A Message from Fr. Andrew MacDonald and the Wardens (June 24)
Dear Friends,
Henri Nouwen once wrote, “We often wonder what we can do for others, especially those in great need. It is not a sign of powerlessness when we say, ‘we must pray for one another.’ To pray for one another is, first of all, to acknowledge, in the presence of God, that we belong to each other as children of God.”
With the announcement earlier this week that our city will begin the next stage of reopening, many of us are breathing a sigh of relief. What’s the first thing you’re going to do? Me, I’m eager for a haircut.
But for many people, even some within our Cathedral community, these days of isolation aren’t over yet. Those of us with underlying health issues, those of us in the vulnerable group, those of us who are feeling the strain on our mental health after weeks of fear and anxiety – for those of us, reopening our city might still feel too soon, or might cause a new kind of anxiety.
And so let us continue to keep in touch with our friends within the Cathedral community this summer, and keep each other in our prayers, Reach out to each other to chat, to laugh, to catch up, and to pray with each other. Heartfelt prayer is one of those reminders that we are not alone, that we can touch each other’s lives deeply, because by the power of the Holy Spirit, God binds us together and makes us one.
So don’t ever think prayer is nothing – sometimes it’s everything.
REOPENING OF THE CATHEDRAL IN SEPTEMBER
The provincial House of Bishops has decided that our church buildings will not be reopening for in-person worship until at least September. This decision was made by our Bishops in consultation with public health experts and with the well-being and safety of all parishioners in mind.
Last week, the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario released a template for the safe reopening of our church buildings entitled “Loving Our Neighbour”. In addition, in Bishop Asbil’s letter to the Diocese, he indicated that each Diocese will be releasing specific instructions on reopening, with concrete guidance for parishes, on June 30.
Following the protocols that will be released from the Bishop’s Office, the Dean has struck a Reopening Working Group to prepare for the resumption of worship services in September. Members of this working group are: The Dean, Joyce Badley, Jim Kotsifas, Emile Rhinelander, Jayne Hobbs, Paul Seddon, Bob Simpson, Yosola Adeoye, Fr. James Liu, Fr. Andrew MacDonald, David Simon, Roger Pearce, David Grant, and Rob Haines.
In the meantime, we hope that you will continue to tune into our livestream Sunday services here and to our Tuesday and Thursday Morning Prayer services on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel or Facebook page.
THE DEAN’S VACATION
Dean Stephen Vail is currently on vacation until July 24. During this time, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Fr. Andrew MacDonald, Associate Priest, for pastoral matters (amacdonald@stjamescathedral.ca) and Warden Jayne Hobbs for other matters (wardens@stjamescathedral.ca).
CHANGE TO E-CONNECTIONS PUBLICATION DATE
E-Connections will now be published on Thursdays! Our revised publication dates for July will be on the following Thursdays: July 9, 23 and 30. Please note that there will be no E-Connections on July 2 or July 16.
COVID-19 MASK PROJECT
Public Health and the Canadian government are urging us to protect each other by wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in places where physical distancing is difficult. To encourage this, we would like to provide reusable masks to the vulnerable members of the Cathedral and wider community.
We are grateful to our Executive Director, Joyce Badley, for this ministry idea. Many thanks to David Grant, who has agreed to coordinate this project.
Here are some suggestions on what you can do to be a part of this project:
- We need people to sew! If you would like to sew masks, the Public Health Agency Of Canada provides guidelines on how to make a mask here or you can use your own pattern.
- We need people to donate materials. This project requires sturdy fabric, thread and elastic. We would appreciate if you can donate materials or make a donation that enables us to purchase what we need.
Please direct any inquiries about picking up material to make masks and/or dropping off finished masks to David Grant at davidgrant7@icloud.com as we have very limited resources at the Cathedral Centre.
- We need people to donate postage. Masks will be sent to those who request them via Canada Post.
- Any member of the community who is unable to obtain a ready-made, reusable, non-medical mask may purchase one for $5.00 each. Orders can be placed through David at davidgrant7@icloud.com.
If you would like to help with the cost of postage or materials, you may do so by sending a cheque payable to ‘St. James Cathedral’ to 65 Church Street, Toronto, ON, M5C 2E9, Attention: Mask Project or donate through our website here.
For further inquiries or to become involved in this project, please contact David at davidgrant7@icloud.com.
VISIONING EXERCISE: Zoom groups
Thank you to those who signed up for the first set of parishioner meetings in the visioning process. Seven small zoom groups will meet in the first half of July to discuss the first round of exploratory questions regarding the Cathedral’s core values, visions and goals.
If you are not able to participate in these meetings, there will be ample opportunity to participate in the process in the fall. It is important that as many parishioners as possible participate, in light of the facts that we have a new Dean, will need a new Vicar, and will be starting recovery from the negative effects of the pandemic with limited resources. In addition, the needs of our community have greatly changed around us during this last while. This is a crucial time to identify what is important to us and how we will move forward in our vocation as a Christian community, as our human, property and financial resources allow. In many ways, we are tasked with something close to rebuilding, so much has changed.
ST. JAMES CEMETERY UPDATE
Burial lot sales are improving. The recently repaired south retort equipment is functioning well. As a result, cremations are continuing to pick up, as our customers are coming back. The development of a smoke dispersion model is progressing, and we are hopeful it will produce a result that will permit us to continue in operation until the installation of new equipment. We recently provided additional information regarding our HVAC system for incorporation into the model by our consultant.
A price for new cremation equipment is expected from our preferred supplier within days. ERA Architects, our heritage architecture consultant, has met with our cemetery consultant and is developing proposals for architectural work to accommodate the cremation equipment.
We reduced the number of cemetery staff some time ago to reflect the drop in activity. The remaining staff continue to cope well with the workload, and we thank them for their efforts.
CATHEDRAL LIGHTING PROJECT: LET THERE BE LIGHT!
The following is an update and the next steps in finalizing the project:
- The lighting fixtures have been installed and the designer has come from Ottawa to aim them. You can view more photos here.
- This week, the lights will be programmed, and the Property staff will be briefed on their operations.
- Existing fixtures at ground level will be demolished and the new fixtures will be switched on to ensure seamless lighting for security.
- Project close-out documentation will be provided.
- The system is expected to be fully functional by Canada Day.
- We are considering having the existing bases converted to power outlets for use during outdoor events.
- An inauguration event will take place when conditions permit.
- This project is entirely funded by a private donor and the City of Toronto. We extend our thanks to them.
- The new lighting fixtures are durable and energy efficient LED’s.
- We are also considering other measures to improve security around the building, such as making vulnerable points inaccessible.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP: Summer is here, and we need your help!
Summer generally marks a lower attendance and donation season at St. James, due to vacations and the warmer weather. This summer, we are dealing with the additional challenges of the pandemic.
As we prepare to reopen the Cathedral’s doors in September, we need your help to meet the financial challenges ahead. Donations are now our main source of income, as events have momentarily ceased, investment income is down, and the cemetery is slowly recovering from a period of brokenness. Thank you to those who have continued to send their monthly donations. If you have yet to do so, please consider sending donations by cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9 or by using the ‘Donate’ button on our website. In 2019 we implemented a cyber-security program to maintain the security of your personal and financial data.
We also encourage you to 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.
STAYING CONNECTED
Thank you for your love and support during this period in the life of St. James. We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website or Facebook page for updates, Morning Prayer, service listings and inspirational messages. Please remember, you are not alone.
Blessings and peace to you all,
The Reverend Andrew MacDonald, Associate Priest
Don Solomon & Jayne Hobbs, Wardens
amacdonald@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca
