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Our Faith-Our Hope takes final bow
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Priest starts Indigenous ministry
What, exactly, is a deacon?
TheAnglican THE NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF TORONTO
A SECTION OF THE ANGLICAN JOURNAL
www.toronto.anglican.ca
MARCH 2019
Diocesan Council starts new year Diocesan Council members and staff have their picture taken at the first Diocesan Council meeting of the year, held Jan. 26 at St. John, York Mills. Diocesan Council, which has a membership of about 40, meets on a regular basis to carry on the work of Synod between its sessions. It is responsible to Synod for the development and oversight of priorities to implement the diocese’s vision and mission, as well as the diocesan budget’s development, oversight and midterm adjustment if required. Once priorities have been approved by Synod, Diocesan Council acts at a strategic level to assign priorities to boards and committees. Diocesan Council has oversight of all boards and committees and monitors
their work through a regular reporting framework. Current Diocesan Council members will serve until the end of the next Regular Session of Synod, to be held on Nov. 8-9. Members include: Bishop Andrew Asbil (chair), Bishop Jenny Andison, Brian Armstrong, QC, ODT,
Mario Bartolozzi, Canon Paul Baston, the Rev. David Bryant, Canon Clare Burns, the Rev. Gregory Carpenter, the Rev. Canon Joan CavanaughClark, Peter Davidson, ODT, the Rev. Dr. Stephen Drakeford, Bishop Peter Fenty, Dr. Anita Gittens, ODT, Leslie Hajdu, ODT, the Rev. Karen Hatch, the
Rev. Keith Joyce, Lyds KeesmaatWalsh, Darleen Knowlton, the Rev. Ian LaFleur, Suzanne Lawson, ODT, the Rev. Leonard Leader, the Rev. Erin Martin, Heather McGregor, ODT, the Rev. Douglas Michael, Peter Newell, the Rev. Lisa Newland, the Rev. Canon Dr. Barry Parker, the Rev. Jesse Parker,
Richard Paul, the Rev. Jason Prisley, Ryan Ramsden, Sandy Richmond, ODT, Bishop Kevin Robertson, Mother Elizabeth Rolfe-Thomas, SSJD, Bishop Riscylla Shaw, Beverley Sneyd, the Rev. Michael Stuchbery, David Toycen, ODT, and Marilyn Yeung, ODT. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON
Grant, parishes push FaithWorks over top Appeal beats 2018 goal BY STUART MANN
THANKS to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the response of Anglicans in the parishes, the diocese’s annual FaithWorks campaign surpassed its goal for 2018, raising $1,365,600 for people in need. The donor gave a $75,000 “challenge grant” to the campaign last year. That meant that every new or increased donation from the parishes would be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. Anglicans responded, increasing their donations by $108,000 and making full use of the grant. Bishop Andrew Asbil says he is heartened by the results. “It says that Anglicans have a heart for social justice and taking care of the most vulnerable among us and being able to not just provide care and support but also advocacy.” He added: “I’m incredibly grateful for parishes and individuals who take the time not just to support
Staff and volunteers of Flemingdon Park Ministry in Toronto provide fresh food for local residents last summer. PHOTO COURTESY OF FLEMINGDON PARK MINISTRY the fabric and the ministry of their home church but to look beyond themselves and to say we know that there is incredible ministry happening in our communities and around the diocese that need help and I’m going to give that little extra.” FaithWorks supports families in crisis, children, youth and women in need, immigrants, the homeless, the imprisoned, those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and people living in the developing world. Since the appeal was launched in 1996, it has raised more than $30 million. Donations from the parishes in
2018 amounted to $726,300, a 13 per cent increase over 2017. “This is the first increase in overall parish giving in five years and is a welcome change,” says Peter Misiaszek, the diocese’s director of Stewardship Development. Of the 154 parishes that participated in the 2018 appeal, 77 increased their giving. Donations were down in 2016 and 2017 as parishes responded to the Syrian refugee crisis but rebounded last year as parishes renewed their focus on FaithWorks and responded to the challenge grant.
Corporations gave $259,300 to the appeal in 2018, down 20 per cent from the previous year. The reduction was due to companies re-evaluating and realigning their giving areas, says Mr. Misasizek, a trend that is likely to continue. Despite the drop, Mr. Misasizek says companies have played an important role in the campaign and will continue to do so. “We have been blessed for many years to get the gifts that we have,” he says, adding that several companies still give to the diocese through the Bishop’s Company Dinner and by sponsoring Synod. A further $378,000 was raised in the 2018 campaign from individuals, groups, foundations, bequests and interest on the FaithWorks endowment fund. The goal for the 2019 campaign is $1,350,000. Mr. Misiaszek says the appeal will have to step up its efforts to engage with the parishes and major donors to make up for the shortfall from corporations, but he is confident the goal can be reached, especially if another donor steps forward with a challenge grant. Shelagh McPherson, chair of the FaithWorks allocation commit-
tee, says several ministries rely on FaithWorks funding for survival. “The donations are important to all of the groups that we fund, but for some of them FaithWorks is their lifeblood.” She says she is very encouraged by the parish results in the 2018 campaign. “It’s a recommitment to FaithWorks, I hope, a recommitment to outreach.” FaithWorks funded the following Anglican-affiliated ministries in 2018: All Saints Church Community Centre, Toronto; The Warming Room, Peterborough; The Bridge Prison Ministry, Brampton; The David Busby Centre, Barrie; the Anglican United Refugee Alliance, Toronto; Flemingdon Park Ministry, Toronto; Couchiching Jubilee House, Orillia; Downsview Youth Covenant, Toronto; North House Shelter, north Durham; Samaritan House Community, Barrie; The Dam, Mississauga; Giving With Grace, northern Canada and Ontario; the Philip Aziz Centre, Toronto; PWRDF, Toronto; and the Toronto Urban Native Ministry, Toronto. The 2019 FaithWorks campaign materials will be available to parishes in time for Lenten campaigns.
MEET DIOCESE’S NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE – SEE PAGE 6
2 TheAnglican
NEWS
March 2019
Campaign that provided millions is winding down BY STUART MANN
THE diocese’s Our Faith-Our Hope campaign, which has provided millions of dollars to parishes, individuals and organizations, is winding down this year. No more applications for grants are being received. The campaign, launched in 2010 to “renew, reimagine and revitalize” the Church, raised $32 million and gave out 192 grants, ranging from $1,400 toward the tuition for a professional development course to $418,000 for major renovations to a church building. Parishes could also keep a percentage of the funds they raised. “It has been a huge benefit to parishes and it has been spread right across the diocese,” says Peter Misiaszek, the diocese’s director of Stewardship Development. There were five categories of grants that parishes and congregations could apply for: adaptive re-use of parish facilities; communicating in a wireless world; enabling parishes to become multistaffed; leadership development; and pioneering ministry. In addition to grants for parishes and individuals, the diocese
distributed $1.5 million from the campaign’s “Giving to Others” category. Three gifts of $500,000 each were given to the Anglican Military Ordinariate to fund the office of the Bishop Ordinariate in perpetuity; to the Council of the North to support regional gatherings of clergy and lay leaders; and to the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund to improve maternal, newborn and child health in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada. After the last round of grants were approved in the fall of 2018, the campaign was left with about $1.2 million. Instead of going through another round of grants, the diocese plans to divide the remaining money among the four episcopal areas, to be disbursed according to the aims of the campaign. “When it was announced in 2018 that funds from the campaign would be exhausted in the next couple of years, many parishes took that to mean imminently,” explains Mr. Misiaszek. “As the result, the last two rounds saw twice as many applicants than usual. If we experienced a similar response again, the allocations
SUMMER CHAPLAIN Anglican Parish of Georgina The Anglican Parish of Georgina is now accepting applications for its 10 week Summer Outreach Chaplaincy position commencing late June 2019. The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills for working with people of all ages, and will work closely with the Priest and the Outreach Committee. The primary focus of the chaplaincy is a Ministry of Presence at St. George’s Church, Sibbald Point on Lake Simcoe. Working flexible hours, the successful applicant will be front-line outreach. You’ll be a self-motivated individual who enjoys the outdoors. Living accommodation in a camper trailer is provided. Ability to ride a bike and willing to get around to the village of Sutton (3 km), nursing home, community dinners and youth shelter a definite asset. Please apply in writing to: Outreach Committee, P.O. Box 88, Sutton West, Ontario L0E 1R0 www.parishofgeorgina.org parish@parishofgeorgina.org
Church members and friends visit Canon Nind Hall at St. George, Grafton, renovated with an Our Faith-Our Hope grant in 2016. At right, the Rev. Andrea Budgey (left) volunteer Jacob Hounsell, and the Rev. Maggie Helwig prepare food for needy people in the renovated kitchen of St. Stephen inthe-Fields, Toronto, funded by an Our Faith-Our Hope grant in 2018. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON
committee knew it wouldn’t have the funds available and it would be impossible to determine what project was more important than the other.” The plan to divide the remaining funds among the four episcopal areas is expected to go to Diocesan Council for approval in the spring. Mr. Misiaszek praised the work of the campaign’s allocation committee, which recommended to Diocesan Council twice a year which grant applications should be
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approved. The committee decided to disband late last year. “The allocations committee did an exemplary job,” he says. “Most of the proposals submitted were
honoured. The fact that we’ve been able to reinvest in parishes tells me that people are passionate about their faith and they want to invest in it.”
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This training weekend is for individuals to be trained and equipped for the ministry of lay anointing in the Parish. Supervising clergy attend for approximately two hours on the Saturday afternoon. Registrants may register as a commuter (lunch but no accommodation) or register to stay in the SSJD Guest House for the weekend which includes accommodation and meals. A limited number of rooms are set aside at SSJD in the Guest House so early registration is encouraged. On line registration on the Diocese of Toronto website for attendees and supervising clergy will close Tuesday, May 7. A clergy letter of support for the participant is to be sent in advance to The Rev. Jo-Anne Billinger, Chair, BCH at j.billinger@rogers.com Clergy considering introducing the ministry of lay anointing in the Parish who would like more information about the ministry are welcome to contact the Committee through The Rev. Jo-Anne Billinger at j.billinger@rogers.com.
TheAnglican 3
NEWS
March 2019
Priest appointed to Indigenous ministry Cleric brings experience to role BY STUART MANN
THE Rev. Leigh Kern, a former associate priest at St. James Cathedral, is the diocese’s new Coordinator of Indigenous Ministries and Reconciliation Animator, effective March 1. Ms. Kern, who is Metis through her mother’s side of the family, brings years of experience in the Indigenous community to the position, formerly known as the diocese’s Indigenous Native Priest. She succeeds the Rt. Rev. Chris Harper, who became the Bishop of Saskatoon last year. “It’s a huge honour and privilege to be asked by the (Indigenous) community and the diocese to take this role on,” she says. Ms. Kern will focus on working in and with Indigenous communities in Toronto and the GTA. Toronto has the largest and most diverse Indigenous community in Ontario, with between 45,000 and 70,000 people. “The role is really about creating those spaces where Indigenous wisdom and knowledge and leadership can shine and be shared with the broader community,” she says. “As churches, if we’re invited into that work with people, we can really amplify those voices.” Before leaving the cathedral on Feb. 17, she helped to plan the opening ceremony for Shades of Our Sisters, an exhibit about Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. The exhibit is being held at the cathedral until March 1. Organizing and participating in
The Rev. Leigh Kern is smudged by the Indigenous ministries team before being gifted with an eagle feather at her ordination at St. James Cathedral in 2017. Joining her are, from left, Bishop Riscylla Shaw, Bishop Mark MacDonald, the Rev. Canon Ginny Doctor and Bishop Chris Harper. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON such events is one of her passions, she says, and is something she will continue to do in her new role. “Our society is increasingly secular, but people still have that need for ritual and doing things in community. As a Church, we pray – that’s our gift to the world. We can do that with other communities.” Ms. Kern has already done some innovative work in the Indigenous community. With a grant from the Anglican Healing Fund, she started the Neechee Circle, a healing cir-
cle held every Thursday at Allan Gardens in downtown Toronto. The spiritual ceremony is led and attended by Indigenous people, some of whom live in and around the park. It is barrier-free, meaning that people do not have to be sober or free of drugs to participate. Ms. Kern has also helped to organize an annual water festival in Toronto. The interfaith, public ceremony is led by an Indigenous elder on the shores of Lake Ontario every spring. The event includes
prayers for the healing of the lake and its contributing streams and rivers, a prayer walk through the city and a barbecue at St. James Cathedral. One of the things she plans to do in her new role is minister to Indigenous people in prisons, particularly at the Toronto South Detention Centre in Mississauga, which does not have an Indigenous chaplain. She says prisons are a continuation of the residential schools system, whereby Indig-
enous men and women are taken out of their communities and forced to assimilate through corrective behaviour. “That’s something that’s not being talked about or reflected upon critically,” she says. “We can say we acknowledge that the residential school system was wrong, but we’re pretty far from acknowledging that the whole way that we do corrections is wrong.” Social justice has been a major part of Ms. Kern’s life. While studying for an MDiv at Yale Divinity School, she worked as a chaplain at a soup kitchen run by Christ Church, New Haven, a city with one of the highest crime rates in the United States. For her clinical pastoral education, she was a chaplain at CAMH (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) in Toronto, where she ministered to men who were serving prison sentences for sexual assault. She credits her parents for instilling in her a passion for helping others and working in and with the Indigenous community. The Rev. Stephen Kern, the incumbent of St. Philip on-the-Hill, Unionville, and Dr. Anne Kern were among a handful of people who were discussing the need for urban Indigenous ministry in the diocese back in the 1990s. “Those early conversations happened around my parents’ dining table when I was just a little kid,” she recalls. After becoming ordained in 2016, Ms. Kern worked as an assistant curate at the cathedral and then became an associate priest there last year, in charge of adult Christian education. “It was a beautiful ministry and I’m going to miss it,” she says. But she’s looking forward to the next chapter of her life. “I’ll continue to seek out the consultation of elders where I should go.”
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44 TheAnglican TheAnglican
COMMENT COMMENT
March 2019 June 2017
Travelling together Easterlives Our Faith-Our Hopetowards is changing W I e are en route now. came across a pastoral letFor almost 30 years, ter from the Bishop of I have had the joy Toronto to the clergy and of holding the keys laity proposing a signifiand serving as the incumbent cant fundraising effort. In it he of a parish church. Sunday proposed a graduated schedmornings were spent holding ule of offerings to achieve a the door open to welcome the substantial goal and an indilong-time parishioner, a lost soul or two and vidual appeal to each church family in the visitors coming for the first time. Worship diocese by a member of their parish “to happened in a well-known place, with knock at every one’s door and rouse thethe inregular crowd, in a predictable way… habitants to devote a small portion of what Wehas arebestowed en route upon now. them EverytoSunday mornGod promote so ing, it is the keys to the car that I hold in my great a work.” hand. carcame points in aJohn different direction ThatThe letter from Strachan, the week after week; sometimes to the north, first Bishop of Toronto, in January 1854! sometimes to the eastHope: and sometimes The Our Faith-Our Re-imagine to the west. With Mary by my we set out Church campaign began withside, an idea I first in anticipation of meeting you. We find our proposed to Synod a decade ago. As it gradubearings in the suburb, the country in ally took shape, we determined that itor would the of city.program And while the place maythe be aheart cooperative shared between be new to us,parishes there isthat something familiar. diocese and responded to the One of my mentors was Dr. George Black, generosity of God’s many gifts to us to enwho liturgicsWe at Huron College. He of gage taught God’s mission. identified the goals was convenor of the Parishes, Common Building Praise Hymn Strengthening Local the Church for Tomorrow, Revitalizing Our Inheritance and Giving to Others. The Canadian North has many clergy and lay catechists in charge of parishes who work without a stipend. Many are isolated in communities that face traumatic pastoral issues including, unfortunately, the accumulated pain of dealing with multiple suicides. The od is good. of Very often Diocese of Toronto made a grant $500,000 we think “stuff” is a from Our Faith-Our Hope (OFOH) to fund good, too.North Sometimes request from the Council of the and we like our stuff better Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples to than people relationships. hold regional circles whereand clergy and lay People can be for difficult; they leaders could come together mutual sometimes let us down learning, support and refreshment. So and far, 276 often require lot of dioceses. monihave participated from half aadozen toring maintenance. on theThe other Grantsand ranged from $500 Stuff, to $100,000. Diohand, good times; if it was cese ofcan theremind Arctic, us forofinstance, brought peogifted or earned, it can make us feel appreciated, beautiful, valued. But stuff always has a shelf-life. Wise words from Jesus in Matthew 6.19: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where broad inviting smile, neither moth nor rust destroys and where and thieves do not break infirm andhandshake steal. For where word “welcome” your treasure is, there the your heart will be are the memories we also.” have work whenof Angela It is the steadfast a richand andI first met Terence Finlay, Bishop of rewarding life to engage with one another, the summer to be open and Toronto, willing toinshare oneself of to 1997. Ithe was beginning my mindeepen and develop connections that, istryof aslike theelectricity, incumbentignite of St. Joseph of and sort light, life Nazareth, Bramalea. relationships that love. It is interpersonal When we entered office, there was a build community andhis nourish us in long-term warmth andsatisfying genuineness experienced and deeply spiritual health. by both of My us in our firstrecently meeting showed with Bishop daughter me aFinlay. video HeMarie was very interested in getting know us of Kondo, a brilliant tidy-uptoexpert and our young family. We shared the stories of our Christian journeys and family life. It was a pleasure to engage with him and have a sense of the pastoral care and support he offered clergy and their families. I had no idea that six years later I would be working closely with him as his executive assistant and Archdeacon of York. I got to know Terry, as he was affectionately called, when I became a member of the Postulancy Committee and a regional dean. He gave wise counsel and offered good insight into challenging matters facing the Church. His was a calming voice and a non-anxious presence. He offered strong episcopal leadership in the diocese, both pastorally and morally. He was a model of deep faith and prayerful thoughtfulness, and was genuinely concerned about the well-being of the clergy and laity under his episcopal leadership. In the spring of 2003 I received a call from the Archbishop’s office inviting me to meet with him. I thought I was going to be invited to sit on another committee of the diocese. He
BISHOP’S DIARY ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Bishop ACndrew Asbil BY B AyRCHBISHOP OLIN JOHNSON
ple from 48 communities together. The feedBook Task Force and one of the key leaders back has been astounding. It makes a differin developing the Book of Alternative Serence in peoples’ lives. vices. George used to say that liturgy is like The Anglican Chaplaincy for the Canadian visiting with old friends. The readings, the Forces elected its first full-time bishop to proprayers, the hymns and mass settings take vide episcopal care for regular and reserve us home and us in a narrative of God’s chaplains andbathe their families, and to military love. No matter where we go on a Sunday personnel across the country. It only became morning,because we somehow feel atendowment home among possible of an initial of old friends. $500,000 from OFOH. Sometimes we meet infrom the most serenAnother $500,000 grant OFOH to the dipitous ways. After the New Year’s levee Primate’s World Relief and Development at St. (PWRDF) James Cathedral, and Iin headed Fund supportsMary new work maternorth Balahealth for a couple of days of rest. nal andtochild in the developing world We stopped at services the ONroute Service Centre and midwifery in remote northern in King City for some refreshments. Once communities in Canada. Ours is the largest inside,gift weany traipsed behind someone who single diocese has ever given to looked familiar to year me. “I think Because I know that PWRDF in its 50+ history. of guy,” I said to Mary. As we emerged matching federal government grants, into that the dining area,athere a throng of people gift created valuewas of over $2.5 million. Safe gathered at tables sipping andnow tea. deliveries and proper healthcoffee care are available because of your generosity. Parishes around the diocese have been made physically accessible, youth work is being funded, leaders are being trained, pioneering ministries in new contexts have been planed and an amazing array of creative projects have been undertaken locally because of Our Faith-Our Hope – not just because of the financial resources now available, but also BISHOP’S OPINION because of a reinvigoration of imagination By Bishop Riscylla Shaw and commitment. We have succeeded in remarkable ways. While not every parish participated, the vast whose methods areachieved simple and compelling. majority did – and more than many She thought invites people to sift and through had possible. Some ofsort the parishes their worldly possessions, collections did not formally join the OFOH projectand beacquisitions – i.e., their stuff. this cause they were already in theFollowing midst of suborganizing of clothing, papers, stantial funding efforts.books Othersand added to their kitchen, and finally collectibles and sentimental items, Marie encourages individuals to consider with their minds and with their hearts, “Does it spark joy?” If yes, keep it. If no, be grateful to the item for its place in your life, then liberate it to go to the giveaway pile, the re-use store, or the garbage it if it has no material value to anyone. BISHOP’S OPINION Now, truth be told, a lot of prickly issues open up asBpeople begin to unpack Y BISHOP PETER FENTY their lives: rampant consumerism, unchecked spending quickly got to the purpose of our meeting habits, mental health issues including de-and asked if I and was compulsive willing to bebehaviours, considered as a pression cultural candidate executive assistant and norms andfor expectations, environmental archdeacon. The position had become vacant waste and impact, individualism and greed. when Archdeacon elected We must not do it Colin on ourJohnson own: wewas need help suffragan I was surprised when heto from eachbishop. other and from professionals met justmatters. before the clergy dealwith withme these It is rightconference to ask for that and offered me the helpyear and accompaniment as position. we go down the It was a privilege distinct honour to path of healing and and recovery. Marie Kondo serve his executive and of archdeahas it as right: it is good assistant to take stock our con. I got to know Terry even better and learned much from him. I witnessed the depth of his faith and his concern for every parish in the diocese. He showed compassion, particularly for the marginalized and minorities in the Church and in the wider community. Archbishop Finlay was very disciplined in his work. He worked long hours and paid attention to detail, thoroughly reading documents, letters or any material needed for meetings. It was also evident that he cared deeply for the wider Church and appreciated the importance of ecumenical relationships. One of the qualities I admired about Terry was his willingness to make time for people. He made himself available to clergy and laity who needed to meet with him. I was often asked to join him in meetings with others, and it was evident that he always listened intently. Terry was a pastor, mentor, friend and confidante. Another quality I admired in him was his humility. He engaged with people in all stations of life. He was as comfortable talking
Does it spark joy?
G
We looked at them and they looked at us. It goals to meet parish capital needs and did took a moment to recognize each other. Hey, spectacularly well. Taking that into account, it’s St. George’s, Fairvalley! we called out. at least $50 million in new funds has been Hey, it’s the Bishop! they said. Arms went contributed to ministry in the diocese and beup, there were pats on the back and shakyond in the last seven years, over our regular ing of hands. A newly minted Order of the offerings and FaithWorks contributions. Diocese of Toronto medal hung around a We are a different diocese because of that. neck or two. They were on their way home. Yes, the money has helped us fund new minWe delighted in the surprise of seeing each istries, adapt old buildings, engage in new other en route. We marked the moment by mission, support vulnerable people in taking a group photo. The other travellers Christ’s name. More than that, though, it has on the build road must have wondered on alhelped relationships betweenwhat people, earth people was happening. lowed to share personal stories, idenWeand are trained en route now. With ashes tified new leaders, built up confismeared our foreheads Wednesday, dence, andon assisted people toon articulate and we turn our faces toward the promise of share their faith. the resurrection on Sunday. From ashes I have been changed by the experience. I to Easter, we travel the am more confident intogether speakingmaking clearly about commitment for 40 days to steep ourselves my faith and my commitment to it. I have disin the ways ofcapacity Lent. Old fasting, I covered a new tofriends, give generously. almsgiving, penitence have met the self-examination, most amazing Anglicans, heard and prayer us tomoved prepare their stories help and been by and theirmake faithour souls ready for theinweek that holds fulness. I have rejoiced the creativity and the key to life itself. With Jesus, we go to boldness of vision of people and parishes celebrate feast. (and yes, tothe be paschal honest, occasionally disappointed by a few). I think our church is in a different place because of Our Faith-Our Hope. We have begun to re-imagine church. I am profoundly grateful to you and the many people like you who have made and are making a difference in our world because of your faith in Jesus Christ. And I am especially grateful to the lay leaders and clergy in possessions, especially make sure our diocese who took thetoinitiative andthat roseour possessions do not possess us. to it so graciously. In the Ash Wednesday service, we give The campaign is now officially concluded, voice the beautiful wordsand from but thetoallocations continue thePsalm mission 51.1:invites “Have us mercy on me, O God, according God to share is still on our to your loving kindness” with the refrain, doorsteps. As my first paragraph noted, this “Create in me clean heart, O God.”nor Coming was not the firsta financial campaign, will into right-relationship with stuff,iswith it be the last – the work of theour Church not our habits, with our onwards loved ones, and with over. Let us continue in faith and in our souls, is a life-long endeavour. Be enhope. couraged in your journey! For the season of Lent, we are invited to take on the process of tidying up some of our chaos – whether it be avoiding grease and sugar, as in the old traditions of food austerity, or, in this age, perhaps a fast from social media, electronic entertainment and relentless schedules. and engaging withwe persons on the street corMaybe this Lent can share our abunner or drop-in centre as he was with persons dance. serving public office. Someinpurposes of Lenten practices are of the challenges he faced was the toOne reconcile or come closer to Jesus in our Church’s on human sexuality. While hearts; toposition walk more intentionally with our in office radically-including he upheld the doctrine and discipline loving, God through our of thepractices Church. On office,and he humilofficiated own of leaving self-control in a same-gender marriage, which heneed had ity; to open our eyes to ourfor own deep to beto disciplined his diocesan bishop, and the worldbyaround us in its need;who to was once and his archdeacon, hearten to uplift oneexecutive another assistant in our and suffragan receiving theand admonidaily walk. Bebishop. gentleIn with yourself love tion, he told his successor in officea that he exyourself. When you undertake devotional pected nothing from him and hemake was practice to theless glory of God thisthat Lent, exercising his episcopal ministry sure it is one that sparks joy. responsibly. I believe that Archbishop Terence was leading the diocese in the direction of being more welcoming to those who were vulnerable, marginalized, voiceless and in the minority. He made a very significant difference in the life of the Diocese of Toronto. It is not surprising, therefore, to hear and read the very complimentary reflections that many have shared about their experiences of him. He exercised a servant ministry throughout his ordained life, and for that we give thanks to God for his example. I was privileged and honoured to have had the opportunity to know him as my bishop, mentor and friend. The Church has been blessed to have had him as a faithful bishop. He will be missed and leaves a legacy of exemplary leadership, humility, compassion and profound faith. We are grateful to his family for having shared him with the Church and assure them of our prayerful support. We give Archbishop Terence Finlay back to his Creator God with the same graciousness we experienced of him. May he rest in peace and rise with Christ in glory.
Serving Archbishop Finlay was a privilege
A
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TheAnglican The Anglican is published under the authority of the Bishop of Toronto and the Incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Toronto. Opinions expressed in The Anglican are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. Canon Stuart Mann: Editor Address all editorial material to: The Anglican 135 Adelaide Street East Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L8 Tel: (416) 363-6021, ext. 247 Toll free: 1- 800 - 668 - 8932 Fax: (416) 363 -7678 E-mail: editor@toronto.anglican.ca Circulation: For all circulation inquiries, including address changes, new subscriptions and cancellations, call the Circulation Department at (416) 924-9199, ext. 259/245, or email circulation@national.anglican.ca. You can also make changes online: visit www.anglicanjournal.com and click Subscription Centre. Annie Fenn: Advertising Address all advertising material to: Fenn Company Inc. P.O. Box 1060 King City, Ontario L7B 1B1 Tel: 905-833-6200, ext. 22 Toll free: 1- 800 - 209- 4810 Fax: (905) 833- 2116 E-mail: anglican@churchadvertising.ca
The Anglican Church In the Anglican Communion: A global community of 70 million Anglicans in 64,000 congregations in 164 countries. Archbishop of Canterbury: The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Justin Welby, Lambeth Palace, London, England SE1 7JU. In Canada: A community of about 600,000 members in 30 dioceses, stretching from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland and north to the Arctic Ocean. Primate: The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, Church House, 80 Hayden St. Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2 Tel: 416-924-9192 In the Diocese of Toronto: A community of 254 congregations in 210 parishes covering 26,000 square kilometers. Of the nearly 5 million people who live within the diocesan boundaries, 376,000 claim to be affiliated with the Anglican Church, with about 80,000 people identified on the parish rolls. The diocese is home to many ethnic and languagebased congregations, including African, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, French, Hispanic, Japanese, and Tamil. The City of Toronto has the largest population of aboriginal peoples in the country. Bishop of Toronto: The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil York-Credit Valley: The Rt. Rev. Jenny Andison Trent-Durham: The Rt. Rev. Riscylla Shaw York-Scarborough: The Rt. Rev. Kevin Robertson York-Simcoe: The Rt. Rev. Peter Fenty The Diocese of Toronto: 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, Ont., M5C 1L8 1-800-668-8932/416-363-6021 Web site: http://www.toronto.anglican.ca
TheAnglican 5
NEWS
March 2019
A budget for the people This is the executive summary of “A Budget for the People,” a brief submitted to the Provincial Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs by Bishop Andrew Asbil and the diocese’s Social Justice & Advocacy Committee, as part of the province’s annual pre-budget consultation process. Submissions such as these may be used by the Ontario Ministry of Finance in developing the annual provincial budget.
CHRISTIAN UNITY
An ecumenical service is held at St. James Cathedral during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in January. Clockwise from top left: young choristers from St. Michael’s Choir School in Toronto sing with the congregation; the choir of St. James Cathedral begins the service; the Rev. Dr. Karin Achtelstetter, executive director designate of Canadian Lutheran World Relief, reads the first lesson; faith leaders gather for a photo after the service. This year’s theme for the week was “Justice, only justice, you shall pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). The week is an annual 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. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HUDSON
Before you ask, thank L
ike many others, I’ve made my fair share of donations over the years. One gift stands out from all the others. The amount was rather unremarkable – $200. Typically, I like to give an amount that is meaningful to me, that I believe (or hope) will have some impact. I made it over the Christmas break, a time of year when many charities realize nearly 30 per cent of their annual gifts. What made this gift stand out from all the others was the letter of thanks I received less than two weeks later. It was hand-written and substantial. What I didn’t read was a rehashing of worn-out phrases and platitudes. It was authentic, thoughtful and real. In addition to being thanked, I was told exactly how my gift would be used, why it was important, and how I could get more information if I wished. The note was simple and sincere, and it stands out as the best thank-you letter I have ever received. The fact that someone took the time to pen a hand-written note for what is arguably an average donation is noteworthy. That it was sent so efficiently at the busiest time of the year is commendable. This tells me that the recipient takes the act of giving seriously and the act of thanking even more so; this charity values relationship, wants to be credible in the use of the money it receives, and treats each gift – however small – as important. The act of saying thanks is an invitation to give more. That my gift warranted such personal treatment inclines me to take notice of this charity’s work, and to support
THE STEWARD By Peter Misiaszek
it again and again. As Church, there are little things we can do to impress on people that their contributions of time, talent and treasure are appreciated and make a difference. Think of all the opportunities that exist to say thanks but are overlooked: announcement time at church, the issuing of tax receipts, special events, website announcements, etc. I want to suggest five things that parish leaders can start doing tomorrow that might seem small but will mean a lot to the people involved: 1) Begin acknowledging during the service an individual or parish group that does important work each week. Identify them and thank them. Make this a weekly occurrence. 2) Invite someone from the congregation to come forward and share their story – explaining why they worship here and why this place is important. Personal testimony is powerful and will be noticed by newcomers. Invite someone new every couple of weeks or so. 3) Each month in the parish bulletin, thank anyone and everyone who did something special. People notice being identified in public. 4) When your church sends out tax receipts, include a post-it note from the incumbent, with a message of thanks. The gift amount is irrel-
evant. Send a letter of thanks even to those who didn’t give of their treasure. Their time and talent are important and should honoured. 5) Once a year, organize a team of volunteers to call every household on your parish list with the sole purpose of saying thanks. Thank them for their financial support, their volunteerism and their presence at church. Let them know that the church family thinks about them and prays for them. Saying thanks is not only an act of courtesy, it is an act of genuine hospitality. In his book The Spirituality of Fundraising, Henri Nouwen says that to be asked to give is a privilege. It is a declaration that “we have a vision that is amazing and exciting. We are inviting you to invest yourself through the resources that God has given you – your energy, your prayers and your money – in this work to which God has called us.” If we believe that the act of giving is honourable, then we should invest equal energy in the act of saying thanks. What if we gave saying thank-you the same amount of attention as we gave to asking? Could a thank-you be even more important than the ask? We all have so many things to be thankful for: the people in our lives; acts of kindness; opportunities to engage in new experiences; friendships; and the very experience of life itself. Maybe before we ask we should say thanks instead. Peter Misiaszek is the diocese’s director of Stewardship Development.
Called by our Christian convictions, Anglicans throughout the Diocese of Toronto regularly engage in meeting needs in our communities through food and clothing banks, meal programs, Out of the Cold shelters, drop-in programs, and funding of more than a dozen non-profit ministry partners. At the same time, our faith calls us to speak out on behalf of, and in solidarity with, the most vulnerable among us. Many Ontarians struggle daily to meet their most basic needs. More than 500,000 Ontarians relied on food banks in the last year. Housing is increasingly unaffordable, not only in the GTA but in places like Barrie, Peterborough and Port Hope. A budget that is truly for the people must address this growing inequality. Social Assistance: We agree that the current social assistance system isn’t working: it traps people in poverty. However, some of the government’s proposed changes will actually exacerbate the problem. Social assistance rates do not even come close to covering basic needs for recipients, with the result that people live in degrading conditions or go without, at the cost of their health and dignity. We urge your government to make a significant investment in social assistance rates, so that recipients can meet their basic needs. We also urge the government to maintain the clawback income earned by social assistance recipients at 50 per cent. Increasing the exemption slightly while raising the clawback on earnings above that limit to 75 per cent, as proposed, would undermine the goal of returning people to the workforce by punishing those who work more. As well, we urge the government to maintain existing eligibility criteria for ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program). Moving to a stricter definition of disability will throw many people with conditions that preclude their full participation in the workforce onto the lower benefit rates of Ontario Works, making their health worse and leaving them even less able to participate in the economy, creating an even heavier burden on the healthcare system. Minimum wages and working conditions: We also agree that a job ought to be a pathway out of poverty, but for this to be true, there must be decent wages and working conditions. Raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour would put more money in the pockets of low-income earners than a tax credit for people making less than $30,000 per year – money that will be spent in the local community and stimulate Ontario’s economy. We urge your government to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by September 2019. We are also concerned about the loss of paid sick days. This forces people to decide between taking care of their health and losing a day’s pay. As a result, workers come to work sick or injured, spreading infection and resulting in higher healthcare costs and lower productivity. We urge you to restore the provision of two paid personal leave days under the Employment Standards Act. Housing: Too many Ontarians are Continued on Page 6
6 TheAnglican
INTERVIEW
March 2019
I am tempted to more doing than praying The Ven. Kyn Barker is the Archdeacon of Toronto and coordinator of the diocese’s Community of Deacons. He is a deacon at St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole. At the start, one should explain what a deacon is. From the Association of Anglican Deacons in Canada, based on the ordination rite: “A deacon is a Christian person whose ordained ministry is within a servant community, living and proclaiming the Gospel in the world. The deacon’s presence, bringing the needs, concerns and hopes of the world to the Church, is a living reminder of the community’s call to servanthood. A deacon is to enable the Church to be justice-makers, truth-tellers, advocates and reconcilers in the world.” A deacon, then, is a servant minister, doing work in charity, social justice and pastoral care, but really doing that work as an example for others. Essentially, a deacon is to enable everyone to carry out their baptismal promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons.” The Community of Deacons is all 50 deacons from across the diocese. We support each other and share ideas and information to carry out our callings. Almost all the deacons have been raised up by their parishes and continue to serve in their communities. I assist the Community members to make connections with each other and with others in the diocese. We meet with our area bishops at least once a year. We also have a retreat; this year, we will be meeting with Bishop Andrew. I assist parishes that have a calling to raise up a deacon, and mentor candidates through
came alive. In a sense, a deacon “sets the stage” so all can live out their callings to be servant ministers. As a cradle Anglican, I’ve always had some involvement in the Church. Once an Anglican, always an Anglican, but I appreciate that there were opportunities for questions, growth, learning, serving and being. I’ve always been drawn to outreach and social justice. I am easily tempted to more doing than praying. I am blessed to have a patient spiritual director – who helps me recognize that the Trinity are all patient!
Archdeacon Kyn Barker with some members of St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole after his collation as archdeacon at St. James Cathedral in 2018. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HUDSON diocesan screening and formation. Three deacon candidates, God willing, will be ordained in their parishes this spring. Twelve parishes have potential candidates and are in discernment. At General Synod 2016, a report was received containing draft competencies for deacons. I was part of the writing team and continue to be involved in publicizing, using and revising them. The best part of my job is being involved in the ordination service of a deacon in a parish, where all are enthusiastic and excited. I also enjoy teaching a class for potential deacons in which they uncover their calling. Another highlight
is my diaconal work on the front desk at Community Information Fairview. A difficult task is walking with a deacon in a parish where a newly arrived priest-incharge does not appreciate, understand or support having a deacon. I worked for the York Region District School Board for 36 years, as a classroom teacher and as staff in Curriculum and Instructional Services, supporting teachers to improve their assessment and evaluation practices. Way back in university, some of the best times were being the stage manager for big theatre productions, responsible for all the lighting and sound cues, set changes and actor entrances so that the plays
A profound experience for me was the diocese’s 150th anniversary service at Skydome. My family and I were in the 500-level and the view was oppressively big and grey. But then the music began, the cross came in and singers, dancers and worship leaders came in from all directions. The Spirit called – and keeps calling – me to the diaconate through my family, my parish family, and several mentors, including the late Tom McQuiston, who undertook the “raising up a deacon” process at our parish, and Mary, a colleague at work who encouraged me just when I was discouraged. My favourite passage of scripture is Ephesians 2:10: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” We do not choose to serve, to work for social justice or walk alongside our neighbours to earn points with God, or be thanked by others, but because that is what we are already.
New director brings passion for customer service LILIAN Qian brings more than 20 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, and a passion for customer service, to her new role as the diocese’s treasurer and director of Finance. In her previous position at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Ms. Qian provided financial expertise that helped the airport focus on customer satisfaction, cost-efficiencies
and continuous improvement. “I want to act as a financial partner with the parishes, to help them look at their financial status and achieve long-term financial stability,” says Ms. Qian, who began at the diocese in November. “I also want to make sure the diocese manages its assets properly so that we can grow and thrive in the long term.” Ms. Qian is also keen to help the
Unwavering SUPPORT and
HOPE
diocese make full use of technological change and innovation. “As a Church, we have an opportunity to embrace change and make sure we’re well positioned to continue our mission.” Ms. Qian oversees the diocese’s finances and investments. She is a member of the Parish Finance Advisory Committee, the Investment Committee and the Anglican To help people with complex mental health challenges get back on their feet, recover dignity, leave homelessness behind, it only takes two things: unwavering support and hope.
LOFT offers the Unwavering Support. You provide the Hope.
Please include LOFT in your Will. For more information, or to receive a free estate planning brochure, contact Mona Lee-Tam at 416-979-1994 x2027 or mlee-tam@loftcs.org. LOFT Community Services 15 Toronto Street, 9th Floor Toronto, ON M5C 2E3 www.loftcs.org
Diocese of Toronto Foundation. She also heads the diocese’s sixperson Finance department, which provides a number of financial services, including payroll and billing, accounting, charitable receipting, parish account balances and IT support for the Diocesan Centre. Ms. Qian says she was attracted to the position because of its ability to help people and parishes.
“I think it will enab le me t o have an impact on people’s lives. If I can support people to accomplish their goals, that gives me a great sense of satisfaction,” Lilian Qian she says.
Now is the time to invest Continued from Page 5
spending more than 50 per cent of their income on housing. With matching funding available under the National Housing Strategy (NHS), now is the time to invest in truly affordable housing in Ontario. We urge your government to match federal funding under the NHS for the 2019 fiscal year. Seventy-five per cent of this funding should be invested in non-profit, co-operative and supportive housing, to encourage long-term affordability. We also urge you to use additional incentives, including making
surplus public land available below market value, exemption from development charges, and streamlining of the regulatory process, to encourage development by non-profit, cooperative and supportive housing providers. While our recommendations involve some spending, they will put money back in the pockets of low- and moderate-income Ontarians, lower healthcare costs, and boost productivity. The people of Ontario are waiting for this kind of leadership.
Correction notice IN last month’s issue, the name of Fenella Chiu, ODT, was spelled incorrectly. The Anglican regrets the error.
AnglicanClassifieds
March 2019
7
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PRAYER CYCLE FOR MARCH 1. The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer 2. St. Luke (Dixie South), Mississauga 3. Flemingdon Park Ministry 4. S t. Francis of Assisi (Meadowvale West), Mississauga 5. S t. John the Baptist (Dixie), Mississauga 6. Ash Wednesday 7. St. Peter (Erindale), Mississauga 8. S t. Thomas a Becket (Erin Mills South), Mississauga
IN MOTION
COUNSELLING
COUNSELLING
DAVID A.S. WRIGHT
Pastoral Counsellor Registered Psychotherapist
B.A. M.Div. Registered Psychotherapist
• Pastoral Counsellor • Individual / Couple Psychotherapy • Psychoanalysis • Supervision / Consultation 204 St. George Street Toronto, Ontario M5R 2N5 Tel. 416-960-6486 9. Trinity-St. Paul, Port Credit 10. Churchwardens, Treasurers and Parish Officers 11. Trinity, Streetsville 12. Church of the Ascension, Don Mills 13. St. Cyprian, Toronto 14. St. George on Yonge, Toronto 15. Church of the Incarnation, Toronto 16. St. John, Willowdale 17. York Mills Deanery 18. St. John’s Convent 19. St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole 20. Church of Our Saviour, Toronto 21. The Incorporated Ministry in Flemingdon Park
Toronto • St. Martin, Bay Ridges
Appointments
• The Rev. Paul Gibson (Diocese of Montreal), Honorary Assistant, St. Cuthbert, Leaside, Jan. 20. • The Rev. Randal Johnston, Honorary Assistant, St. Cuthbert, Leaside, Jan. 20. • The Rev. Dr. Harold Shepherd, Honorary Assistant, St. John the Baptist, Norway, Jan. 20. • The Rev. David Matthews (Diocese of Huron), Incumbent, St. Thomas à Becket, Erin Mills South, March 18. • The Rev. Karen Hatch, Incumbent, Trinity, Aurora, April 1. • The Rev. Pamela Rayment (Diocese of Algoma), Associate Priest, St. Clement, Eglinton, July 1.
Area Bishop’s Direct Appointment Process • St. Hilda, Fairbank • St. John, West Toronto • St. Peter, Oshawa
Vacant Incumbencies
Clergy from outside the diocese with the permission of their bishop may apply through the Diocesan Executive Assistant, Mrs. Mary Conliffe. First Phase - Parish Selection Committee in Formation (not yet receiving names): • Bishop Strachan School Chaplaincy • Christ Church, Stouffville • St. Margaret in-the-Pines,
Second Phase - Parish Selection Committee (receiving names via Area Bishop): • Redeemer, Bloor St. • St. Andrew by-the-Lake (Half Time) • St. James Cathedral
Ordinations
• The Rev. Shelly Pollard was ordained a priest at St. John, York Mills on Jan. 26. • The Rev. Brian Suggs was ordained a priest at All Saints, Kingsway on Feb. 10. • The Rev. Ken Johnstone was ordained a priest at St. Margaret in-the-Pines, Toronto on Feb. 23. • The Rev. Roshni Jayawardena will be ordained a priest at Church of the Redeemer, Bloor St. on March 3 at 4:30 p.m. • The Rev. Andrew Kaye will be ordained a priest at St. Timothy, North Toronto on March 31 at 4 p.m. • The Rev. Jeff Boldt will be ordained a priest at Trinity, Streetsville on April 14 at 4 p.m.
Celebrations of New Ministry York-Scarborough • The Rev. Dr. Alison Falby, Priest-in-Charge, All Saints, Sherbourne St., Feb. 24 at 5 p.m
Susan E. Haig LL.B., M.Div.
110 Eglinton Ave. W., Suite 303D Toronto, ON M4R 1A3
416.605.3588 22. St. Theodore of Canterbury, Toronto 23. Christ Church, Coboconk 24. Victoria & Haliburton Deanery 25. Christ Church, Bobcaygeon 26. The National House of Bishops 27. St. George, Haliburton 28. St. James, Fenelon Falls 29. St. James, Kinmount 30. St. John, Dunsford 31. The Bishop’s Company
Conclusions
• The Rev. Sandra Seaborn has concluded her ministry at St. Paul, Bloor Street as of Jan. 20, 2019.
Deaths
• The Rev. Dr. Margaret Fleck died on Jan. 6. Ordained deacon in 1982 and priest in 1984, she served as assistant curate of Holy Trinity, Thornhill and associate priest of St. Stephen, St. Luke, incumbent of Church of the Annunciation, Toronto, and associate priest of St. Paul, L’Amoreaux. After her retirement in 1997, she was the chaplain to the diocesan Anglican Church Women and an honorary assistant of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Toronto. Her funeral was held at Trinity College Chapel on Jan. 21. • The Rev. Donald Catton died on Jan. 28. Ordained in 1967, he transferred from the Diocese of Qu’Appelle in 1970 to serve as incumbent of St. Matthew and St. Aidan, Buckhorn; St. Barnabas, Peterborough; St. Lawrence, Toronto; and after his retirement in 1992, as honorary assistant of St. Peter, Oshawa. His funeral was at St. Peter, Oshawa on Feb. 2.
LOOKING AHEAD To submit items for Looking Ahead, email editor@toronto.anglican.ca. The deadline for the April issue is March 1. Parishes can also promote their events on the diocese’s website Calendar at www.toronto. anglican.ca.
Music & Worship MARCH 6, 20 - Kingsway Organ Recital Series, 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m., All Saints, Kingsway, 2850 Bloor St. W., Toronto. March 6: Imre Olah of Toronto. March 20: Michael Bloss of Hamilton. MARCH 30 - Voices Chamber Choir presents A Journey of Faith, music from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, featuring Theodore Dubois’s The Seven Last Words of Christ, 8 p.m., St. Martin in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto. Tickets available at the door: $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors. MARCH 31 - Rock Eucharist: The Music of Imagine Dragons, 7 p.m., Church of the Redeemer, Bloor Street and Avenue Road, Toronto. APRIL 14 - The choristers of St. Peter, Erindale present a concert featuring John Stainer’s Crucifixion on Palm Sunday at 7 p.m. The church is located at 3041 Mississauga Rd., just north of Dundas Street. Admission $20. APRIL 27 - Healey Willan Singers present Reimagined, music rearranged for women’s ensemble, featuring Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C “Spatzenmesse” with chamber orchestra, 8 p.m., St. Martin in-theFields, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto. Tickets available at the door: $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors. APRIL 28 - The St. Peter’s Handbell Choir presents its spring concert at St. Peter, Erindale, 3041 Mississauga Rd., just north of Dundas Street, at 4 p.m. Also performing are the Ontario Male Chorus and the Boys in B. Donations in the $10-$20 range would be appreciated and put to good use to provide more music. JUNE 8 - Voices Chamber Choir presents Handel and Haydn, music by Michael and Joseph Haydn, featuring Handel’s Four Coronation Anthems, 8 p.m., St. Martin in-the-Fields, 151 Glenlake Ave., Toronto. Tickets available at the door: $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.
Sales APRIL 6 – Spring rummage sale, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, Holy Trinity, 140 Brooke St., Thornhill. Clothing, linens, household items, games, toys and jewelry. Call 905-889-5931. APRIL 13 - Spring rummage sale, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Grace Church, 19 Parkway Ave., Markham. Household items, clothing, linens, books and toys. MAY 4 – Spring market bazaar, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Thomas, Brooklin.
Workshops & Gatherings MARCH 5 - The choristers of St. Peter, Erindale present a pancake supper at 6 p.m. in St. Peter’s church hall, 3041 Mississauga Rd., just north of Dundas Street, Mississauga. MARCH 5 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 5:30-7 p.m., Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. MARCH 5 – Pancake supper, 5-7 p.m., St. Barnabas, 361 Danforth Ave., Toronto. Regular and gluten-free pancakes, sausages, dessert, tea and coffee. Adults $6; children under 12, $3. MARCH 10 – Choral Evensong at 4 p.m., followed at 5 p.m. by singer and mediæval fiddler Katherine Hill, presenting praise songs from 13th and 14th century Florence and Cremona. At St. Olave, Bloor Street and Windermere Avenue, Toronto. MARCH 11-15 - March Break Musical Theatre Camp for ages 13-18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., no prior musical theatre experience required, free, Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. Register by March 8. MARCH 13 – Evening Prayer at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the Rev. Rob Mitchell (St. Olave’s incumbent) discussing how to use the Book of Common Prayer as a daily companion, for personal devotion and structuring your life. First of five Wednesdays; continues to April 10. At St. Olave, Bloor Street and Windermere Avenue, Toronto. MARCH 14 - “Transformative Women of the Bible” (Part 2), a Lenten study combining humour, insightful scholarship and stimulating discussion, 7:30 p.m., Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. MARCH 16 – Messy Church, crafts, activities, songs, stories and a meal, 1 p.m., Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. MARCH 23 - Time, Talent and Trivia Night, 5 p.m., catered dinner and cash bar, Holy Trinity, Guildwood, 85 Livingston Rd., Toronto. MAY 11 - St. Dunstan of Canterbury’s 35th anniversary celebration at Deer Creek Golf and Banquet Facility, 2700 Audley Rd., Ajax, featuring Toronto All-Star Big Band, entertainment and dancing. Cash bar and cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person (VISA accepted). All seats reserved (none at door). For tickets, call the church office at 416-283-1844. MAY 24-26 - Lay Anointers Training Weekend offered by the diocese’s Bishop’s Committee on Healing, 7 p.m. on May 24 to 1 p.m. on May 26, St. John’s Convent of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, 233 Cummer Ave., North York. This training weekend is for individuals recommended by their clergy to be trained and equipped for the ministry of lay anointing in the parish. Supervising clergy attend for approximately two hours on the Saturday afternoon. For registration information, contact the Rev. Jo-Anne Billinger at j.billinger@ rogers.com.
Visit our website at www.toronto.anglican.ca
8 TheAnglican
PARISH NEWS
March 2019
Church leads clothing drive for Pikangikum BY MARILYN CARTMILL
ON Nov. 28, Dave Gordon, a parishioner with a long history of advocating for Indigenous issues, received an email from Jennifer Manitowabi, the vice-principal at the Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum, a remote northern Ontario First Nations community. She identified 70 students from Kindergarten to high school who did not have proper winter jackets and many who did not have winter boots. Of the 300 students from kindergarten to Grade 3, only 30 had snow pants. In extreme cold, many could not go out for recess. Students from Grade 3 through
high school are taken out on the land by elders for fishing and trapping. The school keeps a supply of winter clothing, and dresses students from head to toe for these occasions so all the students can participate. Ms. Manitowabi noted that mitts are needed for these outings. Thanks to the generous outpouring of financial support from the congregations of All Saints, King City, St. Timothy, North Toronto, Grace Church, Markham and others, we were able to raise $10,366. With this, we were able to purchase for children, youth and adults 75 pairs of snow pants, 60 pairs of boots and 66 pairs of winter mitts
All Saints, King City parishioners, from left, Denise Whalley, Ed Millar, Bill Fines, Michael Springford and Leah Springford move boxes of clothing from the church. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALL SAINTS, KING CITY at discount prices. Many merchants gave an additional discount when told of the reason for the purchase. Leah Springford, through her involvement with Newmarket Lions’ Coats for Kids, provided 72 new winter jackets. We completely filled the list of clothing that Ms. Manitowabi had sent to us. In addition, a significant number of donations of jackets, snow pants, boots, knitted hats and mitts
and various other clothing items were received by All Saints, King City or directly by Dave Gordon. These items came from the Parish of Lloydtown, St. Aidan, Toronto, Church of the Resurrection, Toronto, St. George in St. Catharines, Hiawatha First Nation and Trinity Clothes Closet. A total of 65 boxes of clothing were placed on six pallets and shrink-wrapped, then transported
to the north. Thanks to the All Saints’ team of Leah and Michael Springford, Denise and John Whalley, Bill Fines, Ed Millar, Dave Gordon and Marilyn Cartmill, the students at Eenchokay Birchstick School in Pikangikum will be enjoying new winter clothing. For us, this is what church is all about. Marilyn Cartmill is a member of All Saints, King City.
Anglican, United churches have close ties BY DIANE ALLENGAME
IN a world of division and unrest, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity might seem like a waste of time. However, for two of the clergy in the village of Caledon East, it is a very real opportunity to put two congregations together, to join choirs and swap sermon times. After all, these people are neighbours, friends and even relatives. This was the third year that Caledon East United Church and St. James, Caledon East shared services in January. The first Sunday was hosted by St. James, with the Rev. Ross Leckie of the United Church preaching. On the following Sunday, the service was hosted by the United Church with the Rev. Chris Dow of St. James preaching.
The Rev. Ross Leckie (left) and the Rev. Chris Dow. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. JAMES, CALEDON EAST
The United Church was built on Old Church Road in 1880 as the Caledon East Methodist Church. St. James was built across the road
from it in 1901. Over the years, the churches both experienced periods of growth as the village expanded. Mr. Leckie notes, “Caledon East’s population will grow at a fast rate in the next five years. The challenges and opportunities for ministry here will be many. I believe we can best tackle those challenges by working together.” Mr. Dow began his ministry at St. James on Jan. 6, so this was his first time preaching at the United Church. “I thank God for the powerful witness of the long-standing partnership between St. James and Caledon East United Church,” he says. Although there are differences in worship services, both churches have a similar approach to scripture. For several years, the
Anglican and United churches country-wide shared a hymn book and were actively working at unification. Although that direction has changed from an institutional perspective, the two churches have a long history of working together. Last year in Caledon East, the churches co-hosted The Blanket Exercise, worked together on providing Messy Church at the United Church and enjoyed a combined Christmas carol concert.
JOYFUL HAPPENSTANCE
OF ST. GEORGE, FAIRVALLEY
Diane Allengame is a member of St. James, Caledon East.
Cricket festival planned for June BY RANIL MENDIS
A large contingent from St. George, Fairvalley attended the recent Bishop’s Levee at St. James Cathedral to see two of their members, Rosemary Athron, ODT, and Don Reid, ODT, receive the Order of the Diocese of Toronto from Bishop Andrew Asbil. As the group was driving home, they stopped at an ONroute service centre on Highway 400. As luck would have it, Bishop Asbil and his wife Mary stopped there, too, and they all had their picture taken. Ms. Athron is standing at the front while Mr. Reid is at the far right. A previous ODT recipient, Don Walker, is standing in the middle. PHOTO COURTESY
Each church is quick to invite the other to a special service or event; for example, St. James doesn’t have a women’s group, but the ladies are invited to the monthly United Church Women’s Group. Mr. Leckie says that through these experiences “we have begun to care about one another’s lives – a true mark of community.”
THE Anglican Church Cricket Festival (ACCF) committee is happy to report that what started as a friendly cricket encounter organized by some of the cricket-loving parishioners at St. Thomas a Becket, Erin Mills South in 2016 has evolved into a popular community engagement event for the Diocese of Toronto. Last year’s festival saw nine Anglican churches from the diocese fielding 10 teams. The objective of the annual festival is to provide opportunities for Anglicans to get to know each other as a church community and to build relationships. It is an occasion to enjoy food, fun and good Christian fellowship rather than focusing on competitive cricket. Women, men, children of all ages, seasoned cricket players as well as absolute beginners are welcome to participate. Planning for this year’s event – scheduled for June 15 at Creditview Sandalwood Park in Brampton – is progressing well. Bishop Jenny Andison, the area bishop of York-
Credit Valley, plans to once again open the festival. An invitation has also been sent to the mayor of Brampton. At least two more churches will be sending teams this year, in addition to the following churches that took part last year: St. Thomas a Becket; St. Peter, Erindale; Trinity, Streetsville; Holy Family, Heart Lake, Brampton; Church of South India, Toronto; St Joseph of Nazareth, Bramalea; St. James the Apostle Brampton; St. Jude, Brampton; and St. Bede, Scarborough. While the organizers of the festival are proud of this innovative approach for community engagement, it should be noted that this wasn’t the first time that Anglican churches used cricket to get to know each other. The first recorded cricket match between Anglican churches in Canada was held in the diocese on July 20, 1889. Ranil Mendis is a member of the ACCF committee. For more information about participating in the cricket festival, contact him at rmendis1@gmail.com.
