Get Involved

Our mandate is to prepare the sanctuary for all liturgies of the Cathedral.

The Altar Guild is a group of 36 volunteers who work in eight teams each headed up by a convenor who trains new volunteers, maintains a duty roster and leads the team in its duties.

The teams are: Vacuum/Dusting/Brass, Large Fair Linens, Small Fair Linens, Hangings and Vestments, Sunday Vessels 10:30, Sunday Vessels 8:30, Weekday Sacristans, and Flowers.

These teams complete their tasks weekly to keep the Chancel and Chapel ‘company ready’ for the regular Sunday services and special services and events that happen in the Cathedral.

The Altar Guild is supported by donations given for memorial and wedding floral arrangements, and also the annual membership fees paid by the guild members. These funds are used to buy flowers and replenish supplies of large and small fair linens that are worn out by regular use, purchase cleaning supplies and purchase new vestments or furnishings for the Sanctuary.

Activities:

• Arrange and maintain the sanctuary, Eucharistic vessels, all textiles (vestments, linens, hangings) and floral arrangements

Readers are parishioners, from all ages and groups, who deliver lessons at services. The primary requirements are a good reading voice and a love of sharing scripture with follow worshippers. The Reader group consists of about 35-40 lay readers and two licensed lay readers.

The Cathedral is blessed with a very large and able group who read the Sunday morning Old and New Testament readings and lead the intercessions. Ian Cameron coordinates the five faithful souls who read at the 8:30am service on Sundays. John Holgate coordinates the 38 individuals who read and lead the intercessions at the 10:30am service and other principal liturgies during the year.

The Public proclamation of scripture and the leading of intercessions is a vital ministry of the community of the baptized and an integral part of our worship at the Cathedral week by week.

Our mandate is to assist the clergy during worship.

Activities:

This small but faithful group, also known as Acolytes, perform various roles – from bearing the cross (crucifer) and tapers to lead processions, to assisting in the preparation of the Altar for Eucharist, to setting-up and tidying the Sanctuary and Chancel for all major parish and diocesan events held in the Cathedral.

The first point of contact for visitors and members arriving at services, this team has a most important role in welcoming everyone to the Cathedral. Sidespeople provide guidance to anyone who needs directions or assistance, they distribute the Orders of Service and collect offerings during services.

Our mandate is to provide fellowship for all men of the Cathedral, and to do good works that benefit the people of the parish and the broader community.

Activities:

• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
• Hosting the end of term parish bbq
• Support and undertake property related projects including set up of cathedral events such as the annual Christmas bazaar
• Prepare Christmas gift bags and collect items for the Beyond Ottawa (diocesan day programs)

Founded in 1885 as the Women’s Auxiliary, the Cathedral Women’s group has a long history of involvement in the church and in the community. Cathedral Women raise funds for missionary work and for the Cathedral’s ministry. Cathedral Women contribute significantly to parish finances by donating proceeds of their activities to the Cathedral Corporation. Cathedral Women provide a social, Christian fellowship atmosphere for all Cathedral women as they provide service to the parish and the broader community.

Activities:

As part of its missionary work, the group collects new clothing, linens, children’s educational materials and toys, etc. and sends ‘bales’ to northern churches. Those churches then sell the goods to raise funds to support their parishes.

To raise funds for its work and for the Cathedral, the group holds a number of events and activities:

• Holly Tea and Bazaar
• Various cooking, baking and craft sales.

Our purpose in getting together is to lead a discussion about revitalizing the place of young adults at Christ Church Cathedral. The young adult fellowship is open to everyone aged 20-45 in the parish. We want to be a place for people to get together, where a sense of community would enable us to participate in work and activities to benefit the parish and the wider community. Guidance and leadership will be provided by Rev. Canon Hilary Murray, the Cathedral’s Canon Pastor.

Ideas for those included a board game night, pot luck lunches after church, volunteer work and outreach we could do as a group and ways we could help with Cathedral ministries and events or get involved with diocesan activities. We’re looking forward to hearing more ideas to promote fellowship and community.

We want to include as many of the Cathedral’s young adults as possible, and if you have an event or activity you’d like to do, let us know, or even better, bring yourself and your suggestions to the next event! Keep an eye out in the weekly bulletin, the Cathedral’s Facebook page, bulletin boards or the announcement screen for the next event!