The theme of Connecting comes up again this week.
There will be multiple opportunities for connecting during November, the period of the annual stewardship campaign. Cathedral parishioners are a very generous community, giving their money, energy, time and talents to many causes. A stewardship campaign is an opportunity to say thank you, to explore new ministries and to organise our cathedral finances so that the treasurer can produce budgets based on facts rather than guesses.
Vivian Lewin, Jean Jacques Goulet and Maude Doalan, have been asked by Corporation to coordinate an Annual Stewardship Appeal for 2016.
Vivian writes “We believe that God is the source of everything good. Our capacity for gratitude connects us with God. Generosity flows naturally from this connection. The stewardship campaign is a way to put your generosity into play.”
Here is what to expect during the Annual Stewardship Campaign for 2016:
Everyone who attends the Cathedral regularly is invited to consider, thoughtfully, their commitment to the parish. Regular annual giving supports all the work of the parish as a whole. Without it, none of our other wonderful activities would be possible.
Our last concerted stewardship campaign in 2011 was an every-member visit, with members of Cathedral Forum doing the visiting. The Cathedral parish collectively has shown outstanding generosity. In fact, there is only one other parish in our Diocese whose per capita giving is, on average, greater than ours. However, we have neglected the good practice of calling upon newer members, inviting them to take part. And right now, only about half our regular worshippers make a pledge … that is, tell the bookkeeper and the treasurer how much they intend to contribute in the coming year. Without this information, it is difficult to predict our annual income.
Volunteers are preparing to telephone members now. Your visitor will bring a questionnaire about parish life and as well as a donation form (which you can pray about and return later). When your visitor calls, please welcome them and enjoy the opportunity to share your enthusiasm for the Cathedral.
The coordinating team is looking for more visitors. Volunteers will be given a reassuring training session and printed guide. It’s a very rewarding and not too onerous way of helping the campaign. Please contact Vivian, Jean Jacques or Maude if you’d like to help.
The end of October and the beginning of November form a period of remembrance of those who have died.
The 8 am, 10 am and 12:45 services on Sunday will celebrate All Saints.
The 4pm service on Sunday will be a Requiem Eucharist remembering All Souls. The names of loved ones who have died will be commemorated during this service. The music will be Fauré’s Requiem, sung by the full choir.
The 6pm service combines All Saints and All Souls, celebrating that we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses by reminding us of our membership in the Body of Christ and giving particular thanks for those people whom we have lost.
On Monday, the 12:15 service will be a choral Eucharist for All Souls Day, celebrated by Paul and sung by the cathedral Singers Quartet.
The following Sunday, November 7 is Remembrance Sunday when the Grenadier Guards will be attending and laying a wreath in front of the altar (which is a memorial to parishioners who died in World War I). At the end of the service a trumpeter will play the Last Post and Réveille, reminding us of the brave men and women who died serving their country during wars and the congregation will sing O Canada. Whatever our views about war, this is a very moving service and an important part of our heritage.
Another kind of remembrance will be held the day before. The Oasis concert at 4:30 on Saturday will be given by Adleisia, a women’s choir most of whose members used to sing with Concert Della Donna before Iwan Edwards retired. Titled In Remembrance with … Adleisia remembers through word and song those brave Canadians who lost their lives in two world wars. http://loasismusicale2.blogspot.ca/
Speaking of music…
Have you bought your tickets for the Cathedral’s annual fund raising concert? It’s not too late!
Splendeurs de la tradition anglaise : A pilgrimage through five centuries of English choral music
Friday 6th November, 7:30pm /Le vendredi 6 novembre 19h30
An evening of choral music that will take you on a journey from the Middle Ages to the present day, in support of Christ Church Cathedral’s music ministry. Christ Church Cathedral Singers, under the direction of Patrick Wedd; with our organists Adrian Foster and Robert Hamilton.
Tickets: $35 adult; $25 seniors; $15 students; includes post-concert wine and cheese reception.
Dates for your diary
October 31, 4:30 Oasis concert. Jonathan Stuchbery, classical guitar and Manon Champel clarinet – an interesting and unusual combination of instruments. https://www.facebook.com/events/872258572809249/
Sunday, November 1 Pain, partage et prière, the French Bible study and prayer group, will meet at 2:00pm in the Hollis Lounge.
November 3rd at noon Lunch’n Chat: a potluck lunch and fellowship in the Hollis Lounge (on the second floor at 1444 Union Avenue).
Sunday November 8 after the 10am Eucharist, Amnesty letter writing: write letters or sign postcards to speak out against injustice.
Sunday November 15 at 7 pm, The Cathedral Reading Group will talk about All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. If you like reading and talking about books, please join us. Speak to Ann, Jane, Diana, Donna or Helen.
Nov 20-22 Family and Friends Retreat. All welcome for play and prayer at Villa du Brôme. Contact Rhonda for more details.
November 28 Parish Supper. Please contact Ann in the office if you’d like to cook, or help in other ways. Contact Jan if you have an item for the silent auction in aid of sponsoring a refugee family.
Beginning November 30th and ending April 4th, from 6-9pm in Fulford Hall. Bible Study – From Advent to Easter: the story of Jesus’ life: 16 Mondays, $100, includes suppers and participant’s book. Bursaries are available. To register contact Rhonda – rhonda.m.waters@gmail.com – or call the office.
Happy Halloween and safe trick or treating – and a blessed celebration of All Saints and all Souls