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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board July 19

Bulletin Board is the Diocese’s bi-weekly e-bulletin for clergy and lay leaders. To subscribe to Bulletin Board, sign up online.

Diocesan Centre observes summer hours
The Diocesan Centre is closed on Fridays during the summer. The office is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Normal hours will resume after Labour Day (Sept. 5).

Free counselling available to clergy and families
The Diocese subscribes to an (employee) clergy assistance program that provides free, absolutely confidential, short-term counselling services to clergy and their eligible family members. The cost of providing the service is paid for by the Diocese. Use of the service is not reported to anyone, including the bishops and churchwardens, without your informed, voluntary and written consent. For more information, visit the Clergy Assistance Program page.

Parish hosts altar guild retreat
St. Andrew, Alliston is hosting a half-day altar guild retreat led by a diocesan expert on Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Andrew Retreat House, 119 Wellington St. W., Alliston. Participants will learn about the proper care and application of sacred linens, holy hardware and sacramental articles. The cost is $65, which includes lunch. To register, contact Judy Graham at  parishoffice@standrewanglican.ca or 705-435-9711. Participants can also choose to book a room in the overnight retreat house by phoning 705-435-9711.

Episcopal nominee videos available online
The election of three suffragan bishops for the Diocese of Toronto will be held on Sept. 17. Video interviews of each nominee are now available on the diocesan YouTube channel or on the nominees’ pages on the diocesan website.

Theme announced for Outreach and Advocacy Conference
Anglicans from across the Diocese are invited to attend the 2016 Outreach and Advocacy Conference, taking place at Holy Trinity School in Richmond Hill on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The theme of this year’s conference is “The Rivers of Babylon: Exploring Exile, Displacement, and the Call to Hospitality” (Psalm 137:1). It will feature a keynote address by the Rev. Jeffrey Metcalfe, priest, scholar and refugee advocate. Workshops will explore key justice issues such as continuing efforts toward reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, food security, tools for advocacy, trans issues and more. The cost is $30 ($15 for youth/students/unwaged) and includes lunch, refreshments and childcare. For more information, visit the conference page or contact Ryan Weston at rweston@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021, ext. 240.

Parish administrators invited to retreat day
The Parish Administrators’ Planning Group is planning a day for people who work in administrative capacities in places and organizations of worship. It will be held on Nov. 11 at St. John’s Convent, 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto. The day is open to all denominations, so tell your colleagues. Most organizations allow for professional development days, and the planning group hopes clergy and wardens will encourage their administrators to attend. Complete details will follow in September.

Registration open for York-Credit Valley clergy retreat
Paid clergy in York-Credit Valley are invited to register for a retreat from Oct. 3-4 at Mount Carmel, led by Archbishop Colin Johnson. The focus on Oct. 3 will be spiritual life and change. On Oct. 4, Archbishop Johnson plans to introduce the new area bishop-elect, with time for introductions and conversation about the episcopacy. There will also be time for discussion about decisions made at General Synod. The retreat begins with check-in at 10 a.m. on Oct. 3 and will conclude by 2 p.m. the next day. The registration deadline is Sept. 8. Register online.

Young adults invited to fall retreat
Turning Tables is a retreat for young adults (age 18-35) interested in exploring what our Christian journey could look like if we engaged our minds, our spirits and the world around us. Participants will explore the theme “Think, Pray, Love” to tie their political and personal convictions to their faith, rooted in the story of Jesus and the resurrection. It is also a chance to meet other young adults who are passionate about faith-based justice. The retreat will take place Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at Countryside Camp at a cost of $40, which includes bus transportation, accommodation and meals. For more information or to register, visit the event website.

New course teaches Christian basics
Christian Foundations, a new course offered at Wycliffe College, is an introduction to the good news of the Gospel and an overview of the Bible, church history, key Christian beliefs and core practices of the faith. The material will be delivered over nine full Saturdays from September to May. Churches are encouraged to send lay people who will want to teach it to others in their parishes. A distance learning option is available, and parishes can also choose to order the course workbook. Registration for the September term closes on Sept. 1. To learn more, read the related article or visit the Wycliffe College website.

Lay anointers invited to training weekend
A training weekend for lay anointers is being held Oct. 14-16 at St. John’s Convent, 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto. This residential, practical program prepares lay anointers for ministry in their parishes under the supervision of their parish priests. Topics include healing prayer, the sacrament of anointing, supervision and practice anointing. All attendees must have support of a sponsoring priest, who should send a short letter of support to the Rev. Stephen Kern, chair of the Bishop’s Committee on Healing, at skern@spoth.ca. The cost for attendees is $250, which includes meals and overnight accommodations. For those unable to stay at the convent, the commuter cost is $125. The parish registration fee is $30, which includes attendance of the sponsoring priest. Register online by Sept. 14. Space is limited.

Parish seeks music director and organist
St. Mary, Richmond Hill seeks a creative, energetic and technically competent person to assume leadership of keyboard, choral and praise band music. The successful applicant will have experience in both traditional church liturgical and contemporary “praise and worship” styles and a firm commitment to the communal mission and vision of St. Mary’s. The church has two well-maintained pipe organs and a Nordheimer baby grand piano. A choir of up to 15 SATB voices currently sings weekly for nine months of the year, and a recently established praise band plays at least once at a month. This part-time position will demand an estimated 12 hours per week. Remuneration will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, according to RCCO guidelines. Applications will be received until July 31 or the post is filled. Send applications, including a full CV and cover letter, to jobs@saintmaryschurch.ca. For a full job description, visit the parish’s website.

Organist and choir director wanted
St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff is seeking a director of music and organist to lead the parish choir, a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer group of about 10 adults, in a wide repertoire of hymns, service music and anthems. The successful applicant will enjoy teaching, help develop the musical skills of the choir in a positive and encouraging environment, and engage in ongoing recruitment to expand numbers. The organ is a three-manual Artisan “Classic” digital instrument of concert quality. Through liaison with the manufacturer, the director will be responsible for having a working knowledge of its capabilities and maintenance requirements. The commitment is expected to average 10-13 hours per week, more at Christmas and Easter and fewer during the summer months. Availability to play at weddings and funerals would be an asset. Remuneration is in accordance with RCCO guidelines. To apply, send a cover letter expressing interest with a resume to office@stnicholasbirchcliff.com or Church of St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff, Attn. Search Committee, 1512 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, ON M1N 1R7 by Aug. 15. To learn more about the parish, visit its website.