A word from Bishop Andrew Asbil
As the Planning Feasibility Study comes to a close, we are encouraged by the level of participation, and especially your authentic expressions of need and hope as we work together to discern God’s future for our diocese.
We heard a lot! Pieces of feedback standing out are that parishes are burdened, leaders are tired, and that our Synod Office can be a loving servant for our Diocese. We also recognized a deep hunger and thirst for spiritual renewal, for faith formation, for empowering leaders, and for sharing Christ’s love with our communities. Above all, we heard that we are in this together. While we are 195 parishes, we are all followers gathered in a boat on the Galilean Sea, hearing Jesus call to us from the shore. In this study, we heard our collective longing to answer Jesus’ call.
As we move together to embrace the 20 Calls in our Cast the Net strategic plan, we know that financial support will be important at the parish level. Over the coming months, we will reflect on the results of this study and next steps for a campaign, including the formation of a prayer team to guide our discernment. Thank you for sharing your time and perspective with this study. There is work to be done, and the Spirit is moving in our Diocese, calling us into the future in hopeful new ways.
Study findings
In early 2025, we embarked on an ambitious diocesan-wide Planning Feasibility Study to prayerfully consider a potential future fundraising campaign and identify the dreams and aspirations of our parishes and people. More than 300 Anglicans from across the diocese shared their authentic, honest input about a preliminary Case for Support a campaign that would put parishes first.
Now, the results are in. See how Anglicans in the Diocese of Toronto feel and where the Spirit is moving in the summary below. The full report is available by request.
If you’d like to read the full Final Report, you can reach out to Peter Misiaszek.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who shared their time, feedback and unique perspective to help us collectively discern God’s future for our Diocese.
We are especially grateful to the parish administrators, clergy, wardens and lay leaders who helped promote participation in this process. Your leadership and support allowed us to hear from a wide cross-section of our diocesan community – faithful people who care deeply about the mission and future of the church.
The feedback gathered in this study provides invaluable insight into the hopes, challenges and priorities of our parishes today. It will help shape the next steps of Cast the Net as we continue to explore how we can best support local ministry, empower leaders and grow in discipleship together.
Planning Feasibility Study Committee
The committee includes members of the clergy, laity and diocesan staff.
- Jenny Andison, St. Paul, Bloor Street
- Susan Colacitti, St. Clement, Eglinton
- Kennedy Marshall, Epiphany and St. Mark, Parkdale
- Rob Mitchell, St. Olave, Swansea
- Otto Peter, Christ Church, Oshawa
- Shelley Pollard, St. Martin, Bay Ridges
- Susan Snelling, Christ Church-St. Jude, Ivy; St. George, Utopia; St. Margaret, Barrie
- Susan Graham Walker, Church of the Redeemer, Bloor St.
- Finn Keesmaat-Walsh, St. Martin in-the-Fields
- Kevin Wong, All Saints, Markham
- Bishop Andrew Asbil, Diocesan Bishop
- Peter Misiaszek, Director of Stewardship Development
- Melissa Doidge, Stewardship and Congregational Development Assistant
The committee is supported by M&M International, a Toronto-based consulting agency with a long history and a big heart for supporting and enriching Anglican parish mission and ministry. Participants of this study may be contacted by M&M team members, including:
- Martha Asselin, Managing Director, M&M International
- Sarah McCarthy, Director, M&M International
- Rob Henderson, Senior Consultant, M&M International