There are three very important community events to highlight this week:
A gathering on October 31 of cathedral members interested in discovering volunteer ministries.
A special concert on November 6 will raise money for the music programme.
A celebratory supper on November 28 with a silent auction which will raise money to support a refugee family being sponsored by the Cathedral.
Moreover, you will soon notice that an every member stewardship campaign will be taking place in November – more on that next week. Another connection to world affairs which you will also hear about later is the Public Theology Group’s plan to support the Paris conference on climate change with prayers and possibly vigils.
It struck me looking at these various events that each one is about making connections – with each other, with God, and with the world outside the Cathedral.
There are lots of opportunities for all kinds of involvement in the cathedral’s varied ministries which will be explained at the gathering on October 31st. One Mission – Many Ministries is a chance for parishioners to come together, to join workshops about being a steward, a reader, an intercessor, a coffee host, a Sunday School volunteer, a pastoral visitor, a member of the chancel guild or a member of the servers’ guild. Rhonda is suggesting people sign up for three workshops, either as a resource person or as an inquirer. No parish event is complete without food, so there will of course be lunch! 10am to 2 pm on Saturday October 31 – 1444 Union Avenue.
The big choral concert this year is on November 6th and is called Splendeurs de la tradition anglaise: A pilgrimage through five centuries of English choral music. An evening of choral music starting with the heady days of Tallis Byrd and Gibbons will take us on a journey from the Middle Ages to the present day, represented by Sir John Tavener and Jonathan Dove. The proceeds from this concert, featuring the Cathedral Singers under the direction of Patrick Wedd, with guest organist Adrian Foster, will support our music ministry. Tickets: $35 adult; $25 seniors; $15 students, include a post-concert wine and cheese reception organized by Bob and Mary Sue Gibson. Please do everything you can to ensure there is a large audience – sell tickets, invite your friends, come yourself on November 6 at 7:30 pm, solicit ads and donations. Please connect in some meaningful way with this very important Cathedral ministry which exists because of your support. The aim as always is to raise $12 000 – a herculean task which needs everyone to be involved!
The parish supper is on Saturday, November 28 in Fulford Hall. This will be a coordinated potluck meal of beef bourguignon and sides with musical entertainment and a silent auction. The auction is intended to raise money for the project to sponsor a refugee family which has received the enthusiastic support of Corporation and Forum. Contact Ann Elbourne in the cathedral office for offers of help with the potluck supper.
Last week’s newsletter included the news about the death of the Rev’d Roger Balk, the Cathedral’s Honorary Assistant. Paul will preside at a Requiem Eucharist for Roger on Monday 26 Oct at 12:15. A funeral service will be held in the cathedral at 2 pm on Thursday, October 29th
An apology, especially to potential members of the reading group. I unfortunately gave details about our January book, Twenty-One Cardinals by Quebec author Jocelyne Saucier, naming it our next book. Our November book is actually All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. The discussion date, November 15 at 7 pm is correct. We will be discussing Twenty-one Cardinals in January. The December meeting is our egg nogg and movie night.
Noteworthy dates for your diaries
The Oasis concert this Saturday, 24 October,at 4:30pm is entitled Stories for the Young and Old andfeatures Carol Léger, soprano, and Nicole Lorenz, piano performing works by Britten, Bernstein, Bizet and Strauss. For details visit http://loasismusicale2.blogspot.ca/
Bishop Mary Irwin Gibson will be celebrating and preaching at all the Eucharists this Sunday. This will be a great opportunity to meet our new bishop and hear her thoughts.
The Public Theology Working group meets Monday October 26 at 5:30 in the Montreal Diocesan College. Join them to help shape their upcoming programme. More information from Rhonda.
Lunch ‘n Chat, formerly known as the Seniors’ Lunch, will meet on Tuesday, November 3 at noon. Brenda Lin will talk about her work up north. Potluck, bring a friend too. Contact Janet King.
Thinking ahead – two announcements from Rhonda-
Bible Study – From Advent to Easter: the story of Jesus’ life 16 Mondays, beginning November 30th and ending April 4th from 6-9pm in Fulford Hall. $100 includes suppers and participant’s book. Bursaries are available. Register with Rhonda – rhonda.m.waters@gmail.com – or by calling the office.
Christmas Gifts for Mile End Mission – Every Christmas, the Mile End Mission throws a party for all of its members and gives Christmas gifts to the children. If you are able to provide some of these gifts, please contact Rhonda to receive the name(s) and age(s) of the child(ren). Gifts must be delivered to the Cathedral by November 15th.
And really far in the future (though planning needs to happen now) we will be participating again in the city-wide Nuit blanche in February. Would anyone out there like to help with the planning? We will meet over supper to get the ball rolling and then look for volunteers to do various tasks. Last year our free hot chocolate was hugely popular and resulted in donations of $600 which actually covered the costs of the evening! We are considering buying a large hot chocolate machine this year to make serving easier. Would anyone like to make a donation? Please contact Ann or Jonathan Bailey if you want to be on the planning team.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit will inspire our connections and please pray for the coordinators and participants who will bring these many events to life.