E-Connections – May 20, 2021
Dear Friends,
Earlier this year, Dean Vail invited seven members of the Cathedral to meet and respond to the following:
2021 Social Justice Vestry Motion
The parish of St. James Cathedral acknowledges that Anti-Black racism exists in our society and in our Church, and that it and all forms of racism against Black, Indigenous and other racialized people are a sin against God and against our neighbour. We commit ourselves to the recognition, dismantling, and elimination of Anti-Black and other forms of racism in our secular institutions, in our Church, and in ourselves, and to work for the full inclusion, participation and belongingness of Black, Indigenous and other racialized people in all sectors of our common life.
The members of the Anti-racism Committee are: Tina Conlon, Wafa Danner, Jenny Formanek, Sarah McDonald, Don Solomon, The Reverend Morning Wang, and Sybil Wilkinson. We all come from a different background, ethnicity, and colour which enriched the scope of our discussion drawing from our different stories and experiences.
After three meetings, we agreed that we would pick two goals to work towards prior to Vestry 2022. It is important that these goals be specific, obtainable, relevant, measurable, and time bound.
In light of this acknowledgment of the above motion, and in keeping with this commitment, our parish undertakes to do the following:
Goal #1: To continue to strive to make St. James Cathedral a place where everyone has/feels a sense of belonging, no matter their background, race or colour.
Goal #2: To provide educational opportunities in anti-racism and training to enrich our knowledge of each other.
The following are possible actions to accomplish our goals:
- People of colour, Indigenous and other racialized people will be invited to preach throughout the year.
- People of colour, race, and different ethnicity should be visible in the chancel including the choir and music program.
- Outreach to people from minority communities to provide them the opportunity to speak and be heard throughout the year.
- Discussion groups on movies, books, or articles to allow people to interact and form relationships.
- Hold discussion sessions/forums throughout the year on topics highlighting accomplishments of people of different ethnicities
- Host panel discussions/speakers for significant dates like Emancipation Day, International Day for the Elimination of Racism, and others.
- Participate in training and workshop opportunities offered by the Diocese
- Continue the anti-racism training for the Cathedral staff, the planning for which was stopped because of COVID-19.
In all these we want to encourage the involvement of our parish’s community. We will solicit and invite your input and ask for your ideas at a Zoom meeting on Monday, May 31 at 7:00pm. This is not just the committee’s commitment but all of us need to be involved in planning, execution, and participation in these initiatives.
To register for this Zoom meeting, please email info@stjamescathedral.ca by 12noon on May 31.
Submitted by Wafa Danner
On behalf of the Anti-racism Working Group
PASTORAL CARE
Lockdown can be a lonely experience for many members of the Cathedral. Not only does it take away the opportunity for in-person worship, it adds the burdens of isolation and disconnectedness to so many who live alone. If you know anyone who would benefit from a call from our pastoral care team, please be in touch with Canon Beth Benson at bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca.
CONNECTING WITH ST. JAMES
SUNDAYS
Live-stream the service every Sunday at 11:00am on the Diocesan Facebook page.
SUNDAY COFFEE HOUR
Join us for Virtual Coffee Hour on Zoom each Sunday at 12:30pm. If you have not already registered to attend, send an email to the office and you will receive the link each Sunday to join Coffee Hour. Bring along your favourite coffee, tea, or other refreshment!
CONTINUING EACH WEEK
- Sermon Discussion Group on Zoom with The Reverend Dr. David Danner, one of our Honorary Assistants: Mondays at 10:00am; email the office to receive the link
- Morning Prayer: Tuesday and Thursday mornings on the Cathedral Facebook page; you can also find them posted on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel
- Virtual Hymn Sing on Zoom: Email irenecourage105@gmail.com to receive information, dates, and the link; the next session takes place on Tuesday, May 25 at 7:30pm
ORGAN RECITALS
St. James Cathedral has presented lunchtime organ recitals on Tuesdays for many years. We are delighted that these concerts have resumed virtually and will take place on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00pm. The next recital takes place on Tuesday, June 1. The concerts will be presented via the Cathedral Choir Facebook page, allowing everyone to have an excellent view of the instrument and performer.
The organ is a fine four manual instrument dating from 1863, composed of four manuals and 5,100 pipes. Further details are available on the Cathedral website.
Organ Recital Schedule
Tuesdays at 1:00pm via the Cathedral Choir Facebook page
June 1: Rashaan Allwood (Director of Music at St. Ansgar Lutheran Church, Toronto)
http://www.rashaanallwood.com/about.html
*Please note: The July recital takes place on the second Tuesday of the month.
July 13: Stefani Bedin (St. Basil’s Roman Catholic Church and doctoral candidate U of T)
August 3: Nick Veltmeyer (past Wayne Vance Organ Scholar at St. James Cathedral)
*Please note: The September recital takes place on the second Tuesday of the month.
September 14: Gordon Mansell (Music Director and Organist at Our Lady of Sorrows Church)
Q&A – What is a transitional deacon?
A Transitional Deacon is someone who is ordained to the ministry of Deacon, but is pursuing a call to the priesthood (with the assent of the Church and by the grace of the Holy Spirit!) Deacons have a particular role to serve the poor and the marginalized, and to interpret the world to the Church—in Acts, deacons were appointed to serve food to the community because widows were getting left out of the distribution of food (Acts 6:1-6). But priests don’t stop being deacons when they are priested, in the same way that bishops don’t stop being priests.
While a transitional deacon, a cleric is called to live as an ordained person whose primary role is service. It’s only after a set time of humble service that they are ordained a priest, and given authority to absolve, preside over the Eucharist, and bless. Priests continue to be called to humble service, but are given other responsibilities as well.
It’s an honour to be serving as a transitional deacon in your midst – I ask your prayers for me to serve the Church and our broader downtown community with humility and grace.
In Christ,
Rev. Claire
The Reverend Claire Latimer-Dennis was ordained a Transitional Deacon on May 2 and began her curacy at the Cathedral on May 10.
Be Surprised by the Spirit – Hold the Date!
Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls is inviting Anglicans across Canada to gather in small groups to reflect on what we have experienced and discovered in our churches and in our personal lives over the past year, since the declaration of a global pandemic. Perhaps something surprised you or sustained you in the midst of trying times. We are organizing a series of conversations over the next several weeks around prayer, scripture reflection and shared stories. Stay tuned…details will be published in upcoming Sunday Bulletins and in E-Connections. For now, mark your calendar every other Wednesday starting June 16th. You will be able to choose a morning or evening timeslot. Do join us! Questions? Contact The Reverend Claire Latimer-Dennis at clatimerdennis@stjamescathedral.ca or Canon Beth Benson at bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca
TALKING ABOUT MUSIC – A SERIES OF RECORDED INTERVIEWS
Music plays a vital part in our worship. Starting on May 9, and every few months thereafter, our Music Director, Thomas Bell, will be speaking to individuals who have extensive experience of the musical life of our church. His recorded interview with Archbishop Linda Nicholls is now posted on the St. James Cathedral Choir Facebook page. She discusses her deep love of music – both in the church, and as a pastime – and reflects on the role that music plays in the wider Canadian church.
ARCHIVES SEEKS SUBMISSIONS: COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXPERIENCES
Diocesan Archivist, Claire Wilton, has been gathering material arising from the pandemic from parishes across the Diocese of Toronto which will be of incredible importance for future researchers and possible exhibit. It has been a major undertaking, and Nancy Mallett, former Cathedral Archivist, has been assisting Claire in the collection of material related to the Cathedral. It is important that events are documented on a diocesan, congregational and individual level, so that future generations can understand what life was like during COVID-19. Submissions can be in written form, photographs or other mediums and they are seeking letters, journals and photographs demonstrating how COVID-19 has impacted the lives of members of the Diocese. Alternatively, submissions can be physically donated to the Archives for preservation, or scanned and sent by email to be preserved electronically. If you have any questions, please contact Claire Wilton at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca. You can also contact Nancy Mallett with any ideas of what to include or if you have any questions at 416-920-1965 or by email at nancyemallett@gmail.com.
FROM THE DIOCESE: FAITHWORKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
This wonderful evening of celebration and appreciation will take place on Friday, May 28 from 7:30pm – 8:30pm on Zoom webinar. It will include a service of Evensong from All Saints’ Church, Toronto; a message from The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto; the premiere showing of the FaithWorks 25th Anniversary video; virtual visits to some Ministry Partners; and a segment to recognize significant contributions. For more information and to register, please visit the FaithWorks website at www.faithworks.ca
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
We are exceedingly grateful to those of you who continue to support us financially. If you would like to make a donation, here are the ways to do that:
- Mail a cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9.
- Use the ‘Donate’ button on our website.
- You can now hand-deliver your offerings to the Cathedral Centre: A secure mailbox has been mounted in the Church Street vestibule at the entrance of the doors at 65 Church Street. The doors are open from 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.
- Sign up for Pre-Authorized monthly giving, thus ensuring a vital stream of income for the Cathedral. Please note that at any time you can stop or change the PAG amount by emailing the office.
- Make a gift of securities (see details here).
- We are delighted to have a QR code for donating electronically which you will find in all bulletins. Simply scan with your phone camera and donate! You can also donate here.
STAYING CONNECTED
We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website or Facebook page for updates, Morning Prayer, service listings and inspirational messages. Thank you for your love and support during this period in the life of St. James. Please remember, you are not alone.
Blessings and peace to you all,
The Very Reverend Stephen Vail, Rector of St. James Cathedral & Dean of Toronto
Joan Peters & Jayne Hobbs, Wardens
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca
