Dear Friends,
This past Wednesday, the Most Rev. Anne Germond, Archbishop of Algoma and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, announced her intention to retire next year, after serving 10 years in episcopal ministry. She is the first woman to serve as the Bishop of Algoma and the metropolitan of the province. And in her spare time, she served as the Interim Primate from September 2024 to June 2025, following the retirement of Archbishop Linda Nicholls until the election of Archbishop Shane Parker.
In all facets of ministry, Archbishop Anne leads with profound joy, wonder and compassion. She steeps every moment in prayer. She was our rock in the shifting uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, gathering the whole province to work together in ways we hadn’t done before. And in moments of uncertainty, she is a non-anxious presence, blending levity with honesty and exhibiting humility with a calm trust in her deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ. We have been so blessed by her ministry and friendship.
Archbishop Anne will be our guest speaker at the 65th annual Bishop’s Company Dinner on Friday, Nov. 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill. The theme for her talk is “Who We Become Together: Faith, Community, and the Spirit of Ubuntu.” That evening we will also welcome His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Toronto, for the first time as a guest, and the Nathan Hiltz Quartet will provide jazz music throughout the evening.
The Bishop’s Company Dinner raises much-needed funds to support clergy and their families with financial assistance in emergency situations. How we support one another, especially in difficult times, deepens our unwavering commitment to serve each other – to build the Net. It takes a lot of courage for a cleric to say to their bishop, “I need help!” And I can’t tell you enough how powerful it is for your bishops to be able to respond with, “Help is on its way!” Your support through the Bishop’s Company provides tangible assistance when a clergy family is in need.
We hope you will join us for this important evening. We have an opportunity to support such a worthy cause and to offer lavish Toronto gratitude to Archbishop Anne for her faithful ministry among us. Tickets are almost sold out, but you can still buy them online.
Mary and I would love to see you there.
Yours in Christ,
The Right Reverend Andrew Asbil
Bishop of Toronto
