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contactmagazine christ church cathedral . volume 41 . issue 3 . advent 2010 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Beautiful music and uplifting worship RABBI ROBERT DAUM Faiths learning together FORTY MINUTE FORUMS Engaging Sunday sessions

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Page 1: contactmagazine - Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver · contactmagazine christ church cathedral . volume 41 . issue 3 . advent 2010 CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION ... Charpentier’s “Messe

contactmagazinechrist church cathedral . volume 41 . issue 3 . advent 2010

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONBeautiful music and uplifting worship

RABBI ROBERT DAUMFaiths learning together

FORTY MINUTE FORUMSEngaging Sunday sessions

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2 | CONTACT ADVENT 2010

Contact is the news magazine of Christ Church Cathedral in the Diocese of New Westminster, and is published three times a year. We welcome your submissions, though we cannot guarantee that all submissions will be printed. Please send to the Cathedral office, and if you wish your material returned, please provide a stamped self-addressed envelope. We also accept e-mail submissions: [email protected] is printed by Printing Ink Offset Printer

Contents(feature)Advent, Christmas & Epiphany 3

(articles)Editors Note 2Neale Adams

Forty Minute Forums 5 Engaging Sunday sessions

A New Stained Glass Window 6In loving memory of Jane Donegani-Short

Rabbi Robert Daum 8

Youth & Children 9

Calendar of Events 10

Stewardship 11

WORSHIP TIMES AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRALSunday 8am Holy Communion, 10:30am Choral Eucharist 9:30pm Gregorian Chant: The Service of Compline (The 2010 Season of Compline – January to November, ThefirstComplineof2011isJanuary16th!)Weekdays 12:10pm Eucharist with healing prayers on Thursdays Tuesday 7:30 Contemplative Prayer GroupThursday 7:30am Holy Eucharist & light community breakfast. Saturday 9:10am Holy Communion

Advent 2010 — VOL. 41, ISSUE 3

Christ Church CathedralOpen Doors, Open Hearts, Open Minds

The Right Reverend Michael InghamBishop, Diocese of New WestminsterThe Very Reverend Dr. Peter ElliottDean & Rector The Venerable Dr. Ellen Clark-KingPriest AssociateThe Reverend Chris Dierkes Curate The Reverend Alisdair Smith DeaconThe Reverend Dixie Black Deacon Rupert Lang Organist & Director of MusicVincent Carey Parish AdministratorGordon Macdonald Building AdministratorMark Kowalk Building/Events ManagerKathy Irwin Business AdministratorKate NewmanCoordinator, Children’s & Youth MinistryMark Munn Director Development & CommunicationsTaryl Guenter Graphic DesignerDonna Wong-Juliani Artistic AssociateCurrent Worship & Events Info- call 604-682-3848 ext.50Gary Kenwood Rector’s WardenSue Cruickshank People’s WardenElaine Young, Associate Warden/HospitalityBlair Wilson TreasurerNed Goodhue Assistant TreasurerJohn Ross Secretary to the CorporationAllen Aubert, MAIBC Architect-in-ResidenceRobert Taylor, Bonnie Fulton TrusteesContributors to Contact: Neale Adams, David Smith, Sheila Wex, Peter Elliott, Mark MunnPhotos/Images: Bayne Stanley, Wayne Chose, Neale Adams, Martin Knowles

Front Cover: Megan Kao and The Rev. Chris Dierkes on October 24.

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CONTACT ADVENT 2010 | 3

It sure is great to be appreciated! Penny Charlesworth, Ian Birtwell, and I were honoured with the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster at a grand ceremony at the Cathedral on November 7. It was nice to receive congratulations from so many people in the congregation.

But it also made me realize (and I am speaking only for myself ) the serendipity of receiving honours of any kind. I had the medal with its ribbons placed about my neck by Archdeacon Ronald Harrison and a handshake from Bishop Michael Ingham primarily for work I’d done as communications officer of the diocese for nine years, including editing the TOPIC newspaper. Yet most of the work I’d done, especially as editor, was coordinating the efforts of others. Dozens of people wrote stories, took and sent in pictures, proofread pages to make them (almost) error free, etc.

I’m the one who got the honour and the medal – which has the design that I worked on during my time at the diocese – but which was designed not by me but through the co-operative work of many others. I’m not trying to be falsely modest – I did work hard for the diocese – but so have many, many others. The experience of receiving an award reminded me that virtually all accomplishment in the Church is due to community effort, done ultimately to the glory of God, and I think that should be acknowledged.

Neale Adams

Editor of Contact

Editor’s Note

ARE YOU ON THE PARISH ROLL?

Do you appreciate what happens here at Christ Church Cathedral, and have you been attending regularly? If so, are you on the Parish Roll?

Choosing to list your name on the Parish Roll means that you get a vote at our Annual Vestry, which determines the budget and direction of the Cathedral each year. It’s also the best way for you to ensure that the Cathedral knows how to contact you (including sending you donation tax receipts and annual reports). Finally, it’s an affirming sign to this community that you like it so much that you wish to formally join the parish!

We keep your name and contact info strictly confidential, and we respect any requests to limit communications such as emails or printed newsletters. If you’d like to be listed on the parish roll, please contact Vincent Carey at 604.682.3848 or at vincent@ cathedral.vancouver.bc.ca

ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?

The Cathedral has a fan page on Facebook, where we post links to articles from both clergy and laity, notices about upcoming events, and links to interesting articles on God, Anglicanism and everything church.

Just search for us in the Facebook search toolbar under “Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver.” If you like us and want to be updated whenever we add something interesting, just press the “Like” button. We’ll do the rest! And you can opt out at any time.

Ian Birtwell, Penny Charlesworth, and Neale Adams are Cathedral members who received the Order of New Westminster on November

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4 | CONTACT ADVENT 2010

The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany season at Christ Church Cathedral is always a highlight of the Church’s year, and this year will be no exception.

Special choral music, a Christmas tableau, and the traditional holiday services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, should again attract thousands, including many coming for the first time to the Cathedral.

“This season is about opening our doors wide and welcoming in people for the celebration of Jesus’ birth,” says Dean Peter Elliott. “I can’t tell you how many people have said to me, ‘I came to church one Christmas Eve and I felt I had come home.’”

During all four Sundays in Advent the musical setting for the Eucharist will be the “Missa Advenio,” commissioned by congregational members Michael and Daphne Francis and Steve and Judy Mostardi and composed by Cathedral music director Rupert Lang. The piece was created to honour the Dean’s 15th anniversary at the Cathedral last year. It has a special “Song of Approach” to accompany the lighting of the Advent candles.

On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, at the conclusion of the service, children from the congregation will come to the front and form a Christmas tableau. In as much as nearly all of the Cathedral children are quite young these days, the pageant “A Great Light” which has been presented for several years will be held in abeyance for a few years until they grow old enough to play the main parts.

As usual, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be packed with celebration. The Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir will lead a service of readings and carols at 1 pm on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24.

Then at 4 pm, the Salvation Army musicians will present “Carols for the City,” as they have been doing on Christmas Eve for the past four decades. Participating will be Christopher Gaze, Shakespearean actor and “Bard on the

Beach” festival director, and Bramwell Tovey, music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, whose first musical post was playing tuba in a Salvation Army band.

The two traditional services Christmas Eve of the “Mass for the City” at 8 and 11 pm will include “A Touch of Brass” plus string players assisting the Choir with Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Messe de Minuit pour Noel.” Presiding will be Bishop Michael Ingham and preaching will be our Dean - Peter Elliott.

Christmas Day, Eucharists at 8 and 10:30 am will include a sermon from the Ven. Dr. Ellen Clark-King. Youth Ministry Coordinator Kate Newman may arrange for her popular puppets to participate at 10:30. The Rev. Chris Dierkes will preach the next day at the two regular Sunday services at 8 and 10:30.

Eight services over three days this year present quite a marathon for choir and clergy, servers and sidespeople, but it will offer multiple opportunities, not just for the congregation, but also for hundreds more from all over the city and region, to share in the joy of Christ’s birth.

Advent, Christmas & Epiphany AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

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The Forty-Minute Forum is designed to be an exciting use of the time between the Cathedral’s two Sunday morning services, and offer a chance for members of the parish to engage with intelligent and articulate people from many backgrounds.

SPEAKERS COMING UP EARLY IN 2011 WILL INCLUDE:

• Diane Loomer, who directs the Chor Leoni Men’s Choir (January 16)

• Bill and Lorna Orr speaking of their work with doctors in China (January 23)

• Brad McDougall, an eye doctor who works with children in Somalia (January 30)

• John Innes, actor (February 6)

We have tried to include a mix of West Coast voices, individuals with something to say to people who are curious and want to learn. Past speakers have included Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival’s artistic director Christopher Gaze, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation broadcaster Shelagh Rogers, former Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, and many others. They include people from the congregation and from outside it.

We began last June. A similar program at St. Clement’s in Toronto inspired Dean Peter Elliott, who brought the idea to us. After our summer eight-week trial we decided to continue and to add a special Vancouver flavor. We strive to make the program exciting, challenging, engaging and fun, not only for ourselves but also for people who don’t yet know the Cathedral. The Forty-Minute Forum is a program to which members of the congregation can invite their friends.

The forums are all held in the Park Room and begin at 9:15 am. Coffee and tea is provided and there is no admission charge. We can’t afford to pay our speakers but we do give them a small Cathedral gift. We would welcome your

suggestions for speakers – contact us through the Cathedral office. Mark your calendars now, and bring friends.

Forty-Minute Forums: INTERESTING SPEAKERS AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRALBy David J. Smith and Sheila Wex, Forum co-chairs

The Rev. Lois Boxill spoke at a 40 minute Forum session in November

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6 | CONTACT ADVENT 2010

In loving memory of Jane Donegani Short, 1952-2008

The newest stained glass window at the Cathedral will be dedicated in early December: it is a gift from the late Jane Donegani Short. Jane, who died in 2008, was an active member of the Cathedral community. It was while she was serving as Liturgical Assistant one Sunday that the inspiration for this window came to her.

The Gospel reading was from John 4, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It was read by a group: a narrator, a person reading Jesus’ words, and Jane, who spoke the words of the Samaritan woman.

After reading the passage, Jane sat in her chair beside the Presider and saw how light was coming through the stained glass windows in the Cathedral. The light transfixed Jane, combined with Jesus’ words in the passage: “The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

A few days later Jane called me to ask if the Cathedral would be willing to receive a gift of a stained glass window that illustrated that passage. That dialogue from John between Jesus and a woman — the longest recorded conversation in the Gospels — stood out for her. The Samaritan woman was strong, theologically astute and brave.

Jane had been fighting cancer for some time, and a few months later had to enter the palliative care ward at St. Paul’s Hospital, but still wanted to give the window. I arranged for Jane to meet with Thomas Mercer and Edward Schaefer, stained glass artists, in the ward’s lounge at the hospital.

Jane knew what she wanted. “They need to be seen as equals in the window” Jane insisted. “And no halos — I want this to be two people meeting, speaking the truth to each other and being led to a deeper truth.” We listened, took notes, and commissioned the window. A few months later Jane died.

Jane’s life exemplified the importance of speaking the truth. She had been a passionate advocate for her son Josh who was confined to a wheelchair for most of his too short life. Because of her powerful advocacy for Josh, public policy in BC for people with disabilities was changed. Jane herself sustained a head injury from an accident, and did everything possible to achieve a full recovery.

Facing cancer, she learned all she could about the disease and met its challenge with determination and courage. She availed herself of all healing methods to live as full and complete a life for as long as she was able, and to be present to others.

In my letter to her before she died, thanking her formally for the window I wrote: “This window will be a legacy of the spirit of your work — a spirit of engagement, dialogue, challenge, and spiritual refreshment.”

May this new stained window be a fitting remembrance of the passion and commitment of Jane Donegani Short—and an invitation, to all who see it, to encounter the living water that wells up unto eternal life.

A NEW STAINED GLASS WINDOW AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHERALBY PETER ELLIOTT

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CONTACT ADVENT 2010 | 7

NEW CHRISTMAS CD

Angels From Heaven Came

New CD From Christ Church Cathedral Choir

Just in time for the expectation of

Advent and the joys of Christmas, the

Cathedral Choir has released their

newest recording, a collection of music

for this festive season.

The music ranges from the short but

perfect O Radix Jesse by Healey Willan to

extended works such as Rupert Lang’s

How Like an Angel and Herbert Howell’s

Long, Long Ago, and from polyphony

by Palestrina and Sweelinck to modern

works such as the title track.

Angels From Heaven Came will be available

starting Nov 21st at coffee hour for $20.

It is also available for download on iTunes

and Amazon MP3.

May this new stained window be a fitting remembrance of the passion and commitment of Jane Donegani Short—and an invitation, to all who see it, to encounter the living water that wells up unto eternal life.”

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8 | CONTACT ADVENT 2010

Rabbi Dr. Robert Daum believes that in a world full of conflict it’s more important than ever for people of different faiths to listen to and learn from and with each other.

That belief, along with a long friendship with Dean Peter Elliott, is why he has accepted a one year appointment as Rabbinic Scholar in residence at Christ Church Cathedral.

“We need to draw from the wisdom that has been accumulated in different traditions,” he explained in an interview at Vancouver School of Theology, where he is the Director of Iona Pacific Inter-Religious Centre. He teaches at VST and the Centre as Associate Professor of Rabbinic Literature and Jewish Thought.

Daum said he will be giving several talks (not sermons!) at the Cathedral over the year. He hopes to be a resource to the Cathedral clergy and staff, as well as to learn from and with the Cathedral community.

A native of Danbury, Connecticut, Daum is the son of a dentist. Growing up, Daum’s family belong to the local Jewish Synagogue. Inter-faith dialogue was alive and well: their rabbi spoke in churches; Christian priests and ministers addressed his Jewish congregation.

“Our synagogue was very much part of the community.” said Daum. “Our rabbi for years headed the city Board of Education.” Rabbi Jerome Malino also co-founded the local prison chaplaincy, local concert and music associations, opposed the Vietnam war long before most, and advocated for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Deciding to become a rabbi, Daum studied under Rabbi Malino, whose own mentor Rabbi Stephen Samuel Wise was a leading figure in American Jewish life in the 1930s and 1940s.

After moving to California, Daum helped organize an interfaith spiritual support team for HIV patients and their caregivers. With the American Jewish Committee, he

participated in a program with the local Roman Catholic Archdiocese that sent rabbis to speak in Roman Catholic high schools, and Roman Catholic educators to speak in the Jewish high schools.

One of the Rabbi Daum’s current scholarly interests is Jewish and Christian polemical writings – that is, writings throughout history in which members of one faith argue their faith is better and more true than the other.

One thing he has noticed is that Christians sometimes find it hard to recognize a Christian writing is polemic in nature if it is against Jews. Likewise, it is sometimes hard for Jewish readers to recognize the polemic nature of writings by Jews against Christians.

Despite a history that includes very serious disagreements – and far worse – over the past 2000 years, it is very important to recognize that there were many years when Jews and Christians got along and cooperated with each other.

Following American Jewish historian Salo Wittmayer Baron, Daum believes Jewish history was “not an uninterrupted vale of tears punctuated by catastrophes.” – it was far more complex.

In the Middle Ages some Jews are reported taking refuge in Bishops’ castles to escape Crusader mobs. Medieval texts tell of Jews and Christians (and Muslims) sometimes cooperating to ransom captives. For many years Christians and Jews lived in periods of relative tranquility interrupted by occasional conflicts – not until 1391 did anti-Jewish riots usher in a period of deepening conflict, which culminated in the expulsion of Spain’s Jews in 1492.

But what of the Christian belief, common for many centuries, still held by some, that it is the duty of Christians to convert Jewish “unbelievers”?

Rabbi Daum wanted to make it clear that he would never, ever tell Christians what they should believe or say. However, everyone should be aware of “the implications of our beliefs and teachings for the full humanity of others.”

For himself, he said he tries to take “a stance of epistemological humility.”

“Who and what God is, is beyond my own capacity to understand. I can never pronounce the last word on the question... I would like to think that my story can co-exist with the stories of others without one of them having to be

RABBI ROBERT DAUMCHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL’S RABBI IN RESIDENCE

BY NEALE ADAMS

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CONTACT ADVENT 2010 | 9

Growing & Thriving Sunday and the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve were huge hits at the Cathedral in October. There was great fun in sharing activities, community meals and absolutely fantastic costumes!

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S CHURCH

the only true story... There is wisdom in all the traditions.”

Jews and Christians must both be respectful of how they each interpret their “Sacred Texts.”

The two faiths do have more or less in common what some Christians call the “Old Testament” and Jews (and some Christians) call the “Hebrew Scriptures” – of which the first five books make up Torah.

But both faiths have what their own second set of Sacred Texts. Christians have the New Testament or “Greek Scriptures.” Jews have the “Oral Torah,” a body of classical Rabbinic commentary on the Torah which has been written down and codified, along with subsequent Jewish teachings down to today.

In both faiths these second Sacred Texts have differing canonical status. They give new insight into the first Sacred Text – the one common to both faiths. For inter-faith dialogue to work, it is most important to realize that neither faith can assume all approach and read the common, first Sacred Text in the same way.

In other words, suggests the Rabbi, along with many other modern scholars, one shouldn’t look upon Christianity as the “daughter of Judaism.”

A better analogy is that the two faiths are siblings, -- or perhaps the descendants of siblings – who began to part company about the time of Jesus or what scholars call the era of “Second Temple Judaism.” The emergence of “Judaism” and “Christianity” as two distinct religions was a gradual process that took centuries, many scholars believe.

Respecting each other’s faith traditions, discovering how they are similar – and how they differ – in an atmosphere of friendship and trust, is what Rabbi Daum is hoping for. Appreciating the complexities of each other’s religion opens prospects for true cooperation.

“We are living on one planet. We need to work together in order to address the critical challenges humankind faces. This is not something just politically correct. It is morally responsible.”

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10 | CONTACT ADVENT 2010

SUNDAY, NOV. 28 - 1ST SUNDAY IN ADVENT8am Holy Communion10:30 Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Dixie BlackSilent Night Recording (following the 10:30 service)4pm Advent Lessons and Carols

THURSDAY, DEC. 2 7pm Lecture by Dr. Harry Maier, VST faculty

SUNDAY, DEC 5 - 2ND SUNDAY IN ADVENT8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish Eucharist - dedication of new stained glass windowPreacher The Rev. Alisdair Smith1pm Santa Claus Parade7pm Ordination of Chris Dierkes to the priesthood

TUESDAY, DEC 77:30pm Chris Dierkes’ First Celebration of the Eucharist

FRIDAY & SATURDAY DEC 10-117pm Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir Concerts - Go Tell Itwww.goodnoisevgc.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 12 - 3RD SUNDAY IN ADVENT8am Holy Communion10:30 Parish EucharistPreacher Dean Peter Elliott9-10:15am, 12-1:30pm Christmas Fair4:00pm Tell Me a Story One More Time - VCC Christmas Concert

SUNDAY, DEC 19 - 4TH SUNDAY IN ADVENT8am Holy Communion10:30 Parish Eucharist with Christmas TableauPreacher Archdeacon Ellen Clark-King4:00pm The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

DEC 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE1pm Gospel for the City with the Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir4pm Carols for the City - with a Salvation Army Band8pm & 11pm - Mass For the City Presider Bishop Michael InghamPreacher Dean Peter Elliott

DEC 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY8:00am - Holy Communion Preacher Archdeacon Ellen Clark-King10:30 Parish Eucharist (Family Service) Children’s Homily

SUNDAY, DEC 26 - 1ST SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS8am Holy Communion10:30 Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Chris Dierkes

SUNDAY, JAN 2 - 2ND SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Helen Worley

FRIDAY, JAN 7 - EPIPHANY7pm - Epiphany Eucharist followed by Epiphany Party

Preacher The Rev. Dixie Black

SUNDAY, JAN 9 - BAPTISM OF THE LORD8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher Lori-Anne Boutin, LUMS Intern

SUNDAY, JAN 16 - 2ND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

8am Holy Communion9:15am Forty Minute Forum, Diane Loomer10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Dr. Paula Sampson, VST faculty9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant (1st of 2011)

TUESDAYS, JAN 18 - FEB 87pm Explore Christ Church Cathedral with the Clergy Team

THURSDAYS, JAN 20 - FEB 247pm The Hidden Power of the Gospel with the Clergy team

SUNDAY, JAN 23 - 3RD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Alisdair Smith9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant

SUNDAY, JAN 30 - 4TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Nick Parker, Senior Port Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant

SUNDAY, FEB 6 - PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (TRANSFERRED)

8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher Canon Herbert O’Driscoll9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant

SUNDAY, FEB 13 - 6TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher Archdeacon Ellen Clark-King9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant

SUNDAY, FEB 20 - 7TH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

8am Holy Communion10:30am Parish EucharistPreacher The Rev. Chris Dierkes9:30pm Compline: The Service of Gregorian Chant

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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CONTACT ADVENT 2010 | 11

You Are Invited to ParticipateSUPPORT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL & ITS MINISTRIES

The Cathedral FundThe daily, life, work and ministry of Christ Church Cathedral is supported by contributions to the Cathedral Fund. Your gifts help meet the ever increasing costs of daily operations and help fund existing programs and new initiatives. The money that comes in to the Cathedral fund goes toward ensuring that the doors remain open to worshippers and visitors alike, so that all who seek God or simply wish to spend some quiet time in the middle of a busy, stressful day may experience a welcoming, prayerful place of sanctuary in the heart of the city. m $500 m $250 m $100 m $75 m $50 m $25

OTHER: Please call me at: with information about your monthly automatic debit program or credit card payments.

Restoration and RenewalFrom 1995 to 2006, the Cathedral was engaged in an ambitious Restoration & Renewal project. Phase I and Phase II successfully preserved the heritage features of this 118-year old building while updating worship and meeting spaces.

Phase III included the construction of an elevator connecting the two levels, and the building of a washroom on the main floor. The total cost for the 11 year, 3 phase rejuvena-tion was 11.4 million dollars. As of now the total amount raised in cash and pledges for the entire project is in excess of 9 mil-lion dollars. You can help CCC retire the 2 million dollar debt by making a gift to Restoration & Renewal.I would like to make a gift of: m $1000 m $500 m $250 m $100 m $75 m $50

OTHER:I would like to make a pledge for $ each year for years.

Friends of the CathedralIf you are unable to attend the Cathedral on a reg-ular basis but would like to stay informed about Cathedral life, you are invited to join Friends of the Cathedral. All Friends receive a yearly sub-scription to Contact.

m CONTRIBUTING $25 m SUSTAINING $50 m CHARTER $100

Please make cheques payable to Christ Church Cathedral, 690 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 2L1.

Name: Address: City: Province:Postal Code:Telephone:

One of my very best friends is a guy we call Carver. The “dude” loves to laugh, and even more so loves to make people laugh. He is perhaps best described as an imp. Of course, imps, being smaller lesser demons, are fond of pranks and misleading people… I met Carver at a camp on the sunshine coast. You’d be the luckiest camper alive to have Carver as your group leader. As a colleague, he made terribly early mornings and endless rain somehow a source of howling laughter and sore stomachs. The night before the opening day of camp, Carver “freed” the flagpole from its home at the front gate, dug a pit (with some help) in the middle of home field, filled it with wet cement and then put the flagpole it its new home. It was a harmless piece of vandalism, one that was joyously greeted by campers and counsellors alike in the morning - made all the more funny by the twinkle in Carver’s eyes. Breakfast in the camp hall, overlooking the field, was pure hilarity as we all watched senior staff investigating the flag pole standing proudly, encased in several hundred pounds of cement in the middle of the field. There it stayed for the rest of the summer,

STEWARDSHIP

just behind the pitcher’s mound. One might see, at the end of the summer, the camp dog, Milton, wandering by the flagpole. Of course, sometime in the deepest darkest night a few hours before, Milton’s great golden fur had been shaved. Enticed and pacified with hot dogs, Milton had gone into the summer a mutt, and come out a lion.

Carver and I sometimes eat lunch together downtown. At a Korean restaurant, looking out over the street, he asked me “So what’s this church stuff all about?” I said to him, “You know, not many people know it, but the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are all about God’s generosity to us. God picked slaves out of Egypt and gave them a land of milk and honey. Jesus eats with the rejected, and fills empty jugs of wine at weddings, and tells stories about the Kingdom of God like it’s a banquet, like a raucous party that God is hosting. Nowadays, we tend to think of ourselves as autonomous beings, and our highest calling is independence. But where would we be without the gifts of our human family, or our friends…” I punch him on the arm, “… without the planet,

BY MARK MUNN

continued on back page...

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our air, our food, these restaurant folks to prepare it and serve it to us? Christians say its all a gift. The rest is about how we give back. The more generously we can live with each other, and the more we take God’s gifts and give again, the more spiritually mature we are. Sometimes we get into a little trouble, because being truly generous means that the order of the world needs to change a little, but in a way, that’s what its all about.”

Probably not the answer he was expecting, but Carver was pleased with the answer. Because generosity is the very nature of the Carver imp - his life is about unexpected generosity in the most hilarious ways.

In a lot of ways, our world is made up of terribly early mornings and endless rain, and sometimes a lot worse. The world could use a few more twinkling eyes and generous givers. The good news for us is that we don’t need bags of cement, nor a pack of hot dogs and a fluffy and easily distracted dog in order to

bring joy to the world. We bring joy to the world by giving gifts! And you are invited to share one with your Cathedral community - a source of comfort and joy (and sometimes hilarity) for so many!