Dear Friend of the Cathedral
The newsletter this week will have 3 broad headings.
Cathedral Outreach
St Catherine’s Street Fair – Saturday July 11 and Sunday July 12, 10am to 6 pm
The Cathedral will take part with two tables on the street right in front.
Helpers are needed on the Cathedral Information Table to offer people information leaflets and talk about what the cathedral can offer them- a quiet place to pray or light a candle, uplifting worship, wonderful music in our services and concerts, architecture, history and heritage, a friendly, inclusive community, the groups people can join …. The information will all be there on the table. What you can add is enthusiasm and your personal experience. If you’d like to participate, please speak to Ann, or email the cathedral office.
The Montreal Fair Trade Town table which will promote the campaign to gain Montreal the title of Fair Trade Town is also looking for people to join their rota. Moreover, they are offering fair trade bananas and hoping to show people how fair trade transforms the lives of banana farmers. Contact Ben Stuchbery or Jonathan Bailey to offer help.
So what is a Fair Trade Town?
It is a global movement which recognizes communities that actively support fair trade. There are currently 1600 fair Trade Towns in 18 countries and we want to add Montreal to that list. You can read more about the campaign here. Ben and Jonathan are volunteer members of Montreal’s campaign and are working to establish a network of people in Anglican churches and other faith communities who can work together and support each other. The June meeting of Cathedral Forum unanimously endorsed the initiative. Come to a briefing session on Thursday 9th July, 7 – 8:30 at the cathedral to learn more about the campaign and find out ways you can show support. Look for more information in the next newsletter.
The Cathedral’s PWRDF summer appeal will support the “Fred Says” Food Security Campaign.
(An important gloss: Fred is the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and the PWRDF is the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund) Launched this Sunday and running to the end of September, the appeal will be targeted at visitors to the cathedral. There will be a display and a small table with a thought-provoking element with which the public can interact. Last year’s Weave-a-Net appeal (do you remember the mosquito?) raised over $2000, a demonstration of the public’s generosity. It is an important role for the Cathedral to play, raising awareness of the challenges faced by people around the world in securing food for their families. You can read about the PWRDF campaign here or speak to the Cathedral’s PWRDF reps, Anika Gerols and Jonathan Bailey.
The cathedral community has been actively responding to the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Click here to see the reaction in other Anglican communities.
Nurturing our spiritual life
Silent Meditation, July 14 after evening prayer,
Informal Eucharist, Sunday evenings in the summer at 6 pm
Summer Bible Study, Mondays at 5:15pm looking at the Epistles to the Corinthians. Email Tania at the office for details.
Recharge your faith studying with EFM (Education for Ministry) This theological education program for all people is welcoming new members for this Fall. For more information speak to Randy Gates or contact James Pratt or Karla Holmes. Registration deadline: July 15.
Pick up a copy of the leaflet describing a great opportunity to go on a pilgrimage in England led by Paul Kennington. Called Exploring Anglican Heritage: From Augustine to Aidan – the English saints, it takes place 20 April to 3 May 2016. Join the early birds already enrolling. The group which visited the Holy Land with Paul last year had a fabulous time and gained an intense spiritual boost.
Sunday school will continue on summer Sundays. The children will be “making a joyful noise unto the Lord” on the lawn outside the church.
Perhaps you are looking for a good book to read on holiday. The book group recommends Us Conductors by Sean Michaels. Winner of the Giller prize in 2014, the novel was inspired by the true story of Lev Thermen, Russian scientist, inventor and spy, and creator of the theremin- and that of his great love Clara Rockmore who was the theremin’s finest player. The group will discuss the book in September and would love to have some new members.
Events for your calendars
Come to evensong on Sunday 9th August at 4pm as we say farewell to Bishop Barry and wish him well for his future ministry
Sounds intriguing – Thursday, July 9th, 7-9pm at Dio, a Symposium on the Humour of God. Join intern Amos Bohoussou, with special guests the Rev’d Brian Perron and the Rev’d Joel Coppieters for a thought-and-laughter provoking evening. You might have seen Amos at the 10 am service on Sunday.
On Saturday 4th July at 4:30pm pianist Haruyo Yoshino-Platt performs a concert entitled “Retour aux Sources (Back to the Roots)“, exploring the national identities of Bartok, Schumann, Chopin and Liszt through the music styles of their native lands.
Wednesday, 8 July at 6:15pm Nuits romantiques: Duo Mezzopiano – Zoey Cochrane Soprano and Magda Boukanan, piano.