There is a great to deal at the Cathedral for us to remember with gratitude.
First, and most important, this is the time to think about all the benefits we have received from the cathedral and the ways in which have participated and would like to participate this coming year. That’s because we are just starting our annual Stewardship campaign, when you will be invited to share your thoughts about the ministries of the cathedral and asked to pledge your support for the work of the parish. Please welcome the fellow parishioner who calls and visits with you. Generosity is a wholesome and restorative spiritual practice.
Because there is so much happening during the next two months we suggest you pick up a calendar from the back of the church. Among other pieces of information it contains details about Advent and Christmas services. A pdf of the calendar can also be downloaded here.
The music committee is looking forward to a beautiful concert on Friday at 7:30 – Splendeurs de la tradition anglaise: A pilgrimage through five centuries of English choral music, performed by the Christ Church Cathedral Singers, under the direction of Patrick Wedd, accompanied by our organists Adrian Foster and Robert Hamilton. Tickets available at the door – $35 adult, $25 seniors, $15 students – include a post-concert wine and cheese reception. Please bring family and friends and come to support our choir if you possibly can.
Last Sunday we remembered family and friends who have died. This Sunday, during the 10am service, we remember the brave Canadian men and women who went to war on behalf of their country. We will welcome the Grenadier Guards to their regimental church in a service which always brings tears to many people’s eyes.
On Saturday at 4:30, Adleisia, an 18 voice women’s choir will perform a special concert “In Remembrance”, particularly of World Wars I and II. From Debussy to the Andrews Sisters, this choral concert speaks of loss, tragedy, and hope in the spirit of Remembrance Day. If you come to this concert or attend the Remembrance Day service you might like to look at the high altar and remember that it was built as a memorial to the men who died in World War I.
You are all invited to the parish celebration supper on Saturday, November 28 at 6 pm in Fulford Hall. This is not a pot luck supper, but rather a do it ourselves supper following an exciting and innovative road map laid out by the Dean. The kitchen is in use by the cooks preparing the end-of-the-month lunch for Sunday, so we are making ingenious use of crockpots and volunteer cooks.
The menu is Boeuf Bourguignon, Veggie Bourguignon and other vegetarian dishes accompanied by potatoes à la JPK, salad and bread, followed by dessert. Cash bar (at cost)
Some people have already volunteered to cook. We need one more person to make a Boeuf Bourguignon, perhaps another person to create a vegetarian dish and offers of dessert are welcome, though we are planning to buy desserts if necessary.
We also need some more helpers to set up and serve. All cooks will be reimbursed for their ingredients. Washers-up simply go to heaven.
The suggested price for people coming to the dinner is $15 regular, $10 reduced rate and $5 for children under 5. However, feel free to pay what you can afford. No one will be turned away.
Emma Elbourne-Weinstock and her small jazz group will be entertaining us and there will be a silent auction to support the project to sponsor a refugee family.
Paul and the other hand bell ringers are very excited because we have an English ring of bells on loan. These are mini tower bells, which work on the same principle as the large heavy tower bells found in many English churches, but are much easier to control. The peal is mounted on a scaffold in the chapter house – take a look at the picture on the cathedral web page. If you are interested in finding out more about these bells and perhaps joining the team, speak to Paul. The ringers practice on Thursdays from 5 pm to 7 pm. Very good exercise, not just for the arms, but also the brain!
Anglican Journal. If the bookkeeper has your name on her list of registered contributors to the cathedral, usually because you made a pledge during an annual stewardship campaign, you should be receiving a copy of the Anglican Journal and the Montreal Anglican. If you are not, please would you let the cathedral office know and we will see your name is added to their subscription list.
Coming up soon
This Sunday, Amnesty letter writing after the 10am Eucharist; write letters or sign postcards to speak out against injustice.
Thurs Nov 12 at noon, a meeting of PWRDF. Beth Reed will talk about her recent trip to our partner diocese in Masasi. There will also be an open forum to discuss the Cathedral’s experience/success with the Veg Out Campaign and PWRDF Sunday. In addition, the group will hear from Frankie Goernert, widow of loyal PWRDF supporter, Phil, who died earlier this year. She will tell us about their family’s experience in donating Phil’s eyes.
November 15 at 7 pm the Cathedral Reading Group will discuss All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Speak to Jane, Donna or Helen.
Advent and Christmas are approaching fast. Leah Trineer is organising the annual stir-up of Christmas cakes after the 10 am Eucharist on Sunday November 22 , when bakers gather to assemble pre-bought ingredients. Please contact Leah to order your bag of ingredients. Cost probably $35 for 3 to 5 cakes. Bring your own bowls, mixers and utensils.
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 brought to the Cathedral by November 15th.
Bible Study – From Advent to Easter: the story of Jesus’ life in 16 sessions will begin on November 30th and end on April 4th, 6-9pm in Fulford Hall. The cost of $100 for the 16 sessions includes suppers and a participant’s book. Bursaries are available. To register contact Rhonda – rhonda.m.waters@gmail.com – or call the office.
Advent prayers for peace are planned for Tuesday nights in Advent (Dec 1, 8, 15, 22) from 5:45 to 6:00pm after Evensong. This will be a time of quiet focused prayer seeking peace in the world and in our hearts.
The LGBTI group meets for friendship, talks, films and food. For details speak to Jean-Jacques Goulet or contact Tania in the office.
Finally, an extract from a newspaper article published in 1941, but perhaps still relevant today.
“Straight talk to transient churchgoers, lifted by an eagle-eyed agent from the weekly calendar of one of Montreal’s most celebrated churches:
NEW FACES …. If you are new, will you remember that in a large City Church even the oldest members cannot be sure who is new? That makes them diffident about speaking to you. Again, the friendly grin of the Clergy at the door will not produce your name and address unless you give it to them. Once you do that you will never again get out of the clutches of this Cathedral Parish. So, unless you are earnest about this business of religion, stay anonymous and free of all obligations. We will keep the Church here for your convenience. (From a scrapbook in the archives.)
But please think of the Cathedral today as having loving arms rather than clutches!