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CAROL

SINGING

p. 8

CHRISTMAS

SERVICES

p. 5

CHRISTMAS

WISHES

p. 10

4 PETER’S PERSPECTIVE

Joy-filled

6 A CHRISTMAS SONG FOR PEACE

God reaches out

13 WARDEN’S WORLD

Narrative Budget

14 FROM THE ARCHIVES

The 1952 Pageant

18 CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES

Cheyanne Thompson

Fraser Passmore

Willow Braun-Jackson

22 A VISIT TO THE MOSQUE

Educational & fun

24 3...2...1...CONTACT

Stephanie MacLeod

Paul Racher

27 FINANCIAL UPDATE

28 FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

A tale of two cathedrals

30 LITANY OF RECONCILIATION

IN THIS

ISSUE

3

FROM THE EDITOR

As I write this I am sitting in my kitchen look-

ing out on a snowy night surrounded by bins of

Christmas decorations. Each year we take out

the same decorations that have been a part of

our Christmas since the kids were small. We try

something new from time to time but return year

after year to the ornaments and decorations we

have collected, the ones the kids have made and

that have special memories attached. We really

are traditionalists when it comes to Christmas.

No matter how hectic the season we can rely on

some touchstones — peanut butter balls, Eggs

Benedict Christmas morning, a tangerine in the

toe of the stockings and my grandmother’s na-

tivity set.

I was the lucky recipient of this beautiful porce-

lain set handed down from my mother. It is

Italian and reminiscent of a Giotto painting.

The figures are fragile and require a delicate

touch. In spite of our best intentions the camel

has had a broken leg repaired several times but

everyone treats it with the utmost care. Each

piece is placed with great thought about the rela-

tionship between the participants in the scene.

They all have their spot—don’t even think of

putting the donkey on the other side! The wise

men are hidden away on top of the plate rail

waiting for their part in the drama. The placing

of the last figure is always my privilege—

hanging the angel from the nail at the top of the

stable where she looks out over the scene.

As I complete this task, I have a moment of

peace and I am reminded of Luke’s gospel:

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you

good tidings of great joy

It is so easy at this time of year to be afraid;

afraid there’s not enough time to get everything

done; afraid there won’t be enough to go

around; afraid there’s too much; afraid of the

pain memories can bring; afraid that you will

have forgotten what it’s all for.

Perhaps Advent would be a better time to give

up things instead of Lent. Fear is crippling. We

could give that up along with all the other things

that keep us from the simple message of the an-

gel. Easier said than done I know but my wish

for you this Christmas is that you have your own

“angel moment”.

Our Christmas issue of Contact has lots to en-

gage you: Christmas wishes and favourite reci-

pes, carols and Christmases past and is only pos-

sible through the kindness of our contributors.

As the year draws to a close Paula and I would

like to thank everyone who has responded to our

requests (pleas) for articles for Contact over this

past year. You make it happen!

To you all, a very happy Christmas and every

good wish for 2017.

ANGELS

by Anne Harvey

Return to Table of Contents

4

JOY-FILLED

In spite of challenges

by Peter Wall †

PETER’S PERSPECTIVE

The wolf shall live with the lamb,

the leopard shall lie down with the kid,

the calf and the lion and the fatling together,

and a little child shall lead them…

They will not hurt or destroy

on all my holy mountain

For the earth will be full of the

knowledge of the Lord… (Is. 11)

The prophecies of Isaiah form a special part of

the messages of Advent. Peace and justice,

abundance and joy. This Advent it may seem

harder than in some other years to find those

things around us, and yet we know that they are

there. Horror stories from Aleppo, too many

Indigenous communities in our own country

suffering from difficult and indefensible condi-

tions, seemingly unsolvable conflicts in too

many places, and the fear of a strange new lead-

ership in our biggest neighbour. Christmas of-

ten seems to insert itself into a world that cannot

possibly receive it; cannot in any way change

enough to welcome in the Prince of Peace, can-

not adapt itself to new ways of thinking and be-

ing. And yet, that is precisely what Christmas

does, and it is what Advent nudges us to prepare

ourselves for.

Advent does provide us, in symbol and story,

with great promise and great hope. Its messages

remind us to open our hearts, to prepare a room,

to ready the world for a King. We are bidden to

count our blessings – perhaps a quaint and old-

fashioned idea, but a good one nonetheless. It

invites us to take stock – to look around and to

see how this old world we live in can be a better

place. It calls us through hymns and readings

through family gatherings, through beloved

Christmas stories, legends and mysteries, to see

things around us anew.

As we come to another Christmas, through an-

other bright and shining Advent, we cannot

help, in this congregation, in this city, in this

country to acknowledge how fortunate and

blessed we are. While there is always so much

to do, so much yet to accomplish and to learn

and to struggle through, think for a moment

about how much we do and have done, how

much we love and are loved, how joy-filled we

are, or at least, can be.

Here in the Cathedral community, we have so

much for which to be thankful and through

which to see good. From our inspiring worship

to our assiduous reaching out to those around

us; from deeply committed and hard working

volunteers to a talented staff which is second to

none. From music which transfigures us to hos-

pitality which enlivens us, we have so much in

our ministries to sustain and invigorate us.

While much around us seems, at times, in disar-

ray, we are part, along with the Diocese, of so

many rich and innovative ways of serving God’s

world – the Jamesville Children’s Centre,

HARRRP, St, Matthew’s House, the Downstairs

Kitchen, the North Hamilton Breakfast Club, (Continued on page 5)

5

The Bridge, The Social Planning and Research

Council, our work of the Poverty Roundtable with

HOPE, our hosting of NA, combined with the ac-

tive part we play in justice related matters – Liv-

ing Wage, Refugee Re-Settlement, Out of the

Cold, our own Litany of Reconciliation on Fri-

days – all things which demand our best and of

which we are so justly proud, and humbled!

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem marked the beginning

of a startling, grace-filled, challenged and chal-

lenging adventure called the Church. What an

exciting adventure for us, the followers of Jesus,

to be part of this uplifting and wonder filled life!

On behalf of us all here, may Christmas be happy

and warm; may you be thrilled yet again to hear

the story and participate in the drama. May fami-

ly gatherings be peaceful and joyous; may travel-

ing be safe and exciting. May 2017 find us still in

awe and wonder at all God has done and is doing

in and through us!

A blessed season to all!

Finding the Books

Rather than an Easter egg hunt at Easter, I would

like to invite you to a ‘book hunt’ at Christmas.

During the course of the year, our copies of Bi-

bles, BAS, Common Praise, etc. get spread out all

over the building. This is a good thing, but, once

a year, we should try to get them all together

again! So, come and join me, if you wish, on

Tuesday, 27 December at about 11:30 a.m. and

we’ll troll the place for books! Shouldn’t take

long – might even be fun!

Peter

(Continued from page 4)

CHRISTMAS EVE

December 24

4:30 p.m. Family Eucharist

& Créche Blessing

Storyteller: The Reverend Canon J. Lefebvre

9:30 p.m. Congregational Carols with Organ

Animator: Michael Bloss

10:00 p.m. Procession & Choral Eucharist

Presider: The Very Reverend Peter Wall

Preacher: The Right Reverend Michael Bird

CHRISTMAS DAY

December 25

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Hymns


Preacher: The Rev. Canon Dr. Sharyn Hall

THE NAMING OF JESUS

January 1, 2017

10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Hymns


Preacher: The Right Reverend Ralph Spence

EPIPHANY LESSONS & CAROLS

January 8

4:00 Organ Recital

4:30 Carol Service

CHRISTMAS SERVICES


6

GOD REACHES OUT

To offer peace

by Sharyn Hall†

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy,

Do you hear what I hear?

Ringing through the sky, shepherd boy,


A song, a song, high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea.

With a voice as big as the sea.

This popular Christmas song is over 50 years

old. In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis,

Noel Regney and Gloria Baker created this song

as hope for peace. The song returned to my

thoughts in recent weeks because the death of

Fidel Castro brought back memories of that cri-

sis and the threat of nuclear war in North Ameri-

ca.

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a 13-day political

and military confrontation between the leaders

of the United States and the Soviet Union. The

confrontation erupted on October 14 and lasted

until October 28. The Soviet Union had in-

stalled nuclear-armed missiles on Cuba, 90

miles from the coast of the United States. Presi-

dent John Kennedy threatened to attack Cuba if

the missiles were not removed. Many people

feared the world was on the brink of nuclear

war. Disaster was avoided when President Ken-

nedy agreed to the offer from Soviet leader

Khrushchev to remove the Cuban missiles in

exchange for a United States’ promise not to

invade Cuba. It was a dangerous and very anx-

ious time.

This song does not appear to be ‘political’ be-

cause the lyrics are similar to the gospel stories

of the birth of Jesus. The lyrics describe how

news of the Christ Child began in the natural

world with the night wind speaking to the little

lamb. The lamb tells the humble shepherd boy,

who in turn tells the mighty king. In the gospel

accounts, the first creatures to witness the birth

of Jesus are the animals in the stable. Then the

angels announce the birth of God’s Son to shep-

herds on a hillside. Later, the unusual star leads

magi or kings to pay homage to the infant in

Bethlehem.

In the song, the Child becomes a symbol for

peace. The mighty king tells everyone to pray

for peace and the Child will bring goodness and

light to the world. Fifty years later, we too need

to pray for peace. We still fear the threat of nu-

clear warfare. We still know that innocent peo-

ple are dying because of wars, civil unrest and

persecution. Violent aggression occurs between

nations and within nations, among communities

and within homes. Peace would be a blessing

for all people, and especially for children, who

are most vulnerable to poverty, exploitation and

violence.

Children are the centre of Christmas and we

want to make them happy. They are the centre

of Christmas because the story of Christmas is

about a Child. The Child brings goodness and

light into our world, which too often is dark and

(Continued on page 7)

A CHRISTMAS SONG FOR PEACE

7

frightening. The Child brings hope for peace,

which the world alone cannot give, peace

among nations, races, religions, neighbours and

families. Despite all our human frailties and

failures, God reaches out to offer peace to all

humanity in the miracle of the divine Child.

Said the king to the people everywhere

Listen to what I say

Pray for peace, people everywhere!

Listen to what I say

The Child, the Child, sleeping in the

night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light


May the wonder of the story bring you peace

and joy!

Passages

Baptisms

Sakara-Renee Melinda Brewster

Marigold Maude Pearl Johnston

November 6, 2016

Congratulations!

To our Order of Niagara recipients.

October 2016

Photos © Alexander Darling


ORDER OF NIAGARA

Anne-Louise Watts

John Bradley


8

INSPIRATION

And great fun

by Michael Bloss

Carol singing is a tradition which anyone can

agree is a central element of the Christmas sea-

son. While we usually associate carols with

Christmas, carols have also been written for oth-

er times throughout the year including Harvest,

Lent, and Easter to name a few. Still, carols

have represented the full spectrum from nostal-

gia to liturgical embellishment and serve as a

link to the story of Christ’s birth and the multi-

tude of characters found there.

Singing carols can be great fun and for many

Christmas isn’t Christmas without doing so.

But, as Gordon Giles points out, “Christmas is

not about carols: carols are about Christmas!”

As we proceed through Advent into Christmas,

many of the hymns we sing are, in fact, carols.

We devote time before the Christmas Eve litur-

gy to enjoy carol singing in community and the

Lessons and Carols service on Epiphany Sunday

is powered by carols as well. As with any well-

conceived carol, the music says something to us

about the text and the text helps us understand

what is going on musically.

The word carol is derived from the Old French

word carole, a circle dance accompanied by

singers and players of reed instruments and

flutes (from the Latin choraula). The French

version of a carol is named Noël from which we

get the tune Noel Nouvelet. Carols were very

popular as dance songs from the 1150s to the

1350s, after which their use expanded as proces-

sional songs sung during festivals, while others

were written to accompany religious mystery

plays (such as the Coventry Carol, written be-

fore 1534). The Mystery plays often took place

in the great cathedral squares and dramatized

through pageantry the major faith narratives. It

gave the crowds an opportunity to participate in

and thereby understand what within the cathe-

dral was curated by priestly choreography and in

Latin.

The Protestant Reformation encouraged reform-

ers to extol the belief that carols were for every-

one to sing, and aimed at bringing music "back

to the people". To enable the common person to

sing church music, great efforts were made to

translate musical texts from Latin into the native

languages that people spoke. Some famous car-

ols were written in this period, and they were

more strongly revived from the nineteenth cen-

tury and began to be written and adapted by em-

inent composers. The first collection of carols

appeared as The Oxford Book of Carols.

This still stands as the most important and com-

plete collection of carols. The editors were none

other than Ralph Vaughan Williams and Pearcy

Dearmer who were responsible for the creation

of The English Hymnal. You will often see the-

se names (as well as translators Catherine Wink-

worth, and James Neale) in our hymnal under

text authorship (the fine print at the bottom!).

In addition to these individual sung examples,

composers have written complete works around

carols. The most popular tradition of this is the

Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten for

harp and women’s chorus. Ralph Vaughan Wil-

liams also wrote a lengthy work completely

based on Christmas carols in his Fantasia on


CAROL SINGING

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_French

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_dance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_play

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_play

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Carol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_Reformation

9

Christmas Carols. With its fully orchestrated

and large choral inspiration, the Fantasia inspired

other modern composers such as Robert Shaw to

arrange similar medleys.

Throughout this season, listen for those carols

which dance. Examples include People Look

East, Shepherds in the Field Abiding and Good

Christian Friends, Rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo).

Notice how the text tells a story and how the mu-

sic paints the story in melodic contour and rhyth-

mic interest. In this way what we sing can pro-

vide inspiration, hope, solace, and encourage-

ment as we await the coming of the Saviour.


BISHOP’S COMPANY

Enjoying a night out

at the

Bishop’s Company

Dinner

October 27, 2016

Michelangelo’s


10

This Christmas the Editors asked the question “What is

your Christmas wish?”

Here are the responses from some Cathedralites:

When I first received the email request from Paula for “My Christmas Wish!” I thought to

myself, I just wish everyone could get along, celebrate the differences and embrace the op-

portunities to learn from each other! I also thought you can’t write that! People will think

you are crazy! Such a silly wish!

Then I remembered one of my favourite Christmas ‘songs’ (not my favourite carol, maybe

that will be next year’s request from the editors of Contact). It is on a CD by Barbra Streisand that gets

regular play time in my house every year . I know there are others that sing it but Barbra’s rendition hap-

pens to be my favourite. The song is called My Grown-Up Christmas List and in part it says: “So here’s

my lifelong wish, my grown-up Christmas list, not for myself, but for a world in need, no more lives torn

apart, that wars would never start, and time would heal our hearts, everyone would have a friend, that

right would always win, and love would never end.”

I hope Amelia Grace Racher, one of our angel artists, won’t mind if I quote from her artist statement,

‘people can choose to be nice and caring and loving’. May my Christmas wish come true for you.

by Alison Meredith

Peace on earth and goodwill towards all! That may sound like a cliché that we say at this

time of year but that is truly my wish.

Peace on earth means many things. An end to war and violence, enough food and water for

all, shelter and clothing, and that everyone has all the necessities of life. While I know the-

se things are difficult to bring to fruition, I hope and pray for them fervently nonetheless.

Peace on earth also means security and joy and well-being in one’s own life. That is also a very difficult

thing to attain, especially for many of us, myself included, who are facing trials and tribulations that

seem insurmountable.

But the gift that God gave us at Christmas, the Joy to the World, the Prince of Peace, the Saviour of us

all, is something that I know I will be clinging to in the certitude that things will indeed get better and

there can indeed be peace of soul!


CHRISTMAS WISHES


11

Peace is also experienced by us in those who are important in our lives. You know the ones in your own

life, as certainly in mine, who love you unconditionally, who grieve and feel sad when you grieve and

feel sad, and who laugh when you laugh. This is what the gift of peace truly means to me - - the love of

God given to us once and for all. A love so deep and limitless and so very available from God if we but

ask for it. It is a love that is beyond description and comprehension but one that I know that I feel and

pray for it to surround and engulf me.

May the Prince of Peace fill your hearts now and always! Peace on earth and goodwill towards all of

you!

by J. Lefebvre

There are Christmas wishes that are urgent and universal: the end of violence, poverty,

suffering, waste, tyranny, greed, destruction, fear. These are perennial, and as Jesus him-

self said will be with us always. Of course I wish for these all year long, not just at Christ-

mas, and I realize that as hard as we work together, and although we can make change,

these are not ultimately achievable goals. So I will wish for something more personal.

As it turns out my daughter is herself expecting her first baby sometime this Christmastide. I wish for a

safe delivery, both mother and child to be well, a joyful time as Margaret and I tend to babies once

again. And this is the wish of all parents and their families everywhere.

But if I were to make a unique Christmas wish of my own which is even more personal than these, it

must begin with a confession. I wish I were not so frightened of our city's homeless. Some people have

the gift of that particular compassion and confidence that makes our congregation such a powerful agent

for care in Hamilton. But I am acutely aware that I myself feel intimidated and have considerable anxie-

ty when faced with providing such front-line Christian charity.

I sometimes feel as though I were the self-righteous priest passing on the other side of the road in the

parable of the Good Samaritan. I get flustered when approached by a panhandler. Even simple conver-

sation with a "street person" during coffee on Sunday fills me with dread. I try not to show it because

I don’t want anyone feeling dumped. I know that everyone has their own gifts for ministry and no one

has them all, but if I am to live in the spirit of Christmas grace, I need somehow to stop being afraid of

meeting and serving Christ when he is presented to me in the faces of those to whom we are called to

make Christ's love a living reality.

The gift I need is to hear the angel saying to the shepherds "Fear not!" and then be able to actually allow

myself to obey. Or perhaps better, to listen to the pop singer Pink's "Ave Maria...help me let go of the

chaos around me, the devil that hounds me, I need you to tell me: "child be still." I suppose this is my

Christmas wish at its most concrete and intimate, the gift of loving comfort I want to receive in order

that I may give it to those who need it more than I do.

by Eric Griffin




12

Chairs, Chairs, Chairs…

So, we have begun to have a conversation within our congregation about changing from pews to chairs

in the nave. This is a complicated matter, and one about which there is no lack of opinion! We will take

the time it takes to make this decision – we want to be able to speak more about it at Vestry on Sunday,

February 26. In the meantime, let’s go look at some chairs! I’d like to invite those who would like to

do so (the number will depend on car space) to go to a handful

of local parishes to see their chairs and how they use them.

Thursday, January 26 – 11:00 a.m.

Meet at the office.

Please let us know in the office if you wish to be part of this.

Thanks!

Peter

Dear Santa,

I have been really good this year and have a very short wish list. Cathedral Place has had

a wonderful 2016 but as you know, it can get a little chilly around here in the winter. I am

sure you hear the same complaints from your elves in the workshop and can sympathize. I

do have some serious concerns though.

I wouldn’t want anyone chipping their fingernails reaching into the font at one of our Christmas services

and it would be terribly embarrassing to have coffee and cookies in the narthex cancelled in favour of

hot chocolate and donuts flambé.

I am always happy to check the pressure on the compressor and will continue to keep my duct tape and

wrench handy, I promise. But, if you could leave a new boiler under the 20ft spruce in the NE corner of

the nave this Christmas Eve that would be great!

Nothing too expensive, I just want the frozen tears on my face to thaw.

Merry Christmas and give my best wishes to Mrs. Claus.

by Derek Smith



13

In December a Warden’s thoughts turn to end-

ings and new beginnings in our treasured Cathe-

dral community. Advent begins, and the current

fiscal year will soon close. Preparations for the

annual Vestry meeting commence, and the

budget for 2017 will be established. Annual re-

ports will be written, and the nominating com-

mittee will seek to fill committees and parish

council positions.

At Christ’s Church Cathedral usually the newest

Warden writes the Wardens’ Report for Vestry.

He or she will review the minutes of Corpora-

tion Meetings, looking for highlights, consult

with Dean Peter, Alison, and the other Wardens,

and produce an accounting of the past year. The

Corporation’s mood of the season is always

tempered with a little apprehension about meet-

ing the budget.

It all happens amid the excitement of the com-

ing Christmas season and the time of expectant

waiting for the celebration of the Nativity of Je-

sus. I think that these wonderful concurrences

of beginnings and endings make December one

of the best times of all to be a Warden.

The coming year will mark a dozen years in

which we have produced a “Narrative Budget”

for Vestry. A narrative budget is the ongoing

sacred story of the ministry of a parish. It’s the

best way to illustrate how our time, talent, and

treasure combine to support our ministries.

What’s the difference between a narrative budg-

et and a traditional line item budget? Line item

budgets are an accounting tool; narrative budg-

ets are an educational and visioning tool. We

need both, but we must be intentional in how we

use them. Line item budgets are valuable for

regular operations – they keep us on track, but

they do not show how money is being invested

in ministry. Nor do they show how volunteer

time and talent are impacting parish life, and

that’s essential. When one factors in all minis-

tries, we estimate that 10,000 – 15,000 volunteer

hours per year are offered to God’s service, and

that’s a significant impact on the parish and lo-

cal community!

A narrative budget helps us to focus on what

we’re all about. It helps us see our gifts are re-

ally making a difference. That’s an essential

part of a Warden’s world, not just in December,

but all year round.

Wishing you a Blessed Advent and a Merry

Christmas!

WARDEN’S WORLD

NARRATIVE BUDGET A sacred story of ministry

by Jim Newman


14

THE 1952 PAGEANT

Christmas & Epiphany

at the Cathedral

by Wendy Newman

As an Anglican community since 1836, we’ve

seen...how many Advent Processions with Car-

ols? Children’s Nativity pageants? Christmas

craft and bake sales? Epiphany pageants? The-

se have been such regular features of life at

Christ’s Church Cathedral for so long that we

may have taken them for granted. By this I

mean that we have surprisingly few photos and

stories in our official files of Christmas past.

We do have some lovely photos of Advent and

Christmas decorations, and of children’s perfor-

mances, not all of them dated. So if you have

some – especially photos and programs with

dates and names – please let me know.

Meanwhile, here’s a sixty-five year old treasure

from The Hamilton Spectator. Newspapers are

among the Cathedral’s best historical sources, as

events in churches were once highly newswor-

thy. (Imagine prominent media newspaper cov-

erage of our annual Vestry now!) The ever-

faithful Spectator reported that a beautiful

Epiphany Pageant had been presented January 6,

1952, by the Cathedral Sunday School. It was

performed on a specially-created low stage in

the Chancel. The children enacted the Nativity

and several later scenes in the life of Christ.

Many of them, the reporter noted, were quite

young. However, they weren’t entirely on their

own. There was special music by the Cathedral

Choir, directed by George Veary, and several

soloists. (Around that time, the Cathedral’s

Choir included about 60 members, half of whom

were boys.) The costumes were described as

“outstanding”. As there were program credits

for make-up and lighting, we may assume a fair-

ly sophisticated production.

The article on the 1952 Epiphany Pageant

makes for a particularly thought-provoking and

poignant read this year, in that the initial setting

in the Pageant “depicted Christmas Eve in an

Anglican residential school for Indian and Eski-

mo children in the northland.” How differently

we view such a scene today in the light of all we

have learned of the lives of children in the resi-

dential schools.


FROM THE ARCHIVES


15

See any faces you recognize?

Hamilton Spectator

January 9, 1952


Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

18

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

19

20

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

Advent at Twilight

5:30 pm

21

Holy Eucharist

12:15

22

Holy Eucharist

12:15

23

Jamesville Day-

care Christmas

Party 10:00 am

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

24

Family Eucharist

& Créche

Blessing 4:30

Congregational

Carols with

Organ 9:30

Procession & Cho-

ral Eucharist

10:00 pm

25

The Birth of Our Lord

Choral Eucharist

10:30

(One Service Only)

26

27

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

28

29 30

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

31

January 1

The Naming of Jesus

Choral Eucharist 10:30 (One Service Only)

2

3

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

4

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

5

Holy Eucharist

12:15

6

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

7

8

Feast of the Epiphany

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist &

Holy Baptism 10:30

Organ Recital 4:00 pm

Lessons & Carols 4:30

pm

9

10

Holy Eucharist

7:30

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

11

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

12

Holy Eucharist

12:15

13

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

James St. North

Art Crawl

14

15

The Baptism of Jesus

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

16

17

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

18

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

19

Brass

Monkeys 9-11

Holy Eucharist

12:15

20

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

21

December/January

Cathedral Place Offices closed Dec 26 to Jan 2

Reception Desk open Dec 28 to 30 from 10 to 2

Weekday Eucharists withdrawn


January/February Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

22

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

23

24

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

25

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

26

Holy Eucharist

12:15

27

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

28

29

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

Ordination of a

Deacon 4 pm

30

31

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

February 1

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

2

Holy Eucharist

12:15

3

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

4

5

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

6

7

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

8

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

9

Holy Eucharist

12:15

10

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

James St.

North Art

Crawl

11

12

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

13

14

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

15

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

16

Brass

Monkeys 9-11

Holy Eucharist

12:15

17

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

18

Bishop’s

Bonspiel

19

Holy Eucharist

8:30

Choral Eucharist

10:30

20

Family Day

Cathedral

Place Closed

21

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00

22

Holy Eucharist

12:15

Prayer Shawl

Knitting 1-3

23

Holy Eucharist

12:15

24

The Litany of

Reconciliation

12 noon

25

Coldest

Night Walk

26

Holy Eucharist

9:30 followed by

Annual Vestry

(One Service Only)

27 28

Holy Eucharist

7:30 am

Meal Tickets

9 :30-11:00


18

Chocolate chip cookies

by Cheyanne Thompson

CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES

My favourite Christmas food is chocolate chip cookies. Every year, I bake dozens of chocolate chip

cookies to give away to friends and family. At my house, we enjoy the soft and warm cookies Christmas

Eve.

To make these delicious chocolate chip cookies you will need:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light-brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups (about 12 ounces) semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the

bowl combine the butter with both sugars; beat until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt,

vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in the choco-

late chips.

Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with

parchment paper.

Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer and let cool completely.

Enjoy!


19

Lemon butter

by Fraser Passmore


Every year I look forward to one particular holiday treat, and that is my Grandmother's lemon butter. To

me, it is a symbol of the holidays and the love my grandmother has for those around her. It is so sweet

that you can tell it's homemade and one of a kind. It's to die for. I cannot recall a Christmas season

without it and it is more than an item, it is family, it is love, it is Grandma.

Recipe:

1/4 lb of butter

Grated rinds of 2 lemons (optional)

Juice of 3 lemons - 9tbsp. = 3/4 cup

6 eggs slightly beaten

1 1/2 cups of white sugar

USE LARGE PYREX JUG Cook butter on HIGH - 1 min to melt

Mix in well, the sugar , rind, & juice using hand blender

In separate 2 cup measure cup, beat eggs

Blend 2 mixtures together

COOK 4 minutes on medium high heat in microwave

Stir. Cook another 4 minutes on medium high

Blend again. Pour into new or washed jars.

Let cool in jars. It will continue to set as it cools.


20

Gingerbread cookies

by Willow Braun-Jackson


My favourite Christmas food is Gingerbread Cookies. The reason why I like these cookies is because

they are very delicious and I like the taste of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar together, especially

when cut into boy and girl shapes with icing on them. I also like the smell of gingerbread when it’s

cooling on the cooling rack and I enjoy eating them at Christmas time. I like making this kind of cookie

with my mother. Baking cookies at Christmas time is a great way for me to spend time with my mom

and making cookies is awesome!

Another reason why I like gingerbread cookies is because I like decorating them with different coloured

icing and putting candy on them. It’s so much fun and you can get really creative with them by using

different kinds of miniature candies. Decorate the gingerbread cookies with jelly beans, baby M&Ms,

licorice, and chocolate chips. You can also make other things out of gingerbread like houses. For all

these reasons, gingerbread cookies are my favourite Christmas food.

Recipe:

3 c. plain, all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. ground ginger

½ c. sweet butter, chilled and diced

1 c. light brown sugar

1 egg

2 T. black molasses, or golden corn syrup*

2 oz. semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate to decorate, or other decorating candies as

desired.

*Black molasses makes a darker cookie than golden corn syrup, but corn syrup makes a lighter tasting

cookie. Use whichever sweetener suits your taste.

Preheat oven to 350F and prepare two large baking sheets. (I use parchment paper rather than greasing

the pans since it saves on clean-up and reduces calories.)

Put the flour, baking soda, ginger, and diced butter into a food processor. Process until the mixture be-

gins to resemble fine breadcrumbs.



21

If necessary, scrape down the sides of the food processor.

Add the sugar, egg, and either the black molasses or golden corn syrup. Process until it begins to form

into a ball.

Turn out the ball onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and pliable.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out figures and transfer them to the baking sheets.

Re-roll trimmings and cut out more figures. (We’ve done round shapes, bell shapes, Santas, and heart

shapes.)

Bake for 15 minutes until slightly risen and starting to colour around the edges. Remove pan from oven

and leave pan to cool for 5 minutes before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.

Decorate the cookies. If using different colours of chocolate, break the chocolate into separate bowls.

One at a time, set each bowl over a simmering pan of water and heat until melted. Spoon the melted

chocolate into paper piping bags, snip off the merest tip and then pipe the faces and clothes of each gin-

gerbread person. Leave to set. We once made round cookies and rolled the edges of the cookies in

chocolate followed by coloured sugar.



22

EDUCATIONAL & FUN

Generous welcome

by Judy Robertson & Elaine Marshall

A VISIT TO THE MOSQUE

Elaine and I had come from our wonderful

Hamilton Philharmonic Hallowe’en concert at

Mohawk College n October 30th. We were

looking for something else to do as it was only

mid-afternoon when there it was – the down-

town mosque on Hess St. North at York Blvd.

We both said, “Oh, is the Open House still on at

the mosque? I’d wanted to go!” We have Mus-

lim acquaintances and friends living and work-

ing in our neighbourhoods.

So, into the parking lot we drove. A young lady

who was about to get into a car approached us

and accompanied us into the women’s entrance

of the mosque. She was most pleasant and

wanted to ensure that we had a full and positive

visit.

Elaine put on a headset at the Koran listening

station. Her impressions were that the readings

sounded very much like stories and passages

from the Bible.

Young ladies asked and encouraged us to dress

in women’s muslim scarves and clothing attire

and have our photos taken. We could hold little

signs telling people that we were peaceful and

not terrorists. It was educational and fun. They

obliged us with a photo each and a third one for

our cathedral church as I had asked.

Other stations of interest in the open reception

space were hand decoration with henna and

writing your name in Arabic.

Everyone was exceedingly generous with expla-

nations and accommodating us. It was close to

closing time but they were pleased to take us to

the prayer preparation area. Because we were

visitors, we only had to remove our shoes to en-

ter the prayer room. The Muslim people coming

in for prayer, cleanse their bodies before each

prayer time – five times a day. Total cleansing

before presenting their prayers to God varies.

There is a separate cleansing room for men and

women including children who also hang out

and play a little. This area included foot baths,

sinks, and showers.

The prayer area was divided by glass partitions.

There were clusters of people in both areas.

Some were being led in prayer and others in

small groupings were saying theirs.

Before we left refreshments were on hand

throughout the event.

Lots of good reading material for us to take

freely has been made available for you in the

Steve Varey Reading Room.

Here’s to friendship in our community!


23

(in church????)

Time was, back ‘in the day’, as they say, when

going into our Church meant a particular kind of

silence and respect. Borne out of a mixture of

Edwardian proprieties, a deeply ingrained

Protestant sense of the sacredness of a church

worship space, and a degree of Catholic sacra-

mentality, those of us of a certain age remember

well being in church and being seen but not

heard, being part of a ‘hushed sense of the holy’,

being always fastidiously ‘well-behaved’.

In the last half century or so, much has hap-

pened in our church communities to change

those realities – we have radically altered (for

the good) our notions about what the worship

space actually is. We have expanded our under-

standing of the use of those spaces (thankfully),

so that, in our time, we use our church ‘worship‘

spaces for any number of activities - worship

service, yes, but for so much more – meetings,

coffee hours, receptions, multi-faceted events

and activities.

Some of our buildings have reduced their size so

that everything – worship, meetings, social

events, parish activities –take place in one

space. And so, again for those of us of a certain

age, the church has been liberated from a space

which often felt austere, somewhat antiseptic,

and often a little spooky into a place wherein we

all feel comfortable, at home, and at ease. Nev-

ertheless, there are still those, and we need to

both hear them and respond to them, who come

into the Church anticipating (and even expect-

ing, yea, demanding) a space and a place for

quiet reflection, prayerful attitude and posture,

and a place bathed in ‘the beauty of holiness’.

Like so much else in our lives, this is always a

matter of balance.

Here at the Cathedral, we live in the tension of

‘both-and’ – a place to gather, socialize, have

fun, and meet and greet each other and a place

for quiet reflection, prayer, and introspection.

Sometimes, it also needs be said, we are a noisy

bunch. Often, at about 10:25 or so, when choirs

are gathering to help us to sing, church musi-

cians are preparing to guide us musically into a

place of prayer and adoration, when gifted lay-

people are preparing themselves to welcome us

and our neighbours to ‘church’, the cacophony

is almost deafening!!! In order for all to hear,

we all must do some listening; in order for all to

be we need a place of peace as much as a place

of activity. So, I implore all to be aware of the

balance of sound and silence, of the need for

‘both – and’, of the respect which we offer to

those leading us.

In a similar vein, I have been approached on nu-

merous occasions to ask people to refrain from

idle chatter with each other during the Sunday

morning service. Conversation amongst two or

three disturbs those close by, and prevents oth-

ers from hearing and experiencing what is going

on ‘at the front’ – be it prayer, preaching, music,

or even silence.

I urge everyone to consider these things.

Thanks much.

Peter

SILENCE!


24

1. What is your idea of a perfect day?

My perfect day includes my husband, all of

our children, their spouses, and my grand-

children spending time together. It should

include cooking a meal, playing games, and

remembering good times together.

2. Why did you choose the Cathedral as your

spiritual home?

As a family, we were looking for a comfort-

able place to worship. Paul was introduced

to the Cathedral through work. After attend-

ing a few services, it began to feel like home

and communion.

3. What is the one thing that you most look

forward to at the Cathedral?

Fellowship. The message is delivered beau-

tifully, but the fellowship of the community

and the work done outside of the Cathedral

add action to the message. I look forward to

being a part of that.

4. If you could change one thing at the Cathe-

dral, what would it be?

The times of services, studies and gather-

ings, (especially knitting). I find that I want

to do, attend and be present at everything at

the Cathedral. Sadly, my work and home

schedule just doesn't allow for it. One

day…

5. Which living person do you most admire?

I admire a woman by the name of Carolyn

King. She is a strong, quiet, firm, and loving

advocate of Indigenous people from the

Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

My description does not begin to do her jus-

tice. I encourage anyone reading this to

Google her name.

6. What would be your desert island pick for a

book, a piece of music and food?

My book pick would be Stand We At Last by

Zoë Fairbairns. The piece of music I’d bring

along would be Symphonie Fantastique by

Hector Berlioz. For food, chocolate wins,

hands down.

7. Where would your dream vacation spot be?

England. I would love to have a few months

to rest there.

3...2...1...CONTACT

STEPHANIE MACLEOD

Fellowship & chocolate


25

1. What is your idea of a perfect day?

A perfect day for me is any day that my

family can go out together and enjoy. We

have 8 children, 5 of whom live at home and

it is surprisingly difficult to coral all of them

together for a single event. Typically, in the

hustle and bustle of school, sports, and les-

sons we are all going in different directions.

When we can spend time together, I find that

I don’t just love them all – I truly enjoy their

company.

2. Why did you choose the Cathedral as your

spiritual home?

I stumbled upon the Cathedral in the course

of my work. I am an archaeologist and was

called in to look into the rather puzzling his-

tory of the parking lot behind the building.

Over the course of several visits, I kept

bumping into parishioners who would bring

me indoors to show me the wood carvings or

the stonework or the organ. Afterwards, I

would come home and tell my wife Stepha-

nie about the beautiful building and the

amazing people associated with it. In the

beginning, we started showing up now and

again for the Choral Eucharist. Eventually,

we decided that the community felt like

“home” and that we wanted to be a part of it.

3. What is the one thing that you most look

forward to at the Cathedral?

I have two answers for this question. Over

the totality of the liturgical year, I most look

forward to Easter. Hands down. I love the

build up to the big day; the music, the vigil,

the bell ringing. It’s all so very moving. On

more of a weekly basis, I look forward to the

homilies. I do a good deal of public speak-

ing in my job and I am in awe of the abilities

demonstrated by our Cathedral clergy. Most

of the homilies delivered make even old ide-

as seem fresh and leave me feeling quite

moved. I routinely find myself thinking,

“geez, I wish I could captivate people like

that.”

4. If you could change one thing at the Cathe-

dral, what would it be?

I’d like to see more Brass Monkeys. I

signed on to the team earlier in the year and

there are some seriously gunked-up brass

items that I find myself glaring at if I am not

careful during services (yes, I am looking at

you, brass lectern!). There is something

deeply satisfying about taking care of these

old objects, even if they end up tarnished

and needing a polish all over again after a


3...2...1...CONTACT

PAUL RACHER

Family & brass

26

month. Were I a wittier person, I could no

doubt turn the practice into an allegory about

the need for continual hard work and self-

improvement, but I have no such gifts. Also,

continual hard work sounds too penitential.

As for self-improvement, I am sure Stephanie

has a wish list of what needs “buffing up” on

me that has languished unfulfilled for years.

5. Which living person do you most admire?

This is a tough question since the list changes

as those I admire umm, “shuffle off this mor-

tal coil.” Names like Desmond Tutu and the

Dalai Lama come to mind but those are too

easy. Let’s go with Stephen Hawking. As a

lad, a big part of me wanted to be an astro-

physicist but the math was simply too daunt-

ing. Reading Hawking’s popular (ie. dumbed

down) books is the best I can do.

6. What would be your desert island pick for a

book, a piece of music and food?

For fiction, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit was

the first book I ever read that wasn’t in comic

form. Every time I pick it up, I still smile.

For non-fiction, I would have to say almost

anything by Tolkien’s friend, C.S. Lewis.

Musically, any Beatles album including or

after Revolver would hit the spot. If the above

included a meat pie, mushy peas and a proper

English ale, so much the better.

7. Where would your dream vacation spot be?

Almost anywhere in the UK. I spent a week

there this past summer and I find that the cli-

mate, the landscape, the diet, and the ale

agrees with my constitution better than any

other place on the planet. It’s also quite novel

to visit a place where I am considered to have

good teeth.

(Paul Racher Continued from page 25)

Overcoming the Bible’s Betrayal of

Its Non-Violent God

A "Living the Questions" Video &

Reading Based Discussion Program

with Canon Bill Thomas

Sundays 12:15 - 1:45 pm

Part 2: Jan 08 - Jan 29

Is the only path to shalom (peace) through

a valley of capricious divine bloodshed?

One of the world’s foremost historical Jesus

scholars helps the church and its alumni/ae rise

above the greatest of Christian treasons: that ever-

lasting peace can only be achieved through the

onslaught of divine violence.

Filmed before a live audience in a workshop set-

ting, professor and author John Dominic Cros-

san summarizes the essence of his bestselling

HOW TO READ THE BIBLE & STILL BE A

CHRISTIAN: Struggling with Divine Violence

from Genesis Through Revelation and shows the

way forward for those seeking an authentic Chris-

tianity for the 21st century.

Violence Divine is an eight-session DVD-based

program. The basic format for each 1 – 1.5 hour

session includes chapter breaks and discussion

questions related to each 40-minute video seg-

ment.

Jan 08 Undecided Justice

Jan 15 Not, not, not, not, not, NOT the

End of the World

Jan 22 The “Violentization” of Jesus

Jan 29 Overcoming the Bible’s Betrayal of Its

Non-Violent God

VIOLENCE DIVINE


27

FINANCIAL UPDATE

NOVEMBER

With thanks

by Corporation

November’s financial report is the last update you will see prior to Vestry in February. At that time, you’ll be able

to take a closer look at how we did in 2016.

Rather than ponder where we might financially find ourselves at the end of this year, it makes sense to say a word

or two about the support that keeps Corporation and this place going from day to day and year to year.

It is no doubt the work of so many volunteers that makes this such a terrific place to worship, to enjoy fellowship,

and to contribute to the community in which we are located. Thank you all.

We must also recognize the incredible honorary assistants that we are blessed to have. They add to the colour of

the Cathedral through their participation in liturgy, in our various programs, and in pastoral care. We could not do

what we do without these dedicated souls!

If you’re a volunteer, you know that almost nothing gets done without the input of Alison, Derek, Lisa, Turner,

and Justin. And where would our music program be without Michael! The commitment that these folks have is

unparalleled. They are worth their weight in gold and we are so lucky to have them.

As members of Corporation, we cannot say enough about the excellence of Peter’s leadership and his vision. We

owe him a debt of gratitude for steering us gently into the future. Thank you.

Corporation thanks all of you for your support in 2016 and the tremendous spirit of possibility that surrounds us!

Merry Christmas to all.

Nov 2016 Budget to Nov

2016

Variance to

Budget Nov 2015

Variance over

2016

Income

Parishioner Givings $267,112 $279,942 -$12,830 $252,250 $14,863

Special Offerings $21,000 $20,104 $896 $35,616 -$14,616

Endowments $104,830 $104,830 $0 $105,325 -$495

Other $24,456 $27,409 -$2,953 $22,808 $1,648

Total Income $417,398 $432,285 -$14,887 $415,998 $1,400

Expenses

Salaries $257,780 $265,643 -$7,864 $251,036 $6,744

Property $92,179 $96,073 -$3,894 $110,733 -$18,555

Administration $75,621 $81,877 -$6,256 $72,084 $3,537

Total Expense $425,579 $443,593 -$18,014 $433,853 -$8,273

Net Income -$8,181 -$11,308 $3,127 -$17,855 $9,674


28

When I was a small child, I attended Sunday

School at Christ’s Church Cathedral. I don’t re-

member much about that. What I do remember

are the parades from the Hamilton Armouries.

This was during World War II. I was thrilled by

the enormous tanks rolling by and by the kilted

soldiers of the Argyll and Sutherland Highland-

ers playing bagpipes.

I was nine years old when my family moved

from the Aberdeen Street area to Westdale.

From then on, I attended Sunday School at St.

Paul’s Church, where I was in due time con-

firmed.

In my early twenties marriage brought me to the

Kingston Area. I became a Secondary School

English teacher. My late husband John taught at

Queen’s. We lived on the shore of Collins Bay

and were active members of St. John’s in Bath.

In 1978 John and I and our son spent a sabbatical

year in England, living in the village of Abbot’s

Langley in Hertfordshire. At the local parish

church, St. Lawrence the Martyr, we became

friends with a couple named Joan and Peter

Sanders. I mention them because if we had not

become close friends with the Sanders, I proba-

bly would never have come back to Christ’s

Church Cathedral. This is a complicated story.

Upon returning to Canada, I expected to resume

my career as a teacher, but fate intervened in the

shape of an advertisement in The Anglican

Churchman. The Cathedral Church of St.

George in Kingston wanted to hire a Director of

Christian Education. The position required a

Bachelor of Education degree. The responsibili-

ties involved running the Sunday School, estab-

lishing a youth group and developing a Lenten

Lecture Series and other educational programs

for adults. The job sounded tailor-made for me,

and I was delighted that the hiring committee

thought so too. I worked in liaison with Dr.

Leigh Smith, Chairman of the Christian Educa-

tion Committee, a gentleman whom I came to

respect greatly for his fairness, dependability and

intelligence. (I told you that this was a compli-

cated story.)

My thirteen years at St. George’s Cathedral were

rich and fruitful. But all came to an end with the

exposure of the Music director and Choir Master,

as a pedophile. This was a terrible time. One

cannot minimize the suffering of his victims or

the anguish of those betrayed by their church.

The congregation shrank. There were expensive

lawsuits. My position at the Cathedral ended.

The situation was so painful that I wanted to

leave Kingston. Hamilton, my home town, ap-

peared as a haven. In 1996 John and I moved to

Hamilton. For ten years I did not set foot in

Kingston or expect ever to do so again.

I expected to look for a teaching position in

Hamilton, but first there was something else I

wanted to try. I had always done a bit of writing.


FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT

A TALE

Of two cathedrals

by Jean Rae Baxter

29

This seemed a good time to make a serious ef-

fort.

As a writer, I have been unusually fortunate.

When my first book came out in 2005, my pub-

lisher wanted to send me on a tour of Eastern

Ontario. One reading venue was to be The Nov-

el Idea bookstore in Kingston. I was not happy

about this, but a newly published author does

not say “No” to her publisher. After much con-

sideration, I decided to write to a few people in

Kingston whose addresses I still had, inviting

them to come to hear me read and enjoy a glass

of wine. After a ten-year absence, I didn’t really

expect many people to turn up...even for the

wine. But they did. Most were old friends from

St. George’s.

The next few years were a time of personal loss

for me. The events at St. George’s had es-

tranged me from the Church. This loss was

compounded by a tragedy in my family and by

my husband’s devastating decline from Alzhei-

mer’s disease. I felt totally disconnected from

God. Writing kept me going. It is only now,

looking back on it, that I recognize that this tal-

ent has been one of the greatest of God’s gifts to

me.

I may never have come back to the church if it

were not for my English friends, Joan and Peter

Sanders. They came to visit me in Hamilton.

They expected to attend Holy Communion, hav-

ing no idea that I had not been inside a church

for years. Not mentioning this fact, I asked

them if they would like to go to the Cathedral.

That Sunday morning changed everything. Ja-

net Stirling was the person who made it happen.

She came up to welcome us strangers in the cof-

fee hour. I forget exactly what we talked about,

but it involved English churches. She offered to

give my friends some historical material she

possessed—I don’t recall what it was—and

went to the trouble of bringing it to them at my

home. This act of kindness had miraculous re-

sults. A few weeks after the Sanders returned to

England, I thought I just might revisit Christ’s

Church Cathedral on my own.

Peter Wall was preaching. It wasn’t a sermon

so much as a lecture on how a Psalm ought to be

read. Perhaps it was the teacher in me that be-

came instantly engaged. I don’t know. But

whatever it was, within six months I was a

member of the Christ’s Church Cathedral con-

gregation.

Of course, this is not the end of the story. Over

the next few years there were more book tours

and more returns to Kingston for launches at

The Novel Idea. My husband died. My friend

Leigh Smith lost his cherished wife Glorian.

Having common interests and a long established

friendship, we began to spend time together and

discovered a new and happy life. On October

22 of this year we were married at St. George’s

Cathedral. Peter Wall delivered the homily at

the wedding. Many friends from both Cathe-

drals were there.

I now have two Cathedrals that I call home. ■



30

EVERY FRIDAY

‘Father forgive’

by Peter Wall †

LITANY OF RECONCILIATION

For almost 50 years, every Friday has seen the

reading of The Litany of Reconciliation in the

ruins of Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, Eng-

land. Destroyed by German bombs in 1940, the

Cathedral was a significant part of the ancient

city of Coventry. As plans progressed to build a

magnificent new Cathedral adjacent to the ruins,

the original nave, with many of its stone pillars

remaining, became a place of prayer, particular-

ly for reconciliation and forgiveness. The Prov-

ost (Dean) of the Cathedral on the day following

its destruction on November 14, 1940 had writ-

ten ‘Father, forgive’ on the charred timbers of

the church, and lashed two charred spikes to-

gether into a ‘Cross of Nails’ - those powerful

words and that powerful symbol have formed,

over the years, a worldwide ‘Community of the

Cross of Nails’ of which our Cathedral is a

member, and we also have a Cross of Nails

mounted above the pulpit in our own Cathedral.

As those deep connections have been forged, so

has the Litany of Reconciliation become a sym-

bol of the power of prayer and the power of for-

giveness in our world which so desperately

needs both.

There are now over 170 Cathedrals and church-

es throughout the world who gather people to-

gether to offer the Litany every Friday. On Fri-

day, December 2, the first Friday of the new

church year, we became another one! Dr. John

Watts was born and raised in Coventry and has a

particular attachment to the work of the Com-

munity of the Cross of Nails. John has been a

great help as we have begun this important min-

istry and witness. So, come and join with us –

each and every Friday, 12:00 noon, in Bishops-

gate. It literally takes only 2 minutes!


31


Dean of Niagara and Rector of the Cathedral

The Very Rev. Peter A. Wall

905-527-1316 Ext. 210

[email protected]

Pastoral Assistant to the Dean: The Rt. Rev. D. Ralph Spence

905-527-1316 Ext. 250

Assistant Priest: The Rev. Canon Dr. Sharyn Hall

905-527-1316 Ext. 250

Parish Administrator: Alison Meredith

905-527-1316 Ext. 240

[email protected]

Director of Music Ministries: Michael Bloss

905-527-1316 Ext. 220

[email protected]

Sunday School Coordinator

Helen Snow 905-527-1316

Envelope Secretary

George Down 905-527-1316

Contact Editors

Anne Harvey & Paula Esteves

905-527-1316

[email protected]

CONTACTS

Who’s who and how to contact them

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