Parish Leaders Workshops

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Spring 2025 Parish Leaders Workshop

Diocesan staff will hold Zoom workshops for parish leaders, especially those new to their roles. If you are a leader in your parish or thinking about becoming one, you are strongly encouraged to attend. The same content is offered at each workshop, so you only need to register for one.

Wed, March 19, 4pm-6.30 p.m. – Register online
Sat, March 22, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Register online

Hear from key diocesan staff as they share updates and offer support to help you succeed in your role as a Parish leader. Engage in dialogue with peers from across the Diocese as we all learn together how to be followers of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, serving the world God loves.

Meeting objectives:

To empower parish leaders with the tools, knowledge, and skills required to manage the financial, administrative, and operational aspects of parishes more effectively and efficiently.
To provide an overview of best practices in parish financial management.
To explore the role of parish leaders in fostering effective governance.
To communicate the importance of systematic archiving of parish records and documents.
To understand the parish’s responsibility in managing both staff and volunteers.

Meeting Materials

Toolkit

Important dates for churchwardens

Checklist for Churchwardens

Acknowledgement form

Churchwardens are required to submit a duly completed and signed acknowledgement form. It is imperative to initial beside statements indicating receipt of fundamental orientation in parish finance, real property management, human resources, and compliance with the Responsible Ministry: Screening in Faith Policy. This orientation can be fulfilled by participating in either an online workshop or by reviewing the materials accessible on the diocesan website.

Download a copy of the Acknowledgement form in pdf and word. The completed acknowledgement form should be returned to the designated individual according to your deanery:

Etobicoke-Humber, Mississauga, North Peel, Tecumseth Deaneries in the West Archdeaconry

Sue Willoughby

Parkdale- Toronto West, St. James, Toronto East Deaneries in the South Archdeaconry

Sue Willoughby

Eglinton, Scarborough, York Central, York Mills Deaneries in the Central Archdeaconry

Jennifer Bolender King

Holland, Huronia, Nottawasaga, Victoria-Haliburton Deaneries in the North Archdeaconry

Aimen Akbar

Durham-Northumberland, Oshawa, Peterborough Deaneries in the East Archdeaconry

Aimen Akbar

Fall 2024 Parish Leaders Workshop

We invite you to this session as an opportunity for growth and continued learning. Hear from key diocesan staff and senior Volunteer Corps leaders as they share updates on ongoing work and offer new support to help you succeed in your role. Engage in dialogue with peers from across the Diocese as we all learn together how to be followers of Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit, serving the world God loves.

Meeting objectives:

Understand what diocesan stewardship data suggests about church growth
Explore diocesan and parish trends in attendance and giving
Learn how online ministry seems to be contributing to growth in our Diocese
Discern how hybrid ministry can contribute to healthy churches
Emphasize and encourage the missional importance of sustainability

Meeting materials:

Watch the Presentations for the Fall Parish Leaders Workshop

Internal Controls for Hybrid Church Environments

Sharing the Stewardship Story

Using Technology for God’s Mission:

Early Observations on Givings & Attendance

Missional Insights and Emerging Questions

Important dates for churchwardens

Checklist for Churchwardens

Spring 2024 Parish Leaders Workshop

In March, the Diocese held Supporting Parish Leaders workshops. These workshops are held each year shortly after vestry season.

Generally, topics include:

Governance and archives (legal framework and governance structure, role of churchwardens, Synod 2025)
Real property management (licenses/leases, building condition inspections, rectories, “beneficial ownership”)
Parish finances (CRA, responsibilities, internal controls and trust funds)
Human resources (screening, contractors vs. employees, hiring & firing)