Congratulations to St. Hilda’s class of 2017 and scholarship winner Jocelyn Herrara
Best wishes to the 2017 graduating class from St. Hilda’s School in Belize! A special congratulations also to Miss Jocelyn Herrara, this years recipient of the “Canadian Friends of St. Hilda’s Scholarship”. I am 12 years old. I live in Georgeville Village. My greatest wish is to go to high school, sixth form and the University of Belize.
On July 1st we officially welcomed Kurt Schmidt to the role of half-time Director of Christian Formation at Christ Church Cathedral. Please pray for Kurt as he begins his work. Kurt brings a wealth of experience in education, spiritual formation and family life to us. Married to Catherine and father to Rachel, Kurt lectures as an instructor in Mathematics at the University of New Brunswick in the Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre.
The appointment of a Director of Christian Formation is a turning point for the Cathedral congregation. Kurt’s title is not “youth leader,” “teacher,” or “Sunday School Superintendent.” First and foremost Kurt’s role will be to facilitate, using an intergenerational approach to ministry, opportunities for us to learn from one another. Together, we will help to form, shape, mould and conform one another in Christian faith. Kurt’s job is to help make that happen in our midst.
Yes, something may be asked of you! Ultimately, the responsibility for forming Christians belongs to the whole Christian community. At baptism, the community stands and accepts the challenge: “Will you who witnesses these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” The difficulty is that most of us haven’t the foggiest idea of where that starts. What we intend to attempt to create at the Cathedral is the best possible model of that actually happening!
A Cathedral Church is a leader in an Anglican Diocese. That doesn’t mean that we are better than anyone else. What it does mean is that what we are a model, and help set a standard, for the Anglican Church, in our case, in the Diocese of Fredericton. Our Diocese happens to be coterminous with the boundaries of the Province of New Brunswick with its 70 plus parishes and more than 150 churches.
Kurt’s biography reads:
Kurt, Catherine and Rachel Schmidt from the 2017 Cathedral Photo Directory
Born in Illinois but raised in Littleton, Colorado, Kurt has lived in Fredericton since 2006. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College (1997—major in Mathematics, minor in African Studies) and an MEd from the Institute for Humane Education in Surry, Maine (2011).
Kurt considers himself an educator at heart, and has spent the last 15 years working as a teacher in diverse contexts and at various levels. Kurt’s own spiritual journey includes formative periods among his Jesuit teachers and mentors in high school, with monastic friends during university, and alongside members of L’Arche communities in both Canada and the United States.
A lover of music, dogs, poetry and soccer (the real football!), Kurt lives in downtown Fredericton with his wife Catherine (an occupational therapist) and daughter Rachel (launching into her second decade).
Kurt says he is honoured and blessed to be part of the Staff Team as Director of Christian Formation, serving God and the dynamic Cathedral congregation.
The position description for the Director of Christian Formation:
Accountability
Day to day supervision will be by the Dean. The Christian Formation Committee of Bishop and Chapter will function as a support group for the Christian Formation Director. This group will work with the Director to develop yearly outcomes.
Scope
The Director of Christian Formation will see as a foundation of this ministry the facilitation of several formation and discipleship activities, working with other leadership towards an increased number of mission-minded followers of Jesus Christ within the Cathedral congregation.
Qualifications include having a living, maturing Christian faith, commitment and experience working with children, youth and families, and seniors having knowledge of and/or are supportive of the Anglican expression of the Christian faith.
Key Responsibilities
• co-ordination and teacher development for the children’s Christian education program, while looking to expand this to all ages;
• scheduling, co-ordination, publicity and recruitment of leaders and mentors for baptism, first communion and confirmation preparation;
• organization of intergenerational activities and learning events to recognize special times and seasons in the church calendar year;
• encouraging the organization of home-based study and prayer groups;
• training and support of leaders when required;
• support for families in both community and home-based Christian formation;
• support of Alpha Course leadership;
• development and support of a regular seeker/ new member/ new Christian learning programme(s);
• particular focus initially on families with children, including engaging with them to determine needs and expectations
A date to remember is July 9th, when the 60th Diocesan Choir School concludes with a triumphal service of Choral Evensong at 3:30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton.
Children from throughout the province will have spent a week at Rothesay Netherwood School, rehearsing for this occasion, and learning much about our church, its music, culture and rituals. Adult choristers swell the ranks on Thursday, and everyone can witness the result of their efforts at this magnificent celebration.
Opportunities like this should not be missed.
The Anglican Diocese of Fredericton’s first choir school took place in July of 1958 at Rothesay Collegiate School, the predecessor of Rothesay Netherwood. Gerald Wheeler, organist and choirmaster of Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, served as clinician, and about 40 young people from various parishes throughout the Diocese participated in this exciting new opportunity for learning and fellowship. Mr. Wheeler continued as the Choir School’s musical director for fifteen years, and during those years the number of attendees increased substantially.
During the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s in the Anglican Church, the principal services of worship were Choral Matins and Evensong. As the decades have passed, these have been replaced by Holy Communion/Eucharist. Sung Matins is only offered at Fredericton’s Christ Church Cathedral, for example, four times a year; and Evensong is virtually a “thing of the past” in most parish churches. Musical selections are now more varied and contemporary in response to people’s preferences and to the requirements of communion services.
During the late 70’s and 80’s, Choir School became “Choir Camp,” taking place at Camp Medley at Upper Gagetown. At Medley, the atmosphere was less formal, and extra leisure activities were added to offer a more well-rounded program to the young participants. Music is the universal language, and its effect was everywhere in evidence in the lifelong friendships that were forged during those years. When adults joined the children for the week-end, entire families were able to enjoy a time of fun mixed with hard work, resulting in some splendid choral singing at the Sunday service.
In 1990, Rothesay Netherwood again became the venue for Choir School, and this year features Spencer Belyea, a music education specialist of note from Saint John, as the director for the younger choristers; and Dr. David Buley returns to teach the adults. Dr. Buley will be taking on a new position at Memorial University in St. John’s, NF, in the fall.
So, please mark July 9th on your calendar, and prepare yourselves for a dramatic commemorative service at Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton, at 3:30 pm. These are the kinds of events that help bring parishes together through a common bond. Opportunities like this should not be missed.
Carolyn and Bill Turney
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 12 June 2017 with six of ten members present. Minutes of 15 May 2017 were adopted.
A conversation about the Article: “Want to Reach Kids with the Gospel? Ask These Questions First” – Wycliffe College Institute of Evangelism – Tiffany Robinson. Four questions:
A timely and interesting discussion with the current initiative of employing a half-time Director of Christian Formation.
Business Arising
• Stipends and salaries – To be discussed. Staff reviews to be completed by the end of June. Compensation considerations part of the annual budget process.
• Cathedral Restoration Fund transfer – request made to bank to transfer from savings account to Diocesan Consolidated Investment Fund. Other transfers as agreed in process
• Sexton appointment – letter of permanent appointment to the Sexton
• Christian formation – salary of half-time position for decision
• Chapter vacancy – Social and Hospitality
• HST rebates – the Treasurer has submitted applications for 2015 and 2016 reimbursement to CRA
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary of regular items including; diocesan meetings; Cathedral meetings: Cathedral trust funds management; Records management; Chapter Committees; home and hospital visits; marriage preparation; 1 funeral. Vacation: 7-20 August. Absent Sunday 02 July for a Parish 150th Anniversary.
• Pentecost – outdoor worship and BBQ following on 04 June well received. Some talk of the possibility of a corn boil in September
• O’Dell House – concern about the deteriorating condition of the porch and understandings regarding care-taking
• Current priorities – Ordination 18 June, Director of Christian Formation interviews; staff reviews by end of June
• Up-coming – Friday organ concerts and summer recital series
Items for Decision
• Designated Funds – a large number of “funds” exist labelled “designated. The Executive will consider disposition and collapse as possible and appropriate and report to the next meeting
• Director of Christian Formation – discussion and decision about salary for offer to the successful candidate
Reports
• Treasurer – the current regular monthly summary financial statement was reviewed
• Communications – intentions to create a Cathedral promotional video on hold for the moment. Photo directory well received
• Health and Pastoral Care – National Parish Nursing Conference in held in Fredericton in June. Health Ministry relayed a report from Kathleen Snow
• Properties – Hall step repair should be proceeding soon; sign standards on the green to be installed, south choir room door painted
Next meetings:
21 August (tentative); 18 September; 16 October; 20 November; 11 December
GMH
World Refugee Day is June 20th, which gives us a chance to consider the plight of refugees around the world, to honour their will to survive, and to renew our commitment to helping them settle in Canada.
Last year at this time, a Liberian family of four was packing its meager belongings into two small suitcases and preparing to fly 10,000 kilometres from the misery of a refugee camp in the Ivory Coast to an unknown place named Fredericton.
A team of volunteers from the cathedral and 10 Anglican parishes raised funds, gathered furnishings, and hurried to prepare everything necessary to care for this family for one year. Nobody knew what an eventful year it would be.
With nearly 11 months under their belts, where do things stand for Phillip Weah, his wife Esther Gmah and her children, 20-year-old Arene and 17-year-old Catherine?
Phillip takes English language training at the Cultural Centre daily and is making progress. He has done some odd jobs such as mowing and raking. His goal is to learn to drive and buy a car.
“The church group is always good to us, they give us everything, and they take good care of us,” Phillip said. “Any problem we have, they come right away to solve it. I say thank you very much.”
Esther was not well when she arrived in Canada and spent from early September until Christmas in the local hospital, including time in the regional hospital in Saint John. By now, she is doing much better although her mobility is limited. She is learning English and hopes to learn to read and write.
The sponsorship team greatly appreciates the prayerful support of the cathedral family during the past year …
Arene went to high school off and on, struggling to fit into a structure and rules foreign to anything he had ever experienced. Currently, he is taking English lessons at the Cultural Centre, attending counselling and serving one year’s probation after pleading guilty in court to a charge of assault.
Like Arene, Catherine dances with the Making Africa Proud group. She attends FHS and is making good progress with the language. Unfortunately, she has been diagnosed with an illness which has required three trips to Halifax to see a specialist and which will result in surgery there this summer.
“She is a lovely girl who has captured my heart,” says her tutor Cathie Gerber. “She shows amazing strength in all that she has endured.”
Normally, refugee sponsorship ends after one year (July 2017 in their case) when funds run out. Sometimes, a family has found jobs and settled rapidly into Canadian society. More often, especially with less educated refugees who have suffered trauma, self-sufficiency is elusive. These families apply for provincial social assistance.
With the Weah-Gmah family, a third route has opened up. Our sponsorship agreement holder, the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches, kindly helped us obtain additional federal funding to support the family for another year. The application was approved due to the complex medical and psychological challenges, not to mention language barriers and legal issues.
“The family will receive a monthly allowance from the federal government until July 2018, which will give them more time to adapt to Canada,” explained Archdeacon Patricia Drummond who leads the sponsorship team. “We will continue to be involved for the next year with big things such as Catherine’s illness, helping them with written forms or giving advice if needed, but not on a day-to-day basis with every little thing as has been the case this past intense year.”
Their current apartment is too expensive under the new funding structure, but, happily, a subsidized apartment has been found downtown, thanks to the good folks at Christ Church Parish Church who operate properties. Phillip, Esther and Catherine will move there by the end of July.
LOOKING FORWARD – The Weah-Gmah family from Liberia looks forward to celebrating many more happy, healthy birthdays in Canada. Pictured from left are Arene Gmah with a balloon, his mother Esther Gmah, her husband Phillip Weah, and seated with the soccer ball is Catherine Gmah.
“I want my own place,” Arene announced when he turned 20, and his family readily agreed it would be beneficial. A room to rent, or room and board, is being sought for him because it’s what he will be able to afford on his federal allowance.
Many tough challenges lie ahead for all of them on the road to self-sufficiency, but they have shown considerable resilience so far. The volunteers have put in countless hours, and it has been a real learning experience for them, too.
“It has often been very stressful and bewildering for us and for them, but sponsoring refugees rescues people from dangerous and hopeless situations,” said volunteer Doug Milander. “It offers this family the chance for a new life. It benefits Christ, and it’s absolutely the right thing to do.”
Some people have asked whether more financial donations are needed for the Weah-Gmah family. The money remaining in the refugee sponsorship account should cover their living expenses as the year ends as well as moving expenses, damage deposits and so on.
However, the family will have unexpected expenses related to visits to Halifax to deal with Catherine’s illness. They also must repay a $9,000 travel loan to the federal government, which is a significant debt for unemployed people to handle. Any contributions received would be put toward these special circumstances. Cheques can be made out to Christ Church Parish Church, adding Refugee Sponsorship on the memo line.
“The sponsorship team greatly appreciates the prayerful support of the cathedral family during the past year and especially as a second year in Canada begins for these former refugees,” Archdeacon Drummond concluded.
Ann Deveau
On Sunday, 04 June 2017, the Cathedral plans to go out of doors. Celebrating Pentecost (once well known in Anglican circles as Whitsunday), and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Church, the plan is that it will happen outside of the west doors.
“Its an opportunity for us to go outside of the church walls,” said Dean Geoffrey Hall. “The Spirit is a gift for the world, not just those of us who worship within church walls. With an informal BBQ on the Cathedral Green, going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation, especially to our neighbours. We all have an inherent need to give thanks for the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
… our going outside will perhaps extend a more open invitation …
The celebration of the Eucharist is being titled a “Neighbourhood Eucharist.” Regardless of religious faith or Christian denomination, all are warmly invited to join us.
“The Cathedral is a church of the City for the City,” said Dean Hall. “While no one will be required to participate in Communion, at the least, a hot dog and some popcorn will be available for everyone.”
On Wednesday, door hanger invitations were delivered to the neighbourhood. While the invitation is open throughout the year, Pentecost is a special Sunday for the Church.
If weather is less than favourable, worship will move inside the Cathedral and the food following will be in the Memorial Hall.
Bishop and Chapter met on Monday, 15 May with eight of eleven members present. Minutes of the 20 March 2017 were amended and adopted. The Dean led a conversation focussing on Acts 17:22-31 – “the altar with the inscription: ‘to an unknown god.’” What can we do to get outside of ourselves and our worship spaces to create a a better sense of belonging and invitation?
Business Arising
• Safe Church Officer – Nathan Cutler appointed
• Stipends and salaries – Administration and Finance Committee will initiate staff reviews to be complete by the end of June
• Christian formation – item for decision
• Sexton appointment – following six-month probationary period
• HST rebates – the Treasurer following up on past applications
From the Dean
• Routine activities – summary of regular items including; diocesan meetings, 3 funerals, Canadian Bible Society luncheon in March
• Refillable liquid candles – Cathedral candles being converted
• Volunteers and leadership – several areas of leadership require volunteers. How do we more effectively engage the congregation in leadership?
• June – August Clergy schedule – will be created in the next week
• Pentecost 04 June – possibility of worship out of doors with BBQ
• Up-coming – Friday organ concerts and summer recital series
Items for Decision
• Resignation – regretfully accepted the resignation of John Ball as member of the Chapter and chair of the Hospitality Committee
• Administration and Finance Committee – terms of reference adopted
• Director of Christian Formation – half-time position will be advertised until 31 May with interviews in June, targeting 01 July as preferred start
• Commendation for Ordination – following the work of the discernment committee, Alan Hall was commended for further discernment leading to ordination
• Transfers to Diocesan Investment Fund (DCIF) – 1. Restoration Fund savings account to be closed and invested as Restoration Fund in the DCIF; 2. Surplus of operating to be invested
Discussion
Cathedral leadership needs – involvement of congregation in many ministries. e.g. worship greeters, servers, mentors, membership / welcoming team, member of Chapter (Hospitality), stewardship coordinator, Community Kitchen, assistant verger, Helping Hands, visitors, etc. Executive and Communications Committees to develop a plan to challenge all to greater participation
Reports
• Treasurer – current summary reviewed; trusts and designated funds being reviewed
• Mission Outreach – refugee sponsorship continuing challenges; Monday morning has concluded
• Communications – will develop a plan that will see leaders of various ministries speak for 2 minutes (max.) as part of weekly worship and the communication of leadership needs
• Health and Pastoral care – safe church implementation is a process
• Worship – recent meeting hosted conversation with related roles
Up-coming Events
• Hall steps repair to begin soon; Pentecost 04 June
Next meetings:
12 June, 21 August (tentative), 18 September
GMH
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton has an opening for a part-time Christian Formation Director/Coordinator to commence work on or around July 1, 2017. This contract position is based on the person hired working 20 hours per week.
The successful applicant will see as a foundation of this ministry the facilitation of several formation and discipleship activities, working with other leadership towards an increased number of mission-minded followers of Jesus Christ within the Cathedral congregation.
Specific areas of the ministry will include:
Successful applicant will be expected to submit to a criminal record check.
Please submit your resume outlining your interest and experiences and two references on or before May 31, 2017. For further information, please contact: the Dean of Fredericton at (506) 450-7761.
Email: search at cccath.ca
Christ Church Cathedral
Attention: Formation Search Committee
168 Church Street
Fredericton NB E3B 4C9
… and we are almost as excited as Steve Martin when he proclaimed that classic movie line “the new phone books are here!” The directories arrived late last week and are available, free of charge, for pick up at the Cathedral Office to anyone that has a photo in the Directory. If you chose not to be in the Directory, but would like a copy, there are a few additional copies available at a cost of $20 each.
The members of the Communications Committee hope that the Directory will prove to be a useful communications tool for the Cathedral congregation and we look forward to any feedback that you might have.
For those who may have missed being in the Directory and who would like to be added, we are considering producing an addendum (insert) towards the end of June. You would need to provide a scanned photo and/or have your contact information in order to be added. We would like the Directory to be as up-to-date and inclusive as possible, so please feel free to consider this option.
We hope you enjoy the 2017 Christ Church Cathedral Directory!
Communications Committee
(Marilyn Lewell, Kirsten McKnight, Rebecca Butler, Geoffrey Hall, Richard Tervo, Gail MacGillivray)
We continue to get regular questions about progress on the 2017 Photo Directory. We’re all anxious to receive our copy of a new, shiny directory!
At the Wednesday evening, 29 March, meeting of the Bishop and Chapter Communications Committee, final edits on the fourth (yes, fourth) draft were reviewed and finalized. We have made every effort to assure the directory is as accurate as possible and the details are many! This is our final edit and the Directory will go to print this week.
Featured is contact information as we have received permissions from those with photos included. Other photos, many of them stunning, have been used with thanks to several including: John Leroux, Dalton London, and Peter Gross.
Those who had sittings with Universal Portrait Studios or provided their own photos will receive one copy, free of charge. A limited number will be available at a cost of $20 each.
Universal Portrait Studios have been producing church directories for decades and are located in Church Point, Nova Scotia.
GMH