Article describes a number of AIDS related outreach projects operated within the diocese of Toronto for local populations and overseas in Africa. Includes the story of the Rev. Doug Willoughby, an Anglican priest who is himself HIV-positive and the diocese's involvement in the Philip Aziz Centre, a non-profit home hospice for people living with AIDS. Describes the work of The Teresa Group, founded by Penelope Holeton, an Anglican lay woman, to help children in Toronto living with AIDS, and also the fundraising work of St. Clement's, Eglinton, which has contributed to the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and which in August 2006 "held a reception for grandmothers from Kenya who [were] in Toronto for the International AIDS Conference and the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers' Gathering".
A group of Anglican women have reiterated their commitment "to remaining always `in communion' with and for one another" amid deep divisions over sexuality in the Anglican Communion.
About 100 women from across the Anglican Communion are set to attend the 50th anniversary celebration and meeting of the United Nations Commissin on the Status of Women.
"The Rev. Canon Alice Medcof is one of 52 women profiled in the 2015 edition of 'Herstory: The Canadian Women's Calendar'. The calendar, created by the Saskatchewan Women's Calendar Collective 'as a weekly celebration of incredible women, past and present, who have shaped our country', has been published annually (with the exception of two years) since 1974". "Medcof said she is proud to be a part of the book ...". "Ordained as a deacon in 1979, and as a priest in the diocese of Toronto in 1980, Medcof was one of the pioneers breaking ground and in some cases ice, with those in the church who had not yet accepted the idea that women could serve as priests. In 1996, Medcof became one of the founders of the International Anglican Women's Network, an official body of the Anglican Communion that reports to the Anglican Consultative Council on women's issues. In 2003, she began what would be two terms as chair of the network. Medcof continues to focus on issues of women's rights within the church and in the world. Currently, she is working on a campaign raising awareness about the scourge of human trafficking around the world".
"Human trafficking -- for which Canada is a country of source, transit and destination -- was front and centre at a conference held Nov. 14 [2014] at the Sorrento Retreat Centre in Sorrento, B.C. -- a week after Canada's new prostitution law, Bill C-36, received royal assent. Sponsored by the International Anglican Women's Network (IAWN) Canada in partnership with the Compass Rose Society of Canada, the event attracted about 50 people, lay and clergy. The emotional core of the conference was the story of its first speaker, Glendene Grant of Kamloops, B.C., whose 'typical girl next door' daughter Jessie Foster was forced into prostitution in the U.S. at age 20. .... [Glendene] has since worked tirelessly to prevent others from meeting her daughter's fate, founding the organization MATH, Mothers Against Human Trafficking [sic i.e. Mothers Against the Trafficking of Humans]". Glendene Grant was introduced by the Rev. Canon Alice Medcof, the conference moderator. "The Rev. Terrie Robinson [talked] about the global aspects of human trafficking and how the Anglican Communion is working for change". Other speakers included Winnipeg MP Joy Smith and Sister of Charity Nancy Brown.
At least two women from every Anglican province attended the 50th anniversary conference of the United Nations Conference on the Status of Women in New York this year.
"Archbishop Fred Hiltz would like every Anglican in Canada to join him in wearing a white ribbon. This symbol demonstrates his support for the White Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women and girls everywhere" (p. 1). "The annual event, which takes place from Nov. 25 to Dec. 6 in 55 countries, seeks to change behaviour through education and advocacy" (p. 1). "Violence against women is not specific to one culture, one race or any age group, says Tanja Futter, a member of the International Women's Network (IAWN) " (p. 8). "Last summer, Futter and other IAWN representatives, including the Rev. Canon Alice Medcof, IAWN coordinator for Canada, met with Archbishop Hiltz to discuss the campaign to end violence against women" (p. 10). "IAWN, which represents Anglican women in the Anglican Consultative Council, has identified the campaign to end violence against women as priority work, says Laura Wilson, IAWN treasurer" (p. 10). "In February [2011], the primates of the Anglican Communion pledged to work together toward eliminating violence against women and girls" (p. 10). "In March 2011, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams urged churches to play a role in ending sexual violence" (p. 10).
A proposal for a global Anglican Women's Network will be on the agenda for a decision by the Anglican Consultative Council's standing committee when it meets in March in Jerusalem.