Bulletin Board is the Diocese’s bi-weekly e-bulletin for clergy and lay leaders. To subscribe to Bulletin Board, sign up online.
Diocesan Business
Diocesan Centre observes summer hours
The Diocesan Centre is closed on Fridays during July and August. The office is open Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Normal hours will resume after Labour Day.
Nominations requested for 2018 Provincial Synod
The Nominating Committee of the Diocese of Toronto is calling for nominations for members of Provincial Synod. The next session will be held in Ottawa on Oct. 10-12, 2018. All members of Diocesan Synod are entitled to make nominations of any members of Synod. See more details about the requirements. Nominations must be submitted to Pamela Boisvert, Secretary of Synod, at pboisvert@toronto.anglican.ca by Sept. 1, 2017.
Diocesan Events
Save the date: Social Media Sunday
The 2017 edition of Social Media Sunday is scheduled for Sept. 24. This annual event is a day to demonstrate the power of social media to help Christians around the world be and do church online and in between times of formal worship. Parishes and individuals are encouraged to participate in ways that make sense for them, such as live-tweeting the sermon, inviting friends to church online, checking in at church on Facebook, or sharing a photo or video, all using the hashtag #SMS17. For inspiration, see how people in the Diocese participated in 2016.
Bishop hosts York-Credit Valley open forum
Bishop Jenny Andison is hosting an open forum for clergy and lay leaders in York-Credit Valley on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist (Dixie), 719 Dundas St. E., Mississauga. She will listen to hopes and concerns about the future, and there will be time to discuss ideas for advancing ministry objectives in the area. If you are committed to a culture of trust, shared expectations and clear communication, the bishop wants you to be there. All clergy are strongly encouraged to attend and bring key lay leaders from their worshipping communities. The format will include a large group discussion and small group interaction. Refreshments will be served. Register online by Sept. 7.
Church seeking artists for salon series
Church of the Messiah is seeking visual and performing artists for its Spirit of the Artist salon series, inviting artists to explore the intersections of spirituality and creativity. This pilot project aims to bring members of the neighbourhood together to experience art, community and discussion. Applications are welcome from all faith backgrounds, including those who come from no faith background but explore spirituality within their artistic practice. Artists of all types are encouraged to apply, including visual or performing (theatre, dance, musicians, multi-disciplinary). Artists will be compensated with a small honorarium. There are three deadlines, with the first event taking place on Sept. 15. For more details about deadlines and requirements, see the call for proposals.
York-Credit Valley clergy invited to retreat
All active clergy in York-Credit Valley are invited to a retreat on Sept. 25-26 at Mount Carmel. Bishop Jenny Andison will lead area clergy in reflecting upon and exploring the theme “Growing in Christ: the Humility and Confidence that Flow from God’s Grace.” On the Monday afternoon, Bishop Andison will be available for half-hour private conversations. Accommodation and meals are provided. Register online by Sept. 11.
External Events
Event marks Prisoner’s Justice Day
The Bridge Prison Ministry (24 George St. North, Brampton) will be holding an event to mark Prisoner’s Justice Day on Aug. 10 from 1-6 p.m. Prisoner’s Justice Day is an occasion to show solidarity with those who are incarcerated and to pray for the criminal justice system to respect the humanity of all. A chili dinner will be served at 5 p.m. All are welcome to this free event. If you plan to come for dinner, please let Mark know at (905) 460-6796 or cw@thebridgeprisonministry.com to help with planning for the amount of food to be prepared.
All invited to celebrate with monks
The monks of Holy Cross Priory, Toronto, invite you to help them celebrate their patronal festival, Holy Cross Day, on Sept. 16, at St. John, West Toronto, with a Eucharist at 11 a.m. The homilist will be Br. Reginald-Martin Crenshaw, OHC. A light reception will follow. Please RSVP to info@ohcpriory.com or call 416-767-9081, ext. 24. St. John’s is located at 288 Humberside Ave., a 12-minute walk from High Park subway station. Street parking is available. Holy Cross Priory, founded in 1973, is part of the international Order of the Holy Cross.
Conference explores Messy Church movement
Messy Church leaders, volunteers and newcomers are invited to the first Messy Church Canadian Conference on Oct. 26-27 at Wycliffe College, Toronto. There will be keynote addresses by Lucy Moore, the founder of Messy Church, and Martyn Payne, member of the Bible Reading Fellowship’s Messy Church team, along with many practical workshops. The conference welcomes parents, grandparents, Christian educators and anyone interested in reaching families in the community with the Gospel message. For more information, visit the Wycliffe College website.
Church administrators invited to conference
All church administrators and secretaries are invited to register for the Professional Church Secretaries’ Association fall conference in Oshawa from Oct. 1-3. This event is a time to network, hear new ideas about ways to handle difficult situations, and find answers to questions that never seem to be answered, with guest speakers and open discussions. Overnight accommodation is available. Register by Aug. 31 to guarantee accommodations. Registrations will be accepted until Sept. 22. Visit the conference website to see the proposed agenda and to register.
Anglican men to explore truth at annual gathering
FLAME Toronto (Fellowship and Learning for Anglican Men’s Enrichment) is holding its annual conference on Oct. 27-30 at the Jackson’s Point Conference Centre, approximately 45 minutes north of Toronto. This year’s theme is “Transformed by the Truth” with guest speaker the Rev. Warren Leibovitch. First-time attendees receive a special rate. For more information or to register, visit the FLAME website.
Resources
Laity invited to join theological program
Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program offers the opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service and provides the education to carry out that ministry. A theological education for the curious Christian, EfM is offered in a local group setting or online with a trained mentor. The program is four years long, but students are only committed for one year at a time. Graduates use their experiences in lay ministries within and outside a church setting. For more information, visit the EfM Canada website or contact the diocesan coordinator at fran.richardson@sympatico.ca.
Training program explores missional ministry
Fresh Expressions Canada is introducing the Missional Leadership Cohort, a program for those who want to imagine and explore new forms of Christian community, help an existing congregation experiment with fresh expression of church, or plant a new missional worshipping community. The course is offered as a one-year training program that involves three two-day sessions. Those who complete the program receive a certificate in missional leadership, with the possibility of transferring credits into a master’s degree program. Learn more on the Fresh Expressions Canada website.
Job Postings
Diocese seeking executive director
The Diocese of Toronto seeks an executive director (ED) to provide outstanding operational leadership to a talented and devoted staff at this complex organization. Reporting to the diocesan bishop and fostering an environment of empowerment and accountability, the ED is the most senior administrative executive and oversees the management of all administrative services at the Diocese. The successful candidate will have demonstrated senior leadership experience in a complex faith-based organization or public enterprise; be a systems thinker and strategic leader; inspire and mentor talented staff; and provide judicious financial stewardship while remaining committed to the diocesan mission and directions. For more information on the nature of this role and how to apply, see the Synod Office Careers page.
Diocese seeks Archives Assistant
The Diocese is seeking an Archives Assistant for a one-year contract position. The successful candidate for this position will have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to maintain complete confidentiality, interpersonal and communication skills to interact courteously and effectively with researchers, staff and the general public, and computer skills including MS Word, email and database experience. If you are interested in this position, please apply in writing by Aug. 9, 2017 to: Human Resources, Diocese of Toronto, 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON M5C 1L8. E-mail: hr@toronto.anglican.ca.