General Council is the decision-making body of the United Church as a whole. It brings together Commissioners (those elected to be members of this meeting of the General Council) to help set the course for the future of the United Church. GC45 Commissioners will need to be available for education sessions online June 14 and June 22, 2025. The 45th General Council will meet August 7-12, 2025 in person in Calgary, AB. Invitation from The Moderator The Moderator invites you to consider becoming a...
News
Spring 2024 Tri-Regional Council Meeting When: Friday, May 24th to Sunday, May 26th, 2024 Where: Unifor Family Education Centre, Port Elgin Theme: Life Together Speaker: The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, UCC Moderator In-Person Registration: Registration information you need to...
For the remit vote, we are glad to hear that many of you are having conversations about the remit at your congregational meetings. Please also make sure your congregations understand that this is not something the congregation can vote on. The remit vote must be made by the pastoral charge governing body (Board or Council) and cannot be delegated to the congregation. The Board/Council members should vote according to their own discernment. That being said, it is great for the congregation to...
Epiphany Greetings! We believe that God is calling the United Church to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship and Daring Justice. Hearing this, our vision for the next 5-10 years is: Called by God, as disciples of Jesus, The United Church of Canada seeks to be a bold, connected, evolving church of diverse, courageous, hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice. One way the United Church is putting this into action is by working to Strengthen...
Dear Communities of Faith in Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council, As Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council our stated purpose is “Connecting, Supporting, Transforming”. Yet, we know that many members of the regional council, both clergy and lay, are feeling isolated and like they lack the supports they need. It has also been difficult for members of Communities of Faith (CoF) to discern how to connect with the regional council and to find ways to support our work through the...
STEWARDSHIP ONLINE EVENT: Good News: How to Share the Impact of your Ministry Learn how to inspire current and potential donors with the story of your ministry, project or outreach initiative Hear how to tell your story when reporting to grant organizations or applying for a grant Inspire other communities of faith as we share the good news of God at work in our regions Session will include examples of inspiring stories from right here in our regions as well as time for discussion and Q&A....
Details we know so far: Time will be designated for each individual Regional Council to meet separately. Each Regional Council will be electing their GC45 Commissioners, President Elect and slate of Executive/Commission members. Friday May 24: 2 PM start & Friday evening The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne will speak Saturday, May 25: All day. Includes Celebration of Ministries Service in the afternoon Sunday, May 26: 9 AM to Noon: Includes Honouring of Retirees, Jubilands, In Memoriam,...
The Manual 2024
STEWARDSHIP: The Rev. Brenna Baker our Stewardship Support Staff writes in this blog post: “What if?” is a phrase you use not with fear, but with curiosity. https://united-church.ca/blogs/round-table/what-if
Greetings, It has come to our attention that material considered a hate crime in Canada is reaching some of our congregations this week. We are saddened to note that this is coming during a time when we are preparing to celebrate the arrival of the Christ in our midst. The hate mail received this week has included a letter with disturbing messages and a USB key. It has come from the United States and may have a Customs declaration that it is a “gift.” If you receive mail that you suspect to be...
Today I sent an email to staff titled, "Behold I bring you good news of great joy." I acknowledged that my news did not rival that announced by the angel choir but it was good news. It is also good news for our regional councils that Rev. Mark Laird has offered himself as our next Executive Minister. Mark has been engaged with our regional councils from the first meeting of the Transition Teams, so knows what has guided our leaders as they sought to be church in a new way. The goal was...
SCAM ALERT: Some congregations have recently received a scam email demanding payment by December 31st under threat of the loss of a particular service or coverage like insurance. Please check any such demand directly with your provider before ever transferring funds to urgent types of emails or phone calls such as the above scam (do not reply to the sent email – telephone or create a new email to verify the validity of any requests). Be safe online! [Photo: Markus Spiske...
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS: The Regional Council Staff Team thank YOU for all you are, what you do and share across the Western Ontario Waterways Region and wishes you and yours a very blessed Merry Christmas and peace-filled Happy New Year 2024. Please note the Regional Council Office closure Dec 22nd thru to Jan 1st back to work on January 2nd.
Merry Christmas! I am filled with expectation and hope for this Advent and Christmas as I write to you on this snowy December evening. The glowing lights twinkle on in houses and churches all around. They are reminders to us of the warmth, light and comfort offered each one of us as we draw closer to the wonder of the humble birth of Emmanuel — God with us. Our faith in the One who is with us — through every joy and challenge of this life — gives us strength and courage as we seek to share...
Read More Here
Published On: December 7, 2023 The General Council Executive approved the appointment of the Rev. Mark Laird as Regional Council Executive Minister, Western Ontario Waterways, Horseshoe Falls, and Antler River regional councils, at its meeting November 17‒18, 2023. Mark will begin his new appointment March 1, 2024. The approval followed the recommendation of the General Secretary and the search team. The selection panel to recruit the new Executive Minister included the presidents of the three...
Important Changes Regarding Payment of Pastoral Charge Supervisors In The United Church of Canada, Pastoral Charge Supervisors (PCS) play a vital role in ensuring that communities of faith without a called/appointed minister can continue to make decisions and pass the motions needed to carry out their ministry. Pastoral Charge Supervisors are also required when the minister is a Candidate or an Applicant for Admission to The United Church of Canada. Not only do the PCS attend meetings of the...
Prepare to Vote: Remit Q&A Session (Online) with Thérèse Samuel and John Egger Wednesday January 17, 2024 7:00-8:30 PM For Pastoral Charges ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Click here to register. Please prepare and submit your questions in advance: PREPARE for the Q&A Session: We ask that all participants have previously participated in an education workshop...
For more information click HERE
