The most exciting news this week is the election last Saturday of the first woman bishop of Montreal. In his Purple Prose newsletter Bishop Barry writes: “The Very Reverend Mary Irwin-Gibson, Rector of St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston, Ontario and Dean of the Diocese of Ontario, was elected the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Montreal at the electoral Synod on June 6, 2015. Bishop-Elect Irwin-Gibson will assume responsibilities in the Bishop’s office on Sept. 1, 2015. Plans are pending regarding establishing a date for the service of consecration and will be announced when available.
We all join in congratulations and welcoming Bishop-Elect Mary back to the Diocese of Montreal and request prayers for her and her episcopacy.”
Three notable events this Sunday:
After the 10am Eucharist a celebration of George Deare’s half-century of ministry as a server at the Cathedral. We will wish him well as he retires from the position of head server. A number of past servers plan to be present. George will still be seen in the procession at the beginning and end of the 10 am services carrying the ceremonial verge.
Also after the 10 am service Amnesty letter-writing – write a letter or sign a postcard speaking out against injustice.
Between 5:30 and 7:00 pm please join Mohawk elders and church leaders for a Gathering of Friends in Wallenberg Square (behind the cathedral) as they bless the beginning of new relationships following the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Enjoy drumming, dance, and refreshments.
Summertime Worship and Study
Normal Sunday services continue, usually well attended by visitors.
From June 28th to the end of the summer, we will be holding weekly evening Eucharists on Sundays at 6pm, in the style of the 1st Sundays evening services. If you would be interested in serving as a volunteer musician for one or more of these services, please speak with Rhonda Waters or Ben Stuchbery.
These services will probably be indoors. However, last Sunday a beautiful evening Eucharist followed by a BBQ was celebrated on the dog-free patch of grass near the Fulford Memorial. Ben and Joseph inspired us with their music, even as the breeze kept trying to blow away their papers, members of the congregation read prayers and lessons and Rhonda preached a short and delightful sermon at the top of her voice, competing nobly with the traffic noise. The service was peaceful and spiritual, the BBQ was efficiently served by a noble band of helpers. Thank you to everyone who participated.
Contemplative prayer : Summer schedule: Join Vivian Tuesday, June 16th for Ignatian mediation at 5:45 after Evensong. The Ignatian mediation group will then take a break for the summer. The silent mediation group invites you to join them on the second Tuesdays in July and August at 5:45pm after Evensong. Next silent meditation session: July 14.
This Sunday: Pain, partage et prière the French Bible study and prayer group will meet at 2:00pm in the Hollis Lounge.
Mondays at 5:15 pm Summer Bible study. We will be looking at the Epistles to the Corinthians. See Tania for details
Hungry Minds: Bible study and supper for students and young adults meets every Wednesday from 6-9 pm in the Undercroft. See Rhonda for details
Wednesday, 24 June: Come to the Cathedral to celebrate the birth of St John the Baptist. Choral Eucharist at 12.15pm
You might have noticed some enthusiastic summer interns attending our Sunday services. Ben, Jaime, Amos, Tala and Nicolas are engaged in a variety of projects of their own devising under the guidance of Diocesan College. They are attached to the college from May 11 to July 17 and are dividing their time between study and practical outreach. They will be in the cathedral each Sunday. According to the MDTC web site their projects will encourage mission in the broadest possible way: anything that helps others, strengthens community, or even teaches people to honour each other and the community in which they live. If you get a chance, do chat to them at coffee hour. They are an interesting bunch of young adults. I hope to tell you more about their projects in a later newsletter. Meanwhile, Ben’s project is asking people to tell their stories, starting with memories of his grandfather, Ian Stuchbery, former vicar of the Cathedral. If you have any good stories about Ian, please talk to Ben
Music Events
Saturday, June 13, Flutes on Vacation Les flûtistes de Montréal
Wednesday, June 17 A concert of songs on the theme of the night, sung in German, Italian and French. Chantal Nurse, soprano, David Menzies, tenor, Geneviève Jalbert, piano – Rossini, Bellini, Beethoven, Schumann, Berlioz
Outside events which might interest you
Tuesday, June 16, the Departments of Religion and Theological Studies at Concordia University are hosting a colloquium entitled: Religion, Violence and the Ethics of Biblical and Religious Studies. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Hector Avalos (Iowa State University This event will be held at the Henry F. Hall Building (room H-767), Concordia University. The event is free but please reserve your place. Speak to Donald Boisvert for more details.
Action Réfugiés Montréal and HCR-bureau de Montréal are organizing a march for International Refugee Day, June 20. Participants will march on the sidewalks of Montreal, from the YMCA on Tupper to City Hall. The march will illustrate the course asylum seekers have to take. It will be a 4.5 KM walk in the afternoon. Please speak to Jan for more information.
Last, but by no means least, Cathedral Forum will meet next Tuesday at 6 for refreshments, 6:30 for a meeting which will bring members up to date with events past and future. Please come and hear about lots of exciting things being planned and give your valuable advice and feedback.
I will be away until July 2, so there might not be a newsletter for two weeks. I hope you are all enjoying some time to relax.