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
Diocesan Centre closed for Synod
Due to the upcoming Diocesan Synod, the Diocesan Centre will be closed on Nov. 24 and Nov. 27. Regular office hours will resume on Nov. 28.
Parishes reminded to prepare for minimum wage increase
Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, was introduced by the provincial government in June. It contains several key changes to Ontario’s labour laws, including an increased minimum wage, two mandatory paid sick days, an extension of various personal emergency leaves and several other items that affect parish employers and employees. The Act has presently gone through two readings. If your parish is paying an employee the current minimum wage of $11.60 per hour, there will be a $2.40 per hour increase to their wages as of Jan. 1, 2018. You will need to take this into consideration when you prepare your annual budget for 2018. Read “What Clergy and Church Wardens need to know about Bill 148” to learn more.
Order seeks nominations
Parishes in the Durham-Northumberland, Etobicoke-Humber, Scarborough and Holland deaneries are reminded that nominations for the Order of the Diocese of Toronto must be submitted to your area bishop’s office by Nov. 20. The purpose of the Order is to recognize and honour those members of the laity in the Diocese who have given outstanding service over a significant period in their volunteer ministry. Awards will be presented at the Archbishop’s Levee on Jan. 1, 2018, at St. James Cathedral. See more details on the Order of the Diocese of Toronto page.
Clergy reminded about T1213 package
The 2018 T1213 package for clergy receiving a housing allowance was mailed on Aug. 23. Clergy living in a rectory do not need to apply for this. Clergy receiving a housing allowance must file form T1213 and receive written approval from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) before being allowed a reduction of tax at source. If you have not yet submitted your paperwork to the CRA, you should do so immediately. If you have submitted your paperwork and do not receive a response from the CRA by Nov. 30, follow up with the CRA by phoning its toll-free number at 1-800-959-8281.
Diocesan Events
Service supports people of the Caribbean
All are invited to a service of solidarity and support for the people of the Caribbean after a devastating hurricane season. It will be held on Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew, Scarborough, 2333 Victoria Park Ave., Toronto. The guest preacher will be Bishop Peter Fenty. Any donations received will support ongoing relief efforts in the Diocese of North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba, hardest hit by hurricanes Irma and Maria. For more information, contact Elsa Jones, the Rev. Jacqueline Daley, the Rev. Leonard Leader, the Rev. Canon Donald Butler or Lance Wilson.
Lay anointers invited to training weekend
A training weekend for lay anointers will be held Feb. 9-11 at St. John’s Convent, 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto. A limited number of rooms have been reserved, and commuter registration is also available. Clergy who supervise lay anointers in attendance will be asked to attend a supervision session on Feb. 10. Register online or contact the Rev. Jo-Anne Billinger, chair of the Bishop’s Committee on Healing, at j.billinger@rogers.com for more information. Space is limited.
York-Credit Valley hosts town hall follow-up
Bishop Jenny Andison is inviting all interested clergy and laypeople to a follow-up to the York-Credit Valley September town hall. This gathering will take place on Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. John the Baptist, Dixie, 719 Dundas St. E., Mississauga. Participants will consider how to realign area resources to strengthen existing ministries and focus on opportunities identified as needing more attention. Those who attended the September town hall are particularly encouraged to attend. Register online or see the York-Credit Valley page for more information.
Conference explores restorative justice
The Bridge Prison Ministry, Threshold Ministries and Christ Church St. James are co-sponsoring “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” on Nov. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Trinity-St. Paul United Church, 427 Bloor St. W., Toronto. This conference will explore the restorative justice process, housing and employment for ex-offenders and volunteering in the criminal justice system. Register at restorativejusticeconferenceto@gmail.com. There is no cost, and lunch is included.
All welcome at interfaith service for healing
St. Barnabas, Chester, 361 Danforth Ave, Toronto, is hosting an interfaith service of meditation and solidarity for healing and peace on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m., co-sponsored by the Toronto Area Interfaith Council. All are welcome to attend.
Dinner raises funds for drop-in program
Redeemer, Bloor St. is holding a fundraiser for its drop-in meal program on Nov. 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hosted by Bishop Kevin Robertson with sous chef Justin Laflamme, the evening will feature a tasting menu and drinks, along with stories from the drop-in program, simple cooking demonstrations and opportunities to learn about the program. Tickets can be purchased for $50 by contacting the church office at 416-922-4948 or office@theredeeemer.ca.
External Events
Online event explores refugee advocacy
Citizens for Public Justice, World Renew, the Mennonite Central Committee and the Christian Reformed Church’s Centre for Public Dialogue will be hosting a Facebook live event about how to best advocate for just refugee policies in Canada. Visit the Centre for Public Dialogue’s Facebook page on Nov. 17 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to hear from a church refugee sponsor, two refugee policy experts and a justice communicator about the issue of wait times and how you can advocate for a stronger refugee system.
Webinar helps churches consider energy savings
Faith and the Common Good, a national interfaith network, is hosting an Energy Savings Webinar for churches on Nov. 15 and Jan. 24 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It will look at incentives and rebates for retrofits, lighting, heating and cooling. It will also examine how a United Church in Toronto reduced its lighting consumption by 10 per cent and saved money. The webinar marks the launch of a three-year project to help faith communities measure their energy and greenhouse gas footprint. Register online for the Nov. 15 webinar.
Resources
Discipleship program cultivates lay spiritual leaders
Revive is a new discipleship program to help active lay leaders grow in confidence as spiritual leaders who love God and want to live a Jesus-shaped life. Created by the Rev. Canon Dr. Dawn Davis, incumbent of Trinity Church, Aurora, it is intended for wardens, property and finance officers, committee chairs, Sunday school teachers and other lay leaders who have worked hard in their church but may feel they do not really know God. To learn more, see sample materials or learn about becoming a pilot congregation, visit www.renewalworks.org/revive.
Bishop’s Scholar Program supports Trinity D.Min students
The College of Bishops is seeking applicants for its Bishop’s Scholar Program, which provides tuition for up to four years of full-time study to a prospective Doctor of Ministry student at Trinity College. For the terms of the program and application requirements, see the information sheet. To be considered, indicate your intention to apply by Nov. 24 and send a two-page reflection and cover letter to Mary Conliffe, Diocesan Executive Assistant, at mconliffe@toronto.anglican.ca no later than Dec. 1.
Online Advent calendar returns
For the fourth year in a row, the Anglican Communion is inviting Anglicans to join its global online Advent calendar and share their experiences of expectant waiting for Jesus Christ. Everyone who signs up will receive a daily email with a prayer and a photo based on a different word each day. They’ll also be invited to respond on social media with their own prayers and photos, using the hashtag #AdventWord and the word of the day. Visit www.adventword.org to learn more and sign up.
Lenten prayer journals available at Synod
This Lent, Archbishop Colin Johnson invites you to join him in a journey of prayer offered by the Society of St. John the Evangelist and the Center for the Ministry of Teaching at Virginia Theological Seminary. Each day in Lent, participants will be emailed a short video on a verse from the Gospel or First Epistle of John. Individuals can use the accompanying prayer journal to record their reflections. Small group resources, including discussion and activity suggestions, are available online. For more information or to sign up, visit www.meetingjesusinjohn.org. Copies of the prayer journal will be available for $2 each at the Resources Booth at Synod.
Resources available for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The next Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place Jan. 18-25, 2018. This is an annual ecumenical celebration that invites Christians around the world to pray for the unity of all Christians, reflect on scripture together, participate in ecumenical services and share fellowship. The theme for 2018 comes from the Caribbean region: “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6). Resources for churches are available on the Week of Prayer website, including worship service templates, hymn suggestions, children’s resources, Bible study questions, bulletin inserts and poster templates.
Job Postings
Parish seeks interim nursery leaders
Christ Church, Deer Park needs a qualified person to look after its small nursery ministry each Sunday while the permanent nursery leader is on sick leave. This will be a temporary position for a 3-6 month period. Contact the Rev. David Howells at dhowells@christchurchdeerpark.org. See the position description for more details.
Parish administrator wanted
Holy Family, Heart Lake in Brampton is seeking a parish administrator to support the mission of the parish. The successful candidate will have 5-10 years of experience providing administrative support; experience with Microsoft Office applications; basic accounting experience, including knowledge of Quickbooks; and attention to detail. For a list of duties, see the position description. Send applications to info@holyfamilybrampton.ca.
Staff Changes
Susan Abell, ODT, has been appointed acting director of Congregational Development for an interim period, in addition to her current responsibilities as interim CAO.
