Cathedral Pentecost 202… · Cathedral CORNERSTONE In the closing verses of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, as he departs from the mountain of the Ascension, says to his rather fearful

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Garlic

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Teach us to Pray

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Pentecost & Trinity

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The Prouty

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It is what it is

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New Banner

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Children’s Page

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LENT/EASTERTIDE - MARCH 2015 PENTECOST/TRINITY - JUNE 2020

Cathedral CORNERSTONE

In the closing verses of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, as he departs from the mountain of the Ascension, says to his rather fearful and anxious disciples; “…obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

To say that these have been strange, surreal, anxious, and difficult times for us, individu-ally, and collectively, hardly captures the essence or scope of the past three months. For our Cathedral community, and for all churches, this is a reality we did not foresee or were fully prepared for.

In our naivety, (or faith-filled optimism) I think we all believed that the closing of churches and businesses would be a short-term measure on the road to recovery and a return to “normal”. None of us could fully comprehend then, the toll in lives lost, particularly

among our most vulnerable populations, or the ripple effect of closures to businesses and services and the separation from loved ones. Even as re-strictions begin to be eased this week, we now know, the road to recovery will be a long journey. In a webinar with church leaders last week, Dr. Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Nova Scotia, shared the sobering thought that we will not be returning to life as we knew it prior to Covid-19. Covid-19 is now part of our reality, and we must adapt our lives accordingly.

Church services online, work-ing from home, and meetings via video conferencing, have quickly become the norm. If we could roll back the calendar just twelve weeks, words like; pandemic, Coronavirus, shelter-in-place, social distancing, self-isolation, N95 respirator, PPE’s, droplet transmission, Zoom (and Zoom fatigue), community clusters, and social distancing

The Church and the Pandemic

CATHEDRAL CORNERSTONE JUNE 2020 PENTECOST/TRINITY

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were certainly not recognized topics of con-versation. We have adapted quickly and for the most part, here in Nova Scotia, we have adapted well. The honest truth, however, is that we do not know what comes next or how all this will unfold. Like those disciples, as we stand on the threshold of a future unknown, it is also important to remember the parting message of Jesus; “…obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

One of the phrases I have heard over the past many weeks, that echoes this promise, has been; “the church building may be closed but the Church is still open”. For many years now, as we have recognized a post-Christian cultur-al shift, we have been told we need to “re-imagine” Church. That time is now upon us. I have been deeply moved and encouraged by those who have found comfort, strength, and an extended sense of community, in our online Sunday worship services. People have shared with me reflections on their experi-ence and ways that they have been enabled to pass “The Church” along to others; members of their families and friends living at a distance. Just yesterday, in a chance encounter, I met a person who was excited to tell me he helps residents of a long-term care facility tune in on Sundays to the Cathedral. People have also rediscovered spiritual practices in their own homes and daily life.

Through your continued support, individuals, agencies, and ministries that the Cathedral has long been actively engaged in, continue to be sustained. Last month our Deacons coordinated efforts to fulfill our regular commitment to St. George’s Soup Kitchen. We can indeed still be The Church even if our buildings are closed. It is not ideal, I know. As many have also shared, it is the gathering of the community,

physically, that defines Church. Whether gathering around the table to share in Eucharist or around a table for coffee hour, Sunday school classes, or for meetings and study groups, there is no real substitute for being together. But until we can once again do so safely, without jeopardizing the health and welling being of our members, and the community at large, we will continue to adapt and grow into this new reality God is calling us to embrace. “…obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

With blessings to you all, and with heartfelt thanks for your patience, your generous unwavering support, and your witness. Keep in touch, stay safe, and keep the faith.

Dean Paul

Garlic

Early last fall the Sunday School class for ages six to 11 planted garlic as part of a Season of Creation lesson.

We often plant seeds at least once a year in Sunday School around creation or Earth Day or biblical seed metaphors, so the garlic was routine.

We asked the dean to alert the landscapers to the presence of the mulch-covered, fenced-


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in, garlic bed roughly outside our meeting room window. Then we revved up for Christ-mas and forgot all about it.

In the new year the world changed, Sunday School and church were suspended, and the invisible garlic seemed immaterial.

Come Easter I started to wonder about the gar-lic and asked Dean Paul to check on it. He sent photos indicating that, yes, indeed, the garlic had risen.

Throughout the cold and often cold-hearted spring I started to visit the garlic on my daily, morning bike rides.

I relied on those 11 plants being there. I liked watching them grow from tiny spears to multi-leaved plants with tough bases and different types of greens from pale neon to ivy-dark.

I posted photos on our Cathedral Facebook page administered by Gay Osler. The Environ-ment Network Diocese of NS and PEI wanted updates posted to their Facebook page.

For me, the garlic became a source of comfort as a symbol of renewal, stability, and the im-portance of faith. It became a touchstone. As long as the garlic was healthy and growing, everything would sort of be ok.

One day I went into a panic. I saw a groundskeeper working outside the Diocesan building and feared he might uproot the gar-lic. I dashed up to him and explained the gar-lic at great length. “Oh, we know all about the garlic,” he said, almost rolling his eyes.

Someday soon the garlic will produce edible flower stalks called scapes. Go get some if you like to cook with them.

In the fall I hope the Sunday School will be able to harvest the garlic bulbs together. The dean has requested spaghetti.

Garlic trivia:

Did you know garlic is mentioned only once in the Bible (Numbers 11:5)—“We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for

nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.”

Garlic goes back over 6,000 years and is a dietary staple in the Mediterranean are

as well as in Asia, Africa and Europe. The word garlic comes from Old English garleac, meaning “spear leek.” Garlic was worshipped by the Egyptians, has been considered good luck, and is still

used today medicinally to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol among other things.

- Elissa Barnard

In Loving Memory

Darlene McNeil

Gloria Langlands

Robin Orr


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Teach Us to Pray: Keep Holding On

Since the initial presumptive cases of Covid-19 were first cited in Nova Scotia on March 15, many of us have been on high alert for news, advice - and signs of hope. Anxiety levels have increased and the learning curve has steep-ened as we navigate - and even worship - in our new technological reality. And we’re getting pretty good at it; we'll all be Zoom aficionados and YouTube stars when we're allowed out to play again!

The pandemic has spawned a whole glossa-ry of words, phrases and #hashtags (see sidebar for examples).

But the most descriptive new word in my vocabu-lary is “doomscrolling”. If you own a cell phone, you’ve likely been doing it without even noticing. It’s defined as “the act of mindlessly consuming an endless stream of unsettling, unnerving, maddening, or otherwise terrible news on an electronic device.” And yes, I’ve been doing it. They say knowledge is power and yet this current crisis has left us feeling powerless. While it is prudent to be informed, overloading ourselves with depressing statistics, endless conspiracy theories or baseless rhetoric doesn’t help. Sheltering-in-place affects many of our usual activities, routines and livelihoods. The main psychologi-cal impact to date is elevated rates of stress or anxiety, manifested in rising levels of loneliness, depression, domestic or sexual abuse, harmful alcohol and drug use, or suicidal behaviour. Physical distancing from loved ones, work mates, and our worshipping

community has challenged us to find innova-tive ways to connect. All of this change may also have changed the way we pray.

There have been times in my life that I’ve had no words to pray and in those desert times, I’ve come to rely on prayer aids such as a rosary, prayer rope, or labyrinth and because this has become “one of those times” I’ve recently found using a holding cross offers the solace I am seeking.

A holding cross, sometimes called a comfort cross, is an asymmetrical cross that is made to fit ergonomically into the palm of your hand. The leaflet that came with mine says it beau-tifully, “A holding cross is designed not so much to look right as to feel right.” Although the origin of the holding cross tradition is not known, it is believed to date back to the early Church.

Holding crosses can be made out of many kinds of wood, but most often they are made of the prunings of olive wood trees around Bethlehem. Olive trees have dotted the land-scape for several millennia, growing in both terraced groves and along the hilltops. Olive oil has long been used for cooking and in heal-ing rites. Since olive trees are protected in Is-rael and cannot be cut down, olive wood arte-facts can only be made from the trees’ prunings. The created items don’t require much care since olive oil naturally protects them from deteriora-tion. The wood is sawn, planed, and then shaped and smoothed, illustrating beautifully the way God shapes our lives. Over time, a

Covid-19 Glossary:

“self-isolating” “social distancing” “Zoom-dread” “Quarantunes” (playlist for those self- isolating) “having the morbs” (short for “morbid” - feeling depressed)

#coronatimes #GroundHogDay #staytheblazeshome


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holding cross develops its own patina from frequent handling. No two crosses ever look the same; variations in the wood grain and the amount of prayerful use they’re given makes each one unique.

Holding crosses feel good in the palm of the hand. Sturdy. Familiar, like a trusted friend. They can be especially comforting to those ill at home or in hospital, those in rehabilitation or hospice care. They can also be useful to someone struggling to hold on to their faith, their confidence, their sanity. A holding cross can become the best way to pray for someone who is too ill, too weary to use words from a prayer book. With regular use, they can be-come a prayer companion.

Through touch, a holding cross can help you to express your love for Christ and your need for him. You may feel moved to say a familiar Psalm, or the Lord’s Prayer, or the Jesus prayer. But words aren’t even required. Designed to be held, the act of holding one can itself be prayer, an act of quiet meditation.

As a prayer aid, the holding cross can become a tangible reminder of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ – something for us to hold on to, a sign that God holds on to us and that’s a whole lot more life-giving than doomscrolling!.

-The Rev. Frances Drolet-Smith

Ruth Ballah Memorial Quiz

1. Complete these pairs: Cain and _______, David and ___________,

Paul and____________, Elijah and _____________ 2. What Christian leader had four daughters who were prophets? 3. Who was Mephibosheth? 4. Name the Prophet who spoke of “the Sun of righteousness” arising “with healing in his wings”? 5. What is the origin of the phrase “Eat, drink, and be merry”? 6. Where is the bible passage that has “a little cloud, like a man’s hand” ? 7. Who was Bernice? 8. David’s favourite son rebelled against David- the name? 9. Our Lord called someone a fox - remember the person’s name? 10. What is another name for the Jewish Feast of the Harvest or Weeks?

Answers on page 6

Pentecost and Trinity -

Old Traditions New Circumstances

From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death, GOOD LORD, DELIVER US. -The Litany in the Book of Common Prayer.

For the world’s religions, when in the midst of an epidemic, of a pandemic, of world wars, of a global catastrophe, of an earthquake, or of any other disruption of the age, the religious calendars that mark special seasons and events just carry right on. That is the world we are in

Contact Us:

Cathedral Church of All Saints—

Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

Anglican Church of Canada

1340 Martello Street Halifax, NS B3H 2Z1

902-423-6002 (tel)

[email protected]

[email protected]

cathedralchurchofallsaints.com (web)


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now, have been in since Lent, and will be in for our seasons now, of Pentecost and of Trinity; and maybe to Advent and Christmas.

Here in our last three months that began with the W. H. O. declaration of a pandemic, due to the world wide rapid spread of infection from coronavirus, Muslims practiced the long season of Ramadan and their Holy Days, the Jewish observed their prayers and observance of Passover, and their Holy Days, including the Festival of Weeks. Christians of the Orthodox, the Roman Catholic, the Catholic, and the Reformed churches, repeated centuries old customs and worship practices for the great seasons of Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and now into Pentecost and Trinity.

We exercised our local Anglican customs and observances with our Cathedral families, and interested internet participants through the worldwide availability of internet communi-cations. Our beautiful worship space remains a House of Prayer, a space for our congregation, and yet now has no congregation to attend public worship, while we observe our provin-cial lockdown and isolation. Our Rector and Dean Paul together with other clergy and laity offer virtual liturgies and weekly support from our St. Luke’s Chapel - services now well planted among our congregation’s internet users. Lessons for children and grownups, congregational good news, a weekly Sunday online Order of Service and Announcements, and the traditional use of seasonal colours, music and visual aids throughout Lent to our new Pentecost and Trinity.

Like others in this pandemic time, our congre-gation suffered loss and bereavement, had cel-ebrations, and changing home and living con-ditions as our provincial and Canadian leaders direct how we best keep safe and well. Our congregation joined in the outpouring of care

and of sincere thanks to health professionals and Emergency Services per-sonnel, who risk their own health and that of their families.

The grievous loss of the lives in Northwood, the brutality and senseless deaths of families through violence, and tribulation for so many, give rise to lamenta-tion and sorrow, and anger, all of which is in the setting of all of our religious Customs and care for our neighbours.

So in the present condition the Church every-where still celebrates and proclaims through YouTube and Google and Skype and Zoom the visual, the literary, the musical, and the cere-monial of the Church’s birth and Blessed presence.

Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14.

- Kent Doe

Answers to the Ruth Ballah

Memorial Quiz

1. Abel, Jonathan, Barnabas or Timothy, Elisha 2. Philip (Acts 21 , 8,9) 3. The son of Jonathan, lame in both feet, 4. Malachi (4.2) 5. Acts 20: 35 Saint Paul 6. OT Storm coming 1 Kings 18: 44 7. King Agrippa’s wife Acts 25:13 8. Absalom 2 Samuel 15 9. Herod (Antipas) Luke 13: 31,32 10. Pentecost (after Passover)

Originally a mission church to St. George


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The Prouty 2020

How do you organize an event for over 4,000 participants and more than 1,200 volunteers in the midst of a pandemic? Well you certainly don’t cancel!

The 39th Annual Prouty, a fundraiser for cancer research and innovative treatment regimes, at Dartmouth College’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Hanover, New Hampshire is going viral this year.

Organizers have re-tooled the event, and dedicated June 1st through July 11th, for participants to creatively raise awareness and funds for critical cancer research. Research that impacts cancer treatments world-wide. With the slogan; “Fighting Cancer together, even when we’re apart”, they hope to main-tain the momentum that has grown this event to one of the largest fund-raisers in New Eng-land. Last year more than 3.4 million dollars was raised!

This will be my 15th year as a participant, dating back to the first year my brother formed a team to celebrate his successful can-cer treatment at Norris Cotton, and to honor the memories of the far too many people I have known that have battled cancer. The

event itself is named for Audrey Prouty, a patient at the hospital, who lost her coura-geous battle to cancer and inspirited four of her nurses, in 1982, to ride 100 miles through the White Mountains to honor and celebrate her spirit. The tradition and the challenge continue.

How will I participate? Following the success-ful “Bike the Cathedral” event last year as part of HRM’s Bike Week, I will be biking 100 miles in the Cathedral – a mere 1,610 laps around the nave! I will split the ride over 2 days, July 10th and 11th, the traditional dates of the Prouty. Hopefully, with some of the pandemic restrictions relaxed, you can drop by and cheer me on, sign my shirt, and make a donation.

Online donations can be made at: theprouty.org click on DONATE, then DONTATE TO AN INDIVIDUAL and Paul Smith. I am a member of team Hope in Motion. Your support over the years has been truly inspiring. Thank you!


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Year of Cathedrals 2020

In the early part of last Advent, there was an announcement by the British Pilgrimage Trust that informed recipients of the upcoming Year of Cathedrals 2020.

So while the project included Virtual Pilgrim-ages , pilgrim stories, and lots of Tours and Questions/Answers events, the planners did not include the arrival of a Pandemic to the Year of Cathedrals 2020.

Now well into the start of what would be the build up of the cathedral tours and of grand liturgy and music, the plan to offer virtual pilgrimages is also looking prophetic.

Just this recent Eastertide, Choristers from the cathedrals of Ely, York Minster, Norwich, and Llandaff sang a virtual Choral Evensong. Southwark Cathedral marks the 850th anniversary of the murder of Thomas Becket - murdered December 29 1170 in Canterbury Cathedral.

For those with access to the internet, who might be interested, the Year of Cathedrals 2020 offers a really full supply of information to help get away from our current self isolat-ing reality. Try https://britishpilgrimage.org .

Our Darlene - “It is what it is.”

Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant Darlene with thy Saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting; where thou, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen

The McNeil family, St. Mary’s University, and our Cathedral Church of All Saints are the benefactors of the talent, the devotion, the loyalty, and the con-stant love that dear Darlene provided through her personality and lively spirit.

While Darlene passed away in early Lent, our congregation still mourns Darlene’s loss.

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.

We will be in better condition when we can be a part of Darlene’s funeral at a date to be determined by the family, when the pandemic’s health regulations are lifted.

Meanwhile, many members of our congrega-tion have wonderful and truly amazing memories that bring comfort and some healing. Also, as time goes by there will be stories that are told - early morning chats with Dr. Burchill. Our diocesan and cathedral buildings and property, from 2003 to 2020, were attended to by Darlene.

Her love and passion to cater events blossomed in recent years. Funerals, weddings, anniver-saries, diocesan functions etc. were cared for thoughtfully and with great care.

https://britishpilgrimage.org


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Many will remember Darlene as our formida-ble parking lot police. Darlene running down the driveway to nab a ‘questionable’ parker was a regular sight.

Darlene was a special friend to our congrega-tion and we give thanks for her affection and her ministry.

TE DEUM LAUDAMUS

- by Kent Doe

1910-2020 Our 110th Anniversary year

Easter to Pentecost and Trinity in our isolation, and once again our Anniversary tree

blooms with its greenery for us all!

The Smallest Synod there ever was

Snippets from a micro Synod.

On Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., the following members of Synod gathered at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax for the 149th session of the Synod of the Dio-cese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island:

The Most Rev. Ron Cutler, Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada, Chair

Mrs. Daphne Beeler, St. Mark’s, Halifax, Chair of the Episcopal Search Committee

Mrs. Jan Connors, St. George’s Halifax

The Rev. Canon Gordon Redden, Acting Executive Secretary of Synod

The Very Rev. Paul Smith, Dean of the Cathedral Church of All Saints

Mrs. Connors was asked to take notes of the proceedings.

The Metropolitan led in prayer.


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Given that the state of emergency existing in response to the Covid 19 pandemic prohibited the gathering of any groups of more than 10 people, it was deemed impossible to obtain a quorum of members to conduct the work of the Synod, the Metropolitan read Canon 1, sec-tion 12(2) to the members of the Electoral Syn-od present:

“If a quorum is not present at the time ap-pointed for the opening of an electoral synod, the members present may adjourn from time to time until a quorum is obtained and it is not necessary that any further summons be sent to the members of the electoral synod.” It was then moved by Canon Redden, seconded by Dean Smith that “According to Canon 1 sec-tion 12 (2), an absence of a quorum being not-ed, it is resolved that the Electoral Synod be adjourned to September 12, 2020, and if a quor-um not be present at that time, a further ad-journment shall occur to a date to be deter-mined.”

The resolution was passed unanimously by those present.

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/news/electoral-synod-may-30th-2020

The Episcopal Search Committee has nominated the following Clergy for the office of Diocesan Bishop:

The Rev. Katherine Bourbonniere

The Rev. Carl Fraser The Rev. Sandra Fyfe The Rev. Elliott Siteman

For more information on the candidates, please visit:

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/programs/our-structure/pages/nominees-for-bishop-of-the-diocese-of-nova-scotia-and-prince-edward-island

New Banner!

Maureen Yeats, our sacristan and gifted sew-ing artist has crafted a banner, in cross stich, of the Diocesan Crest. This work of art makes a beautiful companion to the one she created with the Cathedral’s crest to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Cathedral back in 2010. The hope is to have it dedicated by the Archbishop before his retirement at the end of July.

https://www.nspeidiocese.ca/news/electoral-synod-may-30th-2020




What animal is always at a baseball game?

A bat.

What do you call a droid that takes the long way around?

R2 detour.

What do you call a dinosaur that is sleeping?

A dino-snore!

Documents

Cathedral Pentecost 202… · Cathedral CORNERSTONE In the closing verses of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, as he departs from the mountain of the Ascension, says to his rather fearful