The community bond – Concert De Profundis – Oasis concert, pianist Elisabeth Pion – parish supper – Lunch ‘n Chat – Remembrance Day ceremonies – All Saints, All Souls masses – Requiem mass 4 pm Nov 12 remembering our loved ones – dealing with grief, a touching letter – Stir Up Sunday – Social Service Society—info  re last Sunday lunch and annual meeting – Reading Group – Quiet Day – Organists – Pastel by Beth Adams chosen for exhibition—PS  come to church on Sunday to hear who our new dean will be.

Dear Friend of the Cathedral

As this lovely fall begins its inevitable slide into winter, let’s think today about the ways we bond as a community, joined by our faith but also by many common interests and our affection for each other.

Here are a few of the activities which will bring us together in enjoyment or service during the next few weeks.

On November 10, our choir will be presenting its annual fundraising concert. This year’s programme, titled De Profundis: Music for Troubled Times, will offer a musical meditation on our own times, through the works of composers who have tried, throughout history, to express dark moments of uncertainty and anguish, and also the brilliant flashes of hope that mark the human condition. In preparation this Sunday, October 29, after the 10:00 service, Patrick Wedd, Beth Adams, and the music committee will offer a short talk giving us more insight into the works on the concert programme. Do try to attend the concert and do read the very interesting and important letter to the congregation from the music committee.

Oasis Musicale hosts a concert every Saturday at 4:30. This week pianist Elisabeth Pion will be performing works by Schumann, Schubert and Ravel.

You and your friends are invited to the Parish Supper Nov. 18, 6pm. to share delicious food and warm, fellowship. Vegetarian choices will be available. $10 per person, cash bar. Talk to Natasha Henderson if you are interested in helping, or to reserve your ticket.

A smaller group will be meeting for a pot luck lunch on November 7, part of the regular Lunch ‘n Chat series. The theme of the get-together will be Remembrance.

November 11 is of course Remembrance Day. We will do our remembering of the young men and women, brave, often frightened, sometimes heroic, who suffered the horrors of war for the sake of our country. War is a terrible thing, so we should pray with all our hearts for peace in the world. Christ Church Cathedral is the regimental church of the Canadian Grenadier Guards. They will join us on Sunday November 12th at the sung Eucharist at 10 am to mark Remembrance Day. The service is about individual sacrifice. It does not glorify or condone war, but it does offer the young guards spiritual support from our community and I personally find it very moving.

Most of the children I know – and many of the adults – are joyfully anticipating the fun of Halloween. However, some of us find it a difficult day overshadowed by memories of our loved ones. Some special church services offer comfort. The noon Eucharist in the cathedral on Wednesday, November 1 will celebrate all Saints with a sung mass by Victoria, and the Eucharist the following day will honour All Souls with a requiem mass. There will also be an All Souls Requiem Mass at 4pm on Sunday evening, November 12. During the service there will be a time of remembrance and prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed.  If you would like a loved one commemorated by name, please write the name on the sheet at the back of the church on Sunday or contact the office. Here is a moving short article about grief written by G Snow, an elderly man responding from his experience to someone asking how to handle their grief.

But back to having fun as a community – The annual stir-up of Christmas cakes will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19th in the Undercroft after the 10 am service. Cost approx. $35 for the ingredients to make 3 to 4 cakes (recipe supplied). Bring your mixing bowls and utensils. Novices welcome. Sign up by Nov. 12th; contact . It’s a great time-saver having the ingredients supplied, and I can promise that the resulting cakes will be rich and delicious.

While on the topic of food, a warm thank you to George Deare, Barbara Smith and their helpers who provided the refreshments before the Vestry meeting last Sunday. In addition to updates on our budget and on the construction project, it featured a look at the new blog on the Cathedral website, where you can read weekly stories about the life of this place and progress on construction and fundraising for the spire. You can also subscribe to receive these weekly updates in English and/or on French.

If you weren’t there, you might have missed the exciting news that the name of our new Dean will be revealed in church this Sunday.

The Social Service Society will be serving the usual end-of-the-month lunch on Sunday. This month the cost has been donated by Selwyn House School. Some of their students will be there to help. Volunteers from the congregation will be welcomed.

The Social Service Society will meet on Sunday, November 5, after the 10 am service: a light lunch will be served. They will be discussing Christmas food vouchers, present and future projects of the SSS, refugees, and the financial situation. All are welcome.

With all this activity going on it’s important to have time for reflection:

The Cathedral Reading Group will meet to discuss The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck on Nov 19. I hope lots of people will stir up cakes in the morning and enjoy a couple of cosy hours talking about books in the evening. It goes without saying that all are welcome.

Episkopé is planning a quiet day on Dec 2. Coming on the eve of Advent (a season of preparation), the theme is: GODLY WORK: What Are We Waiting For? Details available next week; space is limited, so please let the office, or Vivian Lewin, or Jen Bourque, know if you are interested in attending.

There will be a new bible study series after the 10 am service, starting mid-November, led by Frank Diké.

I have to offer a mea culpa to Patrick Wedd. When I announced his retirement in the newsletter last week I said he had been at the Cathedral for almost two decades. In fact he has been our Music Director for 22 years!

Last week we wrote that Assistant Organist Nicholas Capozzoli had reached the finals of the International Organ competition being held in Montreal. We are very proud that he won third place in a very competitive field. Congratulations Nick!

Finally some lovely news from Beth Adams, artist, writer and member of the Cathedral choir. She is showing one of her pastels in the annual international juried exhibition, “Les Pastellistes 2017” organised by the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada.  You can find more details here. Beth says the gallery is just west and across from Basilica Notre-Dame. There are special events every day.

With best wishes

Ann Elbourne

If you want to receive this newsletter earlier (by email) and with it various additions (Forum minutes and reports; posters, photos; etc.) simply send your coordinates to the Cathedral office.