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Bulletin Board

Bulletin Board Sept. 19

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

Registration open for Synod
The 157th Regular Session of Synod is coming up on Nov. 24-25 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, 9005 Leslie St., Richmond Hill. Online registration is open until Oct. 16.

Each episcopal area will hold a pre-Synod meeting, including orientation for new Synod members, Priorities and Plans 2017-2019 and elections for Diocesan Council. Attendance at these meetings is extremely important:

  • Trent-Durham: Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. Thomas, Brooklin, 101 Winchester Rd. E., Brooklin.
  • York-Scarborough: Oct. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Andrew, Scarborough, 2333 Victoria Park Ave., Toronto.
  • York-Simcoe: Oct. 21 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. George, Allandale, 9 Granville St., Barrie.
  • York-Credit Valley: Oct. 21 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Bride, Clarkson, 1516 Clarkson Rd. N., Mississauga.

Details about the upcoming session of Synod can be found on the 2017 Regular Synod page.

Diocese selects new insurance broker
Aon Reed Stenhouse (AON) has been appointed the new insurance broker of record for the Diocese, effective Sept. 19. The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group and Allsport Insurance Marketing continue as our insurance providers. The Diocese has provided AON with parishes’ contact information to build their database. A representative may contact parishes for information regarding their account and/or renewal. More information is available on the Insurance page. If you have any questions about the transition process, contact Kathryn Rogers, treasurer and director of finance, at 416-363-6021 (1-800-668-8932) ext. 238.

Diocesan Events

Youth invited to weekend retreat
Youth age 12-18 are invited to join the diocesan ReCharge Fall Retreat on Oct. 27-29 at Muskoka Woods. This year’s theme is “Agents of Change: Christ’s Heart in Action Nurturing Global Effect.” The weekend will feature food, music, inspiring worship, encouraging speakers, friendship and the great outdoors. The cost is $85, including dorm-style accommodations and all meals. Bursaries may be available from your area youth coordinator. Register online.

Dinner supports the Church in the West Indies
The Rt. Rev. Calvert Leopold Friday, bishop of the Windward Islands, will be the keynote speaker at the Bishop Arthur Brown and Bishop Basil Tonks Dinner, an annual fundraiser that supports the work of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. The dinner will be held on Nov. 4 at St. Andrew Scarborough, 2333 Victoria Park Ave., Toronto. There will be a Eucharist at 4:30 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m. For tickets, contact Wilbur Anderson at 416-445-8664 or Marjorie Fawcett at 416-446-6061.

Archbishop opens Reformation exhibit
Archbishop Colin Johnson will officially open “Flickering of the Flame: Print and the Reformation” on Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, 120 St. George St., Toronto. The exhibition of books, pamphlets and other items from the Reformation will run from Sept. 25 to Dec. 20. Admission is free. For opening hours and more information, visit www.fisher.library.utoronto.ca.

Registration open for outreach conference
The annual Outreach & Advocacy Conference will take place on Nov. 4 at St. John, York Mills, 19 Don Ridge Dr., Toronto. This year’s theme is “Being God’s People: Embracing Difference, Building Solidarity.” There will be a keynote address from Dr. Carl James of York University and workshops covering many key justice issues. The cost is $30, or $15 for students and those with low incomes. Lunch is included, and childcare is available upon request. Visit the conference page to see workshop options and to register.

Lecture addresses reconciliation
Melanie Delva, reconciliation animator for the Anglican Church of Canada, will speak on “Beyond Guilt – Canadians and the Future of Reconciliation in Canada” at St. James Cathedral on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. The lecture will follow a brief service in the cathedral at 6 p.m. and a light supper at 6:30 p.m. Learn more on the cathedral website.

Symposium explores mental health awareness in faith communities
The York-Scarborough area council is sponsoring “Break the Stigma,” a symposium on mental health awareness, education and ministry in faith communities, with keynote speaker the Rev. Donald Shields. The seminar is intended for clergy and pastoral care visitors engaged in ministry to families and loved ones with mental health concerns. It will take place on Oct. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Church of the Incarnation, 15 Clairtrell Rd., Toronto. The cost is $10. Fill out the registration form and return to Daphne Lynch at dal664@rogers.com by Oct. 13. For more information, contact the Rev. Heather Gwynne-Timothy at revheather@incarnationtoronto.ca or 416-221-7516.

Christians to connect online on Social Media Sunday
The 2017 edition of Social Media Sunday is coming up on 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. Not sure where to start? See the social media tip sheets on the Communications department page.

Godly Play workshop offers training
A workshop offering Godly Play core training will be held Oct. 19-21 at St. George on-the-Hill, 4600 Dundas St. W., Toronto. Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language to help them become more aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. A Godly Play Canada certificate of accreditation will be awarded upon completion. The registration fee is $325, which includes meals, snacks and a training binder. Space is limited to 24 participants. Register online. For more information, consult the brochure.

External Events

Events explore welcoming newcomers
Is your church involved in outreach to refugees and other newcomers? You are invited to attend the Faith and Welcoming Communities Forum at North York Civic Centre council chambers on Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The forum is free, but sign up online to help with planning.

Eculinks Etobicoke is holding a workshop on engaging newcomer women in the community at Islington United Church, 25 Burnhamthorpe Rd., Toronto, on Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sign up online.

Toronto School of Theology hosts DMin information session
The Toronto School of Theology, 47 Queen’s Park Cres. E., Toronto, is hosting an introduction to its Doctor of Ministry program on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be a roundtable discussion about some of the greatest challenges in ministry today. and participants will have the opportunity to interact with TST faculty, current students and DMin alumni. For more information, see the Facebook event.

Conference examines liturgy
The next Liturgy Canada conference will take place on Sept. 23 at Renison College in Waterloo from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will focus on the things we do between the sermon and the ritual of the table. This is the third in a series of five conferences, but attendance at prior conferences is not required. The cost is $35 for individuals, $25 for students and $125 for a parish team. For more information, visit the Liturgy Canada website.

All invited to water walk
All are welcome to join Indigenous elders in the Great Lakes Water Walk on Sept. 24. Starting at 7 a.m. from JC Saddington Park (53 Lake St., Mississauga) in the west and Scarboro Missions (2685 Kingston Rd., Toronto) in the east, you may join the walk along either the western or eastern route, or join when the two routes converge for a closing ceremony at Marilyn Bell Park (851 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Toronto) at about 3 p.m. For information about joining the walk at various points and Indigenous ceremonial protocol, visit the event website.

Resources

Church seeking chapel chairs
St. Bartholomew, Toronto is looking for 15-20 traditional-looking chairs (preferably vintage) for use in its Lady Chapel. Contact the Rev. Walter Hannam at fatherhannam@gmail.com.

Overdose prevention site seeks food donations
In response to the opioid crisis, frontline workers have opened an overdose prevention site at Moss Park (near Queen and Sherbourne streets in Toronto). The site is open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, and in the past month workers have reversed more than 30 overdoses. Workers are asking for donations of food to feed the volunteers and visitors at the site. If you, your parish, your office or other group could provide donations of food (sandwiches, pizza, soft fruit, granola bars, muffins, water or juice boxes) even for one night, it would be most appreciated. To learn more, email Zanna at mossparkfood@gmail.com.

Rectory available for rent
The rectory of St. George on-the-Hill will be available for lease starting Oct. 1. It is a lovely four-bedroom house on a quiet street in the Humber Valley/Kingsway area of Etobicoke, within walking distance of schools, parks and St. George on-the-Hill. Contact Jon Ingall at 416-566-7243.

Job Postings

Parish seeks children and youth pastor
St. Elizabeth, Mississauga, is seeking a part-time children and youth worker in its newly developed English ministry. St. Elizabeth’s is a predominantly Cantonese-speaking parish with a growing number of English-speaking parishioners. The pastor is responsible for leading a youth group, serving as a leader at the English worship and ministering to out-of-town young adults at university or work. The ability to work in collaboration with the multilingual congregation is an asset. The successful applicant will be passionate about working with children and youth and enjoy seeing them grow to their full potential in Christ. Previous experience with children and youth is an asset. Send your resume to the Rev. Bill Mok at info@stechurch.com or call 905-812-2938 for more information.

Part-time nursery assistant wanted
Looking for part-time work? Love kids? Church of the Transfiguration, Toronto is looking to hire a nursery assistant to help with children’s ministry at the Water’s Edge Sunday evening service. The commitment is 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Sundays, including set-up, nursery care for toddlers and young children, and participation in the free community dinner. Competitive wages. More details about the community can be found on its website. Contact Brenda at boconnor@churchofthetransfiguration.ca or Amanda at office@churchofthetransfiguration.ca.

Church seeks director of parish operations
St. Clement, Eglinton is seeking a full-time director of parish operations to carry out administrative duties and activities associated with the efficient and effective administration of the parish office and facilities. For full details, see the job description. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to the rector at hr@stclements-church.org by Sept. 28.

Diocesan Staff Changes

As of May 1, Pamela Boisvert has been appointed Secretary of Synod.

As of Sept. 5, Michael Cassabon is the manager of major gifts and legacy giving for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Foundation.