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If you wish to see something published in this newsletter, please either fill out the Communication Request Form (click to be redirected to the Cathedral website) or email your edited and proofed text to newsletters@thecathedral.ca by Wednesday at Noon. If you have any questions, please email us at newsletters@thecathedral.ca.

Please note that these are the only two communication channels used in the creation of this newsletter.

If you attend in person on Sundays, a special parking rate is available at the Park Place Parkade. The parking code for 2024 is 18932447. Rate details are available here.

You can watch past live-streamed services on our YouTube channel. Click on the button below and watch the ones you missed or rewatch the ones you enjoyed!

December 4, 2024

Dear Cathedral Friends and Parishioners,

As 2024 comes toward a close, with the usual frenzy of Christmas preparations, I invite you to take a minute or so to reflect on this past year at Christ Church Cathedral. It may have been a year where the Cathedral was part of your everyday life or a year when your connection to the Cathedral was through a significant event, or the weekly email and occasional visits with friends.  

Was there a moment (or maybe many moments) that stood out for you? A moment where you felt an enhanced sense of belonging? A moment where you felt awe? Or a moment where you experienced the support of the community? Thinking of those moments, we invite you to consider how you might help us all to give that opportunity to feel awe, gratitude, or connection to someone else who is seeking the same by being part of the Cathedral community. 

Based on current projections for 2024, we expect the deficit will be higher than budgeted, making it difficult to plan for next year. Although expenditures and other income such as building use have been well managed, there is a significant revenue gap. Overall, donations from parishioners, visitors and friends are tracking below budget expectations by 10%, resulting in an anticipated deficit at year-end of $68,500. 

Know that prior to sending this letter, we approached Cathedral leadership asking for their help. We thank the 2023 and 2024 wardens and trustees and other ministry leaders who have already pledged and/or made additional donations to help address this situation.

In order to meet our 2024 budget, we are hoping you will prayerfully consider an additional gift, perhaps even a “13^th month gift”. Doing so will make a big difference to where we end the year and our ability to maintain our programming in 2025.

As we celebrate this year the 135 years of thoughtful and generous stewardship by earlier parishioners and friends, know that it is our generosity today, tomorrow and every day that ensures that the life of the Cathedral will continue for many more years.  

Our sincere thanks to you all for all the gifts of time, talent and financial resources, that you have offered throughout the year. And we hope to see you at the upcoming Carolfest on December 8 at 4pm or at one of the many other Advent and Christmas services happening over the coming weeks.

We extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones, as we all await the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and the hope filled wonders of the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Jane Osler & the Stewardship Committee

p.s. You can make a gift to the Cathedral in any of the following ways:

• E-transfer your gift to ar@thecathedral.ca. Make sure to put your name and address in the memo field so that we can issue a tax receipt.
• Cheques can be dropped off at the cathedral during a service or at the office during regular office hours.
• Credit card through Tithely on the Cathedral website. If you want to use a credit card but not through the website, please call Vanessa 604-682-3848 ext. 121 to make your donation. If you need to leave a message please leave your name, phone number and reason for your call, please do not leave your credit card information.

This coming Sunday, December 8th and next Sunday, December 15th, we will be collecting for Christmas decorations. Donations can be made after the 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services or by phoning through to the office and leaving your information with Vanessa.

Thank you for making our beloved cathedral so festive over the Christmas season!

When you watch our church services either in person or on Zoom, you have probably noticed the many servers who make the services work. We serve all year round in a variety of services, and we are looking for some new members. A great group of people to work with!

If you are interested, please talk to Megan Otton, Head Server, meganotton@gmail.com, or Claude St-Denis, Parish Animator, claude@thecathedral.ca.

Flowers this Friday and weekend are placed to the Glory of God and in memory of

Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan,
Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault,
Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick,
Barbara Maria Klucznik, Maryse Laganière,
Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay,
Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard,
Annie St-Arneault and Annie Turcotte

who were all killed by a man on 6 December 1989 at Ecole Polytechnique in Montréal because they were women.

Rest eternal grant to them O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them!

[…]

If you're new to the Cathedral, and would like to meet some other new folks and some of our ministers, please stop by for a cup of tea/coffee and a treat. We’ll spend some time getting to know one another, and you will have opportunities to ask questions about the Cathedral, to share your previous experiences of church, and to explore what brings you here.

No need to RSVP, just drop by. We look forward to getting to know you!

Remember how much we enjoyed Hymnfest? Here’s a last chance to sing your heart out with members of the cathedral choir, under the direction of Rupert.

There will be a gingerbread cookie to take home! Please bring friends as well to help us make a glad noise to celebrate the music and Rupert.

As we prepare for the departure of our beloved Director of Music, Dr. Rupert Lang, join us to celebrate the history of music at the Cathedral. Stephen Wright will be presenting. Grab your coffee, a cookie and join us in the Parish hall. A light lunch will also be served. 

--

A little bit about Stephen: 

Trained as a musicologist and librarian, Stephen Wright is also a chess teacher and tournament arbiter. He has been a section lead in the Cathedral Choir for over twenty years and was previously a member of Chor Leoni.

Gather your friends and family and don’t miss the chance to hear popular Christmas carols and winter songs, including O Christmas Tree, River, Angels We Have Heard on High, Joy to the World. Performed by award-winning cello/ukulele duo, James Hill and Anne Janelle with the VSO School of Music's advanced string ensemble, Sinfonietta, rejoice in this enchanting Christmas experience in the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral.

For more information, click on the button below to be redirected to the VSO School of Music's website.

An update regarding the December 15th Voices in Gratitude celebration due to the generous sponsorship by the Cathedral Choir, Voices in Gratitude has been changed to a free event. This is both to honour Rupert’s stellar career and to thank the cathedral community for their unwavering support and enthusiasm over the years.

Register through Eventbrite (click to be redirected) and please join us Sunday evening December 15th, at 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the holiest night of the year in song. The Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir leads this music filled, family friendly service. Sing along to beloved Christmas carols, hear the Christmas story, and enjoy an all-ages reflection on what this night means.

Pre-registration is not required. There will be no tickets or wristbands.

Doors will open 30 minutes before the event. People with mobility issues may access the building 40 minutes before the event via the ramp that leads to the east doors, near the laneway.

The Cathedral must clear the building 15 minutes after the end of the event: guests will be encouraged to leave via the doors on either side of the nave, which open directly onto Burrard or Georgia Streets.

As stillness descends on the city on this holy night, celebrate the birth of Jesus with the Cathedral. Join in this traditional Anglican Eucharist service. The Cathedral choir fills the service with hymns that tell the story of this night. All are welcome.

Please be advised that incense will be used.

Doors will open 30 minutes before the service. People with mobility issues may access the building 40 minutes before the service via the ramp that leads to the east doors, near the laneway.

The Cathedral must clear the building 15 minutes after the end of the service: guests will be encouraged to leave via the doors on either side of the nave, which open directly onto Burrard or Georgia Streets.

In celebration of the changing seasons, Christ Church Cathedral’s labyrinth will be open next month from Monday, January 6th to Thursday, January 9th, from 10am to 4pm.

A special evening event, “Music of the Labyrinth”, will take place on Thursday, January 9th. Cathedral priest and harpist, Rev. Clare Morgan will perform original music to accompany “pilgrims” on their meditative journey, in the serene setting of Christ Church Cathedral. Music begins at 7:30pm.

People of all faiths and spiritual disciplines are warmly invited to experience a time for centering, contemplation, reflection and meditation.

Mixing Science and Celtic Mysticism: A four part series for the Season of Advent looking at Celtic theology as offered by several Celtic saints. Into this mix will be added some scientific thought and study, Celtic prayers and life experience. This will all be tied to the Season of Advent as we make time to prepare for the coming of Christ.

This series will be led by Bishop John Stephens (our diocesan bishop).

Nov 26, 2024 07:00 PM
Dec 3, 2024 07:00 PM
Dec 10, 2024 07:00 PM
Dec 17, 2024 07:00 PM

Rev. Dr. Harold Munn, former Dean of Edmonton, and former Anglican mentor at the Vancouver School of Theology, will be in Vancouver next year. Copies of the resource book will be available: “Faith in Doubt: how my dog made me an atheist and atheism made me a priest”.

[…]

Sign up for the daily Advent reflection by the Very Rev. Ken Gray (former Dean and Rector of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kamloops) and see updates about our Anglican World Relief and Development Fund.

With the support of the diocese and Bishop John Stephens, the Justice and Peace Unit is endorsing the intent of the Peace Train initiative whose goal is to re-establish conversation and action in Canada regarding our role in ‘Negotiating’ towards peace throughout the world. The website on the attached poster has a description of this intent along with a petition to parliament which Canadians are invited to sign.

The paper petition to Parliament is now on our website www.peacetraincanada.com with instructions on how to collect signatures and mail in completed petitions by December 15, 2024. Remember that sending a letter to a Member of Parliament does not require a stamp.

The Justice and Peace Unit of the diocese is firmly in support of this way of engaging in our world as Canadians. In the midst of so much that divides, Canada can lead peace-building in our world.

Below you will find a letter from Bishop John.

Please be in touch with the Rev. Margaret Marquardt Chair of the Justice and Peace Unit for any further inquiries. 

We invite you to join the Cathedral leaders making a pledge for 2025. We hope you will commit to the future of the life of the Cathedral and its ministries by making a pledge. Packages are now being mailed out if we have your address.
 
And this year, for the first time, you can register your pledge on the website at https://www.thecathedral.ca/pages/give.  This is a new initiative for us and we welcome your feedback on how we can improve this process.
 
Finance is one element, along with time and talent, that makes up our gifts. All of these are important and we are truly grateful for all the ways this community gives. 

As most may know, Rupert Lang is retiring at the end of this year after many years of dedicated service since being appointed in August 1986 as Director of Music and Organist at the Cathedral. Many parishioners have been asking about making a gift to Rupert in recognition and a thank you for all that Rupert has offered in his long service to the congregation. There will be a Purse collection, to be presented to Rupert at the 10.30 service on December 22nd.

Starting Sunday, November 24th, parishioners will be collecting funds in the narthex before the 10.30 a.m. service as well as at coffee hour afterwards and continuing for the following 4 weeks. There will also be opportunities to give at some 8 a.m. and St Brigid services, tbd. Please note that this Purse is a gift to Rupert and tax receipts cannot be issued. Please bring cash or a cheque made out to Rupert Lang, or if you wish confidentiality, made out to Ian Birtwell, noting Rupert in the memo line. For further info, and for e-transfer of a gift, please contact Ian Birtwell (ianbirtwell@shaw.ca, 604 655 8482), or Jane Osler (pjosler@gmail.com, 604 512 1197‬). Cheques made out to the Cathedral cannot be accepted for this purpose.

Dear Dean Pappas,

My name is Daniel Adams, and I'm a parishioner at Christ Church Anglican (Rev. Kevin Arndt) in Cranbrook, BC. My 21yr old daughter, Carrie, is an apprentice chef here in Cranbrook, and will be at VCC for a course in the culinary program from February 17 to March 22, 2025. 

I am wondering if I may be so bold as to ask if you could put an announcement to your parish bulletin if anyone would be willing to let her billet with them while she is in Vancouver? She would only need a place to sleep, do her laundry and of course pay whatever the host would think is fair. Carrie is a mature, polite and responsible young woman, and would be an exemplary guest.

I may be reached at danieladams4660198@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Kind regards,

Daniel Adams 

Gospel for the City | Tuesday, December 24 | 1:00 p.m. (In-Person & Live Stream)

Carols for the City | Tuesday, December 24 | 4:00 p.m. (In-Person & Live Stream)

Christmas for the City | Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) | 8:00 p.m. (In-Person & Live Stream)

Christmas for the City | Tuesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve) | 11:00 p.m. (In-Person)

Holy Communion | Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) | 8:00 a.m. (In-Person)

Choral Eucharist | Wednesday, December 25 (Christmas Day) | 10:30 a.m. (In-Person & Live Stream)

Cathedral Week at Sorrento Centre | July 20 — July 26, 2025

The Cathedral office is open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staff contact information is available here. 

REGULAR SUNDAY SERVICES

Holy Communion | 8:00 a.m.

Choral Eucharist | 10:30 a.m.

Eucharist with St. Brigid’s | 1:30 p.m.

Compline | 8:00 p.m.
(from February until November)

WEEKDAY SERVICES

Holy Eucharist | Monday—Friday
12:15 p.m.

Holy Eucharist | Thursday
7:30 a.m. (with breakfast following)

Rite of Reconciliation (Confession) | 4th Wednesday
11:00 a.m.—Noon

Healing Prayers & Anointing | Wednesday
Following the 12:15 p.m. Eucharist

ONLINE

If you wish to worship with us online, click on the button below.

Those seeking prayers for themselves or others may email the Cathedral PrayerLink at prayerlink@thecathedral.ca to have their name added to the list.