We believe that the Holy Spirit calls us to use our God‐given gifts. Our gifts differ, but all are needed. The practices of Christian spiritual formation call on us to practice individual and group discernment in selecting and affirming leaders for the church.The General Council needs to appoint one member to serve the duration of a term on the General Council Executive for a vacancy that has arisen since the last General Council Annual meeting.
The General Council Executive is the decision‐making body for the United Church between meetings of the General Council, living into covenantal relationship and mutually accountable with the General Council, regional councils, and communities of faith. It requires a strong complement of gifted church leaders to effectively and faithfully carry out these responsibilities.
The Executive of the General Council may fill vacancies in its membership pending the next regular meeting of the General Council. (The Manual 2023 D.5.2.3) The Sub‐Executive of the General Council approved this recommendation on April 18 (NOM 12 Recommendations for Appointment. 2024‐04‐19‐109), pending confirmation by the General Council at the next regular meeting.
The Nominations Committee recommendsThat the General Council appoint the following member to the General Council Executive until the 45th General Council, 2025.
The person recommended for appointment has verified their commitment to the United Church’s commitments to equity, diversity and anti‐oppression. Additionally, she personally bring identities related to the equity‐commitment identities.In its discernment, the Nominations Committee considers diversity with regards to geography, gender identity and ministry stream, as well as the myriad ways that our lives, cultures and lived experiences make each of us unique. In addition, the committee upholds the church’s commitments to the full participation of people with disabilities; youth and young adults; those who identify as Two Spirit or LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, racialized, or Francophone; people active in French ministries; those who speak a primary language other than English or French; and people from marginalized communities not named here. No group of 18 people can ever completely reflect the full diversity of the United Church. It is the responsibility of the Executive to recognize who is not at the table and actively seek them out in understanding issues and the impact of decisions.
At this time, each of the church’s seven equity‐commitment identities are present on the Executive with one or more member. Fifteen of the 18 members of the Executive identify with one or more of the equity‐commitment identities.
The Nominations Committee met on April 10 to discern a recommendation for appointment for the remainder of the term of a vacancy on the General Council Executive. Using spiritual discernment and in consideration of the current needs of the Executive, the Nominations Committee reached consensus in the recommendation of Katherine Brittain for appointment to the Executive.
The Sub‐Executive of the General Council appointed Katherine Brittain to serve for the duration of the vacated term, pending confirmation of this appointment at the Annual Meeting of the 44th General Council (2024) NOM 12 Recommendations for Appointment. 2024-04-19-109)
The Nominations Committee offers gratitude to all who serve on the Executive and all who were willing to take on these important leadership roles. We pray God’s blessings and guidance for all members of the Executive
Katherine Brittain– Katherine describes herself as a mom and a minister serving on southern Vancouver Island. Her ministry is centred on creative cross‐generational opportunities. She is passionate about new forms of ministry while steeped in the traditions that shaped United Church of Canada. Katherine brings a deep understanding of the United Church across many regions, both rural and urban, from her experience serving in congregations in Saskatchewan, Toronto, and British Columbia. She sees that the Spirit is alive and active and breathing new life into beautiful ways of being the United Church for this time and place. Katherine has contributed effectively to the Executive since her appointment by the sub‐executive in April.
(Appointed at the 43rd General Council 2018 and the 44th General Council 2022.)