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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Oct. 15

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

Archives closed for November
The diocesan Archives will be closed to visitors and research inquiries on Nov.1 and will reopen on Dec. 2 so staff can undertake inventory work and other much-needed projects. Urgent inquiries, including requests for certified copies and requests from Diocesan Centre staff, will still be processed during the closure, but all others will have to wait until the Archives re-opens. The staff regrets any inconvenience this may cause. For more information, contact Claire Wilton, Archivist and Privacy Officer, at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 219.

Diocesan allotment calculations available to churchwardens and treasurers
Diocesan allotment calculations for 2020 have been mailed. If you have not received your notification, contact Sarah Fang at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 239 or sfang@toronto.anglican.ca to receive a copy. Appeals of allotment must be made in writing by Dec. 31 to the attention of Sarah Fang for the Executive Board. Congregations are encouraged to respond earlier so timely arrangements can be made. Appeals must be supported by:

  1. A letter stating the specific amount being appealed and the proposed allotment amount.
  2. Reasons for the appeal.
  3. Audited financial statements for 2018 if the Diocese does not already have them.
  4. Financial statements for the first three quarters of 2019.

Any questions concerning appeals or allotment calculations may be made to Sarah Fang.

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). This process should be completed by Oct. 18.

Diocesan Events

Theology training day equips youth leaders
Youth leaders are invited to spend a day learning with Bishop Andrew Asbil, Bishop Jenny Andison and the Rev. Dr. Christopher Brittain on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity and Wycliffe colleges. Participants will be equipped and empowered to be confident in their theological knowledge and their ability to help youth explore theology. Topics will include prayer and the baptismal covenant, and the day will include an instructed Eucharist. The cost is $10 at the door (cash only). Register online.

Save the date: ACW annual meeting
The diocesan Anglican Church Women will hold its annual general meeting and luncheon at St. Thomas, Brooklin on April 25, 2020. The theme will be “Hope.” More details to follow.

Church hosts event on Christian vocation
Grace Church on-the-Hill is hosting the Rev. Dr. William Willimon at “The Calling of Christians Today: Christian Vocation in an Anxious Age” on Nov. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dr. Willimon will be speaking with clergy, laity and those discerning their calling and vocation. The cost is $50 ($25 for students). Register online.

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.

Pre-Synod meetings coming up
Each episcopal area will hold a pre-Synod meeting to prepare for the upcoming Regular Session of Synod. This is the forum for Synod members to engage in discussion and debate on items being brought before Synod for approval. Learn more on the Pre-Synod Meetings page. The dates and locations are:

Young adults invited to learn about Taizé pilgrimage
Are you 18-29 years old and interested in visiting Taizé, an ecumenical community in France that welcomes young adults to live the rhythms of monastic life for one week? Are you free May 15-24, 2020? Come to an information session at Church of the Redeemer, Bloor St. on Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m., followed by Taizé prayer at 7 p.m. For more information, contact hilary@theredeemer.ca.

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.

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.

Area Events

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

Marriage prep seminar coming up
A fall marriage preparation seminar will be held on Nov. 16 at St. Stephen, Downsview. To register, visit www.marriageprep.com. There is also a webinar available with the same content.

Register now for children’s ministry conference
Registration is open for the Toronto Children’s Ministry Conference, 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 and to register, visit the conference website.

Resources

Parishes can enroll employees in pension and benefits plans
Parishes can choose to offer the national church pension and benefit plans to employees who work more than 20 hours per week. (If you offer it to one employee, you must offer it to all.) To enroll parish staff in either plan, churchwardens should contact the General Synod Pension Office. The pension plan is a money-purchased plan requiring a deduction of 5% of gross salary from both the employee and the employer. The cost of the benefits plan is shared equally between employee and employer. For more information, contact the Pension Office at 416-960-2484.

Job Postings

PWRDF seeks temporary telephone assistant
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is looking an enthusiastic individual who enjoys speaking on the phone to take phone orders from donors wishing to give to “World of Gifts.” This is a temporary position from Nov. 4 to Dec. 24. Read the job post to learn more. Email a resume to pwrdf_careers@pwrdf.org by Oct. 18.

Staff Changes

The Rev. Richard Dentinger has concluded his role as Director of Human Resources. He has been with the Diocese since October 2003, and we thank him for his many contributions, including changes to the post-retirement benefits program, the introduction of a drug card and the discretionary medical and dental grant. He has worked closely with the College of Bishops, diocesan staff, clergy, churchwardens and parishes to continue to improve our HR practices and policies. He remains a priest in good standing in the Diocese of Toronto. We wish him well and much happiness.