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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board April 30

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 encouraged to sign up for PAR
Pre-authorized remittance (PAR) is the single fastest way to grow your parish’s offertory. PAR donors give 40% more annually to their churches, and churches with at least 50% of their donors enrolled in PAR are among the healthiest and most stable in the Diocese. Enrollment is quick, easy and free. When parishes sign on to the program offered through the United Church of Canada, they will never pay more that $50 per month in transmission fees. For more information on how to enroll your parish and to receive a customized enrollment form, contact Peter Misiaszek, Director of Stewardship Development, at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 246 or pmisiaszek@toronto.anglican.ca.

Anglicans reminded to confirm newspaper subscription
The Anglican Journal is asking its readers to confirm their subscription, and the number of confirmations received so far is lower than expected. To make sure all subscribers who would like to continue receiving the Journal and The Anglican are able to do so, the national church is asking parish leaders to download a poster and a bulletin insert to share with their communities. Both include the toll-free number and email address subscribers can use to confirm their subscription. For more information, visit the Anglican Journal’s website.

Diocesan Events

Festival celebrates water
Presented in association with Toronto Urban Native Ministry and St. James Cathedral, the Niigaani-gichigami Water Festival returns for its third year, bringing together diverse communities to learn about, pray for and express our gratitude for the waters we depend on. A variety of lectures will be held at the cathedral throughout May and June in celebration of the festival:

  • May 15: Reconciliation in our Watershed
  • May 29: Listening to the Silenced Streams: Honouring the Buried Rivers of Toronto (featuring a Water Ceremony)
  • June 12: Our First Water: Traditional Indigenous Teachings on Birth

Learn more at stjamescathedral.ca/water-festival. All are welcome and admission is free.

Register now for lay anointers training weekend
The annual lay anointers training weekend will take place from May 24-26 at St. John’s Convent. This event is for individuals recommended by their clergy to be trained and equipped for lay anointing in the parish. Supervising clergy will attend for two hours on Saturday. Learn more and register online. The deadline is May 7.

Area Events

Parishes join for youth service
St. Philip on-the-Hill, Unionville and Christ Church, Stouffville invite youth and leaders to attend a special youth service on May 11 at Christ Church. Pizza and fellowship will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a service at 7 pm. Youth in grades 4-12 are invited to attend with their youth leaders. Contact JaneSmith@stouffvilleanglican.ca for more details.

MAID discussion to be live streamed
York-Scarborough is hosting an event on medical assistance in dying, the law and faith on May 4 from 1-4 p.m. at St. Andrew, Scarborough. It will also be live streamed on YouTube, and most York-Scarborough deaneries will have a parish streaming it so groups can meet closer to home. The panelists will be Dr. Karen Coranon, a practising doctor and educator; Jan Goddard, a practising lawyer; the Rev. Canon Douglas Graydon, coordinator of chaplaincy services for the Diocese; and the Rev. Dr. Eric Beresford, ethicist. Questions can be submitted at the end of group discussion, including from the satellite locations. Download the poster.

Area to gather for Thy Kingdom Come
Members of York-Credit Valley are gathering to celebrate Thy Kingdom Come, a global ecumenical wave of prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost. Join Bishop Jenny Andison and Ali McIntosh, area youth coordinator, for an informal worship and prayer party on June 7 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King. Register online. The area’s Evangelism Task Force has also gathered resources for individuals and parishes.

Area hosts second discussion on MAID
York-Credit Valley will host the second part of its discussion on medical assistance in dying on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Stephen, Downsview. This session will look at practical implications of MAID for pastors, medical professionals and caregivers, with the aim of thinking through the choices and what the range of faithful Christian responses can be. Learn more and register online.

Clergy invited to lunch & learn
York-Credit Valley clergy are invited to attend a discussion on conflict management led by Br. Reginald-Martin Crenshaw, along with a case study on how to navigate the proposed changes to the Marriage Canon in their parishes. It will take place on May 7 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle, Rexdale. Learn more and register online.

External Events

Event empowers girls
Girls age 12-18 are invited to attend BRAVE, a one-day event to remind girls that they are valuable and worth being celebrated, while encouraging them to dream big for their futures. It will take place on May 25 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John, York Mills. It will include inspiring speakers, music from Canada’s own Jully Black, plus breakfast and snacks. BRAVE is a movement that counters sex trafficking by supporting and uplifting all girls. The event is free, but tickets are limited, so register today. For more information, visit the BRAVE website.

Conference focuses on women in ministry
“Junia’s Daughters: A Conference for Every Woman in Ministry” will explore topics like wage justice, healthy sexuality, and maintaining a vibrant personal, professional and spiritual life. All women involved or interested in ministry (lay or ordained) are encouraged to attend. It will take place on May 25 at Wycliffe College. The early-bird price of $50 ends on May 1. Bursaries are available. For more details, see the conference website.

Resources

Cheat sheet highlights HR contacts
Not sure who to call about your human resources questions? Consult the Human Resources department’s cheat sheet to get an overview of where to find information for various HR topics, including parish support, the sexual misconduct policy, legal advice, health and safety, pension questions and more.

Marathon to close streets
The annual Toronto Marathon will take place on the morning of May 5, resulting in road closures. For details, visit www.torontomarathon.com.

Free refectory table available
A hand-built, solid oak refectory table is available free to an individual, church or institution. It was built more than 40 years ago by a former parishioner, churchwarden and treasurer at St. Olave, Swansea. It would be suitable in a library, student centre or large dining room. The table is 106 1/2” long, 38 ½” wide and 30” tall. The top and base separate so it can be moved. For more information, contact Jean Elliott at 650-714-1253.

AURA seeking office space for rent
Does your parish have spare office space for rent? AURA, the Anglican-United Refugee Alliance, is looking for office space to rent from a Toronto parish. It would be able to pay up to $1,000 a month for a space, preferably above ground, that includes:

  • Lockable office space for three desks, filing cabinets and a copier/printer
  • Phone and internet connection (paid for by AURA)
  • Access to a meeting area, which could be shared with the parish
  • Flexible access, as the nature of the work is not 9-to-5

If you have space to rent or would like to ask further questions, contact Alex Hauschildt at ahauschildt@auraforrefugees.org or 416-588-1612.

Job Postings

Convent seeks summer students
St. John’s Convent seeks two university, college or senior high students for summer work in its gardens and grounds, along with some indoor maintenance. The position is 30 hours a week for approximately 14 weeks, beginning mid to late May. For more information, contact Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert at cj@ssjd.ca. Feel free to send your resumé. Applications will be considered as received and only until the positions are filled.

Parish seeks summer outreach chaplain
The Parish of Georgina is seeking applicants for a 10-week summer outreach chaplaincy starting in late June. The primary focus is a ministry of presence at St. George, adjacent to Sibbald Point Provincial Park. The successful applicant will be a self-motivated individual who enjoys the outdoors and has strong interpersonal skills for working with people of all ages. Accommodation in a camper trailer is provided. The ability to ride a bike and a willingness to get to the village of Sutton, nursing home, community dinners and youth shelter are a definite asset. Apply by email to parish@parishofgeorgina.org or by mail to Outreach Committee, Parish of Georgina, P.O. Box 88, Sutton West, ON, L0E 1R0.

Parish seeks nursery coordinator
St. Mary and St. Martha, Toronto is looking to fill a nursery coordinator ministry position. This is a part-time contract position for three hours per week on Sunday mornings. The role would be to welcome, nurture and help develop a comfortable, safe and predictable community for children age 4 and under and their parents or guardians. For more details, see the job posting.

Administrative assistant wanted
Church of the Incarnation, Toronto is seeking an administrative assistant for 20 hours per week. Salary is negotiable, depending on experience and qualifications. For more details, see the job description. To apply, send a resume to the attention of the churchwardens to Church of the Incarnation, 15 Clairtrell Rd., Toronto, ON, M2N 5J7 by May 14.

Children, youth and family minister position open
St. Mary and St. Martha, Toronto is hiring a children, youth and family minister. The parish is looking for someone with a heart for young people and the passion to help form children and young people as disciples of Jesus Christ and full members of the Church. The position is 25 hours per week. For more information see the job posting.