Category Archives: Ministry

Good news from a Belizean scholarship recipient

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This message of good news was sent to Beverly Morell, former Belize Mission team leader. It is from Amieka Myers, a Belizean student that the Cathedral congregation supported with a high school scholarship, and continued supporting her with tuition for an associate's degree at the University of Belize, from which she graduated in 2018.

Since then, Amieka has become a mother, began a teaching career, and has returned to additional university studies. She has made a wonderful life for herself! As you can tell from her letter, she was grateful for the opportunity to receive a high school and university education, which is an outstanding achievement for a student from St. Hilda’s Elementary School. Please keep Amieka, her son, and all of our scholarship students past and present, in your prayers.

Greetings Ms. Bev!

I hope everything is okay; it has been a while since we exchanged emails. I hope you and your family are doing well. A lot has changed since the pandemic, and now, a lot has returned to normal, for which we must thank the Lord.

Cathedral member Jim Morell and Amieka Myers in 2018 in Belize.

On my end, I'm doing fantastic! I've had some difficulties in the last three years, but I've overcome them with the assistance of God. I am presently a high school teacher, teaching first and second year English and Belizean Studies at Belmopan Baptist High School in Belmopan City, Belize. In addition, I was accepted into UB's Bachelor in English Education program. My first semester began in January and finished on May 12th. Teaching, studying, and being a mother are not simple duties; nonetheless, my prior hardships inspire me to persevere. On the other hand, my son Amarion, is currently in kindergarten and, by God's help, will begin primary school in September. He has a speech issues, and as a busy mom, I haven't had time to coach him. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

I thought I'd offer an update on my life as it's been a while since we exchanged emails. I also believe you and the church would be very delighted to hear I'm establishing a life for myself. I will be eternally thankful for the chance to attend high school and get an associate's degree thanks to the generosity of you, your family, and the church family.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Amieka Myers

The Cathedral congregation continues to support students from St. Hilda's School with scholarships for high school tuition. Read about our recent fundraiser, a very successful yard sale to support the scholarship program.

Belize fundraiser supports three scholarships

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The Belize Mission Committee is thrilled with the outcome of a yard sale raising funds for high school scholarships in Belize. Between item sales and envelope donations, approximately $3000 has been raised so far - enough for three scholarships!

Currently, we provide scholarships for four students who would not able to attend high school without support, since high school is not publicly funded in Belize. This additional education provides them with important skills and opportunities. Each scholarship is $1000 CAD per year. The Cathedral also provides $2000 per year to St. Hilda’s Anglican School in Georgeville, Belize, which is used for supplies for the elementary school.

Held on Saturday, June 24, the yard sale attracted hundreds of community members searching for treasures and deals. Items in the yard sale were provided by members of the congregation and community who decluttered and donated their items to be sold at the pay-as-you-wish sale.

A dozen volunteers helped throughout the week to set-up, unpack and sort items, assemble photo collages, greet customers, collect donations, repack items, and distribute leftover items to organizations such as the Multicultural Association, the puzzle lending library at Wilmot United Church, Farraline Place, and charitable stores. Many leftover novels and children's books were also brought to Little Free Libraries and book houses around the city, for our neighbours to enjoy.

A number of people attending the sale asked about the scholarship fund and our relationship with students in Belize.

In Belize, the average age at which a child leaves school is 13 years old, because of the prohibitive costs of tuition for high school, which families must pay. Unemployment in the country is high, there are many large single-parent families, and almost half of Belizeans live below the poverty line.

The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a recently established preschool.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8. Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have gone on to post-secondary education, and all have gained knowledge and experience that will help them in their future.

We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school. Learn more about our mission work in Belize.

You can still contribute to the mission in Belize through offering envelopes or donate online.

If you are interested in participating in future endeavors benefiting the students in Belize, please contact the Cathedral Office to connect with members of the Belize mission committee.

Photos from the yard sale fundraiser

Prayer Network seeks volunteers

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Did you know that you can request immediate, confidential prayer for any matter?

The Cathedral Prayer Network is a committee of caring individuals who pray for others. It is different from the public prayer list printed in the Sunday bulletin. Confidentiality of prayer requests is at the core of the group's work.

The Prayer Network is in need of new volunteers. Contact Coordinator Linda Waugh for details or with a prayer request. Phone (506) 450-3057 or email <lmwaugh at live.com>.

The article below, written by Ann Deveau in 2021 when leadership of the Prayer Network moved from Carolyn Howlett to Linda Waugh, describes the function and the heart of the Prayer Network.

Do you feel called to serve in this ministry?

Award-winning author Philip Yancey writes that prayer stands as the place where God and human beings meet and relate.

“We're supposed to be a praying people,” agrees Carolyn Howlett in recalling why she got involved in the prayer network at the cathedral. “We're on a daily walk with the Lord, and it's important to listen, to care and to bring the needs of other people to Him.”

In 1996 a co-ordinator was needed to take over from Reid and Ethel Saunders who had capably led the prayer network for some time. Carolyn offered to step in, never thinking she would be at the helm for a quarter of a century.

“There was a small, willing group of volunteers in the cathedral community to pray for congregational needs and other issues, and it grew over time,” she says.

Sometimes people ask God for all manner of things: to sell their house, to find a job, to survive a divorce, to make it rain.

“We weren't dealing with those types of problems; we focused on requests for healing,” Carolyn says. She stresses that confidentiality was always of the highest importance, and it remains so.

She would inform the other members by telephone -- in more recent years by e-mail -- that a person was struggling with cancer treatments or a serious accident, that a major surgery was under way, that someone was hospitalized and near death.

Isabelle Hockin, one of several longtime members, puts it this way: “I think it’s a huge comfort to people with an urgent concern to know that they can turn to the prayer chain and trust that there will be a group of believers praying for them and/or their loved ones in their hour of need.”

She sees Matthew 7:7 as the guiding principle: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.

Feedback was usually positive, regardless of the outcome of the particular situation. Typical comments include “the prayer chain made all the difference” or “it uplifted us at a difficult  time” or “it helped me with my grief.”

After 25 years, the time has come for Carolyn to pass the torch to another member of the congregation who also believes that being a Christian means leading a life of prayer.

Linda Waugh has been a member of a Charis group for more than 20 years and has always been willing to pray for others.

“I have been thankful for their prayers when I needed them,” Linda explains. “Prayer is powerful, and it is very comforting to know there are others praying for you. In turn, I was glad to be able to pray for other members when they needed prayer.”

Linda thinks it's possible that some people in the cathedral family don't realize that they can ask for confidential prayers for themselves, their friends and family members who need God's love and healing.

“I hope people will feel free to get in touch with me, so that the good work done in the past can be continued for a long time to come,” she says. “My e-mail address is <lmwaugh at live.com> which will likely be published often in the church bulletin for people's convenience.”

Linda is also thankful that Carolyn has agreed to continue as a member of the prayer network.

“It's such a part of me,” Carolyn says, absolutely confident that prayer is effective in bringing God's compassion and comfort to people in their times of trouble.

--by Ann Deveau

Decluttering for a cause

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Cleaning up around the house? We can help!

Donate your good condition, previously loved items and we'll sell them at our upcoming indoor yard sale. All proceeds will go towards high school tuition for Belize scholarship students.

We're looking for household items, decor, toys, games, books, etc. No clothing or furniture please. We'll also accept reusable shopping bags.

Deliver items to Cathedral Memorial Hall between June 19-23, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Due to storage limitations, we cannot accept items before June 19.

Thank you for your generosity!

If you don't have items to donate but would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please make a donation using your offering envelope or donate online.

Mark your calendar and shop the pay-as-you-wish yard sale on Saturday, June 24, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon!

Why do we have a high school scholarship program for students in Belize?

In Belize, the average age at which a child leaves school is 13 years old, because of the prohibitive costs of tuition for high school, which is not publicly funded. Unemployment in the country is high, there are many large single-parent families, and almost half of Belizeans live below the poverty line.

The Cathedral has a special relationship with the staff and students of St. Hilda’s Anglican School, an elementary school in the rural village of Georgeville. Over two hundred children attend the school, ranging between kindergarten and grade 8, in addition to a preschool recently established at the school.

Cathedral teams have travelled to Belize five times: in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Over 60 Cathedral members ranging in age from 15 to 79 have participated in a mission trip to Belize, and hundreds of people in Fredericton have supported the work at St. Hilda's through organizational support, donations and prayers.

In 2010, Cathedral mission team members established a high school scholarship program which has allowed students from St. Hilda’s to apply for a scholarship to continue their education past grade 8. Some of the graduates supported by the Cathedral have gone on to post-secondary education. Currently, we provide scholarships for four students who would not able to attend high school without support. This additional education provides them with important skills and opportunities. Each scholarship is $1000 CAD per year.

We are grateful for all who have helped to provide scholarships for these teenagers, and support for programs at the elementary school. Learn more about our mission work in Belize.

Farewell to outreach volunteer and unsung hero Sandy Robb

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Sandy Robb - a former guest who turned into one of our most willing outreach volunteers!

Sandy Robb was a survivor.

Most people would have crumpled helplessly under the weight of the obstacles she faced. She was an unwed teenage mother, an alcoholic, a precariously employed cook, homeless more than once, beset by chronic illnesses, in and out of the hospital.

Yet, by the time she died in her sleep recently, she had fought to become a well-housed and sober senior citizen, offering no-nonsense advice as a peer support worker at a downtown medical clinic that helps addicts to recover. She had become well-known to politicians and the media as an effective advocate for the poor and the homeless in our city.

She was also a longtime, valued volunteer with the Monday Morning Outreach program at Christ Church Cathedral where she baked delicious cookies and knew most of the people in need who attended.

Sandy, at the City of Fredericton Unsung Hero awards ceremony in 2018. Pictured: Cathedral Outreach Committee Chair Penny Ericson, Fredericton South MLA David Coon, and Sandy Robb.

Outreach Committee chair Penny Ericson was a dear friend. “I've lost my buddy,” Penny said sadly. “We learned so much from Sandy. She had a big heart, and she was always ready to speak up for what was needed by the less fortunate in our city.”

It's one of the reasons Sandy won an Unsung Hero award from the City of Fredericton in 2018, being acknowledged for helping to shape this community for the better.

“Sandy was a force to be reckoned with - such a kind and generous person in her own way,” recalled retired Parish Nurse Kathleen Snow who worked closely with her at the outreach drop-ins. “A true Christian in many ways.”

Rev. Kelly Burke from New Maryland United Church, who has helped Cathedral volunteers with outreach activities for 15 years, agreed.

Sandy, helping to pack goodie bags for a COVID-safe Monday Outreach in 2020.

“So much life and goodness flowed from that woman,” she said. “She was a wise and challenging teacher for us all. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

“Sandy was the best kind of woman, and it was a pleasure to get to know her at outreach,” added volunteer Susan Colpitts, echoing comments from other volunteers. “She will be missed by all of us who were fortunate enough to share space with her.”

Heather S., a visitor to Monday Morning Outreach for many years, called Sandy “a wonderful woman” who helped her to get free furniture when she finally found housing. “She was always reaching out to somebody, so it's heart-breaking to think that she's gone.”

For the May 29th voucher day, Sandy sent a loaf of sandwiches and a newcomer who needed a pair of shoes. By the time the woman happily laced up a gently used pair of sneakers, eager to thank Sandy, our spunky and extraordinary friend had slipped out of this world.

Condolences are offered to Sandy's family, friends and to all who will miss her. Her legacy of kindness, common sense and advocacy will live on.

- by Ann Deveau

Click here to read Sandy's obituary. There will be a celebration of Sandy's life in Doaktown, Saint John and Fredericton at a later date.

Two articles about Sandy have appeared on the Cathedral website in the past:

Sandy Robb – A Fredericton Unsung Hero (2018)

Portrait of a (formerly) homeless woman – Sandy Robb (2017)

In 2017, Sandy participated in the short documentary film ‘The Rest Will Follow’, a collaboration of DocTalks, the Community Action Group on Homelessness and Housing First.

Spring updates from St. Hilda’s School in Belize

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We continually pray for our friends in Belize - the students and teachers at St. Hilda's Anglican School, as well as the scholarship students who have moved on to High School. In May, Ms. Jane Ramirez, Principal at St. Hilda's, sent us this update to Cathedral Belize committee member Rebecca Butler.

Click here to read the profiles of St. Hilda's students Jaryon and Alynna in the Anglican Diocese of Belize's youth ministry newsletter.

Greetings Rebecca,

I pray that all is well with you and your family. We're almost at the end of another school year. Yeah!! We have overcome many challenges by God's grace and are looking forward to our summer vacation. I just wanted to share some highlights with you.

In February, one of our Standard 1 students participated in a national spelling bee contest among Anglican schools. He placed 4th out of 12 students. In April, we had our annual staff Lenten retreat. Funds were used to pay for food and transportation for our teachers. It was a blessing to spend time together with teachers from the four other western schools.

The month of May is Education month. We celebrated Education week last week with various activities including a sports day, Teacher's day and we had a visit from another Anglican school.

We have our kitchen that is functional and we are feeding 50 children, 3 days per week. Some children give a small stipend to assist with purchasing groceries while others who cannot afford it eat for free.

We also started a garden. We have our gardening, cooking, sports and arts and crafts clubs.

We have two students who will be featured in the Anglican Diocese Youth Newsletter. I am sharing the article that we sent in.

I will be checking for an update with our scholarship students shortly. Caleb brought in his mid semester report and he did well. I will be checking with Gian and Korey for the same.

I continue to say thank you and God bless you all for having us at heart. Your continued support and prayers is very important to our success. I pray all the best for our Friends of St. Hilda's family.

Best,
Jane

Jubilee Tea and a Jubilee Tree

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From left to right: Susan Watson, Kathleen Snow, Diane Radford, Bonnie Greenwood, Joanne Barfitt, John DosSantos, Michele Leblanc, Lilian Ketch, and Susan Colpitts-Judd.

The Cathedral branch of the Mothers’ Union hosted a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea in June of 2022 and although it was not a fundraising event, we did however, receive donations. After covering our expenses, we decided we wanted to use the balance of the funds to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee in a lasting way.

The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative was launched to encourage people to “Plant a tree for the Jubilee” to mark her 70 years on the throne. It was subsequently extended to give the opportunity to plant trees in the Queen’s memory.

When we heard of this project, we all agreed that this would be the perfect memorial to our beloved Queen Elizabeth II.

After consultation with Eric Hadley, a member of the Cathedral Property Committee, and with help from other members of the Guild of Saint Joseph, our Jubilee Sugar Maple was planted on the corner of Brunswick and Church Streets on May 12.

Ashley Swim, Eric Hadley, and Harry Palmer planting the tree.

Prior to our May 17th meeting, many of our Mothers’ Union members gathered around our tree, a blessing was read, and a group photo was taken. A cold wind had picked up and almost blew us all away so a re-shoot took place on a sunny and warm May 23rd.

Much appreciation is extended to Eric Hadley, Gary Barfitt, Harry Palmer, and Ashley Swim for delivering the tree from the nursery and planting it for us. Thanks to Gary Barfitt and Bill Robinson for taking the photos.

Submitted by Bonnie Greenwood

The Prayer:

Almighty God, we come before you this day in humility and gratitude as we seek your blessing on the life of this Sugar Maple tree, which is planted to remember our Sovereign Lady and Patron Queen Elizabeth II. May this tree take root in this soil, drawing from it water and nutrients, so it may grow and prosper, bringing beauty in its leaves offering shelter to birds and insects and enriching this place with its presence and life. And we ask this in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Getting to know each other at a newcomer event

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On May 10, we hosted a Newcomer Dessert Event at Cathedral Hall.  The evening was organized by the Mother's Union, Kurt Schmidt (Director of Christian Formation), and Andreas Decken (Chair of Welcoming and Hospitality).

Kurt and Andreas are extremely grateful to the Mothers' Union for doing an excellent job providing treats and setting up the Hall for the event. We had over 30 people in attendance; many congregational members that are part of various Cathedral Groups were present, but also a number of "new" faces to our worship.  We were able to formally welcome people that call Christ Church Cathedral their spiritual home after moving to Fredericton within the last few years.  Particularly noteworthy is the fact that many newcomers were active in other parishes prior to moving to Fredericton and bring their expertise, experiences and ideas with them.

Many in attendance also noted that this event was an excellent venue for members of the various groups within the congregation to talk to one another, learn more about each other's involvement and getting to know each other.

And yes, the desserts were amazing.

- Andreas Decken, Welcoming and Hospitality Chair

Mothers’ Union rally draws 50 members

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"The annual rally day of the Mothers’ Union was held April 29 at Christ Church Cathedral with 50 members in attendance. The day began with a service of Holy Eucharist with several members reading scripture. Dean Geoffrey Hall and Archbishop David Edwards presided. The bishop preached, telling those gathered that the role of a Christian is to reflect the image of God in the world. ..."

Click here to read the article by NB Anglican Editor Gisele McKnight.

 

Newcomer Dessert Event – 10 May

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Are you relatively new to the Cathedral family -- or "new at heart"?!

If so, you are cordially invited to a welcome, dessert and information-sharing event on Wednesday, 10 May in Cathedral Memorial Hall, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Come along to hear about the various ministries supported by individuals and groups from the Cathedral, and discover the many opportunities to participate, experience, share, or join. We'll introduce you to the wonderful work(s) undertaken by so many of our Cathedral members, and we'll find a way to match your gifts and abilities with one or more of the programs, groups or activities in our Church family. We'll even invent such a way if we have to!

All are welcome, including and especially any newcomers -- those who've joined within the last year or so -- and newcomers at heart!