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A dozen or so young people sit around a round dinner table in a banquet hall.

Speaking about the Bishop’s Company

Seldom do I get an opportunity to speak to a parish fellowship group about the campaigns of the stewardship office. Most often, I’m invited to ...
The Rev. Judith Alltree bringing gift bags to the captian and crew on a ship.

A tip of the hat to seafarers

For the past 164 years, a little-known ceremony takes place on board the first ship to arrive in the Port of Toronto. It’s called the ...
A pair of hands hoving over the keyboard of a laptop

Jesus became one of us

Our recent celebration of Easter inspires us to think about God taking on human form through Jesus, whose death on the cross and subsequent resurrection ...
A watercolour graphic of a church building flanked by green leafy trees, with the text "Beyond the Brick."

Welcome to Beyond the Bricks

Let’s begin with a simple truth: our buildings don’t just house ministry and mission – they’re an essential part of them. They hold our stories, ...
Bishop Andrew Asbil speaks at a lectern in the Queen's Park briefing room, flanked by faith leaders.

Majority of parishes support protection and expansion of harm reduction services

This year’s social justice vestry motion, “Protecting and Expanding Harm Reduction in Ontario,” received the support of a majority of parishes across the diocese, as ...
Progressively bigger stacks of coins grow plant shoots.

Going to church is good for you

For my last several columns, I have focused on some interesting changes and trends in the Church that have been accelerated by the pandemic. We ...
hands hold a candle next to a flyr that reads "talking about social justice"

On sustaining hope and action in uncertain times

“I can’t believe the news today/I can’t close my eyes/and make it go away…” More than 40 years ago, in the midst of the Troubles ...
A group of priests lays hands on a person being ordained a priest.

Are you being called to ordained ministry?

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out ...
A pair of hands hoving over the keyboard of a laptop

Racial justice starts right here

We are the people of God and we want to believe we’re way beyond issues like a lack of equal representation, racial inequity in decision-making ...
A turtle sculpture made out of limestone in the Spirit Garden in Toronto.

Look back for a new direction

The Diocese of Toronto has redistributed more than $100,000 in the past year to Indigenous communities from the sale of land, with another round of ...
Four people standing in a church in New Zealand.

This Eastertide, I give thanks to God for you

Christ is risen! Alleluia! Some of the profound joys of my episcopal ministry are meeting, greeting (and eating!), listening and learning my way around the ...
Progressively bigger stacks of coins grow plant shoots.

Giving in the Church is changing

It’s easier than ever to give. When I came to the Diocese of Toronto in 2003, the most common way to give was by cheque. ...
A pair of hands hoving over the keyboard of a laptop

Doubt can lead to action

“Lord, I believe – help my unbelief.” This is the prayer Mother Teresa spoke during her 50-year period of dryness with God, a dryness that ...
Three icons on a table.

I am now a free person

My decision to participate in the Companions Program run by the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine has been the best thing I could have ...
Season of Spiritual Renewal logo

Wonderful worship a sign and symptom of renewal

The scriptures teach that there are few things as wonderful as people gathering for vibrant and passionate worship of God. Such stories are peppered throughout ...
Two young children hold hands in a rhuch.

What is spiritual renewal, anyway?

As we look to the year that lies ahead, we know that we will be well immersed into our Season of Spiritual Renewal. But what ...
Homes made from tarps and tents in a downtown park.

The choice is before us

This article has been adapted from the diocese’s pre-budget submission to the Ontario government. The provincial election was called before the submission could be sent, ...
A pair of hands hoving over the keyboard of a laptop

Perhaps we have a worldview problem

As Christians deeply concerned about the climate crisis that we as a human species have created, members of the Bishop’s Committee on Creation Care want ...
Workers amid the crops at the Common Table farm.

The roots of sustainability run deep

Perhaps it’s midday as you read this – so I’ll ask you: Have you had lunch? It’s a question my colleague Anélia often asks me ...
David Howells and Lucy Reid hold hands, each in their own kayak.

Journeying with memory loss

According to Baycrest Health Sciences in Toronto, around half a million Canadians aged 65 and over have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Ten to 20 per ...
A piece of paper with the start of a letter.

It is wrong

One hundred and sixty faith leaders, including bishops Andrew Asbil, Riscylla Shaw and Kevin Robertson, sent this letter to Premier Doug Ford in January, urging ...
Headshots of Bishop Riscylla Shaw, Bishop Andrew Asbil and Bishop Kevin Robertson.

Be renewed in the Spirit

This is the College of Bishops’ pastoral letter to vestries, to be read or circulated on the Sunday of the parish’s annual vestry meeting.   ...
Cover art from Rags of Light.

Book explores Cohen’s spiritual landscape

The Anglican’s Stuart Mann recently interviewed Brian Walsh about his latest book, Rags of Light: Leonard Cohen and the Landscape of Biblical Imagination. Mr. Walsh ...
Drummers perform at St. James Cathedral.

The journey has been deeply rewarding

As we approach the 30th anniversary of the first Black history service in our diocese, to be celebrated on Sunday, Feb. 23 at St. James ...
Stained glass window of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Rev. Florence Li Tim-Oi.

Saints past and present can inspire us

Who are the saints for us today? Can they inspire us? A saint, based on the Latin word for “holy,” is a person recognized for ...
Six women stand behind a table covered with gift bags.

Our volunteers are our heroes

Volunteering is an integral part of Canadian culture. Approximately 41 per cent of all Canadians formally volunteer their time with one organization or another. The ...
An illustration of a brick building.

Renovations to Sisterhood’s guest house hit bump

In August, we were thrilled to announce that we had met our goal of $6.3 million for the renewal of our guest house, having raised ...
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