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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Jan. 10

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

Annual return forms mailed in January
The forms for submitting the 2016 Churchwardens’ Parochial Return (CWPR) and the Incumbent’s Annual Statistical Return (IR) were mailed in early January. If your congregation does not receive its copy by mid-January, contact:

The forms may also be downloaded from the Annual Returns page. They are due back to the Diocesan Centre by March 15.

Parishes asked to review screening files
Is your parish in full compliance with the screening policy for 2016? Take some time to review the screening files for your staff and volunteers who were engaged in ministry between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2016.

  • Have all the screening steps been completed? For more information, refer to the Implementing Screening Steps chart.
  • Do any of your parish procedures need to be reviewed or updated?
  • Do any of the screening steps need to be renewed? To help track this, you can use the Screening Steps Worksheet.

When you complete your annual churchwardens’ and incumbent’s returns for 2016, you will be asked to verify that your parish has completed four compliance indicators for the Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith policy. If there are items that need to be addressed, take some time to get everything in order before March 15, when the annual returns are due. There are resources available on the diocesan website to help implement this policy. If you have any questions about what is required, contact Amy Talbert, diocesan screening coordinator, at atalbert@toronto.anglican.ca.

Clergy and employees reminded to complete Personal Tax Credits Return
Clergy and employees of the Diocese should complete the 2017 TD1 Personal Tax Credits Return if one of the following scenarios applies:

  • You are claiming other than the basic personal exemption amounts (federal $11,635 or provincial $10,171);
  • You are changing your current claim to the basic personal exemption amount; or
  • You are requesting additional tax deductions.

If the Diocese’s payroll department does not receive a completed TD1 form by Jan. 18, your taxes will be calculated using only the basic personal exemption. Download the 2017 Federal TD1 Form or the 2017 Ontario TD1 Form from the Canada Revenue Agency’s website. Forward the completed and signed forms to cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca, fax to 416-363-7678 or mail to Diocese of Toronto, c/o Payroll Department, 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON, M5C 1L8.

Registration open for social justice vestry motion workshops
The social justice vestry motion for 2017 will once again focus on implementing the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Parishes will be encouraged to advocate for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly the requirement for free, prior and informed consent related to the lands and resources of Indigenous peoples. The motion and some supplementary resources are available on the Vestry Motion page. Half-day training and formation sessions will also be held in each episcopal area:

  • York-Simcoe: Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Paul, Innisfil. Register online.
  • York-Scarborough: Jan. 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole. Register online.
  • York-Credit Valley: Jan. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Matthew, Islington. Register online.
  • Trent-Durham: Jan. 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Saviour, Orono. Register online.

Diocesan Events

Bishops to be installed in episcopal areas
The Diocese’s three new suffragan bishops will be installed in their episcopal areas in separate services:

  • Bishop Riscylla Shaw will be installed in Trent-Durham on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist, 99 Brock St., Peterborough.
  • Bishop Kevin Robertson will be installed in York-Scarborough on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. at St. John, York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Dr., Toronto.
  • Bishop Jenny Andison will be installed in York-Credit Valley on Jan, 22 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Matthew, Islington, 3962 Bloor St. W., Toronto.

Local ecumenical service celebrates Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration when we join with people around the world to pray for Christian unity in worship, reflection, study and fellowship. This year’s theme, “Reconciliation – The Love of Christ Compels Us,” invites us to celebrate God’s reconciling grace, calls us to recognize the pain of deep divisions that afflict the church, and urges us to become ambassadors of Christ’s message of reconciliation.

An ecumenical prayer service will be held on Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, 65 Bond St., Toronto. It will be led by religious leaders from the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Chaldean Catholic and Coptic Orthodox churches, accompanied by other city-wide religious leaders. For more information, see the event listing. For resources about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, visit weekofprayer.ca.

All invited to Keepers of the Water vigil
Keepers of the Water: A Vigil of Lament and Thanksgiving will be held on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity, Trinity Square. This service incorporates Indigenous and Christian traditions around blessing water and valuing its role in God’s creation. Bishop Riscylla Shaw will preside.

Resources

Healthy living newsletters available
Did you know the Diocese’s employee assistance program publishes newsletters with information about healthy living? Find issues of The Balancing Act, Healthy Living and Healthy Working on the Clergy Wellness page.

Facebook group created for Ontario churches
A new Facebook group is available for Ontario churches to buy, sell and donate items among themselves. Do you have an old altar to sell, or are you looking for a donation of chairs or kitchen supplies? Visit the group on Facebook to join.

Crucifix and floor-sized candlesticks available
St. Barnabas, Chester has a crucifix and floor-sized candlesticks available to any parish who would like to use them. They are originally from St. Columba and All Hallows. Contact Teresa Johnson at teresaj542@gmail.com or 416-698-9571.

Job Postings

Ministry seeks volunteer bookkeeper
Toronto Urban Native Ministry (TUNM), a FaithWorks ministry, is seeking a volunteer bookkeeper to help its leadership prepare the budget and financial reports, maintain the accounts of receipts and disbursements, and prepare payment for TUNM’s one paid staff person. The commitment is typically 8-10 hours each month. For a detailed job description, contact Elizabeth McCaffrey, diocesan volunteer resources coordinator, at emccaffrey@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 226. If you have wondered how you might respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action and have these skills, this might be an opportunity for you.

Organist and choir director wanted
St. Paul the Apostle, Rexdale is seeking a part-time organist and director of music to lead Sunday worship and music ministry and to lead the parish choir in a wide repertoire of hymns, service music and anthems. The successful applicant will enjoy teaching and help develop the musical skills of the choir in a positive and encouraging environment. The organ is a two-manual electronic Allen organ. The commitment will require slightly more hours at Christmas and Easter and fewer hours through the summer months. Availability to play at weddings and funerals would be an asset. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and qualifications according to RCCO guidelines. If the successful candidate is able to lead a steel pan music ministry, additional paid hours would be available, though this experience is not necessary. Send a full CV and cover letter to stpaultheapostlerexdale@gmail.com c/o Organist Search Committee. Applications will be received until Feb. 10 or the post is filled