For 'Giving Tuesday' this year, we've chosen a community outreach project - can we count on your support?
We hope to raise at least $500 towards a December $2000 commitment to a local school lunch program at Montgomery Street School, which has a number of children in need. Can you help? Donate to this project online using our Giving Tuesday donation page, or use an envelope marked "school lunch program". Donations will receive a tax receipt.
The elementary school is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. The Cathedral Bishop and Chapter approved a donation in 2021 to assist with its lunch program, provide winter clothing to students in need, and assist in the creation of sensory rooms for children with developmental needs. We hope to continue supporting Montgomery Street School's lunch program for children in need, and hope that you will feel called to help.
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement which takes place each year after the retail sale days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The “opening day of the giving season,” it’s a time when charities, companies and individuals rally for favourite causes, encouraging people to give to charitable causes to transform their communities and the world.
We're pleased to help children in need in our neighbourhood. Christ Church Cathedral also provides community support with regular Monday Outreach events, providing space for community social programming, and hosting and encouraging the performing arts.
The Cathedral Outreach Committee sincerely thanks the congregation for fulfilling all 50 Christmas Angel requests by the November 14th deadline. Pictured are just a few of the toys and stocking stuffers delivered to the food bank to make sure needy children will have gifts under the tree this Christmas. Well done, everyone!
The toys were delivered recently to the Greener Village Food Bank. Client Services manager Chris Fougère happily accepted the donation to help needy families in Fredericton. The estimated value of the 50 Christmas Angels is $1,700 this year.
Did you miss getting an angel from the Cathedral, or would you like to help more children? Greener Village typically sets up an Angel Tree in the Regent Mall, so watch for it.
Another option for Christmas giving is to write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Deliver your cheque to the Cathedral office by December 16. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchens.
On Saturday, 05 November, the 138th Diocesan Synod was held at the Cathedral.
Read about the busy and productive day in an article written for the NB Anglican, by Gisele McKnight. Almost 300 attendees prayed together and worked together, considering Bishop David Edwards' charge which focused on the need for discernment of future ministry.
The video below, showing scenes from Synod, was created by Cathedral congregation member Helen Liang and features photos from a variety of sources.
** Update April 26, 2023: we have received a new shipment, and now have test kits back in stock again **
Thanks to the initiative of our Health Ministry team, COVID-19 rapid test kits are available for pick-up, free of charge, in the lobby of Cathedral Memorial Hall and in the Cathedral.
Under the program, the Cathedral Office receives regular shipments of COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits, which are available for pick-up by members of the congregation, community groups which meet in the Hall, and the public. The take-home kits are also offered to guests in need during the monthly outreach program for people in need.
A chart showing mask effectiveness. Click to enlarge
In addition, high quality masks (KN95 respirators) have been delivered, and are available in several locations in the Cathedral and Hall. These masks fit securely and are very effective at reducing the spread of airborne viruses like COVID-19, which linger in the air of poorly ventilated rooms. Members of the congregation and visitors are encouraged to help themselves to the masks.
No appointment is necessary to pick-up test kits and masks. The public is invited to take what they need from the ledge in the hall lobby or the entry table in the Cathedral. The Cathedral (150 Church Street) and Cathedral Memorial Hall (168 Church Street) are open most non-holiday weekdays until approximately 5:00 p.m., plus select evenings during community and congregational events. If you need assistance, Cathedral office hours are weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon.
Public health professionals caution that COVID-19 and other illnesses increase when more time is spent indoors during cold winter months. They recommend caring for others by masking, staying home when sick, and testing. They hope that these practices will also help to reduce the strain on our health care system, as New Brunswick hospitals are facing strain and long wait times in emergency departments.
Retired nurse and Cathedral Health Ministry team member Marilyn Lewell encourages the use of rapid tests to detect illness. “Please pick up a box of tests to have on-hand in case you get sick. It will save last minute trips when you feel ill.”
"We continue to be grateful for the vigilance of our Health Ministry committee," says Sally Dibblee, Bishop and Chapter Chair of Health and Pastoral Care. "We are truly blessed. They have shown genuine concern and care for our parishioners throughout the Pandemic."
If you receive a negative rapid test result but continue to have symptoms, mask and test again in a few days, as it takes time for your body to accumulate enough virus to show up positive on a test. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, “the accuracy of a test can vary depending on when your sample is taken during the course of your illness. If you're tested too soon after you were exposed to COVID-19, there may not be enough virus in your body for an accurate result.”
Many doctors and epidemiologists are now recommending that people using at-home rapid test kits take a throat swab, cheek swab and nasal swab (with the same Q-tip), as this method appears to be more accurately recognizing the new COVID-19 variants.
If you test positive, New Brunswick Public Health recommends that you:
Wear a multi-layer well-fitting mask, physical distance, and avoid gatherings for 5-10 days after leaving home
Since people can become infected with COVID-19 more than once, the public is recommended to test when symptoms are present, and keep their vaccinations up to date. Vaccines have been shown to reduce the severity of symptoms and lessen the incidence of hospitalizations. Vaccination appointments are available in many locations throughout New Brunswick.
Fifty paper angels from Greener Village (the food bank) are waiting patiently to be chosen from a small tree in the cathedral. Each requests a specific Christmas gift or some stocking stuffers for a needy boy or girl in our city.
Please print your name and telephone number on the clipboard to indicate which angel you're adopting. Bring the unwrapped gift, with the paper angel firmly attached, to the church on Sunday, November 13th. Drop-off boxes will be set up near the angel tree.
If you can't bring your gift that Sunday, please take it to the Cathedral Office before Monday, November 14th, during office hours (weekdays 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon).
“It might seem early, but demand at the food bank has skyrocketed,” explained Outreach Committee treasurer Doug Milander. “They're dealing with 3,000 clients a month – 25 new families just last week – so they need plenty of time to collect and distribute the gifts.”
Doug said the Outreach Committee deeply appreciates the congregation's generous support in making Christmas special for children in our city, especially during a lingering pandemic, high inflation and a looming recession.
He added that the committee must purchase any gifts that arrive late or not at all.
Another option for Christmas giving is to write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Deliver your cheque to the church office by December 16th. As in past years, these funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchens.
Our high school scholarship students in Belize have begun their fall semester. Thank you for your support and prayers! One of the students had been quite ill after a COVID infection, but was given clearance by a doctor to return to class in September.
The four students (Caleb, Edvin, Gian, and Korey) are thankful for the opportunity to continue their studies. For many children in Belize, their time in the education system ends after Standard 6 (roughly equivalent to Canadian Grade 8).
* * * * *
Ms. Jane Martinez, the principal at St. Hilda's Anglican (elementary) School, sent us some pictures of the first week of school, Literacy Day, and a new preschool space.
She writes:
"The success of our preschool opening is only by God's grace and favour. The gentleman who installed the toilets and did all the plumbing and other work willingly waited for the funds to come in order for him to get paid."
I will say once again thank you so very much. I cannot find the words to say how thankful we are for your support. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and always a blessing to us. St. Hilda's Anglican School is developing and you all have played a very important role in this.
We continue to pray for you as you pray for us as well."
Contributions towards the Belize missions are welcome and appreciated, and support St. Hilda's elementary school and high school scholarships. You may give by making an online donation or submitting a donation marked 'Belize' through the Cathedral office or offering plate. Charitable tax receipts will be provided.
Thank you for your support, which truly makes a difference in the lives of these children.
Luke's gospel refers to a house being swept and put in good order, but it doesn't say anything about defrosting a freezer or cleaning a popcorn machine.
“We have a checklist of necessary tasks to be done during the seasonal cleaning of the kitchen at the church hall,” Kitchen Committee chair Kathy McBride said.
A five-member team recently defrosted the freezer; discarded dubious food items; cleaned the refrigerator, microwave, toasters, coffee machine and stove tops; scrubbed the sinks; wiped down the cupboard faces; cleaned the window ledges; tidied the drawers and cupboards; checked the dishwasher; disinfected the counter tops, and completed other such “good housekeeping” jobs.
“Our kitchen is a big, beautiful, well-equipped space which can be used for shared meals, funeral receptions, teas, luncheons associated with meetings,” Kathy explained. “Users are good about keeping it tidy from one event to the other, but a thorough cleaning is needed two or three times a year.”
Before the pandemic, the seasonal cleaning was done in rotation by the ACW, the Outreach Committee, the Guild of St. Joseph, and the Saturday morning breakfast workers. As with many people, places and things post-pandemic, a lot has changed.
“This time three members of our committee, joined by two friends from the congregation, worked hard to make the kitchen sparkle,” Kathy said. “We want to operate a clean, safe, efficient kitchen for everyone to enjoy,”
Groups that use the kitchen regularly are asked to fill out a departure checklist located in a pink binder on the kitchen counter. This binder is reviewed a couple times a month so that problems, such as a leaky faucet or a lack of vinyl gloves, can be addressed promptly.
With the cleaning chores done, Kathy has a couple of final comments. “Please always label and date anything you put in the fridge or freezer. And, if you left a container, platter, pie plate, cookie tin or whatnot at the hall when donating food for an event, please come back and get it.”
The committee meets on the third Wednesday of each month. Kathy welcomes questions at any time, and notes that she will put out a call for volunteers the next time seasonal cleaning is scheduled.
In September, the Guild of St. Joseph (affectionately referred to as the Holy Joes) gathered for a shared meal.
The last time this Cathedral men's group held a barbecue was in June 2019, over 3 years ago, and members were pleased to enjoy this time of fellowship, along with their spouses and Cathedral staff members.
Approximately 25 people attended and enjoyed socializing over hamburgers, hot dogs, fresh local corn on the cob, salads and desserts.
The Guild's motto is “Serving God and Church with heart and hands.” The focus is the maintenance and repair of the fabric of the Cathedral, the Green, and Memorial Hall.
Typically, the Guild hosts an annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (which they hope to resume this spring) and provides a Halloween watch, spring flood watch and the 'Greening of the Cathedral' during Advent.
The group meets in the Hall Lounge on the first Tuesday of each month (September through June), and warmly welcomes new members. For more information, speak with the Guild President, Gary Barfitt, or contact the Cathedral Office.
Thank you to all who assisted with the corn boil on 11 September, volunteering their time or assisting with food preparation.
After 10:30 worship, we served corn, watermelon, sweets and lemonade on the Cathedral lawn. The warm day made it very enjoyable to spend time chatting with others in the congregation, as well as some newcomers to Fredericton. We also appreciated sitting in the shade at the Calithumpians' picnic tables!
We hope to have more social events in the future, to foster connections within our Cathedral community, and we hope to see you there!
Members of the Cathedral congregation are invited to gather after 10:30 a.m. worship on Sunday, 11 September for food and fellowship!
Corn on the cob, treats and lemonade will be served on the Cathedral lawn. Feel free to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. If the weather is poor, we will bring the festivities inside Cathedral Memorial Hall.
Are you able to prepare a plate of sweets to share? If so, please contact Kirsten McKnight at the Cathedral Office by email <office at christchurchcathedral.com> or phone (506) 450-8500.
Thank you to our volunteers - many hands make light work!
The elementary school is located up the hill from Christ Church Cathedral, beside the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University. The Cathedral Bishop and Chapter approved a donation in 2021 to assist with its lunch program, provide winter clothing to students in need, and assist in the creation of sensory rooms for children with developmental needs. We hope to continue supporting Montgomery Street School's lunch program for children in need, and hope that you will feel called to help.
