Let’s start with a remarkable piece of good news from the Weave-a-Net campaign and offer hearty congratulations to Jonathan who worked so hard on the project.

Jonathan writes: An amazing $4271 was raised by the Weave a Net appeal, which grows to $17085  when the Federal Government contribution from CIDA of $3 for every $1 raised is factored in. This will provide 427 insecticide-treated mosquito nets along with the necessary training, support and aftercare!  Many, many thanks to everyone who contributed to the huge success of this project – it will transform the lives of thousands of families in our partner Diocese of Masasi, Tanzania.

The Cathedral’s next big fund raising effort will be the choral concert on November 7th, Western Wynde and the Lamb, when the music committee will be trying to raise $12 000 in support of the Cathedral Singers. The annual fund raiser allows us to have paid soloists in the choir – an important reason why the standard of choral music in the Cathedral is so high. So please come to the concert if you can and consider giving a donation if you can’t (making your cheque out to Christ Church cathedral and marking it for the Music Programme). The concert will feature the music of John Taverner (1490-1545 ) and Sir John Tavener (1944-2013).
$35 adult; $25 seniors; $15 students. All tickets include a post-concert wine and cheese reception.

Early November is a very busy time for Patrick and the choir quite apart from the concert. The choir will be singing a special Choral Eucharist on All Saints Day, Saturday November 1, at 12h15. All Saints will also be celebrated on Sunday, Nov 2, at the morning services and All Souls will be remembered at 4 pm with a Requiem Mass by Fauré. The Grenadier Guards will do their church parade on November 9 at 10h00 for Remembrance Sunday.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: “I often think of set pieces of liturgy as certain words that people have successfully addressed to God without getting killed,” Annie Dillard wrote. This week, imagine that you can say anything you want to God, in your own words. What is your request, your complaint, your fear, your secret, your heart’s desire? This is your prayer. Ask God to hear and answer you.

There will be a very important Forum meeting next Tuesday (Oct 21) to which you are all invited. Janet Marshall will be reporting to us about the results of the Natural Church Development questionnaire filled in by a representative sample of the Cathedral congregation at the beginning of the summer. The answers provide an interesting profile of the current strengths and weaknesses of the Cathedral community and point the way forward, suggesting areas which need to be strengthened. Please note the documents related to Forum attached to this letter.

Help needed please – for the Parish dinner on Nov 23(speak to George Deare or Flo Tracy) and to sponsor flowers (speak to Rob Wells) Sponsors are needed for October 27 and all the Sundays in November. This is a wonderful way to remember a loved one or to give thanks for something special.

There are a number of mind, spirit (and body)-stretching events coming up

1.  The Public Theology Working Group will meet Monday, Oct. 27th  from 5:45 to 7:00 in the Chapter House.  After a successful first project (participating in the World March for the Climate and hosting “Climate Change and Christian Faith”, the Public Theology Working Group invites anyone who is interested to continue the discussion of how the Cathedral might “do theology publically”.
One interesting take on what public theology is can be found here: http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/arts/theology/pact/documents/What_is_Public_Theology.pdf

2.  Contemplative Prayer is offered every Tuesday at 5:45pm after Evensong.  1^st and 3^rd Tuesdays are guided meditation on Bible passages in the Ignatian style, led by Paul Kennington or Vivian Lewin, 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday an introduction and silent meditation led by Beth Adams.  The next session on October 21 will be Ignatian meditation led by Vivian.

3.  On Sunday you might like to try out the free bio-energetics class led by the Rev. Neil Whitehouse at 12h00 in Fulford Hall. Learn simple exercises to reduce tensions, open up breathing and flexibility.   Neil says all ages are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing.

4.  Starting on Wednesday, October 29 at 5:45 Neil is also offering a short course in which you can discover how physical movement and bodily awareness make scripture come alive in the body as well as the mind.

5.  The L’Oasis Musicale concert this Saturday features pianist Tomoko Inui and violinist Brendan Conway who will explore a wide spectrum of music from Beethoven, through Fauré to Shostakovich and will also include the Sonatine by Maurice Dela, a well-known Canadian composer who was born in Montreal in 1919. He was a teacher, arranger, and organist, especially at Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church in Verdun, for many years. http://www.oasismusicale.blogspot.ca

6.  The Cathedral book group will meet this Sunday at 7 pm to discuss In the Garden of Beasts by Eric Larsen. Al book lovers welcome. Speak to Jane, Donna or Diana

7.  Not a Cathedral event, but it might be of interest to some of you;

Write from Within: A Writing and Story-telling Workshopwill be held on Wednesday, October 22,  6-8:30 pm Loyola Chapel, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West.

To register, contact   or 514-848-2424 x 3590

This event is part of “Connecting to Yourself: A Workshop Series to Explore Creativity and Self-awareness”.

Come and explore your own story on this interactive writing and story-telling workshop, facilitated by Ray McGinnis, author, workshop, poet (http://www.writetotheheart.com/). No writing experience is necessary though welcome.
Free for members of the Concordia Community and students. $25 for all others.