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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board March 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 Events

Bishop to hold town hall meetings
Bishop Andrew Asbil is holding five town hall meetings in early May to hear from lay people in every episcopal area about their hopes, fears and dreams for their parishes and the diocese. All are invited. For more details, including dates and locations, see the related story. Those planning to attend are asked to register online.

Church hosts interfaith forum
“Can Violence in Our Scriptures Justify Violence in Today’s World?” is an open forum for interfaith dialogue hosted by Church of the Messiah, Toronto, on March 31 from 2-4 p.m. Rabbi Michael Stroh, the Rev. Canon John Hill and Dr. Liyakat Takim will each respond to the theme, followed by conversation and questions from the audience.

Parish leaders invited to workshops
Every year, the Diocese holds workshops for parish leaders in each episcopal area shortly after vestry season. All parish leaders, especially those who are new to their positions, are strongly encouraged to attend. More details are available on the Supporting Parish Leaders Workshops page.

Gathering explores homelessness solutions
How can faith communities collaborate on practical ways to end homelessness? Join the Rev. Michael Shapcott, housing advocate, and Elin Goulden, Social Justice & Advocacy consultant, at “Creating Homefullness: A Challenge for Faith Communities” on April 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Diocesan Centre. Space is limited. Learn more and register online.

Tickets on sale for ACW meeting & luncheon
The annual general meeting of the diocesan Anglican Church Women will take place on April 27 at St. Timothy, Agincourt. This year’s theme is “Working with Change” with guest speaker Alexandra Shimo, author of Invisible North: Life Lessons from a Troubled Reserve. Tickets are $35, which includes lunch. To learn more and register, download the flyer.

Workshop focuses on refugee claimants
Unlike sponsored refugees, refugee claimants must apply for refugee status after they arrive in Canada. Many of them may seek help from local churches. How can your parish support them through this process? Immigration and refugee lawyer Paul VanderVennen will address these issues at a workshop on March 31 from 12:30-2 p.m. at St. Peter and St. Simon the Apostle, Toronto.

Register now for Clergy Conference
The diocesan Clergy Conference will be held from May 27-29 at Brock University, open to paid active clergy, including retired clergy in paid interim roles. (Other retired clergy are welcome to attend if places are available.) The theme is “Making Disciples in the Jesus Movement” with Bishop Michael Curry as the keynote speaker. Register online to reserve your spot.

Housing support initiative launches
All are invited to the launch of “Restorative Justice Housing Ontario,” an initiative to provide housing support for men and women exiting the correctional system. It will take place on March 28 at Holy Trinity, Trinity Square. Doors will open for refreshments at 4 p.m. RSVP by March 22 to eileenshawhenderson@gmail.com or 1-888-293-9540.

Area Events

Area hosts second discussion on MAID
York-Credit Valley will host the second part of its discussion on medical assistance in dying on May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Stephen, Downsview. This session will look at practical implications of MAID for pastors, medical professionals and caregivers. Register online.

Rural parishes to gather
Bishop Riscylla Shaw invites members of rural, multi-point and small-town parishes in Trent-Durham to the Rural Ministry Forum on April 6 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at St. John, Ida. This will be an opportunity for rural parishes to share their needs and hopes and learn from each other. Register online by April 3.

Area youth invited to confirmation day
Youth, youth ministers and parents from churches running confirmation classes are invited to gather at the York-Credit Valley Confirmation Day on April 3 from 6-9 p.m. at St. George on-the-Hill, Toronto. Join in fellowship with others to learn about what confirmation is and why it might matter to you. There will be separate discussions for parents and youth. Learn more and RSVP on Facebook.

Bishop Fenty leads Lenten study
Prayer is at the heart of our spiritual lives and our relationship with a loving, liberating and life-giving God. Join Bishop Peter Fenty on one of four Wednesdays in Lent as he guides an evening of study, prayer and reflection. Download the poster for dates and locations.

Area clergy invited to lunch & learn
York-Credit Valley clergy are invited to attend a discussion and case study on how to navigate the proposed changes to the Marriage Canon in their parishes on May 7 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Learn more and register online.

York-Simcoe hosts MAID discussion
York-Simcoe clergy and laity are invited to learn about and discuss the challenging topic of medical assistance in dying on March 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Mary, Richmond Hill. This session will examine the historical overview of this topic and outline the biblical and theological framework for thinking about it. Register online.

Area hosts beacon event for Thy Kingdom Come
York-Credit Valley will gather to celebrate Thy Kingdom Come, a global wave of prayer between Ascension Day and Pentecost, on June 7 at 7 p.m. at Christ the King. Register online. The area’s Evangelism Task Force has also gathered resources for individuals and parishes to participate.

York-Simcoe hosts mental health awareness symposium
York-Simcoe is hosting a symposium for clergy and pastoral leadership teams engaged in ministry to families and loved ones with mental health concerns. It will take place on March 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Margaret, Barrie. The cost is $10 per person, which includes lunch. Download the flyer to learn more. To register, contact Margaret Paradis at maggie_p@hotmail.com.

Service recognizes churchwardens’ ministry
The York-Credit Valley churchwardens’ commissioning service will take place on March 31 at 4 p.m. at All Saints, Kingsway. Clergy, churchwardens and guests should register online by March 22.

Register today for clergy retreat
Today is the last day to register for the York-Credit Valley clergy Lenten retreat on April 4. Sign up online.

External Events

Colleges host history conference
Trinity College and Wycliffe College are co-hosting the Tri-History Conference, a triennial conference of the Episcopal Church, on June 18-21. This year’s theme is “Trauma and Survival in the Contemporary Church: Historical, Archival, and Missional Responses.” Registration is open for either the whole conference or select days. For more details, including a schedule and list of presenters, see the conference website.

Gathering invites laity to deepen Christian life
The Lay Readers’ Association of the Diocese of Ontario is hosting Summer Fruit for Souls, an annual conference of training, learning and development in Christian ministry open to lay people who wish to deepen and enrich their Christian life and service. It will take place July 23-26 at the Providence Spirituality Centre in Kingston. For more details, see the Diocese of Ontario website.

All invited to conference on aging
The Word and Spirit Institute is hosting a one-day conference called “Aging: The Final Frontier: Exploring Spiritual Maturity and Aging” on March 30 at the 105 Gibson Centre in Markham. With a keynote speaker and 18 workshops, it will share new and old ways churches are engaging elders in creative ministry. For more information and to register, visit the conference website. Registration closes March 22.

Resources

Deadline approaching for scholarship fund
The Most Reverend Frederick James Hiltz Scholarship Fund provides funding annually to active clergy of the Diocese, members of religious orders, postulants and laity, including Diocesan Centre and parish staff, to attend courses at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. The next deadline is March 31. Learn more by reviewing the scholarship guidelines and application form.

Resources focus on creation care
Since Earth Day falls on Easter Monday this year, the diocesan Creation Matters Committee has created resources to help parishes recommit to renewing their care for the earth from Lent through Earth Sunday in Eastertide. The resources include a Lenten calendar, reflections, hymn suggestions and prayers, as well as new resources from other dioceses and ecumenical organizations. Visit the Environmental Resources page to learn more.

Chapel seeking organ
The Wexford Residence, a seniors’ residence in Scarborough, is seeking an electronic organ with foot pedals in good condition for its small chapel. Contact Evelyn Fitzakerley at lrfitz@rogers.com.

Job Postings

Director of family ministries wanted
St. Mary, Richmond Hill is seeking a full-time director of family ministries to provide engaging Christian leadership in existing and growing programs. Areas of potential responsibility include youth programming, church school education, VBS camps, special events, family worship, young adult ministry and Christian formation. For more details, see the parish’s website. Apply by April 7.

Church seeking custodian
St. George Memorial, Oshawa is looking for an experienced custodian to work five hours every Sunday morning, plus holy day services and occasional weddings and funerals. Duties include opening and closing the church, inspecting the grounds, preparing the nave for worship, some snow removal, set up and take down of tables and chairs, maintaining the street sign, and small, basic repairs as needed. Send a resume and questions to the church office at wardens@stgeorgesoshawa.org.

Convent seeks Companions assistant
St. John’s Convent seeks a female theology student or recent graduate to work part-time with its Companions program for women who spend a year living alongside the Sisterhood. Women interested in the position may come from any denomination. For more information, including a position description, contact the Rev. Canon Sister Constance Joanna Gefvert, Companions Coordinator, at cj@ssjd.ca or 416-226-2201 ext. 316. The position is available May 1, but the start date can be later. Apply by March 22.

PWRDF seeks nominations for board of directors
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is seeking new member nominations for its board of directors, as well as honorary associates of the board of directors. The deadline for submissions is April 30. For more details, see:

Staff Changes

As of April 1, Claire Wilton will be the diocesan Archivist & Privacy Officer. She has been with the Diocese since 2006, first as Archives Assistant and more recently as General Accountant.