Thy Kingdom Come 2025

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Thy Kingdom Come – a worldwide prayer movement inviting Christians around the world to intentional prayer from Ascension to Pentecost.

Since it began in May 2016, God has grown TKC from a dream of possibility into a movement which unites more than a million Christians in prayer, in nearly 90% of countries worldwide, across 85 different denominations and traditions ‐ so that friends and family, neighbours and colleagues might come to faith in Jesus Christ. Every person, household and church are encouraged to pray during the 11 days in their own way.

It is our hope and prayer, that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and his love for the world, will hear it for themselves and respond and follow him.

Specifically, we again invite each and every Christian across the globe to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of 5 people who have not responded with their ‘Yes’ to God’s call.

Whether you have joined in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ before or not, you are invited to take part and join in. All resources are downloadable.

Daily prayer. Commit to attending all or some of the daily offices (morning and evening prayer) at the Cathedral, Monday ‐ Friday or say the offices at home.
It takes about 15 minutes each day.

2025 NOVENA ‐ Join us on weekdays during Thy Kingdom Come for a local discussion (45 min) about the series of reflections on the Lord’s Prayer by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York. We begin at 5:15 p.m. Friday 30 May at Memorial Hall boardroom or via Video Conference. Visit the calendar event for online access or to download the resource.

2025 Digital Detox ‐ Resources to help you to undertake a digital detox during Thy Kingdom Come. Prayer Journals and Session outlines in both youth and adult versions. Visit the website to download the resources. Follow them by yourself or invite your family or small group to join you. Use these guides in any way that will help you best. But do make sure that you read them fully before you’re face‐to‐face with a young person! Some of the content is there just for you leaders. You’ll also realize that during small group segments, there may be more questions than you’ll need. You don’t need to use them all! Use as many as you have time for, pick and choose the best ones for your setting, and don’t worry if conversation strays away from them.

Family resources ‐ praying for young disciples, prayer beads and dozens of ideas about how to actively engage in the wave of prayer. Videos from “The Way” for teens, new Cheeky Panda videos for younger children on “Ways to Pray,” and more.

Pray for 5 ‐ At the heart of Thy Kingdom Come, is praying for friends, family and neighbours who donʹt yet know Jesus. Each year, we’re encouraged to choose 5 people to commit to pray for during the 11 days and beyond. Visit thykingdomcome.global for little prompts that might be helpful as a reminder throughout the day.

Prayer Journal ‐ Download this resource. Each day’s reflection will focus on a line of the Lord’s Prayer and include a time to pause and pray for your five, in keeping with that day’s theme with space each day for your own notes. What has God been saying to you in your reading and your prayers? Download the Prayer Journal

 

Thy Kingdom Come at Christ Church Cathedral

 

 

Work as a Cathedral Tour Guide this summer!

Do you love history and enjoy meeting new people? Apply for a summer job as a Cathedral Tour Guide!

Christ Church Cathedral in Fredericton, New Brunswick is pleased to once again open its doors for tours this summer. We are seeking a part-time tour guide to work alongside our Lead Tour Guide, providing a warm welcome and excellent hospitality to visitors and locals.

With hundreds of people choosing to visit the Cathedral each year, it is a wonderful opportunity for our guides to share the key role of our church in Fredericton’s past and present. Previous summer tour guides have enjoyed meeting people from around the world, learning the history of the Cathedral, and gaining experience in bilingual tourism.

A job as a Cathedral tour guide involves welcoming visitors in English and French, providing tours, and assisting with events. Training will be provided. The position is available to an adult or youth 16+ years old. Candidates for this position are not restricted by religious affiliation; however, knowledge of the Anglican Church would be considered an asset.

Click here for details about the position.

Application Process
Please submit a resume and a cover letter which explains why you have applied for the position and why you feel you are a suitable candidate. Applications may be submitted by email or in person during office hours (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday-Friday).

Email: <search AT christchurchcathedral.com>

Christ Church Cathedral Office
Cathedral Memorial Hall
168 Church Street
Fredericton, NB  E3B 4C9

Deadline for Applications
Applications must be received by Monday, June 9, 2025. Interviews will take place with selected candidates as soon as possible. Orientation training will take place during the last week of June, 2025.

 

This position is made possible through the City of Fredericton's Community Funding Grant program.

Afternoon Tea

On 06 May, the Cathedral was the setting for a lovely afternoon Tea prepared, hosted and served by ACW and Health Ministry members. Ten tables were set and elegantly adorned with spring-like flowers and soft pastel colored napkins. Delicate sandwiches (crustless, of course) and mouth-watering sweets accompanied by bottomless cups of freshly brewed tea were on offer. And the offer was taken up by approximately 40 people. Gentlemen and ladies alike.

The Blue Drawing Room where the Duchess of Bedford entertained guests for Afternoon Tea.

We have all heard of “high tea” and “afternoon tea” and probably all recognize both as typically British customs. Indeed, a little excursion into Google will tell you that we have the very British Anna, the Duchess of Bedford to thank for coming up with the idea of “afternoon tea” sometime in the 19th century. Whereas we now tend to view it as a special and often quite elaborate treat, for the peckish Duchess it started out as simply a snack between meals. She would request tea accompanied by finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and cakes just for her. No simple apple or peanut butter sandwich to tide Anna over!

Anna so enjoyed her afternoon snacks that she soon began inviting her friends and relatives to join her and as news spread of these afternoon occasions (which sometimes included entertainment), others started hosting their own tea parties and before they knew it, the entire country was on to Anna’s invention and a tradition was born.

So what distinguishes “afternoon tea” from “high tea”? Well believe it or not, it seems to have been the type of chair one sits in, along with one’s class. Anna’s wealthy friends and relatives dined seated on low, comfortable and well-padded chairs and sofas. Whilst the working class folks whose jobs didn’t allow for a lengthy afternoon tea, such as enjoyed by the Royals and rich, took their tea after 5:00 pm and sitting in high backed chairs (no doubt not well-padded) and high tables. Thus was born “high tea”! Needless to say, it isn’t only the chairs that differentiate the two. Crustless sandwiches and delicate sweets weren’t exactly the nectar of working class men and women. “High tea” is what is now known as supper or dinner and is the substantial evening meal. Although some folks in Britain still refer to that meal as “tea”, the use of the word high has largely been dropped.

What hasn’t changed, is the appeal of an afternoon tea! It’s an opportunity to slow down and savour a cup of tea and delicious finger food whilst enjoying the company of new and old friends in perhaps much the same way that Anna did. It’s a treat in this busy life allowing us to put our lives on hold and just relax. It can also be an opportunity to celebrate a special occasion.

This Medley Tea in the Cathedral was both. Time to chat and enjoy friends and time to celebrate the milestone 100th birthday of Mary Alwood! Congratulations and best wishes to Mary and we look forward to sharing more Medley Teas with Mary and everyone!

A special thank you to our verger and historian, Hank Williams, for putting together a special selection of historical pieces and being on hand to answer questions. These pieces and the accompanying write-ups were quite extraordinary.

Many thanks to all involved in making this such a lovely occasion, and thanks to Duchess Anna for her tendency to be peckish in the afternoon!

- by Gail MacGillivray

 

Kathleen Snow commissioned as Worldwide Mothers’ Union President

Canadian contingent of MU members supporting Kathleen Snow at her commissioning in March in London.

To say Kathleen Snow’s life has changed is an understatement.

The newly commissioned president of Mothers’ Union worldwide now has a travel schedule that rivals that of a busy CEO.

Last fall she spent a few weeks in Argentina to visit Mothers’ Union members and see projects first-hand. Then in February, she jetted off to the UK to meet Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, the new patron of Mothers’ Union. In March she was back for her commissioning. ...

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Read the full article, written by Gisele McKnight and published on the NB Anglican website on April 29, 2025.

 

 

Easter Confirmations and a Baptism!

Congratulations to those who were baptized, confirmed, reaffirmed their faith or were received into the Anglican Communion at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, 19 April. It was a wonderful celebration of faith. Below you can see a few photos taken from our worship recording.

Baptism:
Michael Van Tassell

Confirmation:
Alexandria Pope, Jamie Lougheed, Michael Van Tassell, Shallon Woodcock, Rik Hall, Linda Hall, Leah Perry

Reception:
Paul Mac donald, André Vietinghoff

Reaffirmation:
Leyla Lougheed