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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Sept. 19

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

Reminder: renew your police record check
The Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith policy states that all active clergy (including chaplains, deacons and honorary assistants), parish employees, churchwardens and volunteers in high-risk ministry must have their police record checks renewed every three years through XpressChek. It’s your responsibility to keep track of when you last completed a police record check and when you’re due for renewal. Get in touch with your parish’s screening coordinator to make sure your application is submitted. You can find the forms and instructions on the Screening Forms & Resources page (appendix M – police record check).

T1213 packages mailed
The 2020 T1213 Package for clergy receiving a housing allowance was mailed on Aug. 30. (Clergy living in a rectory don’t need to apply for this.) If you would like a reduction of tax at source, you need to file form T1213 and receive written approval from the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). The diocesan payroll office must receive your written approval from the CRA by Jan. 18, 2020, or your housing allowance will be treated as a taxable benefit. Submit this paperwork as soon as possible, as the CRA has advised that processing times will be 16-20 weeks. If you haven’t receivedyour approval by the middle of December, contact the CRA to follow up. If you receive a paid housing allowance but haven’t received a package, contact Sarah Fang at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 239 or sfang@toronto.anglican.ca.

Diocesan Events

Register now for Synod
Registration is open for the upcoming regular session of Synod and will close on Oct. 1. Register online. For more details about Synod, see the 2019 Regular Synod section.

Dinner raises funds for West Indies 
Bishop Andrew Asbil will be the guest speaker at this year’s Bishops Basil Tonks and Arthur Brown Fundraising Dinner, held Nov. 2 at St. Andrew, Scarborough. The evening will begin with a Eucharist at 5 p.m. followed by the dinner at 6:30 p.m. The annual event, hosted by the Canadian Friends to West Indian Christians, raises funds for ministry in the Caribbean. Tickets are $60 each. For more details, see the poster and brochure.

Get your phones ready for Social Media Sunday
Now an annual tradition in churches around the world, the 2019 edition of Social Media Sunday is coming up on Sept. 29. Join other Christians as we show how social media can bring God’s love into the digital world, invite friends to see what God is doing in our communities, and help each other feel more comfortable sharing our faith online. For more details and ideas for how to join in, see the Social Media Sunday event page.

Tickets on sale for Bishop’s Company Dinner
The Bishop’s Company 58th Annual Dinner, presented by Jim Fleck and family in memory of the Rev. Dr. Margaret Fleck, will take place on Oct. 18 from 5:30-9 p.m. at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel. This year’s speaker is Bishop Andrew Asbil, and the Mike Daley Band will be playing. Tickets are available on the Bishop’s Company website. The early bird rate is $175 until Sept. 20, after which the cost will be $200. If you have any questions, contact Melissa Doidge at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 243 or mdoidge@toronto.anglican.ca.

Lectures explore theology, liturgy and the public square
How does faith engage and speak to the community beyond the church doors? How does the public square give the faith community a perspective of God? Join St. James Cathedral and the Anglican Foundation of Canada for the 2019 Snell Lecture Series on Oct. 27-28 to explore how worship, ritual, prayer and our understanding of God find meaning and shape in the public square, led by the Rev. Canon Dr. Lizette Larson-Miller. Admission is free and all are welcome. Register online.

Parish hosts mental health awareness event
All are invited to an event on mental wellness at St. Peter, Erindale on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The keynote speakers will be Melanie McGregor, specialist in health promotion and advancement for the Canadian Mental Health Association (Halton Region) and the Rev. James Ferry, who has worked in the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. For more information, call the church at 905-828-2095.

Outreach Conference explores resilience and hope
The Outreach & Advocacy Conference will be held on Oct. 19 at Havergal College, with the theme “Grounded and Growing in Christ: Church as a centre of resistance and hope.” Participants will explore how the Church can counter injustice with strategies of resilience and hope. The cost is $30, or $15 for students or the unemployed. Learn more and register on the Outreach Conference page.

Area Events

Retired clergy invited to annual luncheon
The annual Eucharist and luncheon for retired clergy and their spouses in Trent-Durham is being held on Oct. 10 at 11:30 a.m. at St. George, Pickering Village (Ajax). Contact your regional dean to register. 

Area youth ministers gather to brainstorm
York-Credit Valley is hosting a youth ministry summit on Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptist, Dixie. This event is for all those working in youth ministry in the area to hear what their colleagues are doing, learn about favourite resources and brainstorm. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to ycv.area.coordinator@gmail.com.

Save the date: clergy away day
Trent-Durham will hold a clergy away day on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at All Saints, Peterborough. More details to come. Contact your regional dean to register.

External Events

People of faith join in climate vigil
Join people of all faiths on Sept. 22 in an interfaith vigil of solidarity with the Week for Future youth climate action during the UN Climate Summit. It begins with Quaker-style prayer at 7 p.m. at Friends House (60 Lowther Ave., Toronto), followed by a candlelight procession to Holy Trinity, Trinity Square at 8 p.m., where the vigil will continue with drumming and a water ceremony, interfaith prayers and opportunities to share music, community art, poetry, food and each other’s company. See more details on the KAIROS website.

Godly Play training offered
Godly Play core training with accreditation as a storyteller/doorperson will be offered on Oct. 24-26 at St. George on-the-Hill, Toronto. Participants will hear and tell stories in the three languages of Godly Play and engage in three plenary presentations. The cost is $350 per person. Learn more and register on the Godly Play website.

Save the date: children’s ministry conference
The Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference is a gathering of people dedicated to the spiritual growth of children – parents, church volunteers, ministry leaders and anyone who has a passion for ministering to children. This year’s conference will take place on Nov. 2 at Tyndale University College and Seminary. For updates, visit the conference website.

Resources

HR tip: hiring staff
Under Canon 15, the churchwardens are empowered, after consulting with the incumbent, to make sure the parish has adequate and appropriate lay staff. They are the hiring and firing authority and, when hiring, must ensure there is a job description, a fair and open hiring process and a suitable workspace. Nevertheless, all matters having to do with managing the affairs of the parish should be under the joint control of the incumbent and churchwardens acting together. For more information and resources, see the Hiring Staff section.

Anglican flag wanted
If you know of an Anglican Church of Canada flag from a building that is no longer in use and would like to see it keep serving God in another parish, St. John, Bowmanville would be delighted to receive it. Contact lucialloyd1968@gmail.com.

Federal election resources available
The Canadian Council of Churches, Citizens for Public Justice and KAIROS have all prepared resources with background information on key justice issues at stake in the upcoming federal election, as well as questions to ask of candidates. Links to all of these resources can be found at www.toronto.anglican.ca/sjac. Take time to learn about the issues and the platforms and commitments of the various parties; hold the candidates and our nation in prayer; and don’t forget to cast your vote.

Church musicians encouraged to apply for bursary
Are you looking for ways to develop, support and encourage creative musical and liturgical experimentation with the goal of fostering full liturgical participation by all age groups? Do you have ideas for exploring ways to enhance worship and musical creativity in your congregation? The Douglas C. Cowling Bursary in Liturgical Music is awarded annually to a part-time musician working in a parish in the Diocese of Toronto to further their own liturgical training or provide creative liturgical enrichment in their ecclesial setting. Applicants should outline how they intend to use the $5,000 bursary consistent with its purpose. Apply with a full proposal to cowlingbursary@gmail.com by Oct. 1.

Next Reach Grant deadline approaching
Is the spirit of God prompting you to try a new ministry idea to reach those not currently served by traditional church? Do you have the time, the people and the vision? Do you need some help with resources? Let us help you achieve that missional vision with a Reach Grant. Submit a proposal to reach@toronto.anglican.ca by Oct. 11. Visit the Reach Grants page for more information.

Job Postings

Parish seeking director of children’s ministry
Grace Church on-the-Hill, Toronto is seeking a director of children’s ministry. This half-time role (20 hours per week) would start immediately. If interested, contact Chris Leonard at cleonard@gracechurchonthehill.ca for a complete job description.

Children, youth and family ministry leader wanted
St. Paul the Apostle, Rexdale is seeking a ministry leader who will help to build and oversee a ministry of formation, fellowship and outreach with children, youth and young families. The position is 20 hours per week with a competitive hourly rate. To learn more, see the job post. Send a full CV and cover letter to the attention of the Rev. Jo-Anne Billinger at stpaultheapostlerexdale@gmail.com.

Staff Changes

At the Diocesan Centre, the entire Finance department is now located on the first floor, and Congregational Development is moving to the third floor.

Claire Welch has resigned her position in the Trent-Durham area office as of Sept. 26. We wish her well.