$5,000 Grant From Anglican Foundation of Canada to Support 2026 Lay Readers’ Conference in Algoma
The Diocese of Algoma is pleased to announce that a grant application from Thorneloe University has been approved for $5,000 in funding through the Anglican Foundation of Canada’s Leadership & Education funding stream in support of the 2026 Diocese of Algoma Lay Readers’ Conference.
The conference, hosted in partnership with Thorneloe University, will take place September 24–27, 2026, in Sudbury and will gather Lay Readers from across the Diocese for theological formation, ministry training, worship, and fellowship.
This year’s gathering will include an expanded pre-conference theological intensive, Reading the Bible on Turtle Island, led by Rev. Dr. H. Daniel Zacharias, Associate Dean and Professor of New Testament Studies at Thorneloe University. The program will invite participants to engage Scripture through Indigenous perspectives and contexts.
“Lay Readers are essential to the life of our diocese,” said Archbishop Anne Germond. “Across Northern Ontario, they lead worship, preach the Gospel, and provide faithful pastoral leadership in communities both large and small. I am deeply grateful to the Anglican Foundation of Canada Board for supporting this important ministry formation opportunity, and we are delighted to be partnering with Thorneloe University in hosting the 2026 Lay Readers’ Conference. Gatherings like this strengthen relationships, deepen theological understanding, and encourage those who serve so faithfully across our diocese.”
According to the grant application, the conference is expected to support approximately 30–50 lay leaders from across the Diocese of Algoma. The annual gathering is considered a cornerstone of lay ministry formation in Algoma, particularly in rural and multi-point parishes where Lay Readers often play a vital leadership role.
Conference programming will include keynote presentations, teaching sessions, workshops, shared worship, and a closing Eucharist and commissioning service.
Additional conference and registration details will be announced soon.
Archbishop Anne also expressed her gratitude to the Anglican Foundation of Canada Board of Directors for their generosity and continued commitment to strengthening lay ministry and theological formation across the Church.