Category Archives: News

Bishop and Chapter News – January 2019

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 21 January 2019 with ten of a usual twelve members present. Minutes of the 17 December meeting and notes from the 14 January were adopted. The Dean offered some reflections on the church liturgical year and specifically the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas), reading from Luke 2:22-38.

Business Arising

• Road Home letter of intent - no update
• By-Law update - the December 2017 version will be modified with nominating committee details
• Lower hall floor - repair completed
• Committee work plans - most committees working toward finalizing
• Thanks to E. Saunders - thanks have been communicated
• Letter of thanks - template for letter to large gift donors TBD
• Welcoming - Chapter members encouraged to assist by signing up to be welcomers. Spots have been added for welcomers on Sundays

From the Dean

Usual commitments during the past month both Cathedral and diocesan. Christmas attendance about 550. Many to do’s at this time of year with year end requirements: annual returns, reporting. Working toward further clarifications and simplification of financial reporting. Committees and groups asked to submit 2018 minutes or notes

For Decision

• 2019 Budget - the current draft was accepted with minor revisions. Most committees have reduced amounts in an attempt to balance income and expenses. Based on 2018 revenue, a significant deficit would seem likely in 2019.
• Project 2045 - task force to address the future of the Cathedral and Memorial Hall, terms of reference and membership adopted

Discussion

2019 Annual Meeting - Hospitality/ Welcoming and Communications proposed a plan for a new format annual meeting on 24 February. One 10:30 a.m. worship followed by a luncheon, meeting to begin at about 1:00 p.m.. Committees all asked to provide 2 minute presentations on 2018 accomplishments and a look ahead to 2019. Chapter agreed and will support the plan.

Reports

• Nominating - nothing to report
• Administration and Finance - meeting with the Diocesan Stewardship Officer soon. Records management and giving policy projects continuing
• Christian Formation - Cathedral revealed event 27 January. Strategic planning will form the framework of the 2019 work plan
• Communications - continuing with usual efforts with Facebook and web site
• Welcoming and Hospitality - current trial of welcoming initiative of Sundays at 8, 10 and 11:45 a.m. going well with a need for volunteers with the need for volunteers, especially at 10 am . Planning for Annual Meeting new format
• Property - proceeding with preparations to sell O’Dell House. Lower hall floor repaired.
• Mission/Outreach - programs continue. Belize Missions Dessert and Games Night 17 February. No Road Home project update
• Health and Pastoral Care - budget prepared. Meeting next week
• Worship - additional budget request for flowers and ribbons for Christmas wreaths. Need to review internal communications re memorial flower gifts

Up-coming

17 February - Belize Missions Dessert and Games night
24 February - 10:30 a.m. worship, luncheon, Annual Meeting

Next meetings: 11 February, 24 February Annual Congregational Meeting at 1:00 p.m.; 18 March

GMH

Volunteers needed for soup kitchen in 2019

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Can you step out in faith to help Fredericton’s needy?

Christ Church Cathedral supplies teams of volunteers who work at the Fredericton Community Kitchen on Saturdays year-round to help the cook at supper time. Duties include preparing and serving food, doing dishes, and cleaning up after the evening meal.

The time commitment is a mere two hours – from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. – and each team is assigned 13 Saturdays annually. Depending on the size of your team, you will not have to take part every time.

Jason Parsons is co-ordinating the cathedral's efforts for this worthwhile cause.

“I'm busy with my work and my three children, but it's a small commitment of time,” he said. “It really gives all of us a chance to be the hands and feet of God in our city, and the people who come for supper are so grateful for the work we do.”

If anyone is interested in joining a team, Jason can be reached at 455-9638 or jayparsons at rogers.com

Experience isn't necessary, and the work isn't hard. You might be peeling potatoes, buttering rolls, making juice, cutting pieces of pie, scrubbing pots, putting away clean dishes, and so on.

Community Kitchen“One of our longtime volunteers told me that, too often, church can be about money and politics, not about helping people. He likes giving back in this way as a form of mission,” Jason said.

He also wanted to heartily thank all those who volunteered during 2018. “Some people have been faithfully helping out for many years,” he said. “It's greatly appreciated.”

 

An unwanted newness – David Edwards

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As I write this, I am perfectly aware that I probably have no idea what I am talking about. With press deadlines, I am sitting at my laptop two weeks to the day since Janet died.

Please don’t stop reading. This is not going to be an emotional piece outlining my grief, but it will inevitably touch on my thoughts as I try to reframe my life in the light of unwanted
circumstances.

I believe it was St. Jerome who, when he was on his deathbed, called his family members to his side, because he wanted them “to see how a Christian should die.”

In tribute to Janet, I want to say that she showed me how to do that. Great courage, a little fear and much hope. It was a brave death, trusting in the promises of Jesus.

As a New Year dawns, it will be the first time since 1977 that Janet has not been in my life. In truth, this is in so many ways an unwanted newness. Yet it is something which must be embraced. For all of us, the continuities of former days impact our ability to move into the things which lie ahead.

Consider the disciples after the death of Jesus. In the story of Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus, there is no sense of resurrection hope (Luke 24: 13ff), rather they see Jesus’ ministry as a failed messianic experiment. Further on in Acts 1, despite the “many proofs that he was alive” and his teaching about the Kingdom of God (v3), they still, in verse 6, have the expectation that Jesus is going to bring in an earthly kingdom for Israel.

They cannot see the new, because their understanding and experience of the old hides it from them.

For many of us, New Year’s bring a sense of optimism. We are going to deal with this or that part of our lives which we find burdensome, trying, or in some cases, downright dangerous. Often, habits of the past, people around us or fixed ways of thinking prevent us from following through on the intention we have or the opportunities which lie before us.

The question I have been pondering is this: what am I to do with my unwanted newness? The first thing I know is that my situation is not unknown to God. It is not his ideal for me, but because the insult of death has entered creation, it is where I am. The result is the need to discern the purpose of God in the midst of the confusion.

When we read the book of Job, we discover that God allows things rather than perpetrates them. In Job’s case it was done in order to enable a journey more deeply into the love and mercy
of God.

In a sense, it was a hard grace. So, my conclusion at this point — and it is very provisional — is that unwanted newness is about God’s gracious action in my life. Even though it is painful, I can view the matters of the past in the context of the hope for the future in order to see his grace applied in my continuing pilgrimage. That will require faith, because it feels very hard to attain at present.

I take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed New Year.

David

David Edwards is the Bishop of Fredericton

Listen to our Bishop's sermon on New Years Day at Cathedral Podcasts

Bishop and Chapter News – December 2018

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 17 December 2018 with eight of a usual twelve members present. Minutes of the 19 November meeting were adopted. The Dean lead discussion on the Gospel for Advent 4, Luke 1:39-55, the Song of Mary, highlighting its prophetic and subversive characteristics.

Business Arising

• Road Home letter of intent - being finalized for sending
• By-Law update - the December 2017 version needs to be modified with nominating committee details and signed by the Bishop
• Lower hall floor - beginning of repair to begin this week
• Hall kitchen refrigerator and freezer - installed. Refrigerator purchased; upright freezer donated with our thanks
• J. Edwards memorial - sent to Parish of Fundy and the Lakes. Letter of condolence sent to our bishop
• Thanks to E. Saunders - letter still to be sent

From the Dean

The Dean briefly reviewed the past month and pointed to up-coming events. Particular reference to the welcoming initiative underway and success of the 12 December Carol Sing

Correspondence

• ACW thanks - letter received following the Anglican Church Women Sunday, the Reign of Christ, 25 November.

For Decision

• Stipend and salaries - 2019 Diocesan scale of minimum stipends increases by 2.5% (cost of living). Dean’s stipend set at $58.824 ($16,607 above minimum) $1500 housing and $350 car replacement per month. Staff salaries to increase by 2.5% 2019
• Safe Church Officer - adoption of the position description and the appointment of Michael Toole, effective immediately
• O’Dell House sale - the Property Committee empowered to make preparations for the sale of the property advisedly in the spring of 2019. By diocesan policy, such funds are held for purposes of clergy living accommodation - interest can be used for housing allowance

Discussion

2019 budget - +/- $75,000 deficit looks likely for 2018. Current revenue not meeting expenditures. Many costs are 'fixed.' Key questions include: How much increase in weekly offerings is reasonable? Should revenue be supplemented with trust funds? Staff or facility reductions? 14 January special budget meeting, 2019 budget to be finalized at the regular January meeting.
Committee work plans - recommended that each committee create early in the new year a work plan for the next twelve months

Reports

• Treasurer - We continue to carry an excess of expenses compared to revenue. While it is possible to balance year end by spending down on unrestricted investments, the goal would be that we pay our way
• Administration and Finance - work on current items continue: records management, giving policy, new safe church officer
• Christian Formation - family faith fiesta, Taizé, DYI (young adults), Godly Play, youth groups all successfully functioning
• Communications - good feedback on Carol Sing and Christmas publicity efforts
• Welcoming and Hospitality - 16 December was the beginning of the new trial welcoming initiative. Adjustments until mid-February
• Property - lower hall floor, monitoring steeple roofing issue, O’Dell House sale issues, repaired west door asphalt has cracked again

Up-coming

23 Dec - Lessons and Carols; Christmas Eve 4, 8, 11 p.m.; Christmas Day 10 a.m.; New Years Day with our Bishop and reception 11 a.m.

Next meetings: 14 and 21 January, 11 February, Annual Congregational Meeting 24 February GMH

Bishop and Chapter News – November 2018

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 19 November 2018 with eight of a usual twelve members present. The Dean lead discussion on an article “Financial Transparency” from the Episcopal Church Foundation.

Business Arising

• Nominating Committee - membership: C. Schmidt, T. Fetter and G. Hall. Working to secure nominations for 2019 elections
• Verger resignation - having been received for 30 June
• Sexton’s employment letter - has been updated with the modification three weeks vacation
• National Trust Conference - several members of Chapter and others were able to attend. Some important contacts, next steps pending. The Bishop’s “joint ad hoc group” with representation from the Cathedral and Diocesan Synod has been dismissed with thanks

From the Dean

The Dean reviewed usual items of commitment over the past month noting seasonal worship and events up-coming:
• Christmas worship schedule as usual: Christmas Eve 4, 8, 11 p.m.; Christmas Day 10 a.m.. Advent Procession 02 December; Christmas Lessons and Carols 23 December
• Community Christmas Carol Sing Wednesday, 12 December 7 p.m. an opportunity to invite family and friends.

For Decision

• Lower hall floor - repairs to deteriorated tiles to address health and safety to be done as soon as possible, as professionally recommended and at a cost of $7000-8000 (from Hall renovation fund)
• Hall refrigerator -to be replaced (about $6219) after quotes reviewed)
• By-Law re Nominating Committee - a motion was carried finalizing revision to make election of the committee by the annual meeting
• Welcoming and Hospitality - terms of reference adopted. Work plan offered is perhaps a potential model for committees
• Gift thanks - having received a gift of $10,394 from Ethel Saunders the Chapter carried a motion to send our thanks
• J. Edwards Memorial - that we make a gift of $100 in memory of our Bishop’s wife, Janet and send a letter of condolence
• The Road Home Project - that The Cathedral send a letter of intent to pursue joining the Housing First initiative with four Cathedral units in 2019. Information to come

Reports

• Treasurer - October - Revenue: $44,499, Expenses $39,573 Year-to-Date: Offering $34,860 below 2017; Expenses $53,443 above 2017. A rebate of $3000 from the Diocesan Synod (clergy travel pool and employee benefit payments).
All committees considering 2019 budgets
• Administration and Finance - work on current items continue: Cathedral records management, giving policy, safe church
• Christian Formation - current programs being monitored with some new initiatives to be considered soon (possible congregation retreat)
• Health and Pastoral Care - Good response to health information session on 03 November. Individual pledges in support of Parish Nursing continue to come in and are appreciated
• Communications - Gearing up for Christmas events. Potential for neighbourhood invitation to Carol Sing on 12 December
• Welcoming and Hospitality - several welcome initiatives being rolled out: for Sundays including welcome desk (Cathedral Connections), signage, welcoming volunteers and a welcome kit
• Property - current issues: hall refrigerator, lower hall floor, steeple roofing breach (potentially costly), vandal severed lightning rod copper repair ($317?), O’Dell House balcony repair in the spring

Up-coming

Bishop Hockin Advent Series; seasonal events and worship as reported

Next meetings: 21 January, 11 February, Annual Meeting 24 February

GMH

Bishop and Chapter News – October 2018

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Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 15 October 2018 with ten of twelve usual members present. Bishop Edwards joined the Chapter for the first hour. Minutes of the 17 September 2018 meeting were adopted.

Business Arising

• St. Margaret’s Scouts - meetings have moved to the Parish Church.
• Nominating Committee - membership to be appointed and an amendment to Cathedral By-Law to be considered
• Treasurer Address to Congregation - 2 minutes for regarding current financial status to be scheduled in the next few weeks
• Anglican Foundation of Canada - annual contribution of $100 sent
• National Trust Conference - individuals to attend identified

Discussion

Property (re) development. Bishop Edwards was present primarily to share a status update on property issues. The Bishop reminds everyone that with many opinions, ideas and options to consider, things can get complicated, take time and in some cases be costly to investigate. He shares our wish that decisions be made in the very near future. He shared a couple of specific possibilities as to what the next steps could or should be (including one very new). It was agreed that the congregation soon needs to be informed and involved.

From the Dean

The Dean reviewed usual items of commitment since the last meeting. Items of note:
• Discernment Committee - a committee to guide a Cathedral congregational member in discernment leading to ordered ministry in process (Bishop’s office)
• 11 November - is a Sunday. 10 a.m. worship to 9:45 a.m.
• Stewardship - is the management of our resources: skills, talents, assets, time, money. Improved stewardship was identified as a priority item during the 2018 review of the Dean. He suggests our need to be more conscious of improving our stewardship mindset both corporately and individually. He noted that currently no one person or committee in our corporate structure is responsible for issues of stewardship, and asked if this should be addressed.

For Decision

Nominating Committee - In accordance with by-laws a motion was carried appointing the Dean, Catherine Schmidt and Tom Fetter reporting to the Annual Meeting in February. A change in process for future years was presented in the form of an amendment to the by-laws. Going forward it has been proposed that the Committee be elected by the annual meeting rather than by the Bishop and Chapter.
Lou McKnight vacation - additional week granted for 2019.

Reports

• Treasurer - presented the summary financial statement to the end of September. While we can be hopeful that October - December giving will strengthen, we are currently well below our anticipated position to date. Expenses exceed unrestricted income by $92,378 to 3rd quarter.
• Administration and Finance - project items continue: Records management, giving policy, land title migration, lay staff manual, By-Law considerations
• Christian Formation - meeting this week. Fall startup of various programming has materialized as expected
• Health and Pastoral Care - Brief update on current programs and activities. Pledged contributions towards salary of the parish nurse are currently close to the annual target.
• Communications - Chair of Hospitality attended the last meeting to identify some synergies. Regular efforts continue
• Hospitality, Welcoming and Membership - a first meeting held. Welcome strategies and final terms of reference being considered

Up-coming

Diocesan Synod - 03 November; Evensong - 21 October

Next meeting: 19 November 2018

GMH

Opportunity Knocks – National Trust Conference 2018

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The National Trust for Canada "helps Canadians save places that matter."

Christ Church CathedralThe annual National Trust conference is Canada’s largest heritage learning and networking event. Held in a different part of Canada every year, this national conference brings together a wide-range of people keeping Canada’s heritage alive: from grassroots advocates, professionals and planners, to elected officials, policy makers, and students.

The 2018 National Trust Conference is heading to Fredericton to explore the theme of "Opportunity Knocks: Heritage as a Social, Economic, and Placemaking Force." The conference will explore the transformative power of heritage to help turn places around, galvanize communities, and create fresh options. Bringing together the cutting-edge of heritage thought and practice, in Canada and abroad, the conference will emphasize inter-disciplinary insights on such diverse topics as heritage-led development, sustainability, museum/historic site regeneration, and Indigenous heritage.

Christ Church Cathedral will be front and centre

"As at least one of the primary heritage sites in the City of Fredericton, Christ Church Cathedral will be front and centre during the conference," said Dean Geoffrey Hall.

2018 National Trust Conference

"I'm very excited about this. This is a unique opportunity for us to focus on discussions we've been having for years about what we might be able to do now to preserve the heritage value of the Cathedral and surrounding properties with an eye to long-term sustainability. I encourage the congregation to become involved. There is a plan to hold at least one session and perhaps a workshop on site at the Cathedral."

“The conference is the best and largest gathering of heritage professionals in Canada. It is the one event in Canada that brings together a diverse group of people with common interests and a broad set of expertise in the protection of historic places. This event creates the community of heritage professionals in Canada.”  David Ecclestone – Partner, +VG Architects

Workshop on Thursday, 18 October 2018, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. at Christ Church Cathedral (on site case study)
Forum on Saturday a.m., 20 October 2018 at the Trade and Convention Centre (religious heritage buildings)
Limited seating for Cathedral members has been reserved. If you're interested, contact the Dean or Bishop and Chapter Chair Jim Morell.

National Trust for Canada
2018 National Trust Conference
National Trust FAQ
Faith and the Common Good