Join us for Easter worship at the Cathedral. All are welcome.
The Great Easter Vigil will be held on Saturday night, April 8 at 8:00 p.m. + livestream
On Easter Sunday, April 9, there are three opportunities to worship:
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer, no music) 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer, with choir) + livestream 11:45 a.m. Come Worship Eucharist (contemporary, with music group) + livestream
View livestreams on our YouTube channel. Recordings of Holy Week worship are also available.
Between now and Easter Day we who begin the final leg of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem will take what is the most intense of Christian seasonal journeys. As the images go by we continue on our own personal ones. While some are celebrating new life or relationships, others are recovering from illness or have recently experienced losing a close friend, family member or spouse. Many struggle with the stress of work life that unrelentingly demands time and attention while others are learning about retirement. Students prepare for exams. While we’re all in different places and walk our own road we’re also invited each year to walk with Jesus to the cross.
At the beginning of the road we were invited to observe a holy Lent. “I invite you, in the name of the Lord,” were the words, “... to observe a holy Lent by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the word of God.” Many of us have done that this year. A variety of worship, devotional and study opportunities have created possibilities for self-discipline or to focus for a time on something new to deepen our own spiritual life ourselves or with others.
The seasonal journey now comes closer to an important conclusion. It calls us to push pause on our own personal trek—and maybe even our troubles—long enough to look one more time upon the road of suffering and sacrifice taken by the one called Messiah. Joining him, we should expect it to be different each time we experience it. We hear in gospel texts that Jesus performed miracles. The most significant of all may be the choice made by this man, who was also God, to walk willingly into pain, suffering and even death for the sake of all who love him throughout time. He walked this road for us. His journey gives ours meaning as we rest on his promises.
At the first glimmer of Easter light angelic words made announcement to first witnesses. He was supposed to be in the grave, but “He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said.” At the end of Jesus’ journey was light and life. In retrospect, because of who he is, could it have been any other way? He walked the painful way so as to enter as completely as possible into ours. He knows the drill. At the end of our journeys we can know that with faith, after bearing the burdens, there is light and life for us too. In the words of the Book of Common Prayer we pray that we might “be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,” “entering with them into the fullness of God’s unending joy.”
Alleluia! Christ is risen! Join us as we walk with him liturgically and symbolically in worship through the week to come: Palm Sunday, weekdays in Holy Week, to the Upper Room and the hill at Golgotha, meeting on the other side at a tomb now empty. The schedule of worship follows. Please don’t hesitate to make contact if you need to schedule a home Communion. Extending blessing for the Season, I remain,
You might not be so interested, but maybe your parents or grandparents would be. Why not show them how easy it can be? Did you know we podcast both worship and sermons each Sunday and there are many ways to listen?
1) Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Siri enables devices. If you have an Amazon Alexa device, for example, simply saying: "Alexa, play Christ Church Cathedral Audio" will play the latest Sunday podcast. Listen to up to two months of recorded worship and sermon podcasts for free.
2) On the Cathedral website, click the Watch and Listen tab and the most recent podcasts are listed on the left. Click "see more" for the whole list.
3) If you use Apple or Google podcasts, TuneIn Radio, Podchaser or Spotify podcasts, you can subscribe to receive new episodes when they become available or listen from those platforms on the web or on an Apple or Android app.
The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.
The World Day of Prayer service video for 2023 is available to watch online now. The 55 minute video, produced by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, can be watched at any time. A 24 minute children's video is also available.
The women who wrote the World Day of Prayer Service this year are from Taiwan. The Theme is “I Have Heard About Your Faith”. Based on the letter to the Ephesians, it is an invitation to active listening, which is the ground of our prayers. Following the example of the letter (1:15-19), where the author praises the church for their faith in Jesus and love toward all the saints, the worship service contextualizes the witness of the saints with the stories from Taiwan.
March 3, 2023 is the official date chosen as the World Day of Prayer.
World Day of Prayer services will also be held in-person in Fredericton:
Friday, March 3, 2:00 p.m. at Nashwaaksis United Church, 46 Main Street. Reception to follow.
Storm date: March 5, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 224 York Street. Reception to follow.
Monetary donations go toward expenses incurred in preparing the World Day of Prayer service, and providing grants to support women and children around the world who are fighting injustice and abuse. Donate online to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, or mail a cheque to 47 Queen’s Park Crescent East, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C3. Receipts are provided for all donation of $20 or more.
If you have questions about the work of the Council or the 2023 prayer services, please contact Debbie Heustis with Fredericton Women’s Inter-Church. (506) 472-2916.
Celebrate the New Year in the Cathedral on Sunday, 01 January. Worship at 10:30 a.m. will be followed by Archbishop David Edwards’ New Year's Day reception. We will also worship at 8:00 a.m.
It’s a wonderful way to start 2023 with prayer and festivity!
4:00 p.m., Sunday,18 December in Christ Church Cathedral, 150 Church Street in downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Whether you are a Christian who has worshipped in the Anglican tradition, are of another Christian denomination, another faith entirely or, simply interested in understanding more about what our faith community is all about, you are warmly welcome to visit or join us in worship. There is no dress code, you are free to sit where you wish and, to participate as you feel comfortable.
Not Just a Stopgap: Building Genuine Community Online
A workshop with AST Alumna Dawn Léger - Monday, November 28, 2022, via Zoom 8:00 pm Atlantic | 7:00 pm Eastern - Free of charge
About the Speaker
Dawn Léger (AST '06) is co-pastor of Harbor Online Community, an international, fully online church ministering to a wide array of Jesus followers. You can find Harbor Online at www.onlineharbor.org.
In 2020, most churches in North America made investments in online technology to minister to their people during lockdown. A surprising result was meeting visitors from all over the world. Dawn will share the story of her online church, Harbor Online Community, from its start as a house church, to making the transition online, and why it stayed there. You will hear what is being learned about ministry and leadership and about opportunities for building more online ministries using existing investments.
This workshop is for all clergy or lay leaders who wish to begin an online ministry or to continue online ministries that started during the pandemic.
This event will take place online-only, via Zoom. Please register using the link below, and the Zoom link will be sent to you.
As part of our Cathedral Faces series, we are sharing biographies of our staff members. These dedicated individuals contribute a lot to our community, in ways seen and unseen, and we are thankful for their work.
J. Thomas D. Gonder, born in Cayuga, Ontario in 1971, exhibited musical gifts at an extremely early age. He spent most of his life in London, Ontario, his family having relocated there in 1981. Immediately becoming involved in the musical life of St. Paul's Cathedral, he spent many years there as a chorister, Organ Scholar, Assistant Organist, and Organist and Master of the Choristers. Thomas quickly rose to the forefront of the Canadian Organ scene as one of its brightest young performers shortly after his public debut at the age of 15 under the tutelage of D. Mervyn Games. Today he is recognized as one of Canada's leading and most versatile concert organists and church musicians. His teachers, mentors and greatest influences also include David Palmer, Ian Sadler, William S.J. McArton, Catherine Crozier, Simon Preston, Gerald Bales, Naji Hakim and David Briggs.
Thomas has developed a wide-ranging career as organist, accompanist, church musician and composer. Naji Hakim (Paris, France) has described him as "a deeply feeling and emotional player", Simon Preston (Great Britain), "an amazing talent", and the esteemed Canadian musician Gerald Bales, OC, (1919 - 2002) proclaimed him the foremost interpreter of his organ works. Thomas has earned himself a reputation as an exciting, virtuoso performer of distinction in command of a vast repertoire, most notably with the French Romantic and Post-Romantic repertoire, having performed the complete Organ Symphonies of Louis Vierne in 1997 and 2014. Thomas is internationally recognized as a leading interpreter of the organ works of Naji Hakim of Paris, France, the most prolific composer of organ music in the world today. Thomas has premiered much of Mr. Hakim’s work in Canada. In 1995 he gave the Canadian Premiere of 'Vexilla Regis Prodeunt' at the Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, Alberta. 1997 saw the World Premiere of Gerald Bales' 'Impromptu-Toccata' at the closing concert of the Royal Canadian College of Organists National Convention. Thomas has also had numerous works composed for him and recent years have seen two world premieres of works by Parisian composer, Nicolas Chevereau and Elegie Canadienne by David Briggs.
Thomas joined the Cathedral Staff in January of 2020 and quickly and enthusiastically joined the wider Fredericton community. A lover of nature and a self-professed bird watcher, he is enjoying some of what makes life along the River St. John so unique.
We are fortunate to have Thomas leading both the Cathedral Choir and Worship Band. In 2021 and 2022 he organized the Cathedral Summer Music Series, with free concerts featuring a variety of performers and musical styles. In addition, he liaises with local music groups who book the Cathedral for concerts and rehearsals. Thomas has also taught organ students, including Cathedral Organ Scholar Christian Vanicek.
Shortly after his arrival in our city, an article about Thomas was published in the NB Anglican newspaper. Read it here.
Watch a slideshow of photos from the Choral Evensong and Memorial in Commemoration of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, held in Christ Church Cathedral on 19 September 2022.
Thank you to all who assisted with the Provincial commemorative service for the Queen. Photos from the memorial will be shared on our website soon. *
A Provincial commemorative service for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held in Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton on Monday, 19 September at 2:00 p.m.
Attendance will be by invitation only, but the public is welcome to gather on the lawn. Loudspeakers will be placed outside. Please be aware that parking will be limited. A ceremonial gun salute will take place in conjunction with the commemorative service, resulting in increased noise levels in the cathedral area. For safety reasons, traffic and pedestrian access around this area may be suspended. Learn more about provincial commemorative events.
The service will be livestreamed by the Province of New Brunswick. It is a joint effort of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Province of New Brunswick, in collaboration with the Diocese of Fredericton and Christ Church Cathedral.
A Book of Condolence for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be available in the Cathedral on Monday, 19 September, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. Online condolences can be shared on the Government of Canada website.
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A national memorial service for Queen Elizabeth II will be held at St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, 20 September 20 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (4:00 p.m. Atlantic). The service will be livestreamed on the Anglican Church of Canada's website.
Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth, for her faith and her dedication to duty. Bless us as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
