Advent series is back in Fredericton

You cannot keep a good man down.

That good man is retired bishop Bill Hockin, and he is returning this December for yet another Advent series, with help from the Rev. Canon Albert Snelgrove, the Rev. Greg Geldart and organist Alice Boyd.

Bill led a series of Advent talks for many years at The Playhouse, and then the Crowne Plaza. This time, the talks will take place at Christ Church (Parish Church) in downtown Fredericton, where he and Albert are honorary assistants. 

“I’m just trying to keep it alive,” said Bill. “This is another crack at it. We have a desire for the church to be ‘the soul of the city’ and the Parish Church has the capacity to do that.”

The title for this series is “Finding the Light of Christ in the Darkness of December,” inspired by the song “Get Me Through December” by Natalie MacMaster and Alison Krauss.

The gatherings take place from 12:10 to 1 p.m. on Dec. 3 (Greg Geldart), Dec. 10 (Albert Snelgrove), and Dec. 17 (Bill Hockin). They will feature a 30-minute concert followed by a message from one of the three pastors. 

“We’re going to have professional music groups, among them the Elm City String Quartet,” said Bill. 

The talks are free, but an offering plate will be out, with proceeds going to the Greener Village food bank in Fredericton.

PHOTO CAPTION:
Retired Bishop Bill Hockin during one of his talks during the Advent season in 2019.  Mcknight file photo