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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Feb. 6

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

Nominations sought for upcoming electoral Synod
Synod members are called to assemble at St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St., Toronto, at 9:30 a.m. on June 9 to elect a coadjutor bishop, who will assist and ultimately succeed Archbishop Colin Johnson as diocesan bishop. The Chancellor, on behalf of the Nominations Committee, is calling for nominations. Members of Synod may submit individual nominations, or a nomination may be submitted with the signatures of 10 members of Synod. For more details, see the 2018 Electoral Synod page.

2017 annual returns to be completed online
The Diocese is in the process of implementing a system to allow the 2017 incumbent’s and churchwardens’ annual returns to be completed online. Details for completion and submission of returns, along with your log-in information, will be emailed before the end of February. If you would like to start working on your return before that time, hard copies can be downloaded from the Annual Returns page. If you require a hard copy to be mailed to you, contact Claire Wilton at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 239.

Churches reminded of screening requirements
As annual vestry meetings approach, incumbents and churchwardens are asked to ensure that individuals nominated for election to high-risk ministry positions (particularly churchwarden) are aware of the screening requirements under the Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith policy.

It is important to be upfront with these requirements so individuals can make informed choices about how they would like to offer their gifts. Remind those nominated for high-risk ministry positions that they will be required to participate in the screening process before they begin their new ministry. There are 11 items that must be completed for high-risk ministry positions, including:

For more information about the screening requirements for high-risk ministry positions, read the Implementing Screening Standards page.

Parishes asked to report back on vestry motion
In his pastoral letter to vestries, Archbishop Colin Johnson asked all parishes to consider supporting this year’s social justice vestry motion on affordable housing and homelessness. The motion, backgrounder and other resources are available on the Vestry Motion page. After your vestry meeting, report on the results of the motion to Elin Goulden, Social Justice and Advocacy consultant, at egoulden@toronto.anglican.ca.

Diocesan Events

Annual service celebrates Black Heritage
The Diocese’s 23nd annual Black Heritage service of celebration will take place on Feb. 25 at St. Paul, Bloor Street, with music at 4 p.m. and the service at 4:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “A Spirit of Thanksgiving: Joyful Praise.” The service will include drumming, dancing, steelpan, poetry, a choir and more. For more information, email blaccanglicans@gmail.com or call 416-809-4639.

Kids invited to spend Ash Wednesday at cathedral
Children and youth age 6-14 are invited to an Ash Wednesday Exploration Day on Feb. 14 at St. James Cathedral. Participants will spend the day exploring the themes of truth and reconciliation through engaging educational activities. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with before and after care available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $5, which includes snacks and lunch. To register, email Andrew Kuhl at akuhl@stjamescathedral.ca by Feb. 11. Space is limited.

Save the date: ACW general meeting
The diocesan Anglican Church Women will hold its 2018 annual general meeting and lunch on May 12 at Christ the King, 475 Rathburn Rd., Toronto. This year’s theme is “Embracing Safety for All Women,” with guest speaker Barbara Gosse, CEO of the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. Registration details will be available soon. For more information, contact 416-363-0018 or acw@toronto.anglican.ca.

York-Scarborough invited to Lenten series
Bishop Kevin Robertson will join with the Rev. Julie Burn and the Rev. Sean Davidson to lead Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, a Lenten journey of prayer and reflection. The five-week series is open to all clergy and lay people in York-Scarborough. It will be held on Monday evenings from 7-9 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 1100 Woodbine Ave., Toronto, starting Feb. 26. Prayer journals will be available at the first session, or download one from the Meeting Jesus website. Register online.

Registration open for Trent-Durham Area Day
This year’s Trent-Durham Area Day will take place on March 3 at St. Peter, Cobourg with the theme “Church in the Wilderness: Hearing God’s Call in the 21st Century” (Isaiah 40:3-5). Register by Feb. 26 to get the early-bird cost of $20. After Feb. 26, the cost is $25. Register online.

York-Credit Valley clergy invited to retreat
Bishop Jenny Andison invites active clergy in York-Credit Valley to join her for this year’s Clergy Lenten Retreat on March 1 at St. John’s Convent, 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto. The Very Rev. Andrew Asbil will lead two sessions, Bishop Andison will preach and preside at a mid-day Eucharist, and lunch will be provided. There is no cost to register, but space is limited. Register online by Feb. 14.

Bishop hosts York-Scarborough town hall
Bishop Kevin Robertson invites the clergy and lay people of York-Scarborough to a town hall meeting on March 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Andrew, Scarborough, 2333 Victoria Park Ave., Toronto. This will be an opportunity to share hopes, dreams and practical ideas about ministry in each parish and the wider community, exploring where God may be leading the area. Register online.

Area celebrates new youth ministry coordinator
York-Credit Valley will celebrate the appointment of Alexandra McIntosh as its new Youth Ministry Coordinator with a service of commissioning on April 20 at 7 p.m. at St. George on-the-Hill, 4600 Dundas St. W., Toronto. Area youth ministers and leaders, along with church youth groups, are especially invited to attend and should get in touch with Alexandra at ycv.area.coordinator@gmail.com if they are interested in participating in the service.

Deaneries join for Lenten series
Bishop Jenny Andison will lead a weekly prayer and reflection session for the people and clergy of the Etobicoke-Humber and Parkdale-West Toronto deaneries. The six-week series, based on the SSJE Lenten resource Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of John, will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning Feb. 21 at St. Olave, Swansea, 360 Windermere Ave., Toronto. Each evening will include a light supper at 6:30 p.m., study at 7 p.m. and a half-hour compline at 8:30 p.m. Meeting Jesus prayer journals will be provided courtesy of the YCV Area Council. Register online.

Bishop hosts Greater Brampton Area town hall
Bishop Jenny Andison invites clergy and laypeople of the five Brampton/Bramalea parishes to participate in a discussion of the strengths and direction of ministry in the greater Brampton area. This town hall meeting will be held on Feb. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at St. James the Apostle, 3 Cathedral Rd., Brampton. This is a casual gathering to explore the challenges and blessings you are experiencing as the Anglican Church in this growing area of the diocese. Register online.

External Events

Retreat on Christian discipleship held in Italy
Church of the Ascension, a Church of England parish in Cadenabbia, Lake Como, Italy, is hosting “Peaks, shallows and deeps: Lakeside reflections on Christian Discipleship Today.” This guided holiday retreat will take place Oct. 7-12, led by the Rev. Lyn Philips, a retired Church of England priest. It can be booked as a complete package, including accommodation, excursions, lunches and sessions. The cost is 695 Euros. To learn more, see the retreat brochure.

Workshop for singers teaches body mapping
Kimberly Barber, a Canadian mezzo-soprano and licensed Andover Educator, is hosting a workshop teaching body mapping for musicians on March 10 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. John, East Orangeville, 3907 Highway 9, Caledon. The workshop is for all voice users – professional, student or amateur – and is tailored to the interests of choral participants. It will focus on vocal health, care and rehabilitation for the aging voice, optimal use of breath and the mechanisms of support, phonation and articulation. The cost is $15 per person. Call 519-941-1950 to register.

Resources

Cottages on Lake Simcoe available to clergy
Anglican clergy (licensed priests and deacons) and their families are invited to rent cottages at a reasonable cost at the Church Camp on Lake Simcoe in July and August. Two- and three-bedroom cottages are fully equipped except for bedding and towels. Rental costs are $975 for a month, $775 for three weeks, $550 for two weeks, $325 for a week or $75 daily. Request a rental online. For more information, contact Elizabeth Wensley at churchcamprentals@gmail.com or 905-807-2596.

Marriage prep dates posted
Dates for upcoming marriage preparation seminars in the Greater Toronto Area are available at www.marriageprep.com. There is also a webinar available.

Meeting Jesus journals available online
Copies of the prayer journal for the Meeting Jesus Lenten series are available on Amazon for $3.50 per journal or $35 for a pack of 10. For more information about the program, visit www.meetingjesusinjohn.org.

Church choir seeking vestments
The choir of St. Mary and St. Martha is seeking gently used black cassocks and surplices. Email office@stmaryandstmartha.org or call 416-249-4681.

Job Postings

Canadian Council of Churches seeks general secretary
The Canadian Council of Churches is seeking an individual to fill the roll of general secretary on a full-time basis for a five-year renewable term. The general secretary is the senior executive officer of the council, responsible for the articulation and implementation of its vision, direction and priorities. The deadline to apply is March 15. For more details, see the full job posting.

Parish administrator wanted
St. Barnabas, Chester is seeking a parish administrator to ensure the efficient administration of the parish office, assisting the incumbent, churchwardens and other clergy and staff. The position is 20 hours per week over four or five days. Salary and benefits package will be in keeping with qualifications and experience in comparable not-for-profit organizations. For more details, see the full job description. To apply, send a resume to priest@stbarnabas-toronto.com as soon as possible. The ideal start date is the first week of February.

Cathedral seeks organ scholar
St. James Cathedral is seeking applications for an organ scholar for 2018-2019. This opportunity for an aspiring organist includes playing a wide variety of accompaniments and voluntaries for services, conducting the volunteer and professional choirs, and receiving theory, organ and singing lessons from the director of music and organist. There is an $11,000 honorarium. For more details, see the full job posting. Apply by April 1.