Diocese of Toronto | Anglican Church of Canada

E-Connections (February 4)

COFFEE HOUR IS COMING!

Who could have imagined a year ago how we would be connecting now? Many of us long for the day when we can meet for coffee in person, greeting one another the good old-fashioned way and catching up on the news. Soon we will launch the next best thing! Join us on Sunday, February 14, at 12:15pm for the first Virtual Cathedral Coffee Hour. Just send an email to the office and you will receive an invitation with a link to join Coffee Hour following the liturgy. This is a terrific opportunity to meet our new Music Director & Organist, Tom Bell, and to welcome him to the Cathedral. Dean Stephen will host us and there will be time for socializing, too. Bring along your favourite coffee, tea, or other refreshment!

It’s encouraging to see all the ways we are connecting online. Here’s a short list and how you can connect with St. James:

We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website and/or Facebook page for updates. The Sunday bulletin found on the Worship Page of the Cathedral website is also a good place to check for “breaking news”. Hint: did you notice what is coming our way in Lent? (See below for details!)

Yet, I know that many of our beloved Cathedral members are isolated, lonely and feeling the loss of regular face to face contact. Some of us are grieving the loss of loved ones in this trying time. There are many who do not have access to the online world and many simply prefer the telephone. Please pray for all those who are feeling isolated, lonely or just tired out. The prolonged restrictions are taking a real toll on them. If you know anyone who would welcome a phone call from our pastoral care team, please don’t hesitate to contact me at bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca.

We are in this together and by God’s amazing grace we will once again gather together and sing God’s praise like never before!   I look forward to hearing from you.

Beth+

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH 

February is Black History Month. Throughout the month, we celebrate and give thanks for the presence and contribution of Black members and leaders of our Cathedral and the wider community. To learn about Anglican events to mark this month, including the annual Diocesan Black Heritage Service on Sunday, February 28 at 4:00pm (see details below), please see the Black Anglicans of Canada website or follow Black Anglicans of Canada on Facebook. We will also share events via our own Facebook page as we are made aware of them.

DIOCESAN BLACK HERITAGE SERVICE

The Diocese’s annual Black heritage service will be held on Zoom on Sunday, February 28 at 4:00pm. The theme, “God’s People: Grounded in Faith, Filled with Hope, Called to Action,” reflects the context of the Anglican Church’s response to the issue of anti-Black racism and bias. A new feature of the celebration will be a moderated dialogue between Bishop Andrew Asbil and two young members of Black Anglicans of Canada, Aleshia Johnson and Brittany Hudson. The service, sponsored by Black Anglicans of Canada, will be available on Zoom and live-streamed on YouTube.

 

COMPLINE DURING LENT

The Cathedral will be offering a brief, live-streamed Service of Compline on Wednesday evenings at 7:30pm during Lent, beginning February 24. You can access the service on the Cathedral’s Facebook page.

 

LENTEN SERIES: PRAYER IN AN ANXIOUS TIME

Join Archbishop Colin Johnson, Bishop Michael Bedford Jones, and Suzette Cayless for a series of panel discussions on the topic of prayer in a time of heightened anxiety. The conversations will take place on Zoom on February 25, March 11, and March 25, at 7:00pm. If you’re interested in joining, please email Claire at clatimerdennis@stjamescathedral.ca for the link. Interested participants are also invited to share questions they have about prayer ahead of time, which you can do by filling out this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G9PTKCZ

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: RECEIVING NAMES FOR PEOPLE’S REPRESENTATIVES

The Annual Vestry Meeting will be held by Zoom on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 1:30pm. The Nominating Committee, comprised of Jenny Formanek, David Gates, Jayne Hobbs, Sybil Wilkinson and Kate Uchendu, is now receiving names for election for the following positions (click on each link to see a description of the position):

People’s Warden
Deputy People’s Warden (please see point 5)
Cathedral Council Members-at-Large (called “Advisory Board” Members by the Diocese)
Lay Synod (please see point 3)

All are one-year terms.

To nominate someone for a position, please email info@stjamescathedral.ca with “Nominating Committee” in the subject line, leave a message at 416-364-7865, ext *229 or speak to one of the Nominating Committee members. Please note: each nomination must have a nominator and a seconder, and the agreement of the person nominated.

 

FAITHWORKS CAMPAIGN 2020

The figures are in and the total donations from all parishes in the Diocese and corporate donors is over $1.6 million. That is pretty amazing as the goal was $1.5 million. As well, this is the second highest total in the 25 years of the FaithWorks Annual Campaign. Congratulations to St. James Cathedral parishioners who were very generous and donated $19,523.00. As you know 15% of what is raised is returned to the individual parish to assist with their Outreach programs.  In these difficult times it is so important that we remember those less fortunate and indeed you did. Thank you!

 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

For many years, St. James has provided a qualified volunteer director for Victoria Shuter Non-Profit Housing Corporation at Church and Dundas in downtown Toronto. A time commitment of about 5 hours a month is required. If you are interested in volunteering for this position, please let Ric Hillyer know by email at ricandchris.hillyer@gmail.com or by phone at 416-361-0918.

 

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP 

We are exceedingly grateful to those of you who continue to support us financially. If you would like to make a donation, here are the ways to do that:

  • Mail a cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9.
  • Use the ‘Donate’ button on our website.
  • You can now hand-deliver your offerings to the Cathedral Centre: A secure mailbox has been mounted in the Church Street vestibule at the entrance of the doors at 65 Church Street. The doors are open from 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.
  • Sign up for Pre-Authorized monthly giving, thus ensuring a vital stream of income for the Cathedral. Please note that at any time you can stop or change the PAG amount by emailing the office.
  • Make a gift of securities (see details here).
  • We are delighted to have a QR code for donating electronically which you will find in all bulletins. Simply scan with your phone camera and donate! You can also donate here.

 

STAYING CONNECTED

We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website or Facebook page for updates, Morning Prayer, service listings and inspirational messages. Thank you for your love and support during this period in the life of St. James. Please remember, you are not alone.

 

Blessings and peace to you all,
The Very Reverend Stephen Vail, Rector of St. James Cathedral & Dean of Toronto
Don Solomon & Jayne Hobbs, Wardens
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca

Posted on: January 31st, 2021 by St. James Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of St James

106 King Street East, Toronto ON M5C 2E9 | Office & Mailing Address: 65 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2E9
(416)364-7865 | info@stjamescathedral.ca

Menu
Responsive Menu Clicked Image