Here is a recent letter from Belize scholarship student Amieka Myers following the final payment of tuition for her now completed program. Although the scholarship is completed for Amieka, her plans are to obtain her teacher’s license and save some money on her own to return to University and further her education.
Hello Miss Bev,
I would like to let you know that I have received the funds from Ms Indira, it was very nice of her to do us that little favor. I would also like to thank you and your church for the assistance you have showered me with over the years. I appreciate every single thing you guys have done for me. As of today, I will start gather my documents for the license and I will keep you updated on how that’s going.
I can’t wait to see you and your team on the 28th. I know you must be very excited for your trip to Belize. I pray you
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.
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.
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 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.
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."
This is a letter we received from Ms Indira Spain, teacher at St. Hilda’s as well as mother of one of our high school scholarship students, Anique Hernandez. Anique is currently in Grade 10 at St. Ignatius High School in San Ignacio. She is a very good student and is also involved in extracurricular activities at her school. Her mom wrote this letter in June.
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.
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.
