Bulletin Board is the Diocese’s bi-weekly e-bulletin for clergy and lay leaders. To subscribe to Bulletin Board, sign up online.
Diocesan Business
Parishes asked to report on social justice vestry motion
Parishes are asked to report whether they have passed this year’s social justice vestry motion (Continuing the Call to Reconciliation) at their annual vestry meetings. These reports are used to develop ongoing advocacy on this issue. Send reports to the Rev. Maggie Helwig, chair of the Social Justice & Advocacy Committee, at maggie@web.net.
Save the date: 157th Regular Session of Synod
The next Regular Session of Synod will be held on Nov. 24-25 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, 9005 Leslie St., Richmond Hill. The parish registration fee of no more than $160 will be invoiced in June and will help cover the cost of food and beverages, facilities and some accommodation. Synod members are asked to make sure they have the date of their area’s pre-Synod meeting in their calendars. Learn more on the 2017 Synod page.
Parish leaders encouraged to attend workshops
Parish leadership workshops have been scheduled for each episcopal area. All clergy and parish leaders (churchwardens, treasurers, etc.) are strongly encouraged to attend. Topics include insurance (and risk mitigation), real property management, parish finances and human resources. The dates for this year’s workshops are:
- York-Credit Valley: March 11 at St. John the Baptist (Dixie). Register online.
- York-Simcoe: March 11 at Holy Trinity, Thornhill. Register online.
- York-Scarborough: April 1 at St. Andrew, Scarborough. Register online.
- Trent-Durham: April 1 at St. Thomas, Brooklin.
For more information, visit the Parish Leadership Workshops page.
Diocesan Events
Parish hosts lay pastoral visitors training
Lay pastoral visiting is the reaching out in love in the name of Jesus by one lay person to another. It involves using the ordinary gifts we all use in our daily lives – listening, and showing love and concern. On March 25, Trinity Church, Aurora will provide a training program for lay pastoral visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course will cover such topics as aging, listening, elder abuse, confidentiality and other important issues. Contact the Rev. Heather Westbrook at hwestbrook@trinityaurora.ca or 905-727-6101, ext. 25 to register.
Bishop to meet with York-Credit Valley confirmands
Bishop Jenny Andison is inviting youth confirmation candidates to attend an evening of fellowship on March 28 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary and St. Martha, 1149 Weston Rd., Toronto. This informal gathering gives candidates a chance to meet and chat with Bishop Andison in advance of their individual confirmation services or the diocesan service at St. James Cathedral. All confirmands should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or priest from their parish. Online registration is now open.
York-Scarborough confirmands invited to meet bishop
Bishop Kevin Robertson invites York-Scarborough youth confirmands to attend an evening of fellowship on March 29 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole, 80 George Henry Blvd., Toronto. This informal gathering gives confirmation candidates a chance to meet Bishop Robertson before the confirmation services in their parishes. The event is open to young people from about Grade 6 to Grade 12 and those in university. All confirmands should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or priest from their parish. Light refreshments will be served. Register online by March 24.
Registration open for Trent-Durham Area Day
This year’s Trent-Durham Area Day will be held on March 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. Peter, Cobourg. This year’s theme is “Wrestling With God.” For a full schedule and workshop details, visit the area day website. The cost is $20 if you register by Feb. 27 or $25 for late registration. Register online.
Clergy invited to vest at Black History service
The Diocese’s 22nd annual Black History Month service of celebration will take place on Feb. 26 at St. Paul, Bloor Street at 4:30 p.m. The theme for this year is “From the Heart of Africa to the Soul of the Caribbean: Celebrating a Mosaic of Peoples.” The service will be filled with worship, music, dance, spoken word and a special acknowledgement of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations. All clergy are invited to attend and vest for the service in stoles that are white, gold, Afrocentric or colours that celebrate joy in their cultures. If you intend to vest, email blaccanglicans@gmail.com by Feb. 22. There will also be a combined choir for the service. Interested singers can call 416-540-8945 or email j.barrow353@gmail.com for more information.
Anglican Church Women plan anniversary celebration
The diocesan Anglican Church Women will hold its 50th anniversary celebration, annual general meeting and luncheon at Christ Church, Stouffville on May 13. More details will follow. For tickets call 416-363-0018 or email acw@toronto.anglican.ca.
Trinity College hosts lecture
Trinity College is host of the 2017 Dr. Rowan Williams Annual Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion Lecture, held in a different region of the Communion each year. This year’s speaker is Dr. Michael Higton of Durham University. His topic is “Discovering Virtue: How to be Good in Higher Education.” The lecture will take place on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Seeley Hall, Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Ave., Toronto. For more information, visit the Trinity College website.
Godly Play workshop provides training
A workshop offering Godly Play core training will be held April 27-29 at St. George on-the-Hill, 4600 Dundas St. W., Toronto. A Godly Play Canada certificate of accreditation will be awarded upon completion. Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language to help them become more aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. Prior experience is helpful but not necessary. For more information or to register, download the poster.
Resources
Deadline for OFOH grants coming soon
Parishes and congregations are invited to submit applications to receive Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine Church grants in the following areas: leadership development; pioneering ministry; communicating in a wireless world; enabling parishes to become multi-staffed; and adaptive re-use of parish facilities. Spring applications are due by April 15. Learn more on the Our Faith-Our Hope page.
Cottages on Lake Simcoe available to clergy
Anglican clergy (licensed priests and deacons) and their families are invited to rent cottages at a reasonable cost at the Church Camp on Lake Simcoe in July and August. Two- and three-bedroom cottages are fully equipped except for bedding and towels. Rental costs are $975 for a month, $775 for three weeks, $550 for two weeks, $325 for a week or $75 daily. For more information or to book a cottage, contact Kathy Forster at kathymil@cogeco.ca or 905-320-1112.
Deadline for Anglican Foundation of Canada grants approaching
Does your parish have a project for which funds are not easily available? It may be eligible for a grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada. Programs supported by the Foundation can range from building projects, accessibility upgrades, creative arts programs, theological student bursaries, camps, Indigenous prayer and peace circles, and much more. The next Diocese of Toronto application deadline is March 1. Learn more on the Anglican Foundation of Canada page.
Young women invited to spend a year in God’s rhythm
The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine is accepting applications for the 2017-18 cohort of its Companions on an Ancient Path program. Women age 22 to 40 are invited to explore an expression of new monasticism rooted in the Anglican tradition while living at St. John’s Convent. The application deadline is June 15. For more information, visit www.ssjdcompanions.org.
Job Postings
Convent seeks clerical support staff person
The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine is seeing a clerical support staff person for the convent guest house. The position is full-time Monday to Friday but requires flexibility to work occasional Saturdays. The successful applicant will be someone who is detailed and well-organized, who loves working with people and who has excellent communication and computer skills. Knowledge of the church and of monastic orders is desirable. Send a CV (no longer than three pages) to convent@ssjd.ca by March 8. Successful candidates will be notified by March 21. For more information, see the full job posting.
Church seeks music director
Grace Church, Markham is looking for a new music director as it continues to grow as a vibrant and diverse community. The parish is hoping for someone to work with both its adult and youth choirs. This is a lively parish that enjoys traditional, contemporary and world expressions of worship. It has also formed a relationship with musicians at the local high school and would love to see that continue. The parish has a 1983 Keates-Geissler electro-pneumatic organ and an upright piano. Familiarity with liturgical worship music is a requirement. The position will be 15-20 hours per week, with remuneration in accordance with RCCO scale. A full job description and more details are available upon request. For more information or to apply, contact the Rev. Canon Nicola Skinner at rubyrev@gmail.com. Applications will be received until March 10. Learn more about the church at www.graceanglican.ca.
Music director wanted
Christ Church, Woodbridge is seeking an organist and choir director to work with an adult SATB choir. Familiarity with liturgical worship music and a broad spectrum of contemporary musical expressions of worship in an asset, along with a willingness to work with children and youth to develop musical programs. Remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications according to RCCO guidelines. The position entails about 6 hours per week, including rehearsals and Sunday services, along with availability for additional services and regular meetings with the rector. The church has a Casavant organ and a grand piano. To apply or for more information, contact the church office at christchurchanglican1@bellnet.ca or 905-851-0718. Applications will be received until March 31. For more information about the parish, visit www.christchurchwoodbridge.com.
