone deserves something warm and pretty to wear in the harsh cold of winter.”
Mary and Trina frequently knit and crochet for organizations in the Annapolis Valley that help the poor, but she has heard much about the cathedral’s Monday morning drop-in from her sister-in-law, Ann Deveau, who volunteers with the program.
We thought it would be fun to help because that’s what Christmas is all about, isn’t it?” Mary asks. “Give from your heart to people less fortunate than yourself.
The Outreach Committee is extremely grateful for the huge donation of colourful knit and crochet items which were shared with guests at a Christmas gathering on Monday morning, Dec. 18th. The gift bags also contained a Christmas card, gift card, candy, toiletries, socks, and cookies homemade by parishioners at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church. Small gift bags with goodies for children will be provided by parishioners from New Maryland United Church.
Ann Deveau
Portrait of a (formerly) homeless woman – Sandy Robb
Sandy Robb has fought for everything she has – most especially for her life and her home, because neither has been certain. She was the guest speaker at the Dec. 6, 2017 gathering of the Christ Church Cathedral ACW, which drew a large crowd.
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Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published in the February 2018 edition of the NB Anglican.
See Sandy in the short documentary film ‘The Rest Will Follow’, a collaboration of DocTalks, the Community Action Group on Homelessness and Housing First.
You Better Belize it!
It is official! The 2018 Belize mission team has booked their flights and will be starting preparations soon for their mission trip in January. The team consists of Carol Ann Melvin, Rebecca Butler-Goddard, Nat Fetter, Caryn Gunter, Dean Geoffrey Hall, Kelley Hall, Beverly Morell and Jim Morell. Please keep them in your prayers, along with the staff and students at St. Hilda’s Anglican School, and stay tuned for ways you may be able to help out as part of the home team.
While the mission team will fund their own expenses, contributions to the Belize Mission are welcome. There will be other expenses, including the cost of the mission projects (yet to be determined) and support for St. Hilda's School.
But one fund-raiser is the sale of limited edition Cathedral lapel pins ($20 each). Speak to the Dean or visit the Cathedral office.
Most especially, please pray for the members of the mission team and watch for other ways to support this reaching outside of our Church walls.
Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is a time to celebrate and encourage activities that support charities and non- profits. Whether it’s making a donation, volunteering time, helping a neighbour or spreading the word, Giving Tuesday on November 28th is a movement for everyone who wants to give something back. This year PWRDF is inviting you to make Giving Tuesday a World of Gifts Tuesday! Visit the secure online World of Gifts site and see how you can make a world of difference in the lives of people around the world being supported by PWRDF programs.
Monday morning drop-in: Sharing Christianity outside the church walls
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."
Ann Deveau
Greetings from Ms. Indira Spain in Belize
Greetings from Belize. As I sit to write I can’t help but feel overwhelmed at the idea of connecting with some of the very best people I know, whom I’ve never met but whom have given to me one of the greatest gifts of my life. Your generosity surpasses that of anything I have ever seen. I remember being a smart student, achieving a whole lot in primary but struggling through high school because of financial reasons. Anique is blessed to have an entire congregation behind her and for that I wish to extend a sincere thank you to every member of your church who have contributed to my daughter’s success. Whether they have contributed financially or with a word of prayer we are grateful to all of you for keeping us in the warmth of your Jesus-filled hearts.Find attached Anique’s second form report card. She has done well but I believe she can do much better. The last lap of second form was a little challenging for her as the teachers tried to cover material that will be needed for third form. Her grades fell a little and for that she sends apologies. I am very proud of her despite the little drop and I’m sure that you guys will be as proud.Thank you again for everything you do for my child and I.
“Lord, show me the real Boston” Mission 2017
Christ Church Cathedral offered financial support to the mission to Boston in the spring of 2017. These are some of the reflections of the participants.
When Kyle McGraw signed up for a mission trip to Boston in May, he never dreamed it would get so personal.
But on the last day before leaving Boston, he found himself clippering and shaving the heads of five men who had come in off the street for $1 haircuts. Kyle is not a barber, but he saw that the clothing outreach centre where they were volunteering gave haircuts, and he asked if he could help.
“I’d never shaved anyone before but I said I’d give it a shot,” he said. “The whole week was surreal, but that moment was a highlight. We did a lot of hands-on work but this was extremely hands-on. It got personal really fast.”
Seeing the scars on the men’s heads led to personal questions and candid conversations. And doing the job correctly meant cradling their heads to get the angle right.
“I looked over and he had his hands on this guy’s head,” said Colin McDonald, director of youth and intergenerational ministries in the diocese and one of the leaders on the trip. “It reminded me of washing someone’s feet. It was so intimate. “A lot of people don’t like to touch homeless people.”
The Rev. Dan McMullen had a similar response: “Kyle was putting the most love and care into shaving this guy. He was doing it with so much care.”
It was a pivotal moment in the trip that saw 14 young people and leaders from the diocese pitch in amid the poverty, addiction, mental illness and homelessness the city of Boston deals with daily. In fact, the kids saw things they might never see in New Brunswick.
“We’re all small towners,” said Jessica Gowan, another leader on the trip. “We don’t have a lot of experiences. In Boston every second person walks up to you. Some struggled. We all did, but the point of the trip was to face struggles.”
The group spent each day volunteering at agencies that serve the needs of those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. And every evening was spent discussing their day.
“Some of my favourite times were when we were debriefing at the end of the day,” said Jessica. “Seeing how the day impacted our young people.”
“What really moved me was seeing the young people serving hurting people they’d never met and would never meet again,” said Dan. “They were treating these people like they were serving Jesus.”
“Lord, show me the real Boston.”
On the first day, during a tour of Boston to get their bearings, the prayer on Colton Scott’s lips was “Lord, show me the real Boston.” That prayer was answered, and it made Colton, 19, angry. When you want to find them, the addicted, poor, sick, homeless and hopeless are hard to miss — and difficult to accept. “I can’t help them,” said Colton.
The missioners at St. Francis House day shelter in Boston. Back row, from left: Emma Ray Coulton, Jesse Galbraith, Colton Scott, Katrina Zinck, Nat Fetter, Dan McMullen, Dylan Nicoll, Gabe Gionet. Front row, from left: Kyle McGraw, Joe Duplisea, Jessie Gowan, Dimitra Bountalas, Kara Gallant and Colin McDonald.
“A sister, a nun who runs the Common Art Program (for people off the street to express their creativity), said ‘let that anger fuel you. You’re right to be angry.’ That stuck with me. It drives me to do more.” Colton came back home with a new-found skill he’s likely to use, since his summer job is in uptown Saint John. “I learned how easy it is to approach people,” he said. “They’re just people. I learned a lot more about myself than I did about Boston.”
During the previous six months, Colin worked with the young people to prepare them spiritually, using Lectio Divina, the ancient practice of reading small passages of scripture repeatedly while asking the Holy Spirit to reveal their meaning. He chose the book of Isaiah, “To answer the question, ‘why do we serve?’ If we are people who claim to follow Christ, we have to act in a similar fashion to him. Jesus quoted Isaiah a lot — feed the hungry, clothe the naked.”
So how did it go? “We knew these words and we saw them played out during the week,” said Colin. “We saw young people step up, be leaders, be engaged in their faith.” Each day, they cleaned, did yard work, pitched in at places that care for the all-but-forgotten of the city, and listened to the stories of despair, and in some cases, redemption — all of which had a profound impact on the kids.
“It was very emotional for them to leave a site, knowing these same people we spent the day with were probably on the streets sleeping, maybe getting arrested that night.” “The next step,” he said, “is to harness the lessons and emotions of the week and put them to work at home.”
“What does it mean here? How do we find opportunities?” he asked.
“There’s a challenge here for the church. We have this talented group of young people coming up and we have to make room for them. “They will find a way to serve God, and we have to make a place for them to do that.”
Giselle McKnight
Diocesan Officer of Communication
Time to count your blessings – Refugee sponsorship one year old
On the night of July 27th, 2016, a weary Esther Gmah crossed the tarmac slowly at Fredericton Airport in a wheelchair and met a smiling group of eager people waving balloons, flags and signs.
Her children, Arene and Catherine, and her husband, Phillip Weah, looked equally bewildered. It had been an exhausting journey for these Liberians from a crowded refugee camp in Ivory Coast to a faraway, new place called Canada.
Pot luck at Christ Church (Parish) Church
Exactly one year later, again surrounded by smiles and balloons, a grateful Phillip told people gathered at a potluck party at Christ Church Parish Church that the family did not know what to expect that night.
“We put ourselves in your hands at the airport,” Phillip said. “You took care of us, you solved every problem, you were always with us. It was always good.”
Phillip recalled how worried he was because Esther was extremely unwell. She spent four months in hospital soon after arrival.
“Now she is walking, thanks to your prayers,” he said. “I say thank you, thank you. Every day I pray to Almighty God that He will reward you for helping my family.”
You took care of us, you solved every problem, you were always with us.
Esther, holding a dozen red roses presented at the anniversary party, smiled broadly and told the crowd: “God is good. Thank you, thank you.”
Cecilia Putu, a Liberian friend who moved here from the same refugee camp earlier than the Weah-Gmah family, thanked the sponsors by singing a song with the refrain “someone by your side.”
Baptism 30 July
On Sunday, July 30th, the family had another reason to celebrate. Phillip joyfully sang “Count your Blessings” in St. Anne’s Chapel of Ease, following the baptism of 17-year-old Catherine by Archdeacon Wandlyn Snelgrove.
The parish, one of several that raised funds to support the family for the past year, provided a beautiful cake in Catherine’s honour. It also owns the rent-subsidized apartment where three of the family now live. Arene has moved to a rooming house.
During the anniversary celebration, Archdeacon Patricia Drummond noted that the family will receive another year of support from the federal government while ongoing health issues and language skills are addressed.
Blessings to Catherine
“It has not always been easy during the past year, but we congratulate you on the progress you have made,” Pat said. “We will continue to help you with some things in the future.”
She also thanked the contributing parishes for their financial and prayerful support.
“There is still a need for help in paying off thousands of dollars owing on the government travel loan, for Catherine’s medical appointments in Halifax, and to supplement their rather low income, until Phillip is able to secure a job,” she explained.
An organ recital by cathedral music director David Drinkell will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Friday, August 25th, at the cathedral with proceeds from a freewill offering being donated to the family.
“Everyone is welcome, and we would like to see all the pews full for this beautiful music and worthwhile cause,” she concluded.
Ann Deveau