Exciting Advent Sunday with confirmation, Guest preacher the Bishop of Zululand, Advent Carol Service, Advent resources, Ongoing Bible study, Flowers for Christmas, Our crèche and the Oratory crèches, Invitation to a Christmas market from St John’s Lutheran Church, Hymnbook repairs, Eleanor Porter 105^th birthday, Coming events including Amnesty letter-writing on international Human Rights Day , Sing-Along Messiah, and notices re pageant from Jean-Daniel Williams, re pick-up choir from Patrick Wedd

Dear Friend of the Cathedral

This Sunday, the First Sunday in Advent, will be special for several reasons. Our bishop, the Right Rev’d Mary Irwin-Gibson, will preside at the 10 am Choral Eucharist and confirm two members of our congregation, Amanda Van Oort and Elizabeth Rampersad. [By the time you see this on the web you can find photos here from this wonderful occasion]. The special guest preacher will be the Right Rev’d Monument Makhanya, Bishop of Zululand. His wife Sizakele will be in the congregation. Monument originally met Mary in a line at Heathrow Airport when they were both attending Bishop’s school in England. He greeted her by name as their lines passed each other. “How did you know me?” asked Mary. “I watched your consecration on the web,” he replied. Apparently, he was to be consecrated soon after Mary and wanted to gather some ideas for his own liturgy. We look forward to welcoming them both to the cathedral on Sunday. http://www.zululanddiocese.co.za/images/RevMonumentnew.jpg

The second reason why Sunday is special is, of course, the Advent Carol Service at 4 pm, when words and music thrill the congregation in anticipation of Christ’s coming. If you can’t be at the service, do listen on 91.3 FM (Radio Ville Marie) and download the bulletin from the web so that you relish the beautiful words of the carols and readings.

Advent is this week’s—and this month’s—spiritual practice. Vivian has posted a few Advent resources online including links to the world’s first crowd-sourced global Advent Calendar, #AdventWord (daily short meditations in English, français, espagnol.)

There will be a Bible study after the 10 am service the first three Sundays in Advent. Last Sunday’s “Feeding on the Word” Bible Study led by Frank Diké was thoughtful and well attended. The series continues this Sunday, led by Peter Huish, and next Sunday, led by Jane Aitkens. Peter will ask us to reflect on the Gospel, Mark 13:24-37.   Here, too, are some notes from Jane so you can prepare for the discussion on December 10.

Thinking past Advent Sunday ….The church always looks lovely at Christmas with tree lights, candles, a crèche and flowers. Rob Wells is starting to collect the names of people who would like to make a donation towards Christmas flowers. If you are giving flowers as a memorial, please also give him the name of the person being remembered. The figurines for the crèche have been restored by Amy German and were on display at coffee hour last week. A model of a UNHCR refugee tent, first used two years ago, will represent the stable. Look for it after the third Sunday in Advent.

If you are fascinated by the variety of ways in which the nativity scene can be represented you can discover a hundred nativity scenes from all five continents at the Oratory Museum’s exhibition A World in a Crèche.

Another ecumenical opportunity to share a tradition comes with an invitation from St John’s Lutheran Church sent to us by Joel and Yevgeniya Amis: The church will host a traditional German Christmas Market with handcrafts between 12:00 and 4:00. The entrance is free but for $12 you can enjoy a meal which includes gluhwein. They will have a concert at 2:00, but Yevgeniya stresses that all CCC folks have to come back for Patrick’s last Lessons and Carols that the choir is working so hard to perfect.

You might have noticed that some of our hymn books are getting shabby. Rosemary Cass-Beggs is gradually adding plastic covers and restoring battered books. Thank you.

Some of you will remember Eleanor Porter who was a very active member of our congregation until she moved to Toronto to be near her sister. Michele Martel called the office on Tuesday telling us that Eleanor has just celebrated her 105^th birthday. This picture was taken during the celebrations at her retirement home. Her eyesight and hearing are failing and she has broken both hips and an arm since her 100^th birthday, but her mind is as clear as ever and apparently she is still very active. Happy birthday Eleanor from all your friends at the Cathedral

Coming Events

1. Tuesday, December 5: Potluck Lunch ‘n Chat, noon till 1.30 All welcome, freewill donation if you cannot bring food to share. Hollis Lounge.
2. Wednesday, December 6. Hungry Minds:  Our Cathedral young adult group gathers for Bible study, meals, and social and service events on Wednesdays at 6 pm in the Undercroft. To learn more talk to Rev. Jean-Daniel or by email
3. Saturday, December 9, 4:30 pm Sing-along Messiah. Add your voice to many other community singers, with musicians and professional soloists, all under the direction of Patrick Wedd. Come early and bring your own score if you can – there’s usually quite a crowd of participants and available scores are limited
4. Sunday, December 10: International Human Rights Day Brenda Linn writes “After the ten o’clock service please bring your coffee to the letter-writing table to participate in Amnesty International’s massive international Write for Rights campaign. Every year, this campaign leads to the liberation of prisoners of conscience throughout the world. They need our support more than most of us can possibly imagine.  This action is at the heart of the message of Advent.  Consider inviting a friend to join us that Sunday. You can also send your message online:  / en français.
5. Dimanche le 10 decembre. At 2 pm. Pain, partage et prière The French Bible study and prayer group will meet in the Hollis Lounge.
6. Sunday, December 10 at 6 pm La Cathédrale, le soir –A bilingual Communion service with contemporary praise music.
7. Sunday, December 17 at 4 pm, Music and Readings for Christmas
8. Sunday, Dec 17 at 7:30 pm. The Cathedral Book Group will meet for its annual movie and eggnog night. Speak to Jane Aitkens or email if you’re interested in being there.

Still some way off …. but important: two notices about Christmas preparations

Jean-Daniel writes “the family service will take place at 4 pm on Christmas Eve – Families with children wishing to be in the pageant, please email The Rev. Jean-Daniel: 

Patrick Wedd adds “A pick-up choir for the Pageant will rehearse on Christmas Eve at 3 pm. Please email Patrick Wedd if you are interested.”

Last Sunday many people signed letters supporting Yevgeniya in her attempt to bring her mother to Canada. If you haven’t yet had a chance to sign this letter, you can print it out and sign it now. Either bring the letter to church on Sunday or mail it to the address at the top of the letter.

Advent blessings to you all

Ann Elbourne

PS Don’t forget to look at the blog Rising Up which is edited by the Capital Campaign team. This week Boris Brott talks about the Cathedral’s organ. https://campaign.montrealcathedral.ca/2017/11/28/cathedral-organ-one-finest-city-says-boris-brott/