Anglican Diocese of Toronto
135 Adelaide St. E. M5C 1L8 Toronto, ON, Canada

Join us for worship on Ash Wednesday live from St. James Cathedral, February 17th at 12:30pm.

Lent begins today. Are you following along with our Lent resource, "A Fast for the Earth?" From today, Ash Wednesday, through this coming Saturday, explore a m...eatless diet, and plan to keep it up every Friday through Lent. Links to recipes as well as the impacts of reducing meat consumption can be found in this week's resource. To download the full resource or week-by-week updates, please visit www.toronto.anglican.ca/creationcare See more

Join us for worship for the Clergy Pre-Lenten Day live from St. James Cathedral, February 16th at 9:30am.

Join us for worship on the third Sunday of Advent live from St. James Cathedral, December 13 at 11 a.m

The Government of Ontario announced today that York Region will commence a 28-day lockdown, moving from the Province’s Red Zone to Grey Zone, starting on Monday, Dec. 14. To that end, all churches in York Region, starting on Monday, will join Toronto and Peel Region in abiding by our Red Stage Guidelines, which allow for a maximum of ten people to gather for in-person worship, primarily for the purposes of live-streaming. Hygiene, cleaning, mask-wearing and social distancing measures continue, even for these smaller gathered congregations.

Today, Bishop Andrew Asbil announced that, starting in the new year, the Diocese of Toronto will be embarking upon anti-racism/anti-bias training for the clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese.

'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' https://bit.ly/3fhHQGh

It feels like we have been tracking a lot of numbers lately. But the numbers we’ve all been watching closely, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic began, are the in...fection transmission rates. And those numbers are the most worrying. Those numbers just keep going up. What we need to remember is that, in this situation, every number represents a human being. A beloved child of God. Our neighbour. As Christians, we have a responsibility to seek and serve Christ in all persons as we promised in our baptism, and that includes ensuring the health and safety of all people to the best of our ability.

Today the Premier of Ontario announced further restrictions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. As we have stated from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will always willingly abide by the restrictions placed upon us by government and health authorities, in our common concern for public health and the safety of every person. Therefore, effective Monday, Nov. 23, all Anglican churches in Toronto and Peel Region will return to the Diocese’s Red Stage Guidelines.

Are you decorating your Christmas tree this weekend? If so, take a short video clip (10 seconds, max!) and send it to [email protected] and we may include it in Bishop Andrew Asbil's Christmas video message. Help spread some Christmas cheer!

One of the benefits of Anglicanism is that we are a global Communion, a national Church, and a Diocesan family. I have relied on my siblings in Christ both An...glican and ecumenically for prayers, for advice, and for support in new ways during this pandemic. I have learned from others’ wisdom, been buoyed by their encouragement, and been sustained by their gifts, generously given. I hope I have offered that to them, too. Now our Primate draws us together as part of the wonderful The Anglican Church of Canada and reminds us that we are not alone. We are a part of something bigger far bigger than the pandemic that threatens us.

Join us for worship on the twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost live from St. James Cathedral, November 15 at 11 a.m.

Around the world, Nov. 20 is set aside as Transgender Day of Remembrance. It began following the violent murder of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman in Massachus...etts in 1998. Her death led to an outpouring of grief and anger in Boston and other cities. Since then, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) has been an opportunity to commemorate those who have lost their lives to violence and injustice because of their gender identity or gender expression. Let us all work and pray for healing and justice in the face of violence and oppression. #tdor See more

As a result of new government restrictions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, all churches in Toronto and Peel Region that choose to stay open must reduce their gathered worship capacity to 30% with social distancing, or 50 people, whichever is less. https://www.toronto.anglican.ca//restrictions-affect-chur/

Join us for worship on All Saints’ Day live from St. James Cathedral, November 1 at 11 a.m

A wonderful project from one of our parishes, St. Peter's Anglican Church, Scarborough, to honour the sacrifices of those who came before us. #RemembranceDay https://www.toronto.com//10239214-scarborough-church-honou

The Provincial Government today announced that York Region will be moving to a modified Stage 2 in addressing rising numbers of Covid-19 infections. Toronto and Peel Region also moved to a modified Stage 2 last week. These measures are directed at public gathering places such as restaurants, bars, gyms and theatres, but do not apply to places of worship. Our Amber Stage Guidelines remain in place for our churches in York Region, Peel Region, and Toronto that are open. Thank you for your ongoing care as we continue to gather for worship.

Bishop Andrew Asbil of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto talks to PWRDF Executive Director Will Postma about this year's World of Gifts. From livestock, COVID-19 ...response, Buy the Whole Farm and shallow wells, this gift-giving program is an ideal way to come together as a church community or family. See more

"[All Saints' Day] is a time to remember the dead and celebrate the impact they’ve had on our lives something that feels even more important now, both because COVID-19 has taken so many people from us, and because the pandemic has profoundly altered our usual ways of communal grieving."

At all times - and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic - it's important to take care of your mental health. Here are a few tips to reduce anxiety, find peace of mind, empower yourself, reinforce your faith, and build stronger relationships.

Are you concerned about how people with disabilities are devalued and dismissed in our communities? What is the role of the church in advocating to governments and putting the needs of marginalized groups first? Join us on October 24 at our online Outreach and Advocacy Conference for a workshop on this topic with the Rev. Miriam Spies, an ordained minister of the The United Church of Canada.

"While a focus on Bible knowledge and upright living remains essential, several emerging authors are taking a fresh look at how contemporary parents can introduce children to Scripture in ways that cultivate an authentic relationship with God and a committed affection for his Word. Their approach prioritizes the role the Bible can play in children’s spiritual formation, helping kids connect God’s Word with their own deepest longings. They emphasize viewing all of Scripture as a connected text that shines a light on our need for Christ. And they believe that teaching kids to treasure Scripture begins with moms and dads nurturing their own spiritual lives."

Only 2 days until the Bishop's Company Cabaret! All are welcome to join us this Friday at 8 p.m. Be sure to register and share with friends and family: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/bishops-company-cabaret-tickets

The November issue of The Anglican is here! Get the latest news from our diocese & beyond.

This past Sunday, it was announced that after a long and comprehensive search process, the Right Reverend Jenny Andison has been selected to be the next Rector ...of St. Paul's Bloor Street, effective February 28, 2021. As you also know, Bishop Peter Fenty, Area Bishop of York-Simcoe, has announced his retirement, effective St. Andrew’s Day, November 30, 2020. I want to assure the Diocese, and in particular the Areas of York-Simcoe and York-Credit Valley, that the College of Bishops is committed to caring for every parish. Over the coming weeks, we will develop a plan for adequate episcopal coverage in every Area, ready to implement as transitions occur.

Join us for worship on the twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost live from St. James Cathedral, October 25 at 11 a.m.

"For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us." https://bit.ly/37CZi6e

While the pandemic might be unprecedented, the inequities exacerbated by it, sadly, are not. What would it mean for us truly to be all in this together? For... us to treat no one not the people who bag our groceries or clean our hospitals nor the person living in a tent in the local park as disposable? Our annual Diocesan Outreach & Advocacy Conference is asking that question online tomorrow.

"We are a storytelling Body that shares the hope of Jesus and God’s love for our neighbours. The arts inspire us to turn to God and the good world He loves. In the struggle of this pandemic, the Church has an opportunity to articulate the gospel in new and tangible ways in a time when hope seems far off."

When a close friend died from colon cancer at the beginning of September, COVID-19 kept their priest from holding an in-person memorial. So, she held a memorial over Zoom. "While there may be many reasons to not hold a Zoom service, and to wait until we can gather in person, there is also a beautiful new way for us to gather collectively, to grieve and share memories, and to honor a person’s life in this COVID-19 world, until we can gather in person."