BEFORE STARTING TO READ THIS NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN UNTIL YOU SEE “VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE” (OR SIMILAR MESSAGE) AND CLICK ON IT. THIS WILL OPEN THE CHRONICLE ON YOUR DEFAULT BROWSER AND WILL ENSURE THAT YOU DO NOT MISS ANYTHING.

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 2025 is 20254630. Rate details are available here.

You can watch past live-streamed services on our YouTube channel — click to watch the ones you missed or rewatch the ones you enjoyed!

I am pleased to announce that our very own, Rev. Clare Morgan, has been appointed by the Archbishop as Vicar of Holy Cross Vancouver (half time). This appointment is effective February 16, 2025, and they will also continue to serve at the Cathedral half-time.

Join us to learn about the Cathedral’s 2025 budget. Terrence Clark, the Cathedral Treasurer, will be presenting. It will be a great opportunity for you to learn more about our priorities over the upcoming year, to ask questions and discern your role in supporting ministry at the Cathedral.

On Sunday, February 23, we will combine the 8:00 a.m. service, the 10:30 a.m., Saint Brigid’s, and the six weekday services into a single 10:30 a.m. service prior to the Annual Vestry Meeting. This will offer an opportunity to worship together and then attend the Annual Vestry Meeting to celebrate what we've accomplished and what we look forward to in the next year.

Please find a copy of the 2025 Vestry Reports attached to this post on the website.  Click the "Download the Report" button below, which will take you to the original post on the Cathedral's website. You will see the file under "Downloads".

We will make a limited number of print copies available at the 40-Minute Forum on Sunday, February 16th. Due to the size of the document, and our desire to be more eco-friendly, these will be the only print copies made. Once they have all been picked up, we will ask you to download a copy of the report to your computer, tablet or phone.*

Please also note that the online verion will be updated with the report of the Nominating Committee and In Memorium, next week.

*If you only worship online and are not able to download a copy, please email kathy@thecathedral.ca.

Effective March 1, 2025, the deadline for submissions to the Chronicle will be noon on TUESDAYS.

The Diocese of New Westminster is pleased to launch a diocesan-wide youth confirmation class. Led by three clergy in the diocese, including Rev. Jessica who worships at the Cathedral, this program is open to youth, between 14 and 18 years old. 

Current locations are: 

Diocesan Office - 1410 Nanton Avenue, Vancouver

St. Philip - 3737 W 27th Ave W, Vancouver

St. Anselm - 5210 University Blvd, Vancouver

The confirmation service will be held on June 14 at Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard Street). 

To register, please email the Rev. Jessica Schaap (jschaap@vancouver.anglican.ca). 

The weekly service of Compline that runs at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday evenings from Candlemas to Christ the King will pause for an additional 11 weeks and resume on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. The delay is due to some technical adjustments being made and we look forward to inviting everyone back on Easter Sunday. 

Are you looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life? Every weekday morning at 9:30am the Cathedral holds Morning Prayer.

We will follow a simple liturgy with a Psalm, a Reading, Prayer and Silence. This form of regular, daily prayer is used in the Anglican Communion and a number of other church denominations. All are welcome to start the day in prayer with us.

Morning Prayer takes place online via Zoom. To join in, please email Morning Prayer for Zoom coordinates.

We are excited to announce that the Cathedral is offering outstanding new music worship services beginning on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025. The Series is called "Sundays at 4" and will feature a different 45-minute music-centered worship each Sunday. The first offering, on Lent 1, will play to the strengths of our music program and choir with a Choral Evensong.

Subsequent Sundays will rotate through a variety of styles like: Holden Evening Payer, Taize, Organ Vespers, and the Dean's favourite, Broadway Vespers, to name a few. Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for some powerful worship!

Volunteering is a wonderful way of deepening your connection with members of our Cathedral Community. Please consider the following opportunities to share your gift of time:

NARTHEX GREETERS - become a part of the weekday team that welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are seeking a prayerful place to connect with the divine.

ALTAR GUILD - members of this ministry have the sacred task of preparing the Cathedral for worship. Please reach out to Sarah Nation if you are curious to find out more.

The Final event for our 135 celebration is nearing and tickets will be available January 26th, February 2nd and 9th. Pick up your tickets in the Hall at coffee hour.

You need a ticket to attend although there is no cost. Firstly we need to know how many are attending, for catering — we can accommodate a maximum of 140 people. We also need to know of dietary restrictions such as gluten free or vegan — there will be lots of vegetarian pizzas.

There will be a cash bar where beer, wine, or soft drinks can be purchased. We will set up an area in the Peace alcove where young children can play during the event.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Are you interested in supporting children and their families on their faith journeys? Do you know anyone who might be a good fit for leading Sunday School at the Cathedral? 

Then please download the job posting from the website and share it!

On Saturday, March 1 at 7:30 PM, the British Columbia Regiment Irish Pipes & Drums will be joined by the 15th Field Artillery Band for the 3rd Annual Piping for the Padre. The concert is a fundraiser for the Padre’s Fund, which provides support for the women and men of the reserves, particularly the BC Regiment. The fund provides resources for resilience training, physical training, and spiritual and mental support, as well as financial support for the troops.

Yes, Healing Touch, in person, has returned for members of Christ Church Cathedral.

The next Healing Touch offering will be on Sunday, 16 February 2025.

There will be 2 sessions offered - at 9:00am and at 9:30am, and 2 after the morning service - 12pm and 12:30pm.

To register for a session please email the office at reception@thecathedral.ca to request a time. State “Healing Touch In Person” in the subject line.

All requests will be considered, and confirmation emails sent by February 14.

If you would like more information about Healing Touch, there are brochures in the rack outside the office.

Despite the winter snowfall, the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Cathedral, on February 2, 2025, was a joyful success! The community came together to welcome the Year of the Snake with warmth, vibrant festivities, and shared traditions.

Guests enjoyed cultural activities, 

Photo credits: Abraham & Diogo 

Dear friends at the cathedral,

I wanted to let you know about a recent feature I wrote with photos for the Art Newspaper in London about UNESCO’s restoration of the iconic 12^th Century Al-Nuri Mosque and two historic churches in Mosul damaged during the battle with ISIS in 2017. As you may know, I’ve been documenting the plight of Christians in the Middle East for decades and more recently as part of a book in progress for my PhD work at King’s College London. Mosul is only one example of a former cultural crossroads threatened by extremism and the struggle of its peoples continues today in light of new regional realities.

It’s also my birthday on February 17^th and remembering the lovely cake Christian friends in Mosul gave me a few years ago when I spent my birthday on a PhD research trip, I am organizing a little celebration at coffee hour on Sunday February 16^th. Although it’s not allowed to collect funds directly at coffee hour for charities that the cathedral does not administer, I would welcome parishioners to celebrate my birthday by donating to the Anglican Church of Canada fund  for the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza via the Diocese of Jerusalem https://www.anglican.ca/gr/provinces/jerusalem/sunday/donate-2/. Please feel free to bring refreshments to add to the sweets I’ll bring. Birthday blessings and donations to the hospital most welcome!

Hadani Ditmars

Limited copies of the 2025 Multifaith Calendar, "Pathways to Peace", are available: $15 each or 2 for $25.

For more information, or to order your copy, contact Donna Wong-Juliani: donna@thecathedral.ca.

20254630

If you park at Park Place for Cathedral services, please note that we have been issued a new parking code for use in 2025.

We are delighted to announce the wedding of Samantha Chang and Matthew Nichiporuk on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.. Matthew is one of our servers and seminary students. Join us at the Cathedral to celebrate their marriage! 

Join Dean Christopher Pappas, the Cathedral’s Representative to Sorrento Centre Jane Dittrich, the Rev. Clare Morgan, and programming course leader the Rev. Canon Dr. Harold Munn for Christ Church Cathedral’s 2025 week at Sorrento Centre, July 20-26th!

Mark your calendars, contact Sorrento Centre (https://sorrentocentre.ca/) for booking information, and stay tuned in the coming weeks for full details!  

-Jane Dittrich

In this update...

• February Voices of Hope/Voix d'espoir - Read about PWRDF's support for the Tzeltal Indigenous Communities of Mexico.
 

The latest PWRDF News...

• Changing the trauma of war for children in Gaza
• The backbone of the community
• Our new name - Alongside Hope

Plus resources and upcoming events

• 2024 Annual Report in English and French now online
• International Development Week - Feb 3-7
• Praying with PWRDF on February 13
• Lenten resource launch on February 20
• Alongside Hope FAQ online

Kairos is our ecumenical justice organization in Canada. The Anglican Church of Canada is part of Kairos. 

Kairos has launched a Jubilee initiative called Turn Debt into Hope asking for the forgiveness of debt of the poorest nations. The theme of the Year of Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope.” Inspired by this theme,  and the scripture passage Luke 4:14-21, Kairos launched Turn Debt into Hope. 

You are invited to look at the petition information from Kairos and consider signing (click on the button below).

Earth Teach Me

Earth teach me stillness 
as the grasses are stilled with light.
Earth teach me suffering
as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility
as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth Teach me caring
as the mother who secures her young.
Earth teach me courage
as the tree which stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation
as the ant which crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom
as the eagle which soars in the sky.
Earth teach me resignation
as the leaves which die in the fall.
Earth teach me regeneration
as the seed which rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself
as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness
as dry fields weep in the rain.

A date for Fr. Charles' requiem mass has been set. It will be held at St. James on February 21 at 2:00pm.

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of David McLean, O.B.C., LL.D., F.ICD, on January 23, 2025, at the age of 86. A celebrated business leader, philanthropist, and dedicated supporter of numerous institutions, David's legacy has left an indelible mark on our community.

In accordance with his family’s wishes, the celebration of his life will be private. Please keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

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.
(to resume on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025)

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.