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
Parishes asked to report on Social Justice Vestry Motion
Parishes are asked to report whether they have passed the Social Justice Vestry Motion (“Continuing the Call to Reconciliation”) at their annual vestry meetings. These reports are used to develop ongoing advocacy on this issue. Send reports to the Rev. Maggie Helwig, chair of the Social Justice & Advocacy Committee, at maggie@web.net.
Parish leaders encouraged to attend workshops
Parish leadership workshops have been scheduled for each episcopal area. All clergy and parish leaders (churchwardens, treasurers, etc.) are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, visit the Parish Leadership Workshops page. The dates for this year’s workshops are:
- York-Credit Valley: March 11 at St. John the Baptist (Dixie). Register online.
- York-Simcoe: March 11 at Holy Trinity, Thornhill. Register online.
- York-Scarborough: April 1 at St. Andrew, Scarborough. Register online.
- Trent-Durham: April 1 at St. Thomas, Brooklin.
Clergy and employees reminded to review benefits and life insurance coverage
Take a moment to review your pay stub to see what coverage you have for medical premiums and life insurance. For medical premiums:
- If only you are covered, it should read “medical insurance premium single.”
- If you have one dependent (spouse or child), it should read “medical insurance premium married.”
- If you have two or more dependants (spouse and/or children), it should read “medical insurance premium family.”
For life insurance premiums, if the coverage is only for you, it should read “life insurance.” If you and one or more dependants are covered, it should read “life insurance married.” If you feel that your information is not correct, contact Claire Wilton at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 ext. 239. You should also get in touch if you get married, separated or divorced, have a baby or adopt a child. If you have a child over age 21 not attending university, or any child over age 26, and you believe they are still on your benefits, you will need to complete paperwork to have them removed.
Diocesan Events
Trinity College hosts lecture
Trinity College is host of the 2017 Dr. Rowan Williams Annual Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion Lecture, held in a different region of the Communion each year. This year’s speaker is Dr. Michael Higton of Durham University. His topic is “Discovering Virtue: How to be Good in Higher Education.” The lecture will take place on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Seeley Hall, Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Ave., Toronto. For more information, visit the Trinity College website.
Parish hosts lay pastoral visitors training
Lay pastoral visiting is the reaching out in love in the name of Jesus by one lay person to another. It involves using the ordinary gifts we all use in our daily lives – listening, and showing love and concern. On March 25, Trinity Church, Aurora will provide a training program for lay pastoral visitors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This course will cover such topics as aging, listening, elder abuse, confidentiality and other important issues. Contact the Rev. Heather Westbrook at hwestbrook@trinityaurora.ca or 905-727-6101, ext. 25 to register.
Bishop to meet with York-Credit Valley confirmands
Bishop Jenny Andison is inviting youth confirmation candidates to attend an evening of fellowship on March 28 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Mary and St. Martha, 1149 Weston Rd., Toronto. This informal gathering gives candidates a chance to meet and chat with Bishop Andison in advance of their individual confirmation services or the diocesan service at St. James Cathedral. All confirmands should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or priest from their parish. Online registration is now open.
York-Scarborough confirmands invited to meet bishop
Bishop Kevin Robertson invites York-Scarborough youth confirmands to attend an evening of fellowship on March 29 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Matthew the Apostle, Oriole, 80 George Henry Blvd., Toronto. This informal gathering gives confirmation candidates a chance to meet Bishop Robertson before the confirmation services in their parishes. The event is open to young people from about Grade 6 to Grade 12 and those in university. All confirmands should be accompanied by a parent, guardian or priest from their parish. Light refreshments will be served. Register online by March 24.
Area churchwardens invited to commissioning service
Bishop Jenny Andison invites York-Credit Valley clergy, churchwardens, deputy churchwardens and guests to attend a special commissioning service to recognize and affirm their valuable ministry. This year’s service will be held on April 2 at 4 p.m. at All Saints, Kingsway, 2850 Bloor St. W. Clergy, churchwardens and guests are asked to register online by March 24. A light reception will follow the service.
Refresher day planned for lay anointers
All lay anointers are encouraged to attend the annual Lay Anointers’ Refresher Day on April 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity Church, Aurora. The speaker will be Dr. Shelley Tidy, pastoral care associate at St. Paul, Bloor Street. The cost is $20, payable at the door. Space is limited, and registration closes on April 23. To learn more, visit the registration page.
Canon David Neelands leads annual Lenten Quiet Day
The Rev. Canon Dr. David Neelands, dean of the Faculty of Divinity at Trinity College, will address the theme “An Upper Room Furnished: coming to the table” on March 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. John, West Toronto, 288 Humberside Ave., Toronto. The day includes Eucharist and a light lunch. To register, email pastor@sjwt.ca or call 416-763-2393. The cost is $10 at the door. This annual event co-sponsored by St. John, West Toronto, St. Martin in-the-Fields and Holy Cross Priory. For more information, email Charles McMulkin, n/OHC, at cmcmulkin@gmail.com.
External Events
Parish worship teams invited to liturgy conference
Liturgy Canada presents “Real Presence: Proclaiming the Word,” the second of five conferences on renewing Eucharistic worship from gathering to sending. This conference will take place on April 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at St. George the Martyr, Parkdale, 197 John St., Toronto. The event is designed for parish worship teams, including all who serve in the liturgy. The cost is $35 per person, or $125 for a parish team of up to five. Lunch is included. For more details and to register, visit the Liturgy Canada website.
Resources
Clergy Pre-Lenten Day talks available
A video of the addresses from Bishop Kevin Robertson, Bishop Jenny Andison and Bishop Riscylla Shaw at this year’s Clergy Pre-Lenten Day is available on the diocesan YouTube channel.
Reach Grant deadline approaching
Do you have ideas for local ministry that will reach people who are not currently being reached by traditional forms of church? You can apply for a Reach Grant to help you get started. Applications may be submitted to reach@toronto.anglican.ca at any time. The next deadline is March 21. Learn more on the Reach Grants page.
Deadline for OFOH grants coming soon
Parishes and congregations are invited to submit applications to receive Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-imagine Church grants in the following areas: leadership development; pioneering ministry; communicating in a wireless world; enabling parishes to become multi-staffed; and adaptive re-use of parish facilities. Spring applications are due by April 15. Learn more on the Our Faith-Our Hope page.
New marriage prep schedule posted online
The new schedule for marriage prep courses offered by the Rev. Brian Murray is now available online at MarriagePrep.com. The course, offered both in person and via webinar, is designed to help couples successfully navigate the transition from engagement to a solid new marriage.
Job Postings
Church seeks music director
Grace Church, Markham is looking for a new music director to work with its adult and youth choirs. The parish enjoys traditional, contemporary and world expressions of worship and has a relationship with musicians at the local high school. Familiarity with liturgical worship music is a requirement. The position will be 15-20 hours per week, with remuneration in accordance with RCCO scale. The parish has a 1983 Keates-Geissler electro-pneumatic organ and an upright piano. A full job description is available upon request. For more information or to apply, contact the Rev. Canon Nicola Skinner at rubyrev@gmail.com by March 10. Learn more about the church at www.graceanglican.ca.
Clerical support staff person wanted
The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine is seeing a clerical support staff person for the convent guest house. The position is full-time Monday to Friday but requires flexibility to work occasional Saturdays. Thep successful applicant will be someone who is detailed and well-organized, who loves working with people and who has excellent communication and computer skills. Send a CV (no longer than three pages) to convent@ssjd.ca by March 8. For more information, see the full job posting.
Cathedral seeks outreach program coordinator
St. James Cathedral is seeking an outreach program coordinator to provide meal and food coordination, volunteer coordination and outreach support. The position will be 17 hours per week, including Tuesdays and flexible hours for program planning and administration. The pay will be $20.93/hour. Applications will be received until close of business on March 24. Send a cover letter and resume to Lisa Scapillato at lscapillato@stjamescathedral.ca or St. James Cathedral, 65 Church St., Toronto, ON M5C 2E9. Find a full position description and list of qualifications on the cathedral’s website.
Music director wanted
Christ Church, Woodbridge is seeking an organist and choir director to work with an adult SATB choir. Familiarity with liturgical worship music and a broad spectrum of contemporary musical expressions of worship in an asset, along with a willingness to work with children and youth to develop musical programs. Remuneration is commensurate with experience and qualifications according to RCCO guidelines. The position is about six hours per week, including rehearsals and Sunday services, additional services and regular meetings with the rector. The church has a Casavant organ and a grand piano. To apply or for more information, contact the church office at christchurchanglican1@bellnet.ca or 905-851-0718. Applications will be received until March 31. For more information about the parish, visit www.christchurchwoodbridge.com.
Parish seeks children’s minister
St. Aidan, Toronto is hiring a children’s minister to provide leadership to its Sunday School programming, help with a monthly community engagement event for young families and innovate programming for kids in grades 4-8. The successful applicant will love kids, have strong organizational skills and previous ministry experience, and be a clear communicator with an inclusive approach to teaching the Christian faith. The position is 10 hours per week, including Sunday mornings, beginning in May. A two-year commitment is preferred. For a full job description, visit the parish’s website. Apply with a resume and cover letter to the Rev. Lucy Reid at staidan@eol.ca by March 31.
Communications officer sought
The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) has an opening for a communications officer. The primary responsibility is to promote the work of the CCC in all its expressions. Education or experience in marketing, web design and social media communications is preferred. Fluency in both English and French is an asset. The salary range for this 80% position is $35,000 to $40,000 per year, and the preferred start date is May 1. To apply, send a letter of application, an original writing/design sample and a CV to the executive assistant at admin@councilofchurches.ca by March 31.
PWRDF seeks nominees for board of directors and honorary associates
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is seeking nominations for several new members for its board of directors. Terms are for three years. Board members will attend board meetings in May and November and engage in committee work between meetings. To nominate a candidate, fill out the nomination form with the nominee. Signatures are required for both the nominator and the nominee. Submit completed nomination forms by April 7 to Michelle Frost at mfrost@pwrdf.org, fax to 416-924-3483 or mail to 80 Hayden St., Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2. Elections will be held at the annual general meeting on Sept. 20. For more information, read the nomination letter.
Parish seeks associate priest
St. Christopher in Richmond Hill is seeking a passionate part-time or full-time associate priest to help grow the church and minister to the changing needs of its English congregation. The position is responsible for leading Sunday worship, regular preaching, overseeing adult small groups, youth group and children’s ministry, working with lay leaders, equipping members to become ministers of Jesus Christ, and providing leadership in reaching out to the community. To apply, send a resume to the Rev. Philip Der at pder@stchris.ca or call 416-712-0295 before April 30. For more information, see the full job posting.
Vicar needed for cathedral
Archbishop Colin Johnson is seeking to appoint a vicar (assistant to the dean and rector) for St. James Cathedral, Toronto. Applications should include an application form, cover letter, resume and, if you are not from the Diocese of Toronto, a letter from your bishop indicating you are “a priest in good standing with permission to apply.” Apply by the close of business on March 31 to Lisa Scapillato at lscapillato@stjamescathedral.ca. For a detailed position description and the application form, visit the cathedral’s website.
