April 7 Email Newsletter – Women at the Cross

The Reverend Dixie Black

This year we walk through Holy Week to the sound of women’s voices. The Women at the Cross series of liturgies and meditations leading to Maundy Thursday features Mary Magdalene, Julian of Norwich and the Blessed Virgin Mary. The two Marys’ voices speak to us through their stories in scripture, and in the case of Julian, through her writings of her Revelations of Love. They are each present at the cross in their own ways.

In all four gospels it was women who witnessed the crucifixion. Though Luke includes women among Jesus’ acquaintances, he is the only writer who doesn’t name anyone.

Matt. 27:55-56

Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Mark 15:40-41

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

Luke 23:49

But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

John 19:25

… standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

Julian of Norwich experiences the passion of Christ through her visions as she gazed on the crucifix while on her sickbed “…and after this I looked with bodily vision into the face of the crucifix which hung before me, in which I saw a part of Christ’s passion…”

The week promises to be a rich experience as we don’t often hear such a concentrated presence of women in the liturgy of the passion. It may be interesting to notice how these feminine voices influence our faith.
 
   
The Reverend Dixie Black 
Deacon, Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver
 

The Reverend Alisdair Smith, Preaching this Sunday!

8:00AM: Holy Eucharist. Preaching this week: The Reverend Alisdair Smith.     

10:30AM: Parish Eucharist.  Preaching this week: The Reverend Alisdair Smith.  Featuring music by Rupert Lang and the Christ Church Cathedral Choir.   

4:00PM: Quincentenary Choral Evensong commemorating the founding of St. John’s College!

9:30PM: Gregorian Chant – The Service of Compline.       

Christ Church Cathedral commemorates the 500th anniversary of the founding of St.John’s College, Cambridge, with a special Quincentenary Choral Evensong on April 10!  

One might ask – what has this to do with Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver?  Well, to be honest, there are 2 selfish reasons….

Click Here to read what they are!  

We’re open during the Vancouver Sun Run on Palm Sunday April 17.  In fact, the Cathedral is putting on a special 8:00am Sun Run liturgy (30 minutes) for anyone that would like spiritual inspiration before their run. All runners and even non-runners are welcome! If you know a runner, let them know they can get in the spirit here! 

Click Here to read more….

Come and experience three evenings of music and words focusing on three women from the Christian tradition whose spirituality is focused around the cross of Jesus – St. Mary Magdalene, St. Julian of Norwich and St. Mary Mother of Jesus…

Click Here for more information…
 

On Good Friday, April 22, children and families are invited to photograph the stations of the cross.  Your photographic submissions will be compiled into a slideshow and displayed on the website!

Click Here for more information…
 

On Saturday April 16, join the Seaforth Highlanders as the retired Colours of the Regiment are put to rest with full honours at Christ Church Cathedral.  The ceremony begins at 12:00noon and finishes at 1:00pm.

Click Here to read more….

Christ Church Cathedral will broadcast its 10:30am Easter Service live on the internet on April 24th!

If you, or someone you know, is unable to attend services this Easter, a live streaming webcast video of the Cathedral’s service will be available at http://www.cathedral.vancouver.bc.ca/easter-2011-webcast/

Thanks for spreading the word to friends and family who can’t make it to the Cathedral on Easter Day.

Gordly Desserts

Congratulations to Gordon MacDonald, the Cathedral’s Building Administrator, on his 15th year at Christ Church Cathedral! Gord, a huge sports fan, was awarded this week with a new retro Canucks hockey jersey (they ARE going all the way this year, just like Gord!).  He was also treated to a little ditty written by Randy Murray (Communications guru at the Diocese of New Westminster) and he got his just desserts at the Hotel Vancouver across the road.

Congratulations Gord!  And thanks from all of us!

Congratulations to David on the publication of his two new books: This Child, Every Child, and If the World Were A Village!

Join David as he discusses his books at Edgemont Village on Tuesday April 12th, at 6:30PM.  Click Here to find out more…

And Click Here to watch short video previews about his books….    

New to the Cathedral? Interested in finding ways to make a deeper connection with the church? You’re invited to Explore: Christ Church Cathedral!

Explore:CCC is a four-week series that will help to introduce you to the Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver community and to explore interesting topics about your faith journey.

Dates: Tuesdays, May 3, 10, 17, 24. 7:00PM-8:15PM. Registration required.

Click Here for more information… 

On Saturday, June 11, 2011, celebrated author Diana Butler Bass will lead an all-day session at Christ Church Cathedral on her next book: After Religion: The Three Questions Shaping a New Spiritual Awakening. 

On Sunday June 12, 2011, Diana will preach at both services!  

Online registration is required for Saturday’s session. Click Here to read more….    

Mark Munn
Director, Development and Communications
Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver