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Syrian Refugee Initiative

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Archdeaconry of Fredericton

Approximately 4.6 million Syrians have fled the country as refugees to escape the violence of civil war. More than half of these refugees are children. While the majority of refugees are fleeing to surrounding countries, these resources are limited and cannot accommodate the need. Our Canadian government has stepped up to help thousands of struggling Syrian refugees, and many community groups have come forward to help.

The Cathedral is applying to sponsor a Syrian refugee family, with the help of 10 other Anglican parishes within the Greater Fredericton region. As sponsors, we will be responsible for supporting our refugee family for one year.

Together, we are raising the funds necessary to financially support the family, with some government assistance.

Along with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, we are preparing for the family’s arrival. We will need volunteers who are willing to provide social support to our family, upon their arrival in Fredericton and throughout the one-year sponsorship.

We are looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers to sit on our Anglican Refugee Sponsorship committee and give of their time and expertise for this incredibly important initiative. As a committee member, you can volunteer to aid the family in one of the following categories:
• Accommodations – search for affordable, practical rental accommodations near a city transit route
• Furnishings and household items – look for furniture and keep a record of what is available through donations
• Education/Language Training – register children in school, help with using the school bus, arrange for language training for all ages
• Food – organize a “church shower” with a planned list of suggested donations; assist with grocery shopping
• Medical – set up family with doctor, dentist, and other medical needs
• Transportation – show how to acquire and use bus passes, review bus schedules, drive family to appointments
• Documentation – assist family in completing documentation (SIN, Medicare, Child Tax Benefit, etc.)
• Social – aid in the transition of our refugee family into Canadian/Fredericton society
• Interpretation – please inform us of any Arabic speakers in the parish who could help communicate with the family
• Secretary – write and distribute meeting minutes
• Personal finances – help family with banking and budgeting

We do not need large numbers of volunteers for each category, but we do need dedicated people! If you are willing and able to join our Anglican Refugee Sponsorship committee, please contact:

Kelly Humber Kelly
<humberk at stu.ca> (506) 262-5101 16/02/21

Bishop and Chapter News – Feb 2016

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Members of Bishop and Chapter met this past Monday evening, 15 February, with 10 of 13 members present. The Dean offered some reflections on the discipline of Lent and some ideas from an article by Mark Galli from Christianity Today entitled: “Giving Up Self-Discipline for Lent.”
Minutes from the December 2015 and January 2016 (budget formation) were adopted.

Business Arising
• Nominating Committee – update -Nominations for Synod Delegates and Treasurer have been secured. We still need a member of the Chapter (Christian Formation) and a recording secretary.
• Cathedral Long-term Maintenance Plan -A first meeting was held to consider formulating and tracking a long-range plan. An updated proposal for quotations and scope of work will be acquired with a second proposal, if possible. A history of documents and studies will be assembled, organized with the goal of making these more easily accessible.
• Planning for Memorial Hall upgrades – A group for the purpose of creating a comprehensive overview plan has not yet met but we will proceed with critical known items, including chair lift repair
• Support for Refugees – Ten parishes plus the Cathedral will join initially to sponsor a family as soon as possible. A bulletin insert will be published on 21 February with further information and ways to be involved.
• Organist/Music Director Search – Thirteen applications were received and the Committee is formulating a short list.

Items for Decision
• Financial Statements 2015 and Budget 2016 as presented in the 2016 Annual Report were adopted by carried motion.
• Parish Nurse Staff Position – A further proposal and recommendation was received from the Health Ministry Team regarding a salaried staff position of Parish Nurse and possible funding for the same. The Chapter will endeavour to further consult with the Health Ministry Team.
• All Members Congregational Visitation – A tentative decision was made during the fall of 2015 to conduct an every member visitation for the purpose of communication, feedback and relationship building. Jamie Yeamans has agreed to lead the Project and the Chapter decided to move forward with the last week of April and first week of May as the target for visitations.
• Stair Lift Repair – Conscious of the need for accessibility, it was decided to direct the Property Committee to spend up to $5000 for repair of the Cathedral Hall stair lift.

From the Dean
Baptism preparation for Easter, confirmation preparation beginning this week, 5 groups using “Meditative Prayer” for Lenten Study. Diocesan meetings, home communions, home visits, nursing homes.

Items for Discussion
• Request from Scouts – for additional storage space in the basement of Cathedral Memorial Hall. Several options were discussed and the chair of the Property Committee will communicate with the leadership to propose some options
• Annual Meeting – Last minute details for the Annual Meeting on 21 December at 2:00 p.m. discussed including: child care to be offered for those with young children; the Dean will chair; it was decided there would be no need for refreshments

Information
There were no critical updates from Chapter Committees

Next Meeting
Monday, 14 March 2016, 7:00 p.m. GMH

From the Cathedral Parish Nurse

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This is my last week as Parish Nurse. I retire at the end of this year after ten years as your Parish Nurse and two additional years as coordinator of the Health Ministry. I wish to say to you all I have been honoured and feel truly blessed to have been accepted so willingly by so many of you over the years as we have shared good times and some challenging times in our lives. Thank you for your love and care of me.

This is a team ministry and I could not have coordinated all that we have provided without the active help and support of the dedicated Parish Nursing Team: Michele LeBlanc, RN, Wendy Brien, Marilyn Lewell, Carol Hynes and Kathleen Snow RN. Alongside too are the multitude of congregational members who have provided their circle of care as Visitors, Helping Hands and in many other ways to our congregation at critical times in their lives. Thank you to Bishop and Chapter, the Health Ministry Team, Dean Geoff, Fran and the staff who have worked alongside to make this ministry work.

We do not know what the future holds for this Ministry at the Cathedral but we know God always has a plan, so we trust in Him to show us the way. God Bless you all and have a very blessed Christmas Season.

Isabel Cutler, RN

Report of Delegates to Diocesan Synod 2015

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The 134th session of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Fredericton was held on Saturday, November 7, at Christ Church Parish Church. The theme for the synod was “Walk the Walk.” The Cathedral’s representatives were Dean Geoffrey Hall, Jim Morell (present lay chair of B&C) and Chris Stevenson (a past lay chair).

Bishop David Edwards was consecrated last fall. This was his first synod as our bishop, and he delivered his first charge to 273 synod delegates (75 clergy and 198 lay) who were in attendance from 70+ parishes across the diocese. The stated main purpose of the synod was to receive his charge, which was based on Ephesians 4: 1-6, and to respond to it through discussion in small groups.

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” NRSV

The Bishop’s Charge, which can be found at anglican.nb.ca, was both bold and direction setting.

Some of his important messages were these:

  • God calls us, as his disciples, to live together in unity and “to bear with one another,” even when we have differing opinions on church matters
  • Centering ourselves personally and corporately on Jesus, prayer and Biblical knowledge are the foundations on which we are to build our individual lives and our shared life in the church
  • Our worship is meant to be “intentionally oriented to lifting us beyond the everyday and enabling us to touch the edge of heaven”
  • The Bishop will be focusing on new, 21st century methods of education and training for our leaders – both clergy and lay; and he intends to establish new models of ordained and non-ordained ministry
  • Youth work is vital to our church, and in that we must be more creative
  • God directs us to engage our communities and to take the Good News of Jesus to people outside our congregations. He made special mention of our obligation to those who suffer in a broken world
  • Despite having to deal with many issues and challenges, Bishop David said he continues to be encouraged by many positive developments within our diocesan family – including the rebuilding of the Anglican church in Edmundston (Parish of Madawaska) following a fire and a $5.5 million bequest to the diocese by a quiet, faithful Anglican woman in Saint John

In response to a pre-synod motion delegates voted in favour of asking Diocesan Council to review diocesan canon two respecting ‘election of bishops.’ Discussion prior to the vote centred on the importance of delegates having more knowledge of those nominated.

Synod Prayer:

Almighty God,
giver of all and ruler of all that is seen and unseen;
we ask for continual divine grace to your Church
and especially to the 134th Session of Diocesan Synod.
May we walk in your way,
leading lives worthy of our calling,
in humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another in love
and maintaining the unity of your Spirit in the bond of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

J. Morell, C. Stevenson, G. Hall

2015 Christmas Angels

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Paper angels from the Fredericton Food Bank are waiting to be chosen from small trees in the cathedral and in the hall foyer. Each angel indicates a gift or stocking stuffers for a needy boy or girl of a specific age.

Unwrapped gifts, with the paper angels firmly attached, should be brought to the church or the hall on Sunday, Dec. 6th. Drop-off boxes will be set up near the angel trees.

If you cannot bring your gift on time, please take it to the drop-off box in the hall no later than Monday, Dec. 7th. That is the deadline for the Cathedral Outreach Committee to deliver the gifts to the Food Bank.

If you prefer to donate money instead of toys or stocking stuffers, please write a cheque payable to Christ Church Cathedral and indicate Christmas Outreach on the memo line. Your cheque or cash should reach the church office by Friday, Dec. 18th. These funds will be divided equally among the Fredericton Homeless Shelters, Transition House and the Fredericton Community Kitchen.

The Outreach Committee thanks you for your generous support in making Christmas special for needy families in our community.