E-Connections – May 6, 2021

Dear friends,

This past year has given us plenty of time for reflection.  Too much, many of us will say! The balance between ‘doing’ and ‘thinking’ has radically shifted. For musicians and music-lovers this means that we have been denied the opportunity to sing hymns together and to make music with friends and those we love. However, we have been left with much time to be musicians in a more passive way: to listen, and to absorb what it really means to be a musician, to reflect on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of music-making, especially as Christians.

I believe that church music is fundamentally different from music within a secular context. It points away from itself and the performers and instead reveals something of God within our lives. When I think about musicians of the very highest international stature what stands out for me is how their primary motivation is not the music itself, but about how they use music as a means of pointing to something Godly, something beyond themselves.

The world-renown conductor Daniel Barenboim founded the East West Orchestra to promote greater tolerance and international understanding.

The composer James MacMillan, one of Great Britain’s greatest composers, is equally at home composing complex symphonic music, and working as a parish musician in his local Scottish church, writing music of great simplicity, believing that both the complex and simple reveal something of God in this world. Listen to his beautiful Seven Last Words.

El Sistema is a system of musical education which has transformed the lives of countless young people in Venezuela, including the conductor Gustavo Dudomel. It was founded to use music as a means of promoting societal change.

The list of musicians who make music to uncover beauty and joy, or to point at poverty and injustice in this world is endless. It seems obvious, but music should always be made with the other – someone else, a higher aim, the holy – in mind, but so often we get caught up with our own musical likes and dislikes, or our own musical needs and insecurities.

My prayer for our musical future at St. James is that our music-making might be something far greater than the sum of its parts, far greater than the people who sing or play. In doing so we invite God into the process of making music and open ourselves into the possibility – or rather the likelihood – of music which opens a window to heaven. The gift of music allows us to glimpse something beyond ourselves, and to God.

My best wishes to you and your loved ones,

Thomas Bell
Music Director & Organist

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 by Friday at noon 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 sessions take place on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, May 19 at 4:00pm

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 – (St. Ansgar Lutheran Church)

ORDINATION OF CLAIRE LATIMER-DENNIS

Micah, Claire & Dean Stephen

The Reverend Claire Latimer-Dennis was ordained a Transitional Deacon at the Cathedral on Sunday, May 2. Her husband, Micah Latimer-Dennis, was also ordained a Transitional Deacon on the same day! Claire will begin her curacy at the Cathedral as of May 10. Congratulations Claire!

Please note: Claire will be away until May 10, 2021. In her absence, please send prayer requests to Canon Beth Benson at bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca.

TALKING ABOUT MUSIC – A SERIES OF RECORDED INTERVIEWS

Music plays a vital part in our worship. Starting next week, 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 will be posted on the St. James Cathedral Choir Facebook page on Sunday, May 9 at 3:00pm. 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.

VIRTUAL MIDDAY EUCHARIST

A virtual service of Holy Eucharist for the Ascension of the Lord will be live-streamed on Thursday, May 13 at 12:30pm on the Cathedral’s Facebook page.

OUR DROP-IN HOSTS A VACCINE CLINIC

Our Drop-In hosted a mobile Covid vaccination clinic on April 27.

Many thanks to our Outreach Manager, Kathy Biasi, and Sherbourne Health for making this possible!

AN UPDATE FROM THE WARDENS

Last year we introduced Growing Healthy Stewards, a program to stabilize and grow much-needed financial resources for St. James Cathedral. A key element of the program is the Joyful Giving appeal, which asks parishioners to indicate what their contributions to the life of the Cathedral will be for the coming year. This knowledge provides the basis for our budgeting process: knowing what to expect from envelopes or Planned Authorized Giving helps us plan programs and outreach services. In any year this knowledge is important; under the current conditions, it is critical.

The Joyful Giving package was mailed to over 330 Cathedral supporters in early March. To date we have received 95 responses. We sincerely thank all of those who have responded. If you have not done so already, we urge you to consider this appeal seriously and return the Stewardship 2021 Giving Card within the next two weeks. Your commitment to St. James Cathedral is crucial to its mission and outreach.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

First Quarter Financial Update

Please click here to view the First Quarter Financial Update: January 1 to March 31, 2021.

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