A Message from the Dean & Wardens (November 19)
“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
~ Julian of Norwich
At Vestry in March, I spoke about a plan for Core Values and Visioning Exercises for the Cathedral. Four days later, we were closed down by COVID-19. To say this has been an uncertain and trying time is an understatement. And yet, there has been so much that is positive in our common life and ministry together through it: the dedication of our staff and volunteers; the generosity of the Diocese; the ability to connect through media platforms and livestreaming; and, last but not least, the arrival of our wonder future curate, Claire Latimer-Dennis.
I have two more pieces of good news to share with you today. The first is related to the above. Thanks to the ministry of our Visioning Steering Committee and the incredible Janet Marshall, Diocesan Director of Congregational Development, we have been able to reinvent the Visioning Process to fit the pandemic reality and are already engaged in the next step. I invite you to be part of one of the upcoming Zoom meetings, where the process and a progress report will be ably shared by Janet. Please note, each of the meetings listed below will be identical in content, so you only need to come to one! I look forward to sharing our progress with you.
Visioning Meeting Dates and Times:
November 23, 7:00 – 8:00pm
November 25, 7:00 – 8:00pm
November 30, 7:00 – 8:00pm
December 2, 3:00 – 4:00pm
To receive the Zoom meeting details for any of the sessions above, please email info@stjamescathedral.ca. If you would like to join the meeting by phone, please leave a message on the clergy line at 416-364-7865, ext. *232 to receive the meeting details.
The other piece of good news to share is that that Canon Beth Benson, one of our new Honorary Assistants, has agreed to take on much of the pastoral work while Fr. Andrew MacDonald is on loan to St. Mary Magdalene’s and until we have a new Vicar in place. Beth brings passion for the gospel, a wide variety of skills and experience as well as charm and good humour to this ministry. Beth will also be looking after the Lay Pastoral Visiting Team until further notice. Beth’s contact information for pastoral care concerns is bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca or leave a message for her at 416-809-2103. I am deeply grateful to Beth for her willingness to serve in this capacity. Here is a bit more about her:
The Reverend Canon Beth Benson joins the Cathedral clergy team on a part-time basis with oversight and coordination of our pastoral care ministry. After a career in the environmental not-for-profit sector, Beth returned to post-graduate education in 2000 and is a graduate of Wycliffe College. She served as a student intern at the Cathedral during the summer of 2003. She recently retired after sixteen years in parish ministry in the Diocese of Toronto where she served in various missional leadership roles. From 2015, she led the amalgamation of four parishes in the Parkdale-West Toronto Deanery into a new congregation named The Church of St. Mary and St. Martha. Beth and her husband Bill live in the Beach neighbourhood and have two adult daughters. Bill is an active volunteer in our Diocese.
Finally, more good news. Archbishop Colin and Ellen Johnson need no introduction in our community. They are both well known and well loved by us. I am pleased to let you know that Archbishop Colin has agreed to act as the Liturgical Consultant for the Cathedral until a new Vicar arrives. He brings a deep love for our liturgy, our community and our Lord. Colin will have oversight of special non-diocesan worship planning as well as a hand in our week by week offering of praise and thanksgiving. To reach him about liturgical matters, please send a message to cjohnson@stjamescathedral.ca.
In short, as W.C. Fields would say, please send pastoral questions and concerns to Canon Beth until further notice and liturgical questions and concerns to Archbishop Colin.
Thank you for your faithfulness, prayers and support of this special place. We need you and we appreciate you.
In Christ,
Dean Stephen+
SUNDAY SERVICE NOTES
St. James Cathedral in-person services take place at 8:00am, 9:00am and 11:00am.
The Mandarin Ministry service takes place at 1:30pm.
Seats are limited and registration is required.
Registration will be available on the Monday prior to the Sunday services each week.
Registration will close each week at 11:59pm Saturday.
Register for a Sunday service each week here.
Watch the live-stream of the 11:00am service here.
See a full outline of the Diocesan protocols for re-opening here;
and view the Diocesan’s re-opening video here.
Send your questions about re-opening to reopening@stjamescathedral.ca.
We are looking forward to seeing you!!
THE CATHEDRAL CENTRE
Even though the Cathedral is open on Sundays only for worship, the Cathedral Centre will remain closed until further notice. This is due to staffing limitations necessitated by our decreased revenues.
WHEN CHRISTMAS IS A DIFFICULT TIME
Grief, illness, stress, financial pressures, and painful memories can make Christmas a difficult time for some of us. We invite you to attend a short service of prayer and reflection to help prepare you for the holiday in faith and hope – despite your losses. This year’s service “When Christmas is a Difficult Time” will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:00pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate in this virtual service, please email info@stjamescathedral.ca or leave a message on the clergy line at 416-364-7865, ext. *232. The Zoom meeting link and password will be distributed during the week of December 6, 2020.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL FLOWERS
A beautiful way to remember a loved one at Christmas is through the memorial poinsettias that will be placed in the Cathedral for the season. This year, we will also be placing poinsettias on the Altars and other settings and all names submitted will be noted on the general memorial poinsettias list. Names can be emailed to info@stjamescathedral.ca or called in to the clergy extension at 416-364-7865, ext. *232. We are asking for donations of $40 (minimum) per name or per couple. Donations will be designated to the Cathedral Flower Fund and are tax-receiptable. Please indicate whether you will be making your payment for your memorial by credit card online or by cheque on the offering plate/by mail. The deadline for submitting memorial names will be Tuesday, December 8. Please note that due to the uncertainty of these times, if we are unable to hold in-person services at Christmas, we will produce a ‘virtual flower memorial’ incorporating all of the names received and post it on the Cathedral website and Facebook page. In this case, all donated monies will go towards the Cathedral Flower Fund for future use.
COMPLINE FOR ADVENT
As we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Lord, and the coming light into the darkness of our world, join us for a service of Compline every Sunday evening during Advent, at 7:00pm over Zoom. It will be a short family-friendly service (no more than half an hour), with candles, readings, prayers, and time for silent reflection. Email Claire at clatimerdennis@stjamescathedral.ca for the link.
VIRTUAL HYMN SING
Do you miss singing together at church? Join us for our next Virtual Hymn Sing on November 24 at 7:30pm. We will meet over Zoom to share some hymns sung by members of the Parish Choir and friends. The same hymns will be repeated on Wednesday, December 2 at 4:00pm. During Virtual Hymn Sing your microphone is muted when you sing, so you need not worry about how you sound. To receive an invitation, please email irenecourage105@gmail.com.
ST. MARTIN’S DAY COAT DRIVE
Many thanks to all those who donated coats for the St. Martin’s Day Coat Drive! We received quite a few coats (the final number is still being tallied!) and are deeply grateful to all those of you who gave so generously. We are delighted to be able to offer them to those who need them.
PWRDF CHRISTMAS CARDS
This year continues to be different in every way, and Christmas preparation is no exception. The Cathedral will not be able to physically supply your PWRDF Christmas Cards as usual, but there is an easy way to order directly from their website or by phone if you prefer. There are two beautiful new designs this year, and cards are available now to be delivered to your home. Please continue to support the valuable work of PWRDF with partners overseas and here in Canada during this testing time. For more information and to place your order, click here or phone Mike Ziemerink at 416-822-9083.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
We are exceedingly grateful to those of you who continue to support us financially. Donations have become 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. 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.
- 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).
- Many have been asking how to donate electronically when attending worship. We are delighted to have a QR code for that purpose, which you will find in all future 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
Don Solomon & Jayne Hobbs, Wardens
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca
