ECCLESIASTICAL PROVINCE OF
ONTARIO
Archived News
June 30, 2022
Season of Holy Discernment Recommendations
Delegates from the Diocese of Moosonee gathered on June 14th and 15th in Cochrane for an historic Assembly. This gathering brought the diocese's Season of Holy Discernment to a close following two years of consultations under the guidance and leadership of the Assisting Bishop of Moosonee Fred Hiltz.
The Diocesan Discernment Working Group brought forward ten recommendations to The Assembly which will enhance the mission and ministry of our diocese in the future. The Executive Council for Moosonee met and approved the ten recommendations. Moosonee is a Mission of the Province and Archbishop Anne Germond invites Anglicans across the ecclesiastical province to be aware of this important discernment work and to pray for the way forward in their implementation.
June 22, 2022
Appointment of Assistant Bishop for Niagara
Archbishop Colin Johnson has been appointed by Bishop Susan Bell, with the approval of Synod Council and Archbishop Anne Germond, to serve as an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Niagara, effective September 1, 2022.
The responsibilities of an assistant bishop are determined in consultation with the diocesan bishop. Bishop Bell has identified the following areas of focus for this role: occasional assistance with the exercise of episcopal ministry; deployment and mentoring support for emerging clergy leaders; and expert consultant support in the analysis of structures, systems, and future ministry needs.
Assistant bishops are required to already be in episcopal orders at the time of their appointment and are typically retired from active ministry. Read the full announcement here.
June 1, 2022
New Provincial Executive Officer Appointed
Archbishop Anne Germond is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Alex Pierson as the next Executive Officer of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, effective July 1, 2022.
Alex brings over 30 years of experience at the senior executive level in both the church and
the corporate sector; he presently serves as the Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer for the Diocese of Ontario.
This is a part-time appointment that provides administrative leadership to the province, supports the ministry of the Metropolitan, maintains provincial records, and exercises general oversight of the work of Provincial Synod, its commissions, committees, and executive council.
April 29, 2022
Letter from the Metropolitan: Good Shepherd Sunday Invitation to Prayer
Archbishop Anne Germond invites Anglicans in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario to include particular intentions in their intercession for vocations on Sunday, May 8th, commonly referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday or Vocations Sunday. "We believe that all are called to serve God according to the gifts God has given them for their particular context and we give thanks for the ministry of the baptized, praying that on Good Shepherd Sunday we will hear God’s call on our hearts in a fresh new way."
March 1, 2022
Announcement:
CALLING & FORMING PRIESTS FOR TOMORROW’S CHURCH:
PATHWAYS TO PARTNERSHIP
Archbishop Anne Germond is delighted to announce that those individuals called by God to assist others in the process of vocational discernment, formation and education, including bishops, diocesan members, and theological educators, will gather June 21 – 23, 2022. Those gathered will discuss discipleship and vocational discernment, intensive and extended formation and education programmes, life-long learning, and any other matter the Spirit of God lays upon our faithful hearts and minds. Your prayers are invited for those who will gather with joyful and confident hearts, that the Spirit of God will lead all those involved in formation and education into new things. Read the full announcement here.
February 16, 2022
Position Posting: Executive Officer
The Provincial Synod is undertaking a process to hire an Executive Officer for the Province of Ontario. This position provides administrative oversight to the province, offers assistance to the Metropolitan in the Metropolitan's capacity as President of the Provincial Synod and maintains records of provincial happenings. The Executive Officer exercises general oversight of the work of Provincial Synod, its commissions, committees and Executive Council. They ensure that arrangements for meetings are coordinated, and records of these meetings are maintained. They also confirm that all records are kept and any official deeds such as the consecration of bishops or changes in canons are recorded. The Executive Officer will perform other duties as are defined by the Constitution, Canons and resolutions of the Provincial Synod or the Executive Council. Learn more and apply today by visiting the link below.
Application deadline extended: Saturday, April 30, 2022
January 14, 2022
In Memoriam: The Right Reverend Tom Corston, 9th Bishop of Moosonee
Bishop Tom Corston died peacefully in Sudbury on January 7th, the Eve of the Baptism of the Lord. He is the much loved husband of Ruth, much loved father of Andrew (Michelle) and Stephen (Emilie), much loved son of Frances Corston, much loved brother of Deborah (Bruce), Margaret (Allen) and Erin (Paul), and much loved uncle, pastor, colleague, and friend to many. Above all, he is God’s much loved son, marked as Christ’s own at his baptism, who made God’s heart glad just by being Tom.
On behalf of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, we assure Tom’s family of our prayers, and we join with them in giving thanks for his life and legacy.
August 2, 2021
Chancellor Appointed
Archbishop Anne Germond has appointed Mr. Bryan Finlay to serve as the Provincial Chancellor for the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, effective immediately. Chancellor Finlay already serves as the diocesan chancellor for Moosonee and is a true servant of the church. Archbishop Anne invites your warm welcome and prayers for Bryan as he takes on this new role and ministry in the province.
At the same time, Archbishop Anne expresses her deepest gratitude to Jean Bedard for his faithfulness and dedication in serving as Provincial Chancellor since 2015.
July 1, 2021
Commissary Appointed
Archbishop Anne Germond has appointed Bishop Michael Oulton to act as commissary for the Ecclesiastical Province while she is on vacation from July 1-19, 2021. Bishop Oulton may be reached via e-mail or through our Executive Officer, Archdeacon Harry Huskins or Administrative Assistant Liz Hamel.
June 7, 2021
Elder Care Working Group Seeks Input
Early in the pandemic, Archbishop Anne Germond grew concerned about the care being afforded to older adults, many of which are longstanding concerns which reached a crisis point with the arrival of COVID-19. In response, she formed the Elder Care Working Group.
As we make our way into the second year of the pandemic, we are keenly aware of the struggles many of our vulnerable elders are experiencing, especially in Ontario’s long-term care facilities. The Elder Care Working Group is reaching out to discern how best the Anglican Church in Ontario can support efforts to provide care and advocacy for seniors. Click here to read a letter from Laura Walton, chair of the working group.
The Metropolitan has written a letter to commend this initiative and offer her encouragement for this work.
May 23, 2021
A Video Blessing for Pentecost
Inspired by the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Anglican House of Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario offer words of hope, encouragement and blessing,
Click here to watch the video.
April 9, 2021
Statement by Archbishop Anne Germond
On behalf of Anglicans in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond has issued a statement on the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip. The statement includes an invitation for Anglican cathedrals and other churches across the province to ring their bells 99 times on Sunday, April 11 in thanksgiving for The Duke of Edinburgh's life and service and to include the prayer prepared by the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Linda Nicholls, in worship services.
March 2, 2021
Message Marking the One Year Anniversary of the Pandemic Declaration
In a pastoral letter entitled, "Jesus Wept", Archbishop Anne Germond, on behalf of the Ontario House of Bishops, invites Anglicans to mark the past year by observing March 11th as a day of fasting and prayer.
The bishops invites people to ‘stand together’ and observe 3 minutes of silence at 11:35 am on this day as we call to mind the loss, the pain, the grief, the resilience, the compassion, and the extraordinary sacrifices that have been hallmarks of the past year.
Click here for the Pandemic Anniversary Rite (also in .pdf)
October 07, 2020
Thanksgiving Message
In a special letter to Anglicans in the ecclesiastical province of Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond, on behalf of the province's bishops and executive officers, offers a message of encouragement and gratitude ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
"While our Thanksgiving celebrations will be very different in our sanctuaries and in our homes this year, as God’s faithful people we remain “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer” (Romans 12.12), lifting our eyes to God whose unending faithfulness, generosity, and graciousness sustains and nurtures us."
The letter notes that with the pandemic surging, this is a time for heightened vigilance adherence to the new protocols that have been put in place. "While we do not expect to close our churches across the entire province again, we must continue to be nimble in our approach, adapting our protocols at the local level based on the current conditions," writes the metropolitan.
June 01, 2020
On a Summer Sabbath Rest
In a newly released pastoral letter, the Ontario House of Bishops have invited Anglicans in our province to observe a summer sabbath rest.
“The well-being and safety of all our parishioners and the communities we serve is uppermost in our hearts and minds,” says Archbishop Anne Germond, metropolitan of Ontario.
In consultation with public health experts, churches will remain closed for in-person worship services until at least September while the pandemic continue, regardless of where the Government of Ontario is with its reopening plan.
Online worship services, food security and other essential outreach and community ministries taking place in church buildings will continue, as they have been in recent months.
May 28, 2020
Call to Prayer for Ottawa on the Occasion of their Episcopal Consecration
In a pastoral letter to the clergy and people of the Diocese of Ottawa, Archbishop Anne Germond invites prayers for Bishop-elect Shane Parker in the lead-up to his consecration as bishop on the Feast of Pentecost and for the whole diocese.
May 15, 2020
On the Safe Reopening of Our Churches
Archbishop Anne Germond has issued this pastoral letter from the Ontario House of Bishops to the faithful in Christ.
"While we share the desire of many other churches in the province to physically gather in-person to worship our Heavenly Father, we are not adding our voice to petitions of the Premier. The well-being and safety of all our parishioners and the communities we serve is uppermost in our hearts and minds as we carefully plan for the eventual reopening of Ontario’s many Anglican churches. We will be taking a cautious and measured approach in the days ahead, in consultation with medical experts and the leaders of our dioceses, including our executive officers, chancellors, and liturgical officers."
May 13, 2020
Notice of Intended Consecration
Notice is given of the intention of House of Bishops of this Province to Consecrate and Ordain the Very Reverend Shane Parker as a Bishop on May 31, 2020, in Christ Church Cathedral in the City of Ottawa.
As is the Custom and Usage of our Church, any who know of any reason why this should not proceed are to make this known to the Metropolitan of our Province by May 22, 2020, by communicating this to the Archbishop at the following email address: bishop@dioceseofalgoma.com.
April 06, 2020
A Message for Holy Week
Archbishop Anne Germond offers this Holy Week video message to Anglicans in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, inviting to churches to ring their bells on Easter Sunday at 9am.
You can also download the pastoral letter version of this message here.
March 20, 2020
Messages of Hope & Encouragement
Archbishop Anne Germond has released a new pastoral letter, "A Word from One is a Word from All" which includes messages of encouragement and hope from the Ontario House of Bishops.
The letter also includes an invitation for Ontario Anglicans to light a candle in their windows on Sunday evening, March 22, at 7pm, in the spirit of the day's Gospel reading, "I am the light of the world, says the Lord; those who follow me will have the light of life” (John 8: 12).
March 13, 2020
Archbishop Recommends Suspension of Services
In consultation with the Anglican bishops of Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond is recommending the temporary suspension of all public worship services, effective Sunday, March 15.
"Gathering as a people of faith is important, but God also summons us to seek the welfare of the cities in which we live and move and have our being," writes Archbishop Germond. "This extraordinary measure is consistent with the measures put in place by other civic institutions within our province, in an effort to impede the transmission of the coronavirus from person to person."
March 13, 2020
House of Bishops Coordinating Efforts in Response to COVID-19
Archbishop Anne Germond, writing on behalf of the Anglican bishops of Ontario, invites prayers amidst the current pandemic facing our province and wider world, and notes that Ontario dioceses are coordinating their efforts and monitoring the situation closely.
March 05, 2020
Metropolitan Invites Prayers for Ottawa
Archbishop Anne Germond has requested prayers for the clergy and people of the Diocese of Ottawa as they prepare to elect a new bishop on Saturday, March 14, 2020 to lead them in their efforts to enable people to know Jesus Christ, to live and share the Good News, to grow in faith and to serve God’s world.
Please uphold in prayer the candidates for Bishop of Ottawa:
The Venerable Christopher Ian Dunn
The Venerable Dr. Peter John Hobbs
The Venerable Brian Kauk
The Venerable Kathryn Anne Otley
The Very Reverend Shane Alexander Donaldson Parker
The Reverend Mark William Glenn Whittall
January 09, 2020
Message of Condolence
On behalf of Anglicans in Ontario, Archbishop Anne Germond has issued the following message to express condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the recent plane crash in Iran.
“We close the circle of friendship around those who mourn; be assured of our ongoing prayers and any practical support we can offer in this time of profound loss and sorrow.”
The metropolitan added, “I am reminded now of Jesus arriving at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and how he wept openly for his friend. I weep for those who have died - children, students, adults all filled with life and joy, and I weep for their families whose lives are forever changed by this tragedy.”
November 25, 2019
Mosoonee Enters Year of Holy Discernment
On the Feast of the Reign of Christ, a pastoral letter from Archbishop Anne Germond was read aloud at every congregation in the Diocese of Moosonee. The letter describes an intentional discernment process regarding the Diocese of Moosonee's future.
"I would like to invite us to use next year as a time of 'Holy Discernment' in which we actively and prayerfully engage with God’s word and one another in deep conversation about where God is calling us as a diocese," writes Archbishop Germond, who serves as the diocesan bishop of Moosonee.
Archbishop Fred Hiltz, former primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has been appointed to serve as the diocese's Assisting Bishop 2020, and will help as an "instrument for conversation" in hosting gatherings for the discernment process to unfold.
September 13, 2019
Bishop of Ottawa to Retire
Bishop John Chapman, diocesan bishop of Ottawa, has announced his intention to retire, effective April 30, 2020.
At the time of his retirement Bishop Chapman will have served as an ordained Anglican minister for 42 years, including 13 years as bishop.
An episcopal election has been scheduled for March 14, 2020.
July 27, 2019
Huron to Elect its New Bishop in October
The diocesan council of Huron met on Saturday, July 27, 2019 following the election of Archbishop Linda Nicholls as primate of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The council received the formal letter of resignation of Archbishop Nicholls as the bishop of Huron, effective September 30, 2019, and set October 26, 2019 as the date of the electoral synod for her successor. Click here for a letter from the Metropolitan inviting prayers for the diocese and candidates.
The council also appointed Archbishop Colin Johnson, retired metropolitan of Ontario and archbishop of Toronto and Moosonee as the diocesan administrator from October 1, 2019 until the consecration or installation of the 14th Bishop of Huron.
July 22, 2019
Archbishop Anne Congratulates New Primate
Archbishop Anne Germond has sent the following message to Archbishop Linda Nicholls, congratulating her on her election and installation as the Primate of All Canada.
Dear Archbishop Linda,
Your friends in the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario congratulate you on your recent election as the 14th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. We are delighted that you have been called to this office and we share in the excitement of this moment with you. Your election and Installation at General Synod were among its high points.
As you lead our beloved church into the new future God has for us, be assured that you have our undying affection and support and will be daily in our prayers. Our prayer will be that God will grant you all the strength and wisdom and courage to carry out this work.
We are already planning occasions for you to visit our dioceses so that we can welcome you and introduce you to the beauty that is Ontario.
With our love and affection,
+Anne on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario
May 01, 2019
Statement from the House of Bishops
The Ontario House of Bishops met in Toronto this April and among other the matters on their agenda was next year's Lambeth Conference. In particular, the bishops discussed the decision of the Archbishop of Canterbury not to extend an invitation to Bishop Kevin Robertson’s spouse, Mr. Mohan Sharma. As a result of their discussion, the bishops have issued a statement concurring with the statement previously issued by Toronto's College of Bishops.