May 5 Email Newsletter – Photographers and Conductors Galore!

The Reverend Alisdair Smith

I think this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 24:13 – 35) points, I think, to our experiences as humans on a journey. In this wonderful story of two of the disciples on the road after the crucifixion, we hear that they are deep in conversation, and Jesus appears to them, but they don’t recognize him.

Now we might think to ourselves, “what, are these guys’ idiots?! How would you not see the very person executed a couple of days before, suddenly appearing beside you on the road!” Well, perhaps we might recognize them as human beings on their own journeys. How many times have I been so engrossed in my own stuff, my own pain, my own frustrations and anger that I I have not seen the possibilities and the love that is present already and right now, even in those dark moments?

Just imagine how dark the world must seem to these two? The one they attached their own dreams to, their hopes about a new world, a new and revived Isreal was betayed, arrested, beaten and executed in the space of a few hours. All that they had hoped for, cruelly and quickly dashed by the powers they abhored. Think of the dark times in your own life; betrayals, injustices, pain and death, and how awful and terrible you felt at the time. I know my own life experience includes those sad days. And in the midst of those days how often have I found myself reliving the story over and over again, running on a “hampster wheel” as Dixie describes it, and lost in my own emotions and story. Of course I’d miss and forget the presence of peace and love, that there is, in the end, always hope, love and possibilities. And that Presence is already known to me; I know that God is present, I know that love is present, and has always been present, I know the Torah, I know that we are called to love each other and ourselves, I know all that stuff. But in my dark times I forget it.

A great challenge for each of us humans on this wonder-filled journey of Spirit is to recognize and forgive ourselves as sometimes missing the point. And to work to remember that as dark as our times might be, there is always life and love present somewhere, even if we are unable to recognize it.
 
   
The Reverend Alisdair Smith
Deacon and Business Chaplain
 

8:00AM: Holy Eucharist with a sermon by Dixie Black.  

9:15AM: the new 40 Minute Forum continues with the photographer Simon Scott.  See below for more details. 

10:30AM: Sung Eucharist, with the commissioning of lay administrators. Presiding: The Ven. Dr. Ellen Clark King. Preaching: The Rev. Dixie Black.
  
4:00PM: Diocese of New Westminster Confirmation Worship Service (everyone is invited to attend).

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

Photgrapher Simon Scott comes to the Cathedral this Sunday to speak to the visitors and parishioners on the topic of “Photography; Bringing Architecture to Life”.

Using his award-winning photography, Simon will bring the design of Arthur Erickson to life. He will share aspects of his working life with Arthur Erickson and tell us stories about our Cathedral few people know.

Click here for read more about Simon and the new 40 Minute Forum line up…        

Bramwell Tovey, Grammy Award winning conductor and composer comes to Christ Church Cathedral on May 15, to speak about ‘Music and Text: A Marriage Made in Heaven.’

Click here for read more about Bramwell and the new 40 Minute Forum line up at Christ Church…   

An acclaimed children’s choir, an award-winning cathedral choir, and a leading Canadian gospel choir – 125 voices in all – join together to mark Vancouver’s 125th anniversary with 5 time Grammy award winner and composer Paul Halley!

Full of infectious rhythms and joyful singing, Halleyluia! will be an unforgettable evening of music as 125 voices celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary by lifting the roof off of one of Vancouver’s most beloved concert spaces!

Tickets are available now in person from the Cathedral office, through goodnoisevgc.com, and from choristers. 

Click here for to read more…   

In this online video, the Archbishop of Canterbury talks about the sense of hopefulness and generosity which lie at the heart of marriage, and what this also tells us about the ‘mystery’ and ‘delight’ which can be found in this life-time commitment. Dr Williams, who conducted the marriage ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Friday 29th, also describes the sense of privilege he feels about his own role in the royal wedding.  

Click Here to watch the video or to read the transcript…. 

Men As Providers

Is Being the “Good Provider” really so Good?

Stu Hoover and David Chiu, counselling graduate students at UBC, will lead an interactive and participatory workshop describing current views of of men in the role of providers in our society, and will then engage us in exploring the benefits and costs of being a provider. 

Click Here to read more about this new Men’s Breakfast….

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….    

Peter’s Sermon “Ending the Cycle of Violence” can be found here (to read or to listen to).

Memorial homily about Former Chief Justice David Ian Brenner by Peter Elliott can be found here (text only).

See a new video of Rupert Lang accompanied by the Seaforth Highlanders at the Cathedral!

The New 40 Minute Forum page can be found HERE. 

The Bishop’s sermon from Easter Sunday (audio only) can be found HERE.

Chris Dierke’s Sermon from Good Friday can be found HERE.

Beautiful Compline Photo Gallery by visitor and friend Crissy Arseneau can be found HERE.

The Choir’s Sing for Japan Photo Album!

HD Easter Video by Dr. Rowan Williams

It Gets Better Video
The Choir’s New CD (including preview tracks!)
Sermons (Audio and Text!)
The Cathedral’s Photo Galleries
The Choir’s New HD Video!
Our Email Newsletter Archive
Our Featured Events
And lots more!  

Mark Munn
Director, Development and Communications
Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver