Anglican Cathedral Musician Opportunity

Christ Church Cathedral, in the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton, is seeking an experienced half-time Director of Music to continue its program facilitating a balance of vibrant traditional and contemporary Anglican worship. As the Cathedral is a centre of excellence in the musical arts in the community of Fredericton, New Brunswick, an RCCO level five or above, organist qualifications and experience are preferred.

Instruments available include a four manual Casavant organ, handbells, a small grand piano and instruments / audio equipment used for contemporary music. The application deadline is November 2nd, 2019. Résumé and covering letter detailing qualifications should be forwarded to the Selection Committee Chairperson, Christ Church Cathedral, 168 Church Street, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 4C9 or [email protected]. Questions to [email protected].

For the information of applicants regarding additional employment: St. Thomas University is in close proximity and has a well established fine arts programme. The University of New Brunswick also identifies itself as a centre for the musical arts. Ample opportunity exists in Fredericton for private students in music education.

2019 Friends of St. Hilda’s Scholarship Recipient

The following is the application letter from our newest Belize scholarship recipient, Gian Myvette:

Dear Friends of St. Hilda’s:

Greetings from my beautiful village of Georgeville.

On June 25, 2019, I completed my first milestone by successfully having passed the primary school examinations culminating with 8 years of primary school at St’ Hilda’s in Georgeville. The journey had many pot holes and curve balls but with my family support and my faith in God, I was able to walk on the straight and narrow path. My next step is completing high school and pursue higher education.

My passion is in information technology (I.T), I watch my brother fixing computers, assembling parts and installing programs from an early age, this was followed to my mom enrolling me in a two weeks programming class for primary school students at Galen University two years ago. Because of this passion, my mom investigated which of the high schools had a better I.T
curriculum; as a result, I was accepted and subsequently enrolled at Sacred High School in San Ignacio Town, Cayo.

Education is very expensive and my mom is trying to ensure that I am afforded the best education possible. To achieve this, she entered into a payment plan with the Sacred Heart High school and with that I was able to register. I discussed with my mom if I can get a scholarship so that the burden is lessen on her. My mom, as a single parent, will do her best to ensure I get an education, I wish that I too can assist by getting a scholarship.

In my community, most the youths do not enter high school and others drop out of high school due to varying reasons. The end result is that there are no alternative programs that exist in my village for at risk youths. Thus, our village have seen many of my peers doing drugs, getting in problems with the law, and vandalism. I do not want to be a statistic. I want to be a change for my village.

The decision by Friends of St Hilda’s to award a high school scholarship to a deserving student must be truly hard as many of us have needs and you wished you could help all of us. As you deliberate on your decision, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my letter. No matter the result of your decision, I still will work hard, study, pass and continue to be devout
Anglican. My vision is for my peers, my villagers and everyone to see that not because you come from a broken home means that you can’t make something of yourself. Not because my mom is unable to afford me new books or new school bag that it will deter me from completing my education. What is important is my dream and the passion I have for learning and by getting a
degree in information technology; a field which is much needed in Belize.

Thank you and God bless you and guide your decisions.

Sincerely,
Future I.T Engineer

Prayer Request from the Hansen Family in Belize (September 2019)

Missy and Evan Hansen in Belize share:
“Please pray for the churches and schools here. It feels like a new energy has come to the communities here with the new school year but at the same time, many locals are burned out. Please pray for the Spirit to enter into the people and communities here. There is a weariness and wariness in many here. New life and joy would be really beautiful.
Please continue to pray for us as we attempt to keep things going here while our partners are away. We have never been here at this time of year, and there are so many things we don’t know, so we’re trying to roll with things and be flexible.”
Thank you for praying for your missionaries!

2019 Spring and Summer Updates from Bishop McAllister College and Anglican Seminary in Uganda

There has been a lot going on at Bishop McAllister College since our last update from Rev. Paul Jeffries in March, 2019.

There has been great progress on our new library! Anticipate completion of construction October 2019! To God be the Glory!

Samples of future library furniture completed!

It has been 15 years since began our dining hall project. Lots of delays of course as other more pressing demands came up. But thanks be to God, it is now complete! Over the past few months we have plastered the interior walls, finished the floor, built the veranda, and plastered the exterior of the building. Just finished the painting. Praise God!Dining Hall complete after 15 years! Thanks be to God!

Ten years on, construction of the Chapel of St. John the Evangelist is now complete! Praise God!

Rector’s Challenge 2019

Students sing in inter house competitions #bishopmcallistercollegekyogyera.

Students and pupils showing their talents in MDD. Its been a wonderful weekend at the hill. Canon Caleb you must be missing this!!!!!

Tr.Marie giving out sports’ equipment and telescope to the school!!!!!

Palm Sunday and Easter Vigil 2019

PTA Meeting, Resurrection Race and more…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episcopal Church of Roatan (Nelson and Kara Ministry) August 2019 Update

August Update 2019

Please continue to pray for:

  1. For our 6th Anniversary this 24th and 25th of August 19, Safe travel for Proclaim  Band coming from Tegucigalpa to help us worship.
  2. Continued and stable financial support for the next three years as we continue to serve the Lord on Roatán, Honduras.
  3. The ongoing construction in Coxen Hole. Pray for the remaining installation stages: Cement concrete for the floor and ceramic tiles.
  4. Our congregations: St. Peter by the Sea in Brick Bay, and Emmanuel in Coxen Hole.
  5. Please pray for the Rev. Robert Browning and for his ministry to English-speakers at Eastern Roatán.
  6. For youth leadership, that God will provide someone to minister to and guide the young people.
  7. Spiritual and practical outreach in the local communities.
  8. For leadership for the Church in Roatán.
  9. The Episcopal Church in Honduras, for the process toward self-sufficiency by the end of 2019.

Congratulations Anique!

We are very proud to announce that our scholarship student, Anique Hernandez, has graduated from high school in Belize. Congratulations Anique!

Graduation benediction prayer

May God’s blessing follow you as you find new journeys to travel. May you walk safely along the pathways of your dreams.
May his gentle hand guide the decisions you will make and the passions that you follow.
May your heart and life always reflect his love and truth,
And may hope be a light within you that you carry into each new day.

Amen.

 

Message from Indira Spain in Belize

My Dearest Friends in Canada:
I write with a full, joyful and grateful heart to inform you of Anique’s successful completion of high school.  I received her results on May 23 and finally got the opportunity to sit and share my happiness with you today.  I am sure you have been awaiting this very good news with much anticipation.  I do not have the letter of completion with me at the moment but I will scan and forward that to you in the morning.
I wish to express my deepest thanks to all of you who gave us so willingly.  You made the four years so much easier for me.  As a single mom life can become very difficult and I know that I would have struggled very much without your assistance.  My family and I are eternally indebted to all of you and we pray that God’s grace always smile on you for all that you have done for us.  Anique’s graduation is on June 8.  I will send pictures so that in a way you all can be a part of her day.  You have been a part of her life for the last four years financially and through prayers so I will definitely send pictures.  We are blessed to have you.
Mucho Amor from Belize,
 Indira Spain

A Grand Day for a Picnic

Our prayers were answered as Sunday, June 23rd dawned bright and clear, if not a little windy; it was the day of our combined 10:30 am worship to be followed by our Picnic & Pies event on the Cathedral grounds. 

Picnic on the Green 23 June 2019
Lunch on the lawn

The setup crew were at work by 9:30 am and within an hour had all the tables ready for the hot dogs, drinks, watermelon, pies, and cake; the barbecue was all organized and ready to go. Chairs were brought out and placed around the area. Various games were put out for the children: badminton, ring toss, horseshoes, bats and balls. Signs were put up, a last minute check done, and then, the first hymn could be heard; the crew rushed inside to join the service.

The service over, everyone streamed out of the Cathedral into the bright sun. Some headed right for the food, while others gathered in little groups to chat and get caught up. The hot dog table developed a steady line of parishioners anointing their dogs with their chosen condiments. The popcorn machine was an immediate hit; bags of popcorn were seen clutched in the hands of children and adults alike. Parched throats had a choice of iced tea or lemonade, not to mention those juicy slices of watermelon that were so refreshing. And then there was the pie table, covered from end to end with amazing, delicious pies: strawberry-rhubarb, blueberry, Saskatchewan, lemon meringue, apple, cherry, butterscotch ― often with more than one of each flavour. Decisions were not easy and took some time, with many opting for half a slice of this and half a slice of that. Or just coming back for seconds and thirds. No calories at a church picnic!

Doris and Audrey
Doris and Audrey

With their plates loaded with food, people settled into groups around the grounds. Young families spread out on the grass while little ones explored nearby. The shade seekers congregated on chairs under the big oak next to the pie table―a smart move perhaps on two counts. Some opted for being out in the sun, no doubt letting its heat evaporate any memories of our winter past. Conversations ebbed and flowed, people wandered from group to group meeting friends old and new.

While the big people ate and chatted, the children checked out some of the games and toys. A badminton net had been set up, but the wind proved too much for that game. But it was not too windy for balls to be tossed and caught or tossed and hit. There was not much interest in the horseshoes, maybe just as well. However, the ring toss game did garner some interest, initially for its original purpose, but in the end it was the sand in the box that proved to be more fun; the rings were later found buried in the cup under quite a layer of sand. 

Safety is always important at any gathering, so colourful little pinwheels were stuck in the ground in front of pegs and ropes to warn people of a tripping hazard. This worked well until one of the youngest members of our congregation found them; a pinwheel clutched in each little fist, he happily stumped around the area, the wheels spinning wildly. And no, no one did trip over any of the pegs.

The "ladies"
Lynn, Bonnie, Gail and Isabel

There was a last minute run on the pie table, but then, it was over. Pleasantly satisfied with food, conversation, and companionship, people drifted away home. And then, the cleanup crew sprang into action. Many hands make light work, and in no time tables were cleared, wiped, and loaded for transport. Toys, games, dishes, odds and ends were gathered up and tossed into cars and vans. The grounds were cleared and everything back to the church hall in no time.

Of course an event like this doesn’t just happen. It takes a great team effort of volunteers to make our congregational events successful and special; from our task teams on set up, service, and clean up, to all our food donation volunteers that are so very important. For Sunday’s Picnic & Pies we had over 22 volunteers from within our task teams and more than 21 food volunteers, who donated hot dog buns, chips, watermelons, and those 15 delicious pies! In addition, the Anglican Church Women (ACW) donated a lovely light cake in honour of Hank Williams and Norma Jean Belyea, which was enjoyed by all. The few pieces of pie that were left over, along with some iced tea and lemonade, were offered at the afternoon reception at the Cathedral Hall. A sincere thank you to all our volunteers―we greatly appreciate all your efforts! 

Lynn Melanson

Episcopal Church of Roatan (Nelson and Kara Ministry) May 2019 Update

May Update 2019

Please continue to pray for:

  1. Continued and stable financial support for the next three years as we continue to serve the Lord on Roatán, Honduras.
  2. The ongoing construction in Coxen Hole. Pray for the remaining installation stages: Cement concrete for the floor and ceramic tiles.
  3. Our congregations: St. Peter by the Sea in Brick Bay, and Emmanuel in Coxen Hole.
  4. Please pray for the Rev. Robert Browning and for his new ministry to English-speakers at Eastern Roatan.
  5. Pray for the Rev. Kara Mejia and Jennifer Guzman from the church in Brick Bay, that they will represent our Church in Roatan and the Dioceses in a Episcopal Youth Event (EJE), in Panama this coming July 2019.
  6. For youth leadership, that God will provide someone to minister to and guide the young people.
  7. Spiritual and practical outreach in the local communities.
  8. For leadership for the Church in Roatán.
  9. The Episcopal Church in Honduras, for the process toward self-sufficiency by the end of 2019.

Thank you to all who have faithfully prayed and faithfully given to support this incredible work of ministering to the people in our congregations.

Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Your prayers and continued support enable us to continue touching people’s lives with Jesus’ love.

This prayer is one of the oldest poems in the Bible. It is a beautiful way to say thank you to someone for their love and care:

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, ESV)

Empowering the Church

Learning, Growing and Serving

Nelson and Kara Mejia

May Update 2019