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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Nov. 13

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 Business

Fill out a Synod evaluation survey
Did you attend Synod? How did we do? Your thoughts are important, and the organizers would appreciate a few minutes of your time to fill out a survey. Tell us what you think.

Synod members asked to claim lost items
A T-shirt, a scarf and one mitten were left behind at Synod. To claim them, contact Livia Assuncao at lassuncao@toronto.anglican.ca. Unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the year. If you left a black folder in the ballroom, contact the Sheraton Parkway’s lost and found department at 905-881-2121.

Annual vestry motion urges action on climate change
The College of Bishops has approved a motion on climate change for consideration at parish vestry meetings in 2020. This year’s motion calls for the federal government to take meaningful climate action and invites parishes to deepen their own commitment to care for creation, with a range of suggested options. The motion and a backgrounder on the issue are available on the Social Justice and Advocacy page.

Bishop’s charge to Synod available
A video of Bishop Andrew Asbil’s charge to Synod, as well a text transcript, has been posted on the diocesan website.

Thoughts on equal marriage invited
At Synod, members were invited to speak directly and openly to Bishop Andrew Asbil about how they are feeling about same-sex marriage in the Church. Anyone who did not attend Synod or have a chance to speak is invited to submit their thoughts by email to mconliffe@toronto.anglican.ca.

Deadline approaching for Order of the Diocese of Toronto
Nominations are invited for the Order of the Diocese of Toronto to recognize and honour members of the laity who have given outstanding service over a significant period in their volunteer ministry. This year, every parish in the following deaneries is eligible to submit one nomination: Victoria/Haliburton, North Peel, St. James, Toronto East and Nottawasaga. Send a nomination form to your area bishop by Nov. 22. Awards will be presented at the Bishop’s Levee on Jan. 1 at St. James Cathedral. For more information, visit the Order of the Diocese of Toronto page.

Archives closed for November
The diocesan Archives is closed to visitors and research inquiries, reopening on Dec. 2. Urgent inquiries, including requests for certified copies, will still be processed during the closure, but all others will have to wait. The staff regrets any inconvenience this may cause. For more information, contact Claire Wilton, Archivist and Privacy Officer, at cwilton@toronto.anglican.ca or 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 219.

Diocesan Events

Retreat considers social justice themes of Advent
“Filling the Hungry with Good Things: An Advent Social Justice Retreat” will be held on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Philip, Etobicoke. The Rev. Don Beyers, York-Credit Valley social justice officer, will lead a time of reflection, prayer and discussion of the social justice themes of Advent, as seen through the Magnificat. All are welcome to this free event. Register online.

Last chance to register for youth leaders’ theology training day
Youth leaders are invited to spend a day learning with Bishop Andrew Asbil, Bishop Jenny Andison and the Rev. Dr. Christopher Brittain on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Trinity and Wycliffe colleges. Participants will be equipped to learn about some basic Anglican theology and how to address these ideas with youth. Anyone over age 18 is welcome, including ordained, lay and volunteer youth workers. The cost is $10 at the door (cash only). Register online by Nov. 15.

Lecture explores Toronto church architecture
St. Thomas, Huron Street is hosting a public lecture on Toronto church architecture led by Dr. Carl Benn. It will take place on Nov. 23 from 3:30-5 p.m. Dr. Benn will examine the diversities of church architecture from the founding of York in 1793 through to the opening of today’s St. Thomas in 1893. To register, email michael57rowland@gmail.com. For more details, visit the church’s website.

Parish hosts mental health discussion
St. Barnabas, Chester is hosting a panel discussion on mental health, how we talk about it and what we can do to help on Nov. 24 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Resources from a variety of agencies will be available. For more details, visit www.stbarnabas-toronto.com.

External Events

Churches invited to lighting retrofit webinar
On Nov. 20 at 11 a.m., Faith & the Common Good will host a free one-hour webinar on lighting retrofits. It will help churchwardens and parish property managers know which projects to choose, which will pay for themselves in a few years and which won’t, and the impact of these projects on greenhouse gas emissions. Register online.

Forum shares stories of vulnerable Ontarians
The Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition (ISARC) is holding its annual Religious Leaders’ Forum at Queen’s Park on Nov. 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will feature reports from hearings across Ontario at which people in living in poverty have shared the challenges they face and their hopes for the future. Learn more and register online.

Resources

HR tip: parish staff compensation
Not-for-profit organizations tend to pay a little less than commercial organizations, but the Church must always act equitably and justly. Do a market survey to make sure your parish is paying its staff adequately. You can use any number of salary comparison sites or browse similar job postings on a site like Charity Village. As just and fair employers, churchwardens should apply the annual CPI adjustment to lay staff compensation levels so they keep pace with inflation. The Diocese uses the August over August CPI published by Statistics Canada as the basis for the clergy and Diocesan Centre staff adjustments. As a general rule, full-time staff should receive a salary, and you should only compensate on an hourly basis for casual employment.

New prayer cycles posted
The diocesan cycle of prayer and the outreach and advocacy prayer cycle have been updated for the new church year starting Dec. 1. They are available on the Prayer Resources page.

Online Advent calendar returns
The Anglican Communion is inviting Anglicans to join its global online Advent calendar and share their experiences of expectant waiting for Jesus Christ. Sign up at www.adventword.org to receive a daily email with a meditation and photo based on a different word each day. Participants are also invited to respond on social media using the hashtag #AdventWord and the word of the day.

Job Postings

Diocese seeks missioner
The Diocese of Toronto is seeking a full-time missioner (lay or ordained) to build awareness and capacity for missional opportunities and initiatives within the Church. The successful candidate will have 10-15 years’ experience in missional ministry theory and practices (fresh expressions, mixed economy, church planting and pioneering), with a university degree plus additional formal training in theology. For details, see the full job post. To apply, forward an application by Nov. 18 to hr@toronto.anglican.ca or Human Resources, Anglican Diocese of Toronto, 135 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON M5C 1L8.

Music director wanted
St. Thomas, Belleville (Diocese of Ontario) is seeking a director of music for 20 hours a week. For more details, see the job post. For a full job description, contact the church office at office@stthomasbelleville.ca or 613-962-3636. Apply by Nov. 15.

Parish seeking building custodian
St. Mary and St. Martha is seeking a building custodian to support its ministry. The position will be 20 hours per week, starting in November. Employment benefits are available. For more details, see the job post. Send a cover letter and resume to office@stmaryandstmartha.org with “Application” in the subject line, or to Churchwardens, Church of St. Mary and St. Martha, 1149 Weston Rd., Toronto, ON M6N 3S3.

Staff Changes

Michael Cassabon, manager of major and legacy giving for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation, has resigned his position effective Nov. 30 to pursue other opportunities. We are grateful for his work during his time with us and wish him all the best.