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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Jan. 8

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

Parishes reminded to review risk control procedures
At the beginning of a new year, parishes are reminded to ensure they are complying with all applicable building and fire codes with respect to the operation of their buildings. Professional advice can be sought from a licensed architect or engineer, or the local fire department. Ecclesiastical Insurance also publishes regular risk control bulletins on a variety of topics, available on its website.

Should you complete the Personal Tax Credits Return?
Clergy and employees of the Diocese should complete the 2019 TD1 Personal Tax Credits Returns if one of the following scenarios applies:

  • You are claiming other than the basic personal exemption amounts (federal $12,069 or provincial $10,582);
  • You are changing your current claim to the basic personal exemption amount; or
  • You are requesting additional tax deductions or changes to existing additional tax deductions.

If the diocesan payroll department does not receive completed TD1 forms (federal and provincial) by Jan. 18, your taxes will be calculated using only the basic personal exemption. Download the 2019 Federal TD1 form or the 2019 Ontario TD1 Form. Forward the completed and signed forms to cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca, fax to 416-363-7678 or mail to Diocese of Toronto, c/o Claire Wilton, 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON M5C 1L8.

Pilot streamlines process for certain Canon 6 approvals
A revised Canon 6 approvals process is being piloted by the Trusts Committee for six months, from Jan. 1 to June 30. The pilot simplifies approval for only the following three items; all other Canon 6 requirements remain unchanged:

  1. Low-risk License Agreements (i.e. no minors or vulnerable adults on church property. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, book clubs, meeting groups, parking space rentals, etc.)
  2. Residential Lease Agreements
  3. Repairs/renovations costing less than $75,000 in hard construction cost (regardless of whether a building permit is required)

A completed and signed Checklist & Attestation must be submitted by the incumbent/priest-in-charge and churchwardens to receive quarterly approval from Diocesan Council under Canon 6. Approval no longer needs to be received before occupancy or repair/renovation project start. The standard diocesan License Agreement form, provincial residential Lease Agreement template, and mandatory tenant’s insurance requirements must still be used and adhered to by the church leadership.

The goal of this new process is to improve processing times and efficiency without compromising risk management. Congregations are still expected to perform their requisite due diligence, including checking insurance requirements before allowing occupancy. The Property Resources department will conduct random audits to ensure that risk management practices are being followed. Full details are available on the relevant Property Resources pages.

Clergy remuneration information memo available
The annual Clergy Remuneration Information Memo is now available on the Remuneration and Benefits page. Churchwardens, treasurers and clergy are reminded to read the information.

Vestry motion focuses on poverty
This year’s social justice vestry motion invites parishes to commit to at least one new or enhanced direct outreach activity and one new or enhanced advocacy action to address poverty in Ontario. The motion’s flexibility allows parishes to consider what actions would have the most impact in their local context and develop their capacity to respond. The motion, suggestions for action and background information are available on the Social Justice and Advocacy page. To report back on the action your parish decides to take, email Elin Goulden at egoulden@toronto.anglican.ca.

Parishes reminded of building inspections
For 2019, the York Mills and Etobicoke deaneries are due for their decennial building inspections under the diocesan Building Inspection Policy. For full information, see the Building Inspections & Maintenance page.

Diocesan Events

Cathedral hosts ecumenical service
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will take place Jan. 18-25. 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. Resources for churches are available on the Week of Prayer website.

An ecumenical service sponsored by the Greater Toronto Area Christian Council of Churches will be held on Jan. 27 at 4:30 p.m. at St. James Cathedral. Leaders from churches across Toronto will take part, and Bishop Andrew Asbil will preach. This year’s theme is “Justice, only justice, you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20).

Save the date: ACW annual meeting
The diocesan Anglican Church Women will hold its annual meeting at St. Timothy, Agincourt on April 27. More details to follow.

Bishop Asbil to be installed as Bishop of Toronto
Bishop Andrew Asbil will be installed as Bishop of Toronto at on Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. at St. James Cathedral. All are welcome. The service will also be live streamed through the diocesan Facebook page, and a link to the video will be posted on the home page of the diocesan website. Clergy who wish to vest and process (white stole) must register online and meet in the Community Room at 3:15 p.m.

Save the date: York-Credit Valley events
Bishop Jenny Andison will hold a pre-Lenten teaching series on the Apostles’ Creed on Feb. 6, 13 and 20 from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. Thomas, Huron Street. Open to all clergy and laity in the area, the evenings will include time for small-group discussions and larger group interactions. Register online.

York-Credit Valley will reprise its fall event on medical assistance in dying on Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The session will take a historical overview and outline a biblical and theological framework for thinking about the issue. Registration details to follow. A follow-up event in May will look at the practical implications of MAID for clergy, medical practitioners, caregivers and others.

The York-Credit Valley churchwardens’ commissioning service will take place on March 31 at 4 p.m. at All Saints, Kingsway. Register online. Find more details on the York-Credit Valley Events page.

External Events

Conference explores liturgy
Liturgy Canada presents “God Sends Us in Mission,” the fifth event in its Renewing Liturgy series. This conference will help restore the Sending as an essential act in the eucharistic celebration with the potential to reveal the deeper meaning the Eucharist has for the rest of the world. It will take place on Feb. 2 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3455 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington. Learn more and register online.

Resources

New anthem available to choirs
“Strengthen for Service,” the new anthem by Matthew Larkin commissioned in honour of Archbishop Colin Johnson, is available free to choirs in the Diocese for their own use in worship. Based on Archbishop Johnson’s episcopal motto, “For the least of these,” the anthem is written for SATB choir and organ. Download the sheet music.

Program transforms parish lay leaders
Revive is a small-group discipleship program that transforms leaders of practical church ministry into confident spiritual leaders who love God and participate in Christ’s mission. The program includes opening and closing retreats with three six-week modules between, using downloadable facilitator and participant guides and corresponding videos. Learn more or sign up to receive updates on the Revive website.

Job Postings

Diocese seeking archivist & privacy officer
The Diocese is seeking a full-time archivist, records officer and privacy officer. The start date is March 1. For more details, see the job post. Apply by Jan. 11 to hr@toronto.anglican.ca.

Organist wanted
St. James Cathedral is seeking a resourceful and talented organist with experience in choral conducting and a wide knowledge of appropriate repertoire. Remuneration is calculated according to RCCO guidelines at 16-19 hours per week. Apply by Jan. 31. To learn more, visit the cathedral website.

Parish seeking secretary
Christ Church St. James is looking for a parish secretary. This is a part-time position, Tuesday to Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workload may require some extra hours at times during the year. Compensation will be commensurate with appropriate experience. A job description is available on request. To apply, contact the Rev. David Smith at 416-251-8711 or christchurchstjames194@gmail.com by Jan. 18.