On Saturday, December 14th, Dean Catherine Short, of The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Corner Brook, posted an invitation on the Cathedral’s Facebook page for worship on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, and for “our 3rd annual ‘Mingle and Jingle’ as we continue the joy of Gaudete Sunday in a social gathering with lunch provided by vestry, a silent auction, and music and sing-along.”
But it was no ordinary upstairs-downstairs Sunday. Instead, in her December 15th post after the service, the Dean wrote, “When the organist calls 90 minutes before worship is scheduled and says it is 5 degrees in the church, you wonder what you will do. Thanks to the huge propane stove and a heater downstairs, we could quickly take the chill off the hall. The decision was made to pull out the downstairs piano, move everything needed for worship into the hall (the Advent wreath, the communion elements, service books, etc) that had been set for our annual Mingle and Jingle and rejoice! The furnace repairman arrived just before 10, did a quick fix so the Arthur & Eileen Churchill Hall began to warm up just about as quickly as our hearts!”
“Seventy-four people enjoyed worship in a way that many said was reminiscent of days gone by. Once our souls were nourished a few quick changes were made once again and the hot soup, sandwiches, and desserts appeared to nourish our bodies.”
The Dean began her post, saying,” The spirit and the joy of Gaudete Sunday was alive this morning.” She ended with the comment, “My heart is filled with the joy and willingness to adapt that I experienced this morning.” And one respondent posted, “That’s what community looks like and how real community acts! Gaudete, indeed!”
