Christmas music for the traditionalists and the adventurous

By Chris Hayes

Over the past 30 years the number of artists recording on specifically Christian music labels has risen steadily. The same holds true for the interpretation of traditional music, such as hymns and carols, especially Christmas carols. It would seem every group out there has a Christmas music project, and many, many of them include traditional Christmas carols. There are those who appreciate the “freer” interpretations of the traditional and well known music, find it refreshing and interesting. Others are bothered, as it was put to me once, by the “messing with stuff that ought not to be messed with.”With all this in mind I offer two reviews this month, one featuring faithful renderings, the other a little more daring.  Read the reviews.

Stewardship Conference DVDs ready
DVDs of the 2009 Stewardship Conference with Bishop Edward Salmon are in the hands of the archdeacons for distribution to parishes. Each incumbent should receive a set soon. Copies are also available at the Diocesan Resource Centre in Saint John.
 

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December Anniversaries

Dec. 12   The Rev. Canon Ed Coleman, 25 years a priest
Dec. 16   The Rev. Lee Whitney, 30 years a deacon
Dec. 16   The Rev. Jim Golding, 45 years a priest
Dec. 21   The Rev. Doug Barrett, 30 years a deacon

Announcements
View an up-to-date list of diocesan appointments and announcements.

Temporal Transactions

View an up-to-date list of property transactions within the diocese.

Open incumbencies

* Appointment process status:
     H - On hold
     P - In parish profile preparation
     E - Accepting expressions of interest
     I - In the interview process
     A - Awaiting appointment

Diocesan openings

The Nominating Committee currently invites nominations for the following positions:

• Diocesan / Synod Nominating Committee Chair
• Investment sub-committee (one member)
• Human Resources Committee (two lay positions)
• Nominating Committee Member (one lay and one cleric)
  
  

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RCL Lectionary (Year C)

Sunday, Dec. 13

Third Sunday of Advent (Violet or Rose or Blue)

Propers 270; Zephaniah 3:14–20; Canticle 3 (Isaiah 12:2–6); Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18; Preface of Advent

Cycles of Prayer

Willochra — (South Australia, Australia) The Rt. Rev. Gary Weatherill

Visit these links:
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
Provincial Prayer Care
Diocesan Intercessions

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Prepare a Different Way
The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.
So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists. And when it's all over, many of us are left with presents to return, looming debt that will take months to pay off, and this empty feeling of missed purpose. Is this what we really want out of Christmas? What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?
Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.

AST Course
The Atlantic School of Theology has a few remaining places in its Internet course PT 2104 (Int) - Seeing God in All Things: Creation in Christian Spirituality. Explore topics in Celtic, Franciscan and Creation spirituality as well as a topic of your choice. There are no prerequisites for this one-credit course, a Biblical Foundations and/or Theological Foundations course is recommended.
For information on these and other courses, contact the academic office at <academicoffice at astheology.ns.ca>.
 
Remembering the forgotten ways

Revolutionize your thinking on the church with a Taylor College on-line discussion based on the book The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch with instructors, Alan Hirsch and Reed Fleming. Explore the concept of Apostolic Genius and harness the power of the early church Jan. 11 through June 11, 2010. Hirsch takes the reader through a dynamic mixture of passion, prayer, and incarnational practice to rediscover the dormant potential of the modern church in the West. Details and registration. Registration deadline is Dec. 18.

ANGLICAN HOUSE
Christmas giftware and boxed cards
Anglican House

116 Princess St.
Saint John E2L 1K4

Order by mail, phone 506-693-2295 or e-mail <angbk at nbnet.nb.ca>.

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Dec. 8, 11 a.m.  Nominating Committee, Synod Office board room, Fredericton.

Dec. 8 & 9, 2 – 4 and 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Fredericton Inn, Fredericton.

Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. Council Administration Team, Cathedral Memorial Hall, Fredericton.

Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. Carleton Choristers present Sing Fa La La for Christmas at Carleton Kirk United Church, West Saint John. Tickets $8 available from David Goss at Trinity Church, Saint John; Heather DeGrace, 632-0997. They can be set aside at the door.

Dec. 10, 10 a.m.  Companion Diocese Committee, Synod Office board room.

Dec. 10, noon – 4 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Drill Hall D-15, CFB Gagetown.

Dec. 10, 3 p.m. Human Resources Committee, Synod Office board room.

Dec. 11, noon – 3 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Atrium level, Market Square, Saint John.

Dec. 11, 12:10 – 12:50 p.m.  Advent Organ Recitals at Christ Church Cathedral, corner of Brunswick and Church Streets in Fredericton. Today’s concert features Dr. Willis Noble, the cathedral’s organist and choirmaster.

Dec. 12, 1 p.m. Carleton Choristers concert at Brunswick Square, Saint John.

Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m.  Community Ecumenical Choir Service, Trinity Church, Saint John under the direction of Spencer Belyea. The superb music includes a brass ensemble as well as organ accompaniment by Michael Molloy. Choristers interesting in joining the choir may call Trinity Church, 693-8558, to find out times of practices. Lessons will be read by local clergy and dignitaries. All denominations welcome.

Dec. 15 & 16, 2 – 4 & 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, KC Irving Centre, Bathurst.

Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Carleton Choristers at Carleton Kirk's annual Christmas service for lodge residents. Everyone is welcome.

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URGENT CALL TO ACTION
PWRDF asks your support for KAIROS, a key partner for the development and justice work of the Anglican Church. It was told by phone on Nov. 30 that the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) would no longer fund KAIROS' work.
Both the Anglican Church of Canada and The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund are member organizations of KAIROS, as are nine other denominations and organizations. After more than 35 years of working with the churches to combat human rights violations around the world, CIDA cut its funding to KAIROS in spite of a very positive program evaluation. Implementing this decision will have devastating consequences for KAIROS’ global partners, as well as for KAIROS’ staff and budget. 
We ask you, as Anglicans, to add your voice to that of other ecumenical partners and help get this decision reversed.  Please know that questions are being asked in the House of Commons, articles are appearing in national newspapers and MPs are being contacted. We urge you to make your voice heard too! Please contact your MP to discuss this critical matter. A personal meeting has more impact than an e-mail, letter, or phone call, but these are good too.  Note that Parliament recesses on December 11 so you must act quickly. 
Find out who your MP is by postal code. Your MP may suggest that taxpayers’ money should not go toward the mission work of churches.  You can respond that KAIROS’ CIDA projects go towards development work, and that mission is carried out independently by the Anglican Church of Canada.  
For a copy of the KAIROS media release and briefing document visit the KAIROS website.  
Please also e-mail or write to:
• The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada <pm at pm.gc.ca>
• The Hon Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation <oda.b at parl.gc.ca>
• Margaret Biggs, President of CIDA, <Margaret.Biggs at acdi-cida.gc.ca>

More PWRDF links:

PWRDF New Brunswick Blog
justgeneration.ca.

Diocesan PWRDF

PWRDF National

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Dec. 16, 2 – 4 & 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, KC Irving Centre, Bathurst.

Dec. 17, 2 – 4 & 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.  Eglise Du Plein Evangile, 41 ch Girouardville, Bouctouhe.

Dec. 17, 12:30 – 3:30 & 5 – 6:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, NBCC, St. Andrews.

Dec. 18, 12:10 – 12:50 p.m.  Advent Organ Recitals at Christ Church Cathedral, corner of Brunswick and Church Streets in Fredericton. Today’s concert is the Fredericton Organist’s Association Christmas Special.

Dec. 19, 4 p.m. Monthly Taize service at Christ Church (Parish) Church, Fredericton. A service of prayer, contemplation, music and silence.

Dec. 20, 3 p.m. The Fredericton Ladies Choir, with Dianne Wilkins, Peter Steeves and Julie Maston, presents  A Celebration of Christmas Concert in St. Dunstan's Church, Regent Street, Fredericton.

Dec. 21, noon – 4 and 5:30 – 7 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Festival Place, 120 Westmorland St., Moncton.

Dec. 21 & 22, 2 – 4 and 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Dieppe Market, Dieppe.

Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m.  Handel’s Messiah presented by the Symphony Chorus and Orchestra at Trinity Church, Saint John. Adult advance tickets $30, seniors and students $25. Call the church office, 693-8558 or any chorus member. If you want to reserve a ticket to be left at the door, call Marje Harrison, 832-3033.

Dec. 23, 2 – 4 and 5:30 – 8 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, St. Patrick Family Centre, 34 Providence St., Moncton.

Dec. 28, 2 – 4 & 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Coverdale Rec. Centre, 50 Runnymeade Rd., Riverview.

Dec. 29, noon – 4 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Paroisse Sainte-Anne-des-Pays Bas, 665 Priestman St., Fredercton.

Dec. 30, noon – 4 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Moncton Lions Club, 55 Mark Ave., Moncton.

Dec. 30,  5 – 8 p.m.  Blood Donor Clinic, Island View Lions Club, Quispamsis.

April 20-22, 2010, Clergy Spouse's Conference, Villa Madonna in Rothesay. Please reserve these dates.

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Job listings for the Canadian church.

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New Canadians need to understand the First Nations’ story, too
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Dec. 8, 2009
Orillia, Ont.: Tears streamed down Toyin Agbaje’s face as she listened to Darlene Ritchie, a Haudenosaunee of the Oneida Nation, talk about the effects of the residential schools and the 1876 Indian Act on the aboriginal peoples of Canada.  Read the story.

Addressing the residential schools legacy
Parishes find inspired ways to ‘live out’ church’s apology
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Dec. 8, 2009

In 1993, Archbishop Michael Peers, then the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, apologized to aboriginal Anglicans for the church’s involvement in the Indian residential schools. Read the story.

Church and NGO leaders call on Ottawa to renew KAIROS funding
Funding cancellation puts human rights defenders at greater risk
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Anglican Church of Canada
Dec. 08, 2009
Ottawa: The widow of a murdered Congolese human rights defender from a KAIROS-supported group, Canadian church leaders and the heads of some of Canada's most respected non-governmental organizations are calling on the Canadian government to renew funding for the human rights program of KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives.  Read the story.

Liberals criticize CIDA cuts to KAIROS funding
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Dec. 7, 2009

Two Liberal Members of Parliament have criticized the Canadian International Development Agency’s decision to abruptly cut the funding for the Canadian ecumenical justice organization, KAIROS, saying it reflected the “vindictive, partisan nature” of the Conservative government.  Read the story.

Archbishop of Canterbury warns on election of U.S. lesbian bishop
by Chris Herlinger
Ecumenical News International
Dec. 7, 2009
New York: The election of an openly lesbian priest, who lives with her partner, as a bishop in the U.S. Episcopal (Anglican) Church is likely to cause further problems in the worldwide Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has said. "The election of Mary Glasspool by the diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan [assistant] bishop-elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole," said Archbishop Williams, the leader of the 77-million Anglican Communion, in a Dec. 6 statement.  Read the story.

Los Angeles diocese elects openly gay bishop suffragan: Mary Douglas Glasspool
by Pat McCaughan
Episcopal News Service
Dec. 7, 2009
The 114th annual convention of the Diocese of Los Angeles made history for the second time in as many days on Dec. 5, electing an openly gay candidate, the Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool, as bishop suffragan, pending the required consents from the majority of the church's other dioceses. A day earlier, some 680 delegates attending "Faith and Our Future" at the Riverside Convention Center, elected the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, 53, rector of St. Clements by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California, in the Los Angeles diocese, as their first woman bishop suffragan.  Read the story.

Los Angeles diocese elects Diane Jardine Bruce as first woman bishop
by Pat McCaughan
Episcopal News Service
Dec. 7, 2009

Canon Diane Jardine Bruce became the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles on Dec. 4, pending the required consents. Bruce, 53, rector for nine years of St. Clements by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California, in the Los Angeles diocese, was elected on the third ballot. Read the story.

Urgent action appeal on behalf of KAIROS
Please urge the federal government to approve CIDA funding for the Kairos justice coalition.
Anglican Church of Canada
Dec. 4, 2009

One of our most important Christian justice partners, the ecumenical Kairos justice coalition, was dealt a major blow when it learned Nov.30 that its funding from CIDA (the Canadian International Development Agency) would not be renewed.  Please add your voice to urge the government to reverse this decision. Read the story.

Anglican leaders ask government to review cancellation of KAIROS funds
by Ali Symons
Anglican Church of Canada
Dec. 4, 2009

The Anglican Church of Canada's top governing council and its House of Bishops have passed resolutions deploring CIDA's sudden cancellation of traditional funding to KAIROS, a major ecumenical social justice coalition. CIDA has funded KAIROS for 35 years but on Nov. 30 it denied KAIROS's most recent request, saying that the coalition's work no longer fits CIDA priorities. No other explanation or information was provided.  Read the story.

CIDA cuts to KAIROS programs will devastate human rights work overseas
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Dec. 2, 2009

The Canadian government's decision to cut funding to KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives will have a devastating impact on KAIROS' overseas partners and the thousands of marginalized people in local communities they support, KAIROS says. KAIROS, a church based non-governmental organization that represents seven of Canada's largest denominations, works on a range of social justice issues, including human rights in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Read the story.

Bishops, COGS asked to protest CIDA's stop to KAIROS grant
by Ali Symons
Anglican Church of Canada
Dec. 2, 2009

Leaders of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) have been asked to protest against the sudden cancellation of traditional funding of the ecumenical coalition KAIROS by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). KAIROS is a social justice NGO that represents seven of Canada's largest denominations, including the Anglican Church. KAIROS does advocacy, education, and research work on topics including human rights, ecological justice, and Indigenous Peoples. Read the story.

Funding cuts threaten KAIROS
by Marites N. Sison
Anglican Journal
Dec. 2, 2009

The federal government has decided to cut $7 million in funding to KAIROS, a Canadian ecumenical justice organization that advocates for the rights of marginalized communities in Canada and overseas. KAIROS has requested that CIDA reverse the decision and re-establish their 35-year relationship.  Read the story.

General Synod pension plan changes will cost more, pay less
by Leigh Anne Williams
Anglican Journal
Dec. 2, 2009

The pension fund for staff of the Anglican Church of Canada, including clergy across the country, is going to cost more and return less in the coming year. The Council of General Synod (CoGS), which met in November, has approved changes to the General Synod Pension Plan that will increase the employer contribution paid by the dioceses and reduce the amount of pension earned each year by plan members.  Read the story.

Uphold the rights of HIV-positive women, says World YWCA
by Stephen Brown
Ecumenical News International
Dec. 2, 2009

Geneva The sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV are being ignored, the World Young Women's Christian Association warns in a statement marking World AIDS Day. "Globally an estimated 17.5 million women are currently living with HIV," the Geneva-based World YWCA said in its Dec. 1 statement, which urged governments, international organizations and civil society to uphold HIV-positive women's sexual and reproductive health and rights. Read the story.

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Daily Advent reflections

Anglican-Lutheran cycle of prayer: 29 Nov 2009 to 28 Nov. 2010

Statement from the Episcopal Church of Sudan  "Blessed are the peacemakers"

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Matthew 5:38-42  Cf Luke 6:29-31

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.  Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”

From the Ven. John M. Robertson, National Gift Planning Officer, Department of Philanthropy
Anglican Church of Canada

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A young monk arrives at the monastery. He is assigned to help the other monks in copying the old canons and laws of the church by hand. He notices, however, that all of the monks are copying from copies, not from the original manuscripts. So, the new monk goes to the head abbot to question this, pointing out that if someone made even a small error in the first copy, it would never be picked up. In fact, that error would be continued in all of the subsequent copies.

"We have been copying from the copies for centuries,” says the head monk. “But you make a good point, my son."
The old monk went down into the dark caves underneath the monastery where the original manuscripts were held as archives in a locked vault that hadn't been opened for hundreds of years. Hours went by and nobody saw the old abbot.

The young monk got worried and went down to look for him. He found the old man banging his head against the wall and wailing:"We missed the R ! We missed the R ! We missed the R !"

"What's wrong, father?" the young monk asked.

In a choked voice, the old abbot replied, "The word was CELEBRATE"

From Ralph Milton's RUMORS, a free Internet ‘e-zine’ for Christians with a sense of humor."
To Subscribe:
* Send an e-mail to: rumors-subscribe@joinhands.com
* Don't put anything else in that e-mail

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