While Austin, Mary Beth and Fr. David Alenskis have decided to temporarily return to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are continuing their ministry in Belize remotely as best they can. You can follow along with their morning and evening prayers on the St. Hilda’s Facebook page.
Please click HERE for their latest update and prayer requests.
In short, please pray specifically for:
• Full funding for ministry
• Ministry team in Belize
• David’s academic research
• Ongoing health issues
• Discernment for future
Mother Nature seemed determined to keep our first Thursday Medley Tea at bay as we began the New Year. Storm followed storm in January, and while setting up for the Valentine's Tea on February 6th, the weather, once again, was looking iffy.
But clearly the regular attendees were not about to allow snow flurries to prevent them from coming out to spend time with their friends over a cup of tea and a sweet or two. Then came March and we were fortunate to get our March Tea in before social distancing arrived.
This once a month tea party often draws more than 25 folks including the young and the young at heart! Serving begins at 2pm and often the group is still going strong as 4pm approaches.
The organizers and servers try to make each month special by decorating with a theme such as Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day. There is always a 'lucky saucer' and a small gift for the one who gets it. The sweet and savoury treats are abundant and delicious and the tea is piping hot and served in the finest of china cups.
Of course, it will be a while before we will be able to be out and about in groups again. But while we wait for that to happen, here are some photos of our Medley Tea-ers! We so look forward to sharing a cup and a chat in person again!
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the rhythm of daily life, piling unwelcome stress onto most people. Yoga is one of many ways to cope with that problem.
“I got out my yoga mat and went through a stretching routine similar to the one our instructor, Tammy Blyth, uses,” said Sally Dibblee, who regularly attends Tammy's Monday afternoon classes at Cathedral Memorial Hall. “I felt so good afterwards.”
The weekly class, organized by the parish nurse, has had to be cancelled indefinitely due to the provincial state of emergency.
The class includes several beginners, so Tammy has spent time explaining the benefits of the ancient practice of yoga. This type of self-care can help reduce stress and inspire well-being. She said breathing deeply and deliberately provides oxygen to nourish the body; it can also relax the brain and nervous system.
“Tammy is always urging us to breathe, breathe, breathe,” Sally said.
The instructor has also pointed out that exercise and stretching not only boost the effectiveness of the lungs and circulatory system, but can also lift the spirits.
“This pandemic is an emotional time with the challenges of cancelled activities, physical/social distancing, worries about the health of loved ones, feelings of isolation, financial concerns,” Sally said. “Your whole body can tighten up before you even realize it, but yoga stretches can release those tensions and make you feel better physically and mentally.”
Diane Radford is another regular participant who misses Tammy's yoga classes.
“I liked learning new yoga poses, and I appreciated that Tammy was considerate of 'newbies' or older people who might not be as flexible,” Diane said. “She always offered modifications and alternatives for the poses.”
She said she also enjoyed the sociability of the hour-long class, which has attracted members of the cathedral congregation and people from the community.
“Tammy is always a positive person,” Diane commented. “She looks on the bright side of life. I'll be glad when it's safe for classes to resume.”
While waiting for the state of emergency to end, Diane continues to exercise by walking outdoors and by dancing.
YouTube is an option for yoga enthusiasts or for people who want to try it while having time on their hands. Many online classes are available there. The “Y” has also produced a series of exercise videos, including several yoga routines, which are available at YMCA360.org
Parish Nurse Kathleen Snow advises that yoga mats should be cleaned regularly at home with a damp cloth and a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. In these times of preventing the spread of virus, people may also wish to clean their mats with a disinfectant wipe or spray.
--by Ann Deveau
The parish nurse will announce resumption of yoga classes when public health authorities allow it.
I'll remember Catherine's smile the most. She was often quiet, but her smile was big and bright.
She flashed that beautiful smile many times after arriving in Canada four years ago: the first taste of sweet, cold ice cream; the first time she decorated a Christmas tree and the colourful, twinkling lights came on; her first doll and some stuffed animals to decorate her very own bedroom; receiving a new shawl which she wrapped around herself with real fashion flair; accepting compliments on her latest hairstyle or new shoes; dancing joyfully with the Making Africa Proud troupe; getting money unexpectedly to add minutes to her mobile phone account; planning to attend her high school graduation in June 2020.
There probably wasn't a lot for Catherine to smile about in the refugee camp where she was born in the Ivory Coast in 2000. Life was miserable. Home was a leaky shack without electricity or running water. Food was scrounged daily; many times, there wasn't any. The camp had too many desperate and violent people. Medical care was non-existent. She attended school for a couple years, but it closed, which left an intelligent girl lacking in literacy and numeracy. It was the only life she had ever known, and when she got to Canada and people kept asking about her goals, she had none at first. It had seemed pointless to dream in the refugee camp.
In Canada Catherine found a warm welcome, shelter, safety, plenty of food, nice clothes, new friends, fun times. She could go to school now and get medical attention. She started thinking about becoming a nurse or a hair stylist some day, especially after the liver transplant gave her a new lease on life. She was studying to take the test to become a Canadian citizen.
The team sponsoring the refugee family admired how she honoured her parents by always helping them with household chores and errands. We were proud of how she stoically accepted all the medical procedures and the endless medications. We had such high hopes for this lovely girl who deserved a long, productive life after all she had been through.
News of her death made me cry. It was like losing a member of my extended family. It seemed so sad and so unfair for Catherine, for her parents who had brought her to Canada for a better life, and to the team who had worked so hard to raise money, provide support and friendship, and help the family adjust to life in Canada. While upset that her life was cut short, we are grateful that she had a few years of happiness in Canada. She was baptized here, and we are sure that she has been promoted to eternal glory.
A beautiful spirit has moved on, and Catherine's smile will forever light up the heavens. Our prayers continue for her grieving family now that she is in a place where there is no sorrow.
--by Ann Deveau
Please note: A memorial service and reception will be held at Christ Church (Parish) Church after the state of emergency has been lifted and public gatherings can resume.
A message from Kara & Nelson Mejia, serving in the Episcopal Church of Roatan, Honduras:
"We are facing one of the biggest and invisible problems all over the world. A few months ago it was just a simple topic of conversation, and now the reality is that the whole planet is being affected by the Coronavirus, directly and indirectly.
In Honduras we have 24 cases as I write this - in Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula Choluteca and la Ceiba, the biggest cities in Honduras. They need to stay at home by order of the president. We don't know what is going to happen in the next few weeks, but we are trusting in the Lord that we’ll be ok.
We in Roatán have no cases at the moment, and we hope we won’t; Cruise ships are not coming, the airport is closed, the beaches are empty, and all businesses are closed, just starting today the 21st of march to the 29th, supermarkets, gas station, farmacies will be closed, families in need, will call them for free delivery service, wish is good.
As we know it is a difficult time for first world countries, so imagine what it is like for the third world countries. At the moment it is very difficult for the people in Roatán who rely on tourism for much of their income.
Now we have just realized that we are not as strong as we thought, but live on a fragile planet that we need to care for.
At Emmanuel Episcopal/Anglican Church we are not having services this Sunday and our Bishop Lloyd Allen just cancelled all Holy Week services and all other activities.
Please pray that we can continue to be safe from the Covid 19 virus, and we pray the same for all of you. Times of trouble will pass, the Bible says in Matthew 19:26: With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
The Cathedral's Belize mission team has been in touch with Ms. Jane Martinez, principal of St. Hilda's Anglican School. Please keep the teachers and students of St. Hilda's, and the people of Belize in your prayers!
Ms. Martinez writes:
Good evening Kelley:
You all have been on my mind as well. Things have been hectic here because they will close the schools on Friday. We have been preparing supplementary information for children to take home to ensure that the educational process is not badly disrupted. From reports that we have been getting, there has not been any confirmed case here as yet but we are taking precautions. Since Monday, we have only had half of our population. Each day the attendances is lower. We have been educating our students and parents this entire week about safety precautions.
It is a sad time for us here also because our crime rate has escalated especially in Belize City. This week alone two young children were shot to death. Altogether in 48 hours we have had about 14 deadly shootings. Most of the victims were innocent bystanders. The children were shot at home in their sleep. Someone just decided to take revenge and shot at the house. Unfortunately, children were also casualties.
We need to pray for each other and keep our focus on God in these troubled times.
Thank you so much for your concern. I will pass on the information to the staff. Please stay safe.
Blessings, Jane
St. Hilda's Anglican Church, in the school, has also temporarily suspended its Sunday services due to guidance from the government, but Father David Alenskis has been sharing videos of morning and evening prayer on the church's Facebook page. Please feel free to join the congregation at St. Hilda's in worship.
You might feel a certain helplessness these days. The global COVID-19 pandemic is huge and scary, and it's abruptly disrupted our daily lives at work, at home, at church, and in the community.
But the Cathedral Outreach Committee says there is something you can do to help.
The food bank in Fredericton is seeing a sudden spike in demand for its already-busy service of providing food hampers to people in need. Many workers have been laid off by mandated business closures of uncertain duration, which is an unexpected disaster for people who live pay cheque to pay cheque.
Greener Village at 686 Riverside Drive has closed its clothing store and the learning kitchen, but it's still accepting donations of food and personal hygiene products. These can be dropped off at the back door of the building; the products are kept isolated for up to 48 hours prior to distribution.
You might not feel comfortable doing extra shopping or driving around town during the state of emergency. No problem. Food bank organizers say that online financial donations are especially needed at this challenging time. This can easily be done from home through Canada Helps or by going to greenervillage.org and choosing COVID-19 Fund from the drop-down menu.
Of course, all of us have our own bills to pay in this faltering economy and realize the cathedral does, too, so our Sunday offerings are of paramount importance [Read But how do we give... when we're not in church? for ways to continue your offering].
But, right now, it's impossible to sit and chat in a coffee shop, enjoy a concert, eat a meal in a restaurant, attend the cinema, go to a hockey game, get a haircut. Why not give what you would have spent on that type of activity to the food bank where the need is large and growing?
If you can see your way clear to share a bit of the money you'd normally have spent in the run of a week, there are other local organizations serving the poor who need help at this time.
For example, the homeless shelters have asked for donations of cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, tissues, soap, packaged food and gift cards. All items dropped off at the shelter on 65 Brunswick St. will be sanitized before use by the staff or shelter residents. As with the food bank, their biggest need at the moment is money. Online donations can be made through Canada Helps or directly through their website theshelters.ca
Another possibility for your compassionate impulse is the Fredericton Community Kitchen. [Updated April 4] Normally, they operate a student hunger program to provide lunches for 350 children in 19 area schools, and 75 backpacks of food for students to bring home to their families on the weekends, in addition to operating providing hot meals at the kitchen downtown. Many people are currently in need, and will continue to require help even when physical distancing is relaxed. Funds can be donated online through Canada Helps or by visiting frederictoncommunitykitchen.com/covid19
Income tax receipts will be sent for your donations.
As you consider whether you can help the less fortunate among us in any of these ways, the Cathedral Outreach Committee suggests reflecting on Psalm 9:18 which says "But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish."
EDITOR'S NOTE - It is worth noting that the situation has been changing rapidly, but the information above is accurate at the time of writing.
Our Missions Committee reached out to Canon Paul Jeffries at Bishop McAllister College and Anglican Seminary in Uganda to see how they are faring in the midst of the pandemic. He replied (March 19th),
"Thank you so much. Spent the day closing the school. Had about two weeks of food to give away to avoid it spoiling during this shut down, which now is set at 30 days. But we still don't have a case of the virus yet. I suspect that will change everything. Thinking of you folks at home. It is a bad situation. God bless!"
Please pray for the people of Uganda as they prepare to face the virus that much of the world is already battling.
At the Monday morning drop-in for people in need, we always display a colourful drawing done some years ago by cathedral member Rachel Schmidt. She illustrated Maya Angelou's famous quote: “Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.”
Currently, we are unable to be that rainbow for our usual guests or for any newcomers. Due to the COVID-19 threat and the provincial state of emergency, we cannot gather in a group larger than 10. Thus, no outreach drop-in!
“We always welcome 15 to 20 people, sometimes as many as 65,” outreach treasurer Doug Milander explained. “The new rules mean no drop-in, food and beverages, used clothing bank, live music, the popular services of the parish nurse, and so on. We miss helping people, and I'm sure our usual guests are disappointed not to be able to come.”
One longtime guest has often told volunteers that his doctor recommends regular attendance at the drop-in for the benefit of his mental health. He loves coming to chat, eat sandwiches, occasionally find a new shirt, maybe take home some fruit. He says the volunteers are always good to him, and he loves being there.
Marc Schneider plays the banjo and sings Christian music at the drop-in. He says he understands and respects the public health rules, but he does miss participating on Mondays.
“I try to bring a sense that Jesus offers solace, companionship and sometimes healing in our brokenness,” Marc said. “During my years playing with the music group, I have noticed that the lines between workers and attendees have blurred. More and more attendees seem to be helping.”
Some of the female guests have become volunteers in the kitchen, and some of the men help to set up the hall or put away tables and chairs and boxes of clothing at the end.
“Some of the attendees who were showing extreme symptoms earlier have become much more peaceful and happy,” Marc continued. “Healing is occurring, and I believe this drop-in is church, as much or more than the congregation that meets Sunday mornings for worship.”
Doug said he thinks the COVID-19 pandemic will be a difficult time for drop-in guests who range from a baby to a senior and everyone in between.
“They're already challenged by lack of money, and many have problems with inadequate housing, precarious health, unemployment, addictions, illiteracy, etc.,” Doug said. “A disruptive, unsettling event such as the pandemic is a real blow for them. Please keep these vulnerable people in your prayers until the crisis passes.”
He said he hopes that everyone can somehow keep safe. He looks forward to the resumption of the drop-in whenever authorities allow it.
-- by Ann Deveau
[Photo] PRIOR TO SOCIAL DISTANCING! - When drop-ins were still being held, outreach treasurer Doug Milander enjoyed chatting with Arthur Linton, a longtime attendee and a dependable volunteer.
