Who do we appreciate? Patrick! Read all the ways you can participate – why the new music fund is important – other happenings, particularly lots going on this Sunday – Cathedral the only member of Quebec Fair Trade Association
Dear Friend of the Cathedral
Salutations to our wonderful Director of Music, Patrick Wedd, as he enters the last month of his distinguished twenty-two years at the Cathedral. If you possibly can, try to be at his final organ recital at 4:30 on Saturday in the Oasis Musicale series of six Bach organ concerts. His first piece will be the Prelude and Fugue in G – BWV 541. You can find the rest of the programme on the Cathedral web site, along with details about the exciting celebrations of Patrick’s ministry to be held on June 16th and 17th.
The 
music committee is urging us all to participate in this jamboree:
1) Not only come to the June events but also invite your friends! Invite them on Facebook or by email, in person, etc. — pick up some flyers at the back of the church on Sunday. If you have any media friends, forward them the press release!
2) We invite all former singers to join us. Contact Yevgeniya Amis (yevgeniya_amis@yahoo.com, subject line: Stravinsky) if you haven’t done that yet.
3) It is possible to buy ads in the programme or write a few farewell words to Patrick (the prices for all are very reasonable. Here is the form with details. Deadline June 8
4) All CCC groups/programs can have a quarter page free in the program to present their activities. Here’s the information about that.
5) The committee is collecting money both for Patrick’s retirement gift and as a donation to the newly established Patrick Wedd Music Fund. It is possible to donate by e transfer – the most cost-effective way of giving. Send your donation to cathbooks@bellnet.ca and choose a really obvious security question or phone Elizabeth Shama at 514-843-6577, local 241. Make it clear whether you are donating to the gift for Patrick or to the music fund.
It is also possible to donate online: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/5518 In the message line include Patrick Wedd Music Fund or Patrick Wedd gift, (but note Canada Helps keeps 3.5% of donations made through its site.)
Our bookkeeper adds : Please include your complete address with your donation to the music fund if you want a tax receipt.
The music committee sends many thanks to all those who have already generously given!
I hope you will all read the letter about the music fund written by Beth Adams. She writes in part, “Today, the preservation of Christianity’s vast liturgical music tradition rests largely with cathedrals, and especially those of the Anglican Church. At Christ Church Cathedral we are part of this priceless living tradition, committed to maintaining and expanding the musical legacy … Because there are no grants in Quebec or Canada for liturgical music, we must rely on the generosity of individuals to continue this ministry.”
Believe it or not, there are other things of note happening in and around the Cathedral!
This Sunday you will have a chance to join a group of summer readers, choosing between 4 terrific books recommended by members of Episkopé. Links to descriptions were posted in last week’s Newsletter and you can also find more information and signup sheets on Sunday Morning in the baptistry. It is suggested someone in each group volunteers to host a meal at which the book will be discussed later in the summer.
Before you choose your book, there is an important (but short) Vestry meeting to receive financial statements for 2017 and get an update on the Major Fundraising Campaign.
In the afternoon, Pain partage et prière, the French bible study group will meet at 2 pm in the Hollis Lounge.
Another wonderful Evensong service is scheduled for 4 pm.
Sunday evening Bishop Mary will celebrate at the 6 pm informal bi-lingual mass and preside over baptisms and confirmations. Zack Ingles will lead contemporary praise music and Jean-Daniel will preach.
Later in the week, on Tuesday, the Lunch n Chat group will meet in the Hollis lounge for a potluck lunch. Janet King is the organiser.
The Cathedral is the only church which is a member of the Quebec Fair Trade Association which held its Annual General Meeting last week. Lisa Middlemiss who attended as our representative reports that Fair Trade initiatives are increasing across Quebec. The Association has created a new website Choisir Équitable which is a good resource to find fair trade products.
Thank you to all the people who contributed to this week’s letter and set us interesting challenges.
In all our busy – ness let’s not forget to pray for God’s loving grace, perhaps using the words of Cranmer’s collect for this Sunday –
O God, the strength of them that put their trust in thee;
Mercifully accept our prayers;
and because through the weakness of our mortal nature
we can do no good thing without thee,
grant us the help of thy grace.
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 cath_communication@bellnet.ca and Parish Administrator Elizabeth Shama cathoff@bellnet.ca.
MORE WAYS TO KEEP IN TOUCH
Subscribe to the Cathedral’s regular capital campaign blog, RISING UP, edited by Hélène Montpetit, a super variety of photo- and video- essays on the life of this place.
Souscrire à l’edition français VISER HAUT!
Subscribe to our diocese’s e-newsletter, published every two weeks.
LIKE the Cathedral’s Facebook page and if you want to spread the word, comment on posts and share them.