Category Archives: Other News

Housing First – United Way Central NB

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Great news! -- Approved zoning applications for TWO new developments for Housing First in our community. Many years and many partners in the making, these 7 units are another important step toward our goal of building 40 units of housing to foster safety and inclusion for people who have endured chronic homelessness in our community. One more step toward getting people 'out of the cold - for good'.

This step is an example of the COMMUNITY COLLABORATION needed to end our housing and homelessness crisis:

beginning with the collective efforts to create a multi-year plan to end homelessness (with specific targets, best practices, and models for change);
the creation of a capital fund to help drive the construction of purpose-built housing,
the dozens of private citizens and small businesses that took a leap of faith and each donated $35,692 to this fund;
the service providers who bravely moved to adopt harm-reduction and Housing First services to wrap around individuals who have fallen through the cracks of other models;
the private sector partners and individual citizens who have lent their time and expertise to reduce overhead (such as, technical drawings, architectural expertise, legal review, landscaping support, appliances, cabinetry, heating/cooling solutions, and construction);
the elected officials and public staffers who went above and beyond to educate their peers and advocate for new approaches;
our municipality that took the courageous and creative step to re-purpose under-used land;
the faith-groups and service providers that have opened their doors and minds to listen to our wild ideas about a collaboration;
the committee members who took leadership roles to submit an application to our Housing First Fund;
the evaluation committee members who carefully reviewed these applications;
the individuals and professionals came out at night to help with door-knocking and neighbourhood consultations.

One more step toward getting people 'out of the cold - for good'

It took thousands of hours and hands to reach this point.

We have many steps ahead but this is one hurdle worth celebrating!

When all 40 units are finally built in our community, we will not only be able to end the cycle of homelessness for people who have survived long months/years on our streets but we will also create a model of sustainability for many years to come! It is our community's collective vision that these 40 units will be owned mortgage-free by non-profit entities so that revenues from rent-subsidies can be diverted back into much-needed services - not mortgage payments.

All the front end heavy-lifting of these partners means we will create housing, reduce emergency services usage, generate sustainable funds for evidence-based services, AND save lives.

Congratulations and thank you to the thousands of hands that have touched this work and who will help continue to move this important work down the road home.

Posted by United Way Central NB on Facebook
21 November 2019

United Way Central New Brunswick

Fredericton Community Action Group on Homelessness
City of Fredericton
Government of New Brunswick
Fredericton Community Foundation
Christ Church Cathedral - Fredericton
Smythe Street Church
Greater Fredericton Social Innovation Overcoming Poverty Together-Ensemble pour vaincre la pauvreté

2019 Out of the Cold

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19 December UPDATE - The new shelter is open at 332 Brunswick Street with 20-30 beds and they still need many items to function this winter. Donations to Wilmot United Church, Monday to Saturday 10 am-1 pm. An up to date list of needs is posted at the back of the Cathedral. Former and new volunteers are needed to help with cleaning, time with the community, and as helping hands for staff and residents. Shift times: Evening: 7 -11 pm / Night: 11 pm.-6am / Morning: 6-8 am. Cleaning shifts: Mondays / Wednesdays / Fridays, 8:30 - 10:30am. <ootcshelter at gmail.com> To volunteer <connectfredericton.ca>

Help Needed -  St. Paul's United Church, corner of York and George, has issued an urgent and immediate call for volunteers to help at its overnight warming space for homeless people, which will fill a gap in services until the planned, new, out-of-the-cold shelter is up and running. Volunteers would need to stay overnight in the church from 8 p.m. until 7 a.m., working in a team of three or four people, one of whom would be an employee of the John Howard Society or the provincial Department of Social Development. Currently, the warming space is averaging seven guests nightly, but the demand is predicted to increase sharply as the cold weather worsens. People willing and able to serve in this ministry to vulnerable people are asked to contact Shelby at (506) 467-6034 with their name, phone number and email address.

Community Action Group on Homelessness - Out of the Cold website

2019 Christmas angels are here!

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UPDATE - all angels have flown! Thanks to all for your adoptions.

Sixty paper angels from Greener Village (the food bank)  wait to be chosen from small trees in the cathedral and in the hall. Each requests a specific Christmas gift or stocking stuffers for a needy child in our city.

**NEW THIS YEAR** Please print your name and telephone number on the clipboard to indicate which angel you are adopting. Bring back your unwrapped gift, with the paper angel firmly attached, to the church or the hall on Sunday, Dec. 1st. Drop-off boxes will be set up near the angel trees.

Christmas AngelsIf you cannot bring your gift Sunday, please take it to the drop-off box in the hall no later than Monday, Dec. 2nd . This is Greener Village's deadline for our 60 angels, allowing them time to distribute the gifts to the families they serve.

** Please don't be late! The committee must purchase any gifts that arrive late or not at all.

If you prefer to donate in a different way, please write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Deliver your cheque to the church office by Dec. 17th. These funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Women in Transition House Inc. and the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

The Outreach Committee thanks you warmly for your generous support in making Christmas special for people in our city who need help.

Mothers’ Union – 120 Years of Faith in Action – HOPE

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Be Proactive, Take initiative and Act with Integrity – PTAI. This was the message from the Rev. Michael Elliott at the Church of the Holy Spirit in the Portmore Deanery in Cumberland, Jamaica.

Alice Kennedy, Lilian Ketch, and I were recently invited to attend the 120th Anniversary of the Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It was an honour and privilege to be present and share with our Mothers’ Union sisters and brothers in celebrating the work of the Mothers’ Union in their diocese.

Sadie - young woman who now makes jewelry and sells at local markets as a result of MU Skills Training

We attended worship on the Sunday morning at Michael’s church in Cumberland, Jamaica. The reading for that day was from Luke 16:1-13 about the rich man and his manager who was dishonest. Michael called the man a ‘scammer.’ He was currying favour and trying to be proactive in a time of crisis. Michael shared that Jesus was suggesting that here was a man in crisis who was focusing on what he had to do, and he did it. Jesus wants us to be proactive disciples who take the initiative and act responsibly in our relationships with him and the world around us (adapted from here)

Michael stated that nothing focuses us in life like a crisis and that the challenge for us is how we respond. Our initial prayer is “Lord, have mercy.” And rightly so – we must be proactive; first and foremost we must give that control over to our Lord in any situation.

He then went on to speak about taking the initiative. We heard about the Mothers’ Union in Cumberland who ran a Children’s Home for HIV Children. He shared how the Mothers’ Union members run the home, managing the staff and providing food daily for the children in that Home - an example of taking initiative and acting with integrity.

Helping Other People Endure – HOPE

We are called to be proactive and to act with integrity. We are meant to do the right thing, and quite often without anyone seeing us. Michael spoke about how we become a people of HOPE when we do the right thing and act with integrity. Helping Other People Endure – HOPE. We need to listen and be clear about what God is saying to us.

Kathleen Snow with Mrs. Louise Bailey (Aunt Lou) and Mrs. Sheran Harper (Worldwide President)

During that worship there were many Mothers’ Union members in attendance. The congregation was a sea of blue and white - the Mothers’ Union uniform colours. I had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Louise Bailey, or Aunt Lou as she was affectionately called. Aunt Lou was 103 years of age and had been a Mothers’ Union member for over 60 years! What a joy to meet this lovely lady who had worked most of her life supporting the work of Mothers’ Union in her diocese. She recently died just two weeks ago and is sadly missed. Helping Other People Endure – HOPE.

Ephena Matthew (Diocesan President of NECA - North East Caribbean and Aruba), Tony Patel and Kathleen Snow at "Think on These Things"

On our first day in Jamaica I was asked to speak about Mothers’ Union on the local radio station program called "Think on These Things."  Ephena Matthew (Diocesan President of North East Caribbean and Aruba) and I were interviewed by Tony Patel, a broadcaster on the program. Tony was a distinguished-looking soft-spoken man with a broadcaster’s voice. I noticed when we first met that his hair was long and braided down his back.

When I later spoke with him, I asked him about his children. He mentioned that he had a son who had been missing for over two years. He continued to search for him and had not cut his hair since his son had gone missing. He and his son had always gone to the barber together, and he was not planning on cutting it until he found his son. There was suffering and hope in his eyes. Helping Other People Endure – HOPE.

Alice, Lilian and I visited a number of Mothers’ Union projects in the different deaneries. We visited a Kingston Deanery project called the Parent Place at St. Mary the Virgin Church and Elementary School. The school was run by the local Mothers’ Union branch and was also funded by local government. As a result of the Parenting Program, which was facilitated by Mothers’ Union members, a building was attached to the school called the Parent Place, where parents would meet to support one another and participate in the Parenting Program - a very successful parents support group which encourages stable family relationships.

Selling wares at Skills Training and Income Generating project visit in Clarendon Deanery in Jamaica

Lilian and I also visited the Clarendon Deanery where we viewed a Skills Training and Income Generating project which the St. Paul’s Mothers’ Union members supported and facilitated. Here I met Sadie and Kemesha, two young women who were encouraged to think about what items they could produce themselves to sell at local markets. Sadie was making jewelry and Kemesha crocheting clothing. Kemesha stated that she was hoping to open up her own shop one day and Sadie stated, “I am an entrepreneur!” Helping Other People Endure – HOPE.

Lilian and I were also privileged to attend the Women’s Conference in Mandeville where I was asked to speak on Women’s Health. Many women from all over the diocese shared in this day and celebrated health and healing of body, mind and spirit.

Our Worldwide President Mrs. Sheran Harper was in attendance as well, and it was it was a pleasure to be with her at the Celebration Banquet and share in the work of the Mothers’ Union. We met many other members from St. Jude’s in St. Andrew Deanery and YS Falls in St. Elizabeth Deanery. I learned how to speak patois (com mek me hol yu han, man) and Lilian and I even took a dip in the YS Falls.

Kemesha - young woman who now has her own business selling crocheted items at local markets as a result of MU Skills Training

Throughout this trip it was the people we met and the relationships shared that were most meaningful. I will remember the stories from the Rev'd Michael Elliott, Aunt Lou, Tony Patel, the Parent Place, Sadie and Kemesha. It is heartwarming to experience and realize how Mothers’ Union members are proactive, take initiative and act with integrity around the world. They give HOPE - helping other people endure, by the grace of the Holy Spirit. To God be the glory!

Kathleen Snow

 

In Memoriam – David Drinkell

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In Memoriam - David Drinkell

The church family at Christ Church Cathedral continues to mourn the death of organist and director music David Drinkell.

Notes of sympathy and condolences, literally from all over the world, continue to flow in. David was very well known and regarded in the music community. Among the communications are those from Brunswick Street Baptist Church, Fredericton,  the Organ Club (UK) and Belfast Cathedral where they have posted a memorial to David. David's previous post was as organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John's. The Fredericton Daily Gleaner, published a story about David this week. A tribute in the November edition of Anglican Life (Newfoundland Dioceses') by Ashley Ruby, page 11 -- "An Increased Richness in Heaven."

David made the music in Cathedral worship seamless

As a Cathedral member put it this week, "David made the music in Cathedral worship seamless." Indeed, he did. His knowledge of traditional Anglican worship and its music often baffled the best of us, yet he met the challenges of more contemporary musical styles in leading the 11:45 a.m. worship group each Sunday with grace and proficiency. Let us give thanks for his confidence in Christian faith. We are indebited to him, perhaps most for his friendship, but also for his faithful, yet far too short, ministry of music among us.

Later in the day on Thursday, 26 September 2019, the Dean wrote to the Cathedral congregation by way of email:

Subject: News shared with a heavy heart
Date: 26 September 2019

It is with sorrow and a heavy heart that I write with very sad news.

You’ll remember that David Drinkell had, what we all considered, a successful emergency surgery last week. Early in the day on Sunday, it was becoming more apparent that complications from the surgery were developing and Sunday afternoon, David underwent a second surgery to address those difficulties.

Since Sunday, David had been in ICU, on life support and, his condition continued to worsen. Medical tests and scans on Wednesday were not revealing good news about his chances for recovery. Earlier today (Thursday) it was determined that chance had become very slim, if not non-existent. At about 5:30 p.m., life support was removed and David died peacefully at about 7:20 p.m..

It was my privilege that Elspeth allowed me to be present. Kathleen Snow and Janet Mahar were also with us. The care David received from the whole health team at the Everett Chalmer’s Hospital was outstanding and we are all thankful for them. Everything possible was done. Thanksgiving is also due for all who have helped in any way over the last several difficult days, perhaps most especially Marilyn Lewell who has been a rock for Elspeth through much of this ordeal.

Most of us are very conscious of the precarious financial position this creates for Elspeth. There may be opportunities, for those whom are able, to offer support in a financial, as well as other many ways, in the days ahead. We’ll try to coordinate that as best we can and further direction should be forthcoming.

Please pray for David, Elspeth, other members of David’s family and friends who will be hearing this news shortly.

"Lord, now lettest thy servants depart in peace, according to thy word."

God's blessing.

Dean Geoffrey Hall
GMH

David's funeral will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, 08 October 2019, at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral. Long time friend, Anglican priest and Rector of the Parish of Rothesay, the Rev'd Paul Rideout, will be the preacher. Friend of the Cathedral and former director of music, Dr. Willis Noble, will be the organist. A reception at the Cathedral Memorial Hall will follow.

Read David's obituary on the McAdam's Funeral Home website

Cutler Notes – 14 September 2019

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September 2019

Dear Friends,

Nathan and I wanted to be able to say a few words to you as we all settle into Fall and many new beginnings for us all Thank you to Geoff for accepting this for the web page.

First of all WE MISS YOU!  We spent thirty wonderful years in Fredericton and especially in and through our church/ Cathedral  community we got to know many people, shared much in many ways and received your love and care many times over. It is strange not having you all around and knowing most faces, but we look forward to seeing you again sometime. In the meantime keep up the amazing ministries that have developed over the years at the Cathedral

Our second and very important wish is for you to know how very much we appreciated your outpouring of kind words and generous support you “showered” on us as we left Fredericton so quickly. Some folk we were unable to say goodbye to, owing to time constraints, but those whom we did see, your kindness and loving care has been an incredible reminder of who you are both individually and as a church.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your generosity, your kindness and your LOVE.

Here is a quick update on some of the highlights since arriving here in Isle aux Morts.

The weather has been incredible for the most part since we arrived. Most mornings we wake to a beautiful sunrise over calm waters. We live beside a trail of 5 kms that takes you right beside the rocky shore to little coves where one can sit in the silence of the world and watch the waves and the many types of birds. Then it weaves inland over grassy banks that have been covered in wild flowers. They so remind me of “the “lilies of the fields”, for Nathan, the flower gardener, a wonderful reminder the Lord does provide in His way!  Facing the sea we can see boats in the distance; tanker’s, cruise ships and yacht’s as well as the small boats taking folk out to fish for the day. It is so peaceful ,God’s Creation at our finger tips!

Well, then there was Hurricane Dorian!! who came through Nova Scotia with a vengeance as you know and then blew mightily around us for 18 hrs. The wind and the waves and the spray over the rocks were spectacular, 124kms winds, and a 100ft wave clocked along the coast near Port aux Basques--- we are only 16kms from there so ?  The worst of the storm was at night so we could not see the waves then. Apart from losing power for two hrs we were fine. I went to sleep thinking the house is 40yrs old and still standing, it is not going to blow down tonight!

The church building did not fare so well. The wooden steps and wheelchair ramp over old concrete ones blew off completely, turned right over and landed on church land with no injuries to anyone and no extensive damage to nearby buildings. This week the church vestry met on Monday and by now –Friday morning the steps are back on with the help of carpenters lent by the town council, too many volunteers and besides all the free labour, local businesses are giving supplies to complete the work. We will be able to access the building this Sunday for worship. It is a wonderful example of community in a small town where resources are limited.

Since our ordinations July 25th to the Deaconate and August 4th to the priesthood for Nathan it has remained somewhat of a whirl wind. Nathan and I are settling down to a very new lifestyle, it seems every day is an adventure and learning curve in many different ways. We are getting to know the vestry members and also the very active ACW members, they are very highly organised!!  And do some incredible work both in isle aux Morts and Fox Roost-Margaree, our two church communities. Everyone it seems has a connection with Nathan since his place of birth, Ramea is just down the coast so much to talk of! The people here have been friendly and we look forward to getting to know them a little better  now the summer is over and we all settle down to winter.

The Lord has brought us here, at our age,it is amazing but He obviously wants us here at this point and so we trust in Him to show us His way and for us to do our best for Him and these communities. We ask your continuing prayers so that we can work in strength, wisdom and love. We remember you in our prayers and so until we meet again,

God Bless and much love

Isabel and Nathan

 

05 August 2019

A very special night last night. I have attached a few pictures. I am trusting that the whirlwind may now be over and we can settle down to move forward with the ministry of the Church. I want to say with all sincerity a "huge thank you" from my heart for the prayers and support from the Cathedral family and friends. We are both very happy here in Isle Aux Morts and will keep in touch with you all. Until the next time. Much Love

29 July 2019

[The ordination as deacons] all went so peacefully and was so spirit filled and I will send pics as soon as I find the laptop. We just arrived in IaM after a lovely free day with Andrew ad Nicholas yesterday. It was so nice to have Leith too,she kept us on an even keel beforehand when we were a bag of nerves. Once the service started it all went so well.

It is so beautiful here this evening warm 25 and no wind.

The Bishops sermon was quite lovely!

20 July 2019

[Editor] We received this note from Isabel and Nathan Cutler. Of course, we're eager to hear about where they are and what's happening. The photos are a bonus!

Hello  some of our Friends and Family,

It  has been quite a very busy time  since leaving Fredericton just 2 weeks ago -- some of you may wonder if we made it here or fallen off the earth  😉

We are staying with my twin brother Norman (Priest with Western NL) and his wife Marguerite in the Robinson's. We have had an incredible time with visiting the Parish in Isle Aux Morts which is on the South Coast -- gone 4 times to unpack and set up house. We will move there  sometime after July 25th when we will be made Deacons at the Cathedral in Corner Brook. We will stay in Corner Brook all of next week and we are delighted Nicholas, Andrew and Leith, plus many of my extended family will be at the service.

I (Nathan) will be consecrated as Priest at the Church of the "Holy Spirit" at -- Isle Aux Morts -- at 7 pm on August 4th -- after which duties will start.

Under Norman we have (Isabel and I) participated in a Committal, Baptism, a Flower service, Hymn sing and prayers at a Seniors' Home in Stephenville and tomorrow another Baptism along with 2 receptions, etc etc.

Keep us in your thoughts and Prayers especially on Thursday July 25th at 7 pm (Deacons) and August 4th at 7 pm (Nathan Priesthood) -- maybe Geoff you could include us in CCC prayers the Sunday  prior to July 25th and on the Sunday of Aug 4th. Attached are a couple of pictures of where we will be after July 30th. Much Love.

Nathan and Isabel

I just noticed the IAM -- in this case it stands for "Isle Aux Morts."

The view of the sea is taken from our front door ... wow.

The problem with plastic

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The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in 2019 will consider a motion to encourage Anglicans across the country to both curtail purchase of and, reduce reliance on, single use plastics. The proposed motion includes developing resources to assist local efforts to those ends.

Plastic is everywherePlastic products are produced from oil, a non-renewable resource. Single use plastics are those items that are used only once before being thrown away. This includes products such as plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, and foam food packaging such as styrofoam.

While some plastic products are recycled, most end up in landfills or in the ocean. Plastic is not biodegradable. It breaks down over a long period of time into smaller pieces; these pieces have been known to make their way into food chains and water supplies. Dramatically, in the ocean, some plastics have clumped together into large floating islands of garbage. Moreover, plastic is not easily recycled into new products and in many communities foam packaging is not eligible for recycling programs at all.

Both the fifth Mark of Mission and our Baptismal Covenant call us to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. We are a long way from eliminating the use of all plastics. Choosing to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic is a step toward sustainability. The resolution seeks to respect the need for products that promote health and inclusion, while challenging us to reflect on how changes in personal habits may contribute to a reconciled relationship with the earth. (from the background on General Synod Motion A201)

Visit:
Creation Matters Anglican Church of Canada
Creation Matters Diocesan of Fredericton

What is the Anglican Foundation of Canada?

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The Anglican Foundation of Canada may be one of the Canadian Anglican church’s best kept secrets.

The Foundation supports Canadian Anglican ministry across Canada by way of the generosity of Anglicans both past and present.

Anglican Foundation Placemat“‘Us’ and ‘them’ language is difficult to apply to the Anglican Foundation,” says the Diocese of Fredericton‘s representative Clyde Spinney. “The Foundation is about spreading the generosity of Anglicans in the direction of valuable, innovative ministry across the Canadian Church.”

The Diocese of Fredericton, and in fact, Christ Church Cathedral itself, is by no means foreign to the grants and loans over the years in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. See a list of grants and loans by diocese on the Anglican Foundation website. A multitude of parish ministry initiatives, including the longest running Choir School in Canada held in our diocese each year are among recipient.

But none of this work happens without support. Being a “member” costs as little as $50-$99, as an income tax deductible charitable gift. Donor benefits and levels of giving are outlined here.

The Foundation is about spreading the generosity of Anglicans …

The Anglican Foundation of Canada was established in 1957 to encourage and support ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada.

Anglican Foundation Placemat 2Leading the way in resourceful ministry for 60 years, AFC has benefited dioceses, hundreds of parishes, and thousands of Canadian Anglicans with the provision of financial support for ministry from coast to coast to coast.

AFC invites individuals, parishes, and church organizations to make an annual contribution so that it can respond generously to applicants who are engaged in ministry to serve the Canadian Church. The Foundation’s ability to support ministry is also funded by bequests, memorials and special gifts, donor-designated trusts, life insurance, and investment income.

The work of the Foundation is made possible through the devotion, generosity, and collective goodwill of hundreds of donors. The support of dedicated Anglicans of all ages makes it possible to sustain the Foundation in the ministry of generosity to the Canadian Church.

Anglican Foundation LogoAdditional associated trusts include:

Bursaries for Theological Education (information for theological students)
Inspire a Musician (A.E.J. Fulford Trust for church music)
Scholarship of St. Basil the Great (ecumenical exchange program)
Bursaries for Pastoral Care and Preaching (Lewis S. Garnsworthy Memorial Trust for preaching and pastoral care)
Indigenous Grants (Catholic Apostolic Universal Church Trust Fund for Indigenous programs in Canada)

Learn more about the work of the Anglican Foundation by visiting the website. Why not consider joining the roster of membership and getting involved in something truly inspiring and imagine more?

Paper Bag Singers

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Paper Bag Singers"Individually, we can't carry a tune in a paper bag. Together, we sound GREAT!" Been told you can't sing, think you can't sing? Nonsense! Anyone can sing. Choirs and singing groups for people who don't have "a golden voice" have been springing up all across the UK and Canada. And now here in Fredericton, we have the Paper Bag Singers.

This is a casual group for people of all ages who just want to belt one out and have fun singing with like-voiced people. No auditions, no commitment; join us when you can. We meet every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, starting Monday, March 11th. Only $5 an evening. Find us online! email questions to: <paperbagsingers at gmail.com>

Listen to Lynn Melanson interviewed on CBC's Shift on 28 February.

Hi all - the main idea here is to have fun. Our esteemed Cathedral music director, David Drinkell, will be giving us tips and hints to help us along the way - thank you David. Check out our meetup site; it costs you nothing to join the meetup group and RSVP. Spread the word; the more the merrier. Attaching a poster, should you wish to print out a few to put up in your place of work or on a local bulletin board - thanks for that if you do.

Hope to hear you all in fine voice - oh, we'll all sound wonderful!

Lynn Melanson