It’s a wonderful time of year!
Last weekend was full of joyful celebrations culminating in a beautiful service of lessons and carols for Advent. Do make a note in your diary of the Christmas service of music, readings and dance taking place on Sunday Dec 20 at 4 pm. You can see the complete schedule here.
For me one of the highlights of this season is the annual Sing-Along Messiah – perhaps it is for you too. I’m attaching a poster which you might like to share on Facebook or forward to your friends. Jonathan invites you to add your voice to the wonderful community choir at this year’s ever-popular Sing-Along Messiah on Saturday 12th December, 4:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral. He is aiming to ‘fill the nave and raise the roof’ with a choir of 400 people – and he would love you to be part of it! Bring a score if you have one. A limited number of scores will be available to borrow.
Also happening soon:
Sunday
- After the 10 am service, SJAG presents Pierre Gaudreau, coordinator of RAPSIM (a network of Montreal organisations supporting people who are homeless, which has received $1050 from CCC’s outreach budget) who will give a short presentation about advocating for homeless people in Montreal.
- 6pm: Evening Eucharist Receive the Kingdom as a Child: The Feast of St Nicholas Participants in the Liturgy Lab have prepared a service to help us encounter God’s Kingdom in our own vulnerability and in the world’s. All are welcome to this creative Advent service.
Tuesday nights in Advent
Prayers for peace 5:45 to 6pm after Evensong. A time of quiet focused prayer seeking peace in the world and in our hearts.
Friday, Dec. 11th 5:15
Evening Prayer for Climate Justice on the last day of COP21, followed by a time of silent public witness on the forecourt.
Sunday, Dec 13 at 7 pm.
Movie and Egg Nog night hosted by the reading group. Speak to Jane, Donna or Ann to get the address. New members of the group are always welcome.
An invitation from our Roman catholic neighbours
The Congrégation de Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours is inviting Cathedral members to a Bilingual Ecumenical Hour of Prayer for peace in the world in the chapel of Notre-Dame-de- Bon-Secours on December 9th, 2015 at 7:30. The chapel is in Old Montreal, 400 Rue St- Paul Est. Champ de Mars metro.
Calling all artists – time to “see red”!
The cathedral’s participation in Nuit blanche, February 27, 2016, will include an art show curated by Natasha Henderson. She is calling for submissions of ready to hang photographs and pictures in various media, possibly including small pieces of 3 dimensional art. As inspiration, the theme of Nuit blanche this year is “red”. Please make your submission by the end of January, if possible by email, including information about size, medium and mounting, with a photograph of the piece attached. Send enquiries and submissions tonatashahendersonart@gmail.com
The cathedral’s refugee project is going ahead by leaps and bounds. The committee has received some very generous donations, including $10 000 from the Social service Society and $10 000 from an anonymous donor. Jan and Janet organized a very successful silent auction at the Parish Supper last Saturday and more money came in from the Fair Trade Boutique and bake sale on Sunday. The committee is getting close to achieving their target of $28,000 which will allow them to support one family for a year. A huge thank you to all the people who organized, donated and bought at the events of last weekend. More details in the next newsletter.
Meanwhile, you might like to look at this link to Popular Refugee Books which has a great list of novels, autobiographies and non-fiction works giving a vivid idea of what it’s like to be a refugee.
Wishing you time to read, to listen to music and to pray in spite of all the busy-ness of this season
Ann Elbourne