ESJAG invitation to potluck supper, reflection on last weekend’s celebration for Patrick, links to photos, two visiting Cambridge choirs, Synod, Cathedral support for Bishop’s Blessings with herbs, baked goods and prayers, Pride Mass August 12, Summer reading suggested by Book Group and Episkopé, pray for children
Dear Friend of the Cathedral,
Are you interested in ecological and social justice? If so, the Cathedral’s Environmental and Social Justice Action Group (ESJAG) invites you to a potluck supper on Wednesday, June 27 at 6:30 pm in Hollis Lounge, 2nd floor, 1444 Union. During supper we’ll have a brief overview of ESJAG’s past and discuss possibilities for the future. Then anyone interested in planning can stay on to organize the calendar of events along with the lead person. If you are hoping to come, please speak with Ann Elbourne ( ) or Jan Jorgensen ( ). We’d also like to hear from you if you are interested but unable to attend the supper on the 27th.
Last weekend we were able to celebrate Patrick Wedd’s ministry to music and worship in the Cathedral and wish him happiness in his retirement. That the events were such a success is due to a small group of people who worked very hard to organise the concert, the liturgies and the reception. We are very grateful to all of you. During the reception Yevgeniya presented Patrick with a beautiful photo book. You can now look at the photo album for Patrick and Rob online with no risk of spilling champagne on the pictures or dropping blobs of strawberry shortcake! Yevgeniya has also created a FB album from the photos taken by Janet Best at the retirement party in Fulford Hall (and obtained her permission to use on social media and share them, so long as she is credited). Here is the link.
Although we honoured Patrick last weekend, he doesn’t actually retire until after this coming Sunday, June 24, so you have one more chance to worship with him and the choir at the morning services and Evensong. The Music Committee will soon be in full throttle looking for our next Music Director. Meanwhile, our Assistant Organists, Nick Capolozzoli and Rob Hamilton, will be in charge of music for the Sunday services. They are feeling energised by the challenge.
Two English choirs from Cambridge University will be visiting the Cathedral at the beginning of July. Please come and support them if you possibly can.
The Choir of Christ’s College Cambridge (UK) kick off their tour of Canadian cities with a special choral evensong service at Christ Church Cathedral on Monday July 2 at 4pm with music by Kenneth Leighton and Benjamin Britten. You can also hear them in concert on Tuesday July 3 at 7pm down the street at St. James United Church. Buy concert tickets from LaVitrine for $25 and up. Evensong is free, though donations are welcomed..
See the attached poster and send it to friends who might be interested.
The Downing College, Chapel Choir, also from Cambridge University will sing Evensong on Sunday evening, July 8
Last weekend was particularly busy for those people attending the Diocesan Synod. You can read about it in the current diocesan newsletter. Nicki Hronjak writes:
Truth & Reconciliation: Our Community in Action took place on June 14th – 16th at St Jax. Highlights included a very emotional Blanket Exercise as well as an eye-opening presentation from Dr Martin Brokenleg. Look for detailed coverage of Synod in the September issue of the Anglican Montreal. For Bishop Mary’s Charge to Synod, click here.
Bishop Mary will be travelling to our companion diocese, Masasi in Tanzania later this month, taking with her prayers and gifts from the diocese. Jan Jorgensen is organising two events to raise money for The Bishop’s Blessings Beyond the Diocese Fund. She writes:
This Sunday (June 24) after the 10 am service herb seedlings will be offered to those who make a donation of $5 or more. Seed packets will be given in thanks for donations of $2 – $4.
Sunday July 1. Homemade baked goods will be on sale – proceeds to benefit the Bishop’s fund as well. *If you would like to contribute baked goods, please contact Jan at
We are still collecting prayers to be shared with our sisters and brothers in Tanzania. You may leave them in a basket at either of these two events. Thank you.
Make a note of a special August event, the Pride Mass on August 12 at 6 pm, always a moving and healing service of outreach and reconciliation.
The Cathedral Reading Group’s summer book will be Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. It’s available in libraries and in paperback. We will meet on September 16 to talk about this book and other books we have enjoyed. If you want to know more about the novel take a look at the NYT review by Jonathan Mahler.
Members of the Reading group will also be reading the books suggested by Episkopé for our summer enjoyment and edification. Look for the sign-up sheets in the baptistery on Sunday.
With all these reading opportunities on offer you might be relieved to know that the newsletter will not be appearing every week during the summer! However, did you know that even six minutes of reading can be enough to reduce your stress levels by more than two thirds, according to new research reported on in England’s Daily Telegraph in 2009.
Happy reading! Happy vacation time!
Let us pray for God’s blessing on all children as the school year ends and families spend time together. Let us also pray for all immigrant children, particularly those who have been separated from their families, and pray too for the family from Syria that immigrated here last week through the cathedral’s sponsorship.
Ann Elbourne
To receive this Newsletter earlier by email, and with it, additions like the Forum agenda, financial updates, minutes and reports, posters, photos, etc., simply send your coordinates to the Cathedral office… the failsafe method is to email both Newsletter author and parish volunteer Ann Elbourne and Parish Administrator Elizabeth Shama .
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