It began with a query from someone in a parish in the diocese: Do you ever exhibit all the needle-work Christ Church Cathedral has?
That query came to fruition on April 13 when dozens of people came in to view all that was on display: “the fabrics, falls and frontals that grace pulpit and altar,” as the Cathedral bulletin announced.
The Cathedral’s Anglican Church Women hosted the event, with guides, the Rev'd Canon Pat Drummond, a skilled fabric artist, and verger Hank Williams, giving information to curious visitors.
The many years of work illustrate the signs and symbols of the faith, and “the variety of stitches used that enhance these magnificent ecclesiastical hangings – some of which date to the 19th century.
Lucy’s Sewing Group members were on hand to explain the work behind the altar linens on display. This group meets weekly to work and chat and many work at home on their needlework for the Cathedral and other projects. Refreshments were appreciated by those who dropped by for an enjoyable afternoon admiring the many works of art.
Dean's note: Lucy's Sewing Guild continues today in memory of Lucy McNeill, a skilled, energetic and passionate proponent of eccesiastical art expressed through church fabric art.
Hank Williams dressed in a cassock, verger's (grey) chimere and verge
In June of 2001, I was approached by Dean Keith Joyce at Christ Church Cathedral to take over the post of verger. I have been in the job now for 18 years. Let me tell you a bit about it.
I chose Christ Church Cathedral as my spiritual home in 1979. In 1980, I became a member of the choir. For the next 21 years, that was my role in worship. It was a wonderful experience as it deepened, even more, my love of church music and the role it plays in worship.
The Dean said that due to my having been in the choir, I was familiar with what to do in procession, so he asked me if i’d like to take the job. I hesitated a bit as it required my operating the sound system, among other duties.
I had already accepted to train and supervise the summer tour guides the year before, after having retired from teaching, so I dove into the deep end of the pool and have never looked back.
It has been a job full of satisfaction and more than a few amusing incidents. The duty of the verger at the Cathedral has consisted of three main duties: setting up for all services, preceding the Dean in procession, and training and supervising the guides.
The bulk of the work is in the preparation of the building for services. These include eucharists, prayer services, weddings, funerals, and opening, closing and supervision of the space for concerts, and so on.
I chose the job as verger to be able to serve God through serving my fellow Christians
Over the years, tasks have been added, but usually by my own choice, as it is a joy to serve the members of the groups as well as the congregation in whatever way I can. I might also have been the first man on the altar guild!
Just what is the origin of the word “verger?” It comes from the word “verge,” from the Old French "verge" which derives from the latin "virga" or “twig.” The "verge" is a rod I carry in procession to protect the Dean from, God forbid, being killed by anyone (Anglicans love tradition!). I have yet to have to per-form that duty!
I believe the French word is "bedeau," a word similar to the Middle English “beadle,” which was a nightwatchman in mediaeval England.
The term "sacristan" is usually used by Roman Catholics and the Hebrew word "shamas" in Judaism in the synagogue.
I chose the job as verger, as mentioned, to be able to serve God through serving my fellow Christians. It has proven the best thing I could ever have done. The motto of the North American Vergers’ Guild, of which I am a member, is “service in worship and worship through service,” a perfect expression of what vergers do. I turned 70 in December and while 70 isn’t that old nowadays, I find the job is catching up with me physically. For that reason, I am retiring as of June 30, while it is a job I dearly love and hate leaving. I have asked for assistance but no one has yet to come forth, either for the job or to join any sort of guild which we could set up and which I would train.
I was once told by a licensed layreader that my job description sounds very much like what they do in parishes so it is possibly no wonder why there seems to be no other vergers in the diocese.
Our first Cathedral verger was Thomas Wandless (a somewhat curious name for one who carries a wand?) in the mid-1800s, and I hope not to be the last and, that the post will be carried on. I personally know that God indeed does hear prayer, so I will retire in the sure knowledge that the tradition of Cathedral verger will surely continue.
Hank Williams
A version of this article appeared in the New Brunswick Anglican, June 2019
Dean's note:
Hank has provided faithful service as our Verger. He will be difficult to replace. One of our challenges, is to determine the difference between what are "verger duties" and all of the other tasks Hank picked up to make things run smoothly. That "running smoothly," of course, is also a duty of the verger. Godspeed, Hank.
The verge is similar to the object in parish churches known as a "warden's wand." Many Cathedral verger duties (including maintaining order in worship) involves that for which churchwardens, in our diocese, are responsible. Christ Church Cathedral, by way of By-Law, does not utilize the office of rector or churchwarden, which may well contribute to the need for the office of Verger GMH
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 13 May 2019 with eleven of a usual twelve members present. Minutes of the 18 March meeting were adopted. The Chapter read the Gospel for the coming Sunday (Easter 5 - John 13:31–35) and briefly discussed the mystery and miracle of resurrection.
Business Arising
• Committee work plans - a reminder and encouragement to Chapter committees to complete work plans for the coming year
• Committee minutes - a reminder that minutes in digital format for 2018 need to be sent to the Cathedral office for filing
• Housing First Project - no specific update was available. During the following week some movement and progress is noted and TBA
• Annual Meeting - members debriefed regarding the 24 February meeting. Anecdotal comments from various sources were shared. L. Meehan will work towards devising a tool to solicit congregation feedback on specific questions to inform planning in the future
From the Dean
The Dean offered a usual report of actions on behalf of the Cathedral and Diocese. Some specific comments about the Conference of North American Deans. A web site post summarizes the event. Planning will need to proceed promptly if outside worship is to be part of the schedule leading up to summer. Michael Frost (Five Habits) will preach on 16 June An ordination is scheduled, 23 June 2019, 4:00 p.m.
Decision
The Chapter agreed to finalize the application to the Diocesan Property Committee and to list Odell House with the chosen realtor as soon as possible. It is recommended that the lawyer handling property migrations might handle details of the property sale
Reports
• Treasurer - in the absence of the Treasurer, the financial statements to 30 April were received, noting the deficit for April of $11,627 and year to date $39,029
• Worship - service of healing and wholeness on 11 May with increased attendance. A meeting will be called soon
• Health and Pastoral Care - current programmes continue as usual and expected
• Property - Odell House sale moving forward. Cathedral west door problem needs further investigation and repair. Breach in steeple roof needs to be investigated and repaired
• Hospitality and Welcome - committee will begin to consider special events, including upcoming potential outdoor worship opportunties. Some response to request for worship welcomers but more are needed
• Mission / Outreach - summer Monday morning outreach once per month. Belize Alumni Dinner 25 May. Awaiting further information on Housing First initiative
• Administration and Finance - giving policy almost complete. Records management project coming to completion. Safe Church training is being reconsidered with the help of Ecclesiastical Insurance
• Christian Formation - work plan submitted for the Chapter’s information. Recognition of the need for more advanced planning in order to facilitate good communication and optimal participation
• Communications - meeting scheduled for the coming week. Will consider future worship and on-going items
Up-coming
02 June - 4 p.m. Choral Evensong
14-15 June - Deep Roots - Spiritual Development Gathering
23 June - potential outside worship and church picnic on the Green
08 September - potential outside worship and corn boil
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 18 March 2019 with seven of a usual twelve members present. Minutes of the 11 February meeting were adopted. In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, the meeting elected the Dean to the chair. The Dean led members in consideration of information about the vocational diaconate as it exists in the Diocese of Fredericton with reference to the 2016 Iona Report and the status of the diaconate in the Anglican Church of Canada.
Business Arising
• Committee work plans - some committees have current plans. All encouraged to work towards the goal for their respective groups
• Committee minutes - a reminder that minutes in the sole possession of committees should be sent to the Cathedral Office for filing
• Housing First Project - S. Mayo offered an update on recent developments. Project leadership has asked the Cathedral to potentially submit a project application to facilitate available government funding. A group needs to be assembled to oversee the Cathedral’s specific housing first property ownership
• Annual Meeting - members debriefed regarding the 24 February meeting. Anecdotal comments from various sources were shared. L. Meehan will work towards devising a tool to solicit congregation feedback on specific questions to inform planning in the future
Correspondence
• From the Executive Director of the National Trust for Canada with thanks for the use of our facilities and our participation in various aspects of the October 2018 Conference
• Letters of Bishop appointments of B. Greenwood and K. Percy to the Chapter
• Thanks from Kathleen Snow on congratulations re Mothers’ Union
• 2019 Town Tour Promotional information from the Calithumpians
From the Dean
Normal duties reported. A request to be made of our Bishop to appoint an individual in deacon’s orders to Cathedral ministry. Plans to attend the Conference of North American Deans 02-05 May 2019. Lenten studies continue.
Discussion
Welcoming initiative and growing the congregation - led by L. Meehan. How has our recent emphasis on welcoming been received? While newcomers obviously appreciate the opportunity to connect, regulars also note the changed atmosphere when we are intentionally welcoming. How might we continue to make this a priority with the knowledge that it could have significant impact on growth? Several thoughts were discussed. There is a specific need for more volunteers to be welcome teams at the various Sunday worship times. The conversation prompted some other ideas and possible directions.
Brief discussion by way of orientation for new members S. Mayo (Mission/Outreach) and C. Macdonald (Worship). Work plans, terms of reference and recent history would be of help
Reports
• Treasurer - in the absence of the Treasurer, the financial report to the end of February 2019 was reviewed. Expenses continue consistently $7000- 8,000 +/- over income per month so far this year.
• Worship - intent to gather a small group to discuss Easter worship. Service for Healing and Wholeness 09 March considered success
• Health and Pastoral Care - Leaving in April, Carole Hines has resigned as coordinator of Helping Hands. An automated electronic defibrillator (AED) has been purchased for the Cathedral
Up-coming
07 April, 4 p.m. Choral Evensong (Guilds of St. Joseph)
14 April - Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week
21 April - Easter Day, 8, 10, and 11:45 a.m.
The Foundation supports Canadian Anglican ministry across Canada by way of the generosity of Anglicans both past and present.
“‘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.”
Leading 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.
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?
At a recent meeting of Mothers' Union, the topic of discussion was deeply disturbing but extraordinarily eye opening! Shara Golden, the guest speaker, has been a Mother's Union member since 1991 and has served on the National Executive. Last year, she was appointed by the World Wide Mothers Union to be one of six women to participate in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Shara's background in Human Rights and Labour Relations was instrumental in leading her to her current focus on Human Trafficking and Gender Based Violence. She has been doing presentations on" Human Trafficking - Canada and the World", for chapters of Mothers Union throughout NB and NS.
As difficult as the subject is to acknowledge and to learn about, Shara says it is one that must be discussed openly and plans must be put in place to help those who are impacted by the growth and spread of this particular trade. It is reputed to be the second most profitable industry after the drug industry.
Perhaps one of the most alarming statistics quoted by Shara was that there have been 3 reported instances of human trafficking in New Brunswick. Equally alarming was the 63 reported cases in NS. Yes, the 723 in Ontario is bad, but our minds immediately focus on Toronto and we think of the large metropolitan area, where bad things happen. Right? But NB and NS??? That is, for most of us, in the realm of the unbelievable; but these are statistics that force us to sit up and look around us.
L-R: Leah Chipepa, Zambia; Rachael Anderson, MU Events and Digital Communications Manager, England; Shara Golden, Canada; Ekua Swanzy, Ghana; Beverly Jullien, MU Chief Executive, England; Felicia Yeboah Asuamah, Ghana.
An initiative known as The Clewer Initiative of the Church of England has been established and is working on strategies for detecting modern slavery and protecting its victims in the UK, where literally tens of thousands of people are living in some form of slavery having been guaranteed "a better life." Shara recounted the story of one such female who had come from a foreign country to a job which was advertised as an opportunity for one such better life. She was sent to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week for an upper middle class "Christian" family with three children and a very large house. No time off and all of the responsibility for the running of the household, this family took her to Church every Sunday where she heard over and over that "freedom is a gift of God." She was "passed on" in service to three other families before the Home Office conducted a raid and she was finally freed.
According to Archbishop Welby, people often choose not to see and thus, the initiative's hashtag became #weseeyou. Mothers Union worldwide are working with the Clewer Initiative to end slavery by 2030. The focus is on identifying resources and forming partnerships; on holding governments accountable and raising awareness.
What about Canada? In Ontario, the number of girls involved in human trafficking or the sex trade is reputed to be in the thousands. Some are as young as 12 years old. They are often runaway kids, foster kids, but also from middle class families. They all seem to share one common trait: they are looking for love and a secure and better future. One survey conducted by the Toronto Star, identified purchasers of services as coming from all walks of life - doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, accountants, etc. Most people turn a blind eye and prefer to think "it doesn't happen in my world." Yet a Manager of Escorts/Pimp is able to earn up to $280,000 per year from one sex worker. Little wonder that young men 18-24 are seeing this as a potential career.
The law and those in the legal profession from police officers to lawyers work tirelessly to close down operations but cases are often stayed or withdrawn due to lack of evidence. The girls will not testify for fear of the repercussions promised and will not leave for the same reason. In Canada, there is a prevalence of trafficking of Aboriginal girls.
Many, many more statistics and stories were shared by Shara's but her final question to the group was "What can MU in Canada or more specifically NB do?" The Diocesan Council in NS is putting together a resolution to present to Synod this coming Spring. She left the group with a challenge to start talking about Human Trafficking and looking for ways to open disussion and become involved in being a part of working towards the 2030 goal of MU. In her words, "we have an obligation to do something." What will that something be?
The Archbishop of Canterbury, has praised the "unique and extraordinary" work of the Mothers' Union, as he commissioned the international Anglican mission agency's new Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, during a service in London's Southwark Cathedral last night (Tuesday).
I recently had the pleasure of helping to serve at the “Medley Tea” which takes place once a month on the first Thursday of every month in the Cathedral. For a few short hours, it was like being transported back to an afternoon spent in Harrod’s of London Tea Room.
Tables were set with crisp white tablecloths and colorful napkins. Candle lit centerpieces adorned each table. The awe- inspiring Cathedral interior served as a backdrop with its luxurious woodwork and stained glass. A far more elegant and inspiring interior than Harrod’s! Mrs. Medley would surely agree!
Sweets and savouries provided for the occasion by volunteers adorned every table and perhaps most astonishing was that every table was full! In spite of winter conditions here in New Brunswick when one cannot go out without coats and boots and scarves and gloves and braving icy conditions, no seats were empty. As the servers ventured forth with their teapots to replenish cups, lively conversations were taking place. Clearly, winter wasn’t going to stop this afternoon outing with old friends!
A special occasion was observed as a birthday cake was presented and Happy Birthday sung to Sharon Day!
Already I am looking forward to serving at next month’s Medley Tea and experiencing a little bit of England right here in Fredericton at our Cathedral!
If Mrs. Medley does indeed wander our beautiful Cathedral, she must eagerly anticipate the first Thursday of each month! Harrod’s, competition is fierce on this side of the Pond!
"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>
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!
It’s no secret that most people don’t get too excited about Annual Meetings. They can be long and they can be tedious and they can even be boring. But they shouldn’t be!
The Annual Congregational Meeting is a once a year chance to hear about what has been accomplished in the past year and the hopes and aspirations for the coming year. Read the Annual Report here.
Under the capable leadership of Lynn Meehan and the Welcoming and Hospitality Committee, the eight committees of Bishop and Chapter are hoping to make the upcoming ACM more than just an ACM.
An intentional goal has been set to bring more people out to the meeting and to have them leave looking forward to next year’s meeting! That’s an ambitious goal and to that end, some changes and additions have been made to the program.
It’s clear that one thing this congregation enjoys is a chance to share fellowship over a meal! And so, this coming Sunday, there will be a joint service at 10:30. The joint service is meant to make it easy for attendees of all three services to worship together and go directly to the Hall for lunch. No need to go home or find something to do until the meeting starts! Lunch will be a smorgasbord of the best chilis by the best chili makers (homemade vegetable soup for non-chili aficionados) and a ‘Noodle Town”, build-your-own pasta buffet for youngsters. Beef, chicken and vegetarian chili options will be available, along with sweets, hot chocolate bar (think whipped cream and other toppings), tea, coffee, juice and popcorn.
Not only do we want you to bring your children along, Kurt Schmidt, our Christian Formation director and the Christian Formation Committee, is working on a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment for them.
A focus of the meeting will be on getting to know the eight committees of Bishop and Chapter, their members, highlights of their past year’s work, and a glimpse at what they hope to accomplish going forward into 2019. We often hear congregational members say that they don’t have a clear understanding of what happens beyond Sunday services at Christ Church Cathedral. In short and lively 2 minute presentations, the Committees hope to change that! Maybe you will find a place for your skill or talent on one of those committees?
Yes, there will be “normal” ACM duties. We can’t, nor should we, avoid this portion. We need to focus on business. We need to discuss budgets. But we need to do it in the context of understanding how much our Church means to us and to those that it supports through its various ministries. So, we are hoping that you will attend, that you will read your Annual Report, that you will listen carefully to what is being done with not a lot of dollars and that you will enjoy every minute of this afternoon of fellowship.
And, by the way, did I mention that there will prizes. For example, Fredericton Tourism will have a display set up with Wellness and Family Activity information for all. You must be present to have an opportunity to win one of their “Freddy Beach Family Activity Gift Packs."
Please mark February 24th on your calendar and plan to attend what will be so much more than a typical Annual Congregational Meeting.
