Bulletin Board is the Diocese’s bi-weekly e-bulletin for clergy and lay leaders. To subscribe to Bulletin Board, sign up online. To submit an item, email editor@toronto.anglican.ca.
Diocesan Business
Deadline for annual returns approaching
The deadline to submit the incumbent’s and churchwardens’ annual returns is March 15. Log in at http://parishportal.toronto.anglican.ca. Users will be able to save a draft of their return and make changes until the deadline.
Tax documents mailed
T4s and T4As were mailed out on Feb. 25. If you haven’t received yours by March 8, contact Claire Wilton at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 239.
Ecclesiastical provides free advice
Parishes can access unlimited, cost-free services through Ecclesiastical on legal, professional, property and human resources matters. Parishes will need their policy numbers when calling.
- Ecclesiastical LegalConnex: legal advice, taxes, compliance, real estate and employment.
- Ecclesiastical HRAssist: human resources issues, policy development, human rights issues, absenteeism, performance management, etc.
- Ecclesiastical ProfessionalAssist: sensitive workplace issues like mood swings, conflict, change in behaviour, etc.
Appendix to churchwardens’ return delayed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the appendix to the Churchwardens’ Parochial Return – Clergy Payroll and Rectory Housing information – has not yet been prepared. It will be prepared by end of this week and emailed out. We apologize for the delay and inconvenience. If you have already submitted your return and believe that you have omitted information in box 405, FRVH Rectory, contact Claire Wilton at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 239 so that she can amend your return in the online system.
Report back on vestry motion
Thank you to all the parishes that have reported passing this year’s social justice vestry motion. If your vestry passed the motion this year, send a copy of what was passed to Elin Goulden, Social Justice & Advocacy consultant, at egoulden@toronto.anglican.ca.
Diocesan Events
Parish leaders invited to workshops
Every year, the Diocese holds workshops for parish leaders shortly after vestry season. All parish leaders, especially those who are new to their positions, are strongly encouraged to attend. More information, including dates, locations and registration details, is available on the Supporting Parish Leaders Workshops page.
Register now for ACW meeting
The annual general meeting of the diocesan Anglican Church Women will take place on April 27 at St. Timothy, Agincourt. This year’s theme is “Working with Change” with guest speaker Alexandra Shimo, author of Invisible North: Life Lessons from a Troubled Reserve. Tickets are $35, which includes lunch. To learn more and register, download the flyer.
Save the date: Clergy Conference
The diocesan Clergy Conference will be held from May 27-29 at Brock University, with Bishop Andrew Asbil and Bishop Michael Curry speaking. Registration will open shortly.
All invited to Lenten quiet day
Holy Cross Priory, St. Martin in-the-Fields, Toronto and St. John, West Toronto are co-sponsoring a Lenten Quiet Day on March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. John’s, 288 Humberside Ave., Toronto. The Rev. Lucy Reid will address the theme “Every Breath is Holy: Finding and Keeping Peace in Daily Life.” The cost is $10 at the door, which includes lunch. Call 416-763-2393.
College offers free lecture
Wycliffe College is hosting a free lecture called “Learning to Pray in the Egyptian Desert” by the Rev. Dr. Gary Thorne, chaplain of Huron University College and previous recipient of the Scholarship of St. Basil the Great. It will take place on March 13 at 3 p.m. in Leonard Hall, 5 Hoskin Ave., Toronto. No registration is required. For more details, see the Wycliffe College website.
Housing experts speak at panel
St. Thomas, Millbrook is hosting “The Housing Crisis – A Way Forward?” on March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The presenters are Maisie Watson from the Peterborough Housing Corporation, the Rev. Christian Harvey from The Warming Room and Sarah Burke from Habitat for Humanity. Lunch is included. To register, email nate@nexicom.net or call 705-932-1231.
Area Events
Bishop Fenty leads Lenten study
Prayer is at the heart of our spiritual lives and our relationship with a loving, liberating and life-giving God. When and how we pray is important for a meaningful relationship with God. Join Bishop Peter Fenty on one of four Wednesdays in Lent as he guides an evening of study, prayer and reflection. Download the poster for dates and locations. For more information, email ysimcoe@toronto.anglican.ca or call 905-833-8327.
Primate leads York-Scarborough quiet day
The clergy of York-Scarborough are invited to a quiet day with Primate Fred Hiltz, who will offer reflections on St. Joseph of Nazareth, on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Church of the Incarnation. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Register online by March 12.
York-Simcoe hosts MAID discussion
York-Simcoe clergy and laity are invited to learn about and discuss the challenging topic of medical assistance in dying on March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary, Richmond Hill. Michael Buttrey, theologian-in-residence at St. Clement, Eglinton, and the Rev. Dr. Eric Beresford, incumbent at St. Timothy, North Toronto, will look at the historical overview of this topic and outline the biblical and theological framework for thinking about it. Register online.
York-Credit Valley clergy invited to Lenten retreat
The York-Credit Valley Clergy Lenten Retreat will take place on April 4 at St. John’s Convent. It will be led by Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, SSJD, who will draw on her love of scripture and art in leading participants to reflect anew on the journey of Holy Week. The program is open to all active clergy in York-Credit Valley. Space is limited to 40 clerics. Register online by March 14.
York-Simcoe hosts mental health awareness symposium
York-Simcoe is hosting a symposium for clergy and pastoral leadership teams engaged in ministry to loved ones with mental health concerns. It will take place on March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Margaret, Barrie. The cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch. Download the flyer to learn more. To register, contact Margaret Paradis at maggie_p@hotmail.com.
Service recognizes churchwardens’ ministry
The York-Credit Valley churchwardens’ commissioning service will take place on March 31 at 4 p.m. at All Saints, Kingsway. Clergy, churchwardens and guests should register online by March 22.
External Events
Workshop builds bridges for social justice
Faith in the City is hosting a free workshop on relationship-building between faith communities for social justice on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Social Planning Toronto, 2 Carlton St., Suite 1001, Toronto. It will be led by Deborah Littman, former lead organizer for the Metro Vancouver Alliance. To register, email Israt Ahmed at iahmed@socialplanningtoronto.org before March 20.
Resources
PWRDF offers Lenten reflections
“Our Lenten Journey Through the Waters of Baptism” provides an opportunity to pray, act and give while deepening your understanding of the work of PWRDF and its partners. The reflections are available as a single downloadable PDF or as daily devotionals in your inbox. Sign up on the PWRDF website.
Resources focus on creation care
Since Earth Day falls on Easter Monday this year, the diocesan Creation Matters committee is creating resources to help parishes recommit to renewing their care for the earth from Lent through Earth Sunday in Eastertide. The resources include a Lenten calendar, Earth Sunday reflections, hymn suggestions and prayers, as well as new resources from other dioceses and ecumenical organizations. Material will be posted throughout Lent on the Environmental Resources page.
Support Bill C-262 through fasting, prayer and advocacy
Bill C-262, an act to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, is awaiting its final reading in the Senate. If you haven’t already done so, send the senators a message of support for the bill. Christians across Canada are also invited to fast and pray on Ash Wednesday for the passage of this bill.
Hymn books and BCPs available free
St. Aidan, Toronto has 100-200 copies of the Book of Common Prayer and the 1938 hymn book available to anyone who wants them. They are in good condition. Contact the church office at 416-691-2222 or staidan@eol.ca.
Chapel seeking organ
The Wexford Residence, a seniors’ residence in Scarborough, is seeking an electronic organ with foot pedals in good condition for its small chapel. Contact Evelyn Fitzakerley at lrfitz@rogers.com.
New Gathering Rites approved
Bishop Asbil has approved for trial use in the Diocese additional Gathering Rites for celebrations of the Eucharist. These rites have been prepared by the Liturgy Task Force of General Synod for Lent and Easter. They can be accessed on the national church’s website. The task force asks those who use these texts to complete an evaluation form at the end of the Lent and Easter seasons.
Reach Grant deadline approaching
The next deadline to submit a Reach Grant proposal is March 22. The pitch day for proposals is April 4. Visit the Reach Grants page for more information.
Job Postings
Church seeking custodian
St. George Memorial, Oshawa is looking for an experienced custodian to work five hours every Sunday morning, plus holy day services and occasional weddings and funerals. Duties include opening and closing the church, inspecting the grounds, preparing the nave for worship, some snow removal, set up and take down of tables and chairs, maintaining the street sign, and small, basic repairs as needed. Send a resume and questions to the church office at wardens@stgeorgesoshawa.org.
Convent seeks Companions assistant
St. John’s Convent seeks a female theology student or recent graduate to work part-time with its Companions program for women who spend a year living alongside the Sisterhood. Women interested in the position may come from any denomination. For more information, including a position description, contact the Rev. Canon Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, Companions Coordinator, at cj@ssjd.ca or 416-226-2201, ext. 316. The position is available May 1, but the start date can be later. Apply by March 22.
Parish seeking Sunday School teacher
Our Saviour, Don Mills is seeking a Sunday School teacher. The pay is $15 per hour for two hours each Sunday, which includes a 45-minute class for four to eight children and an hour and 15 minutes for travel and preparatory time. A satisfactory police record check is required. Call the church office at 416-385-1085 to set up an interview.
Choir seeks section leaders
St. Philip on-the-Hill, Unionville is seeking a bass section leader and a tenor section leader for its choir. These are paid positions. Contact the director of music at nwucotton@spoth.ca.
Staff Changes
The Rev. Leigh Kern has started as Coordinator of Indigenous Ministries and Reconciliation Animator as of March 1.
Livia Assuncao, administrative and Synod assistant, and Rebecca Scott, receptionist, have joined the Diocesan Centre as full-time staff as of March 1.
Canon Mary-Anne Nicholls, the diocesan Archivist, is retiring on March 31. Read more.
