GC45 Moderator’s Advisory Committee Report for Summer 2025

Origin: Rev. Graham Brownmiller 

The Moderator’s Advisory Committee (MAC) is a group of people from across the church who gathered to walk with the Moderator intentionally and prayerfully; we have spent the past three years praying for and providing advice, support and assistance as we could.

We met for the first time in the days immediately following the Moderator’s installation and we spent those three days understanding the role of the office of Moderator (The Manual D.4.1.3) and helping to determine how to effectively use the Moderator’s time during the term of office while effectively fulfilling the responsibility of the office. This time included establishing goals and priorities for the unique way in which she would lead the church, and to help set guidelines for discerning which of the many invitations she would have the privilege to accept.

Together with the committee, the Moderator indicated four main priorities for her work.

1. Being an Ambassador in The United Church of Canada for the Call to Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship and Daring Justice across the church
2. Hosting and Participating in Cross-sectoral, change-making conversations on things that matter in the World
3. Broadening Engagement and Enhancing Capacity within Church and Movements
4. Supporting and Raising Up Next Generation Leaders

Partway through the triennium, the committee met with the OMGS Task Group and while we are aware that the outputs of that review will have impact on future moderator roles, the role of the current Moderator was as currently outlined.

Throughout the triennium, there were 172 invitations received. We were able to say yes to 80 of those. We understood we needed to be mindful of the visits made throughout the United Church, as well as the large volume of invitations and evolving vision of the church.

The MAC was clear from the beginning that this Moderator, like every Moderator before her and everyone to come, was unique in the ways that she engaged the world. This Moderator also had a name that was known throughout the Global Church through volunteer work she had previously engaged in. Because of this, invitations were not always simply because she was the Moderator, but because she was Carmen Lansdowne.

Moderator Carmen was useful at chronicling many of her journeys through the use of Social Media, and regardless of how we communicated the priorities that we had established and what she was spending time doing, we realized that many rely on social media and think it gives a comprehensive view of the role; just because it isn’t seen, it doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened. Use of videos also lent the voice of the Moderator to the church, and we discovered that minutes of 2 minutes or less were more engaged and engaging. Most of the time, the specific experiences were known to the people with whom she was in relationship.

Early in her term, the MAC had conversations with the Regional Executive Ministers (REM) about ‘official visits’ to the Regions with a decision to try to communicate with the REMs when invitations were received from their Regions. Often, we would communicate with them if there were competing invitations and have them help us prioritize within the Region. While this was a good trial it became evident, and the OMGS Task Group also recognized, that it is important for the Regions to be involved in creating a visit so that the Moderator gets a chance to hear some of the stories of the church; often the Moderator was there and then gone.

You will see in the Moderator’s report the visits that she made and the work that she undertook. We attempted to evenly distribute her visits throughout the church, but it also depended on the invitations received. We received a few very last-minute requests and invitations for the Moderator to attend events; it helped us realize that longer term planning is very useful. Three years is not all that long!

As you read through her report you might feel as exhausted as the MAC felt when we heard what she was doing. The role of Moderator requires much travel. We are so thankful for the Moderator’s spouse and family for their sacrifice while the Moderator served The United Church so well throughout these three years. With their support, Moderator Carmen’s faithful dedication and continued response to this call were made possible.

We are grateful to the staff throughout the church who assisted the Moderator fulfill her mandate. At times statements or letter were required, staff in the GCO were able to provide background which meant that that they would be consistent with values of The United Church as well as accurate and thorough.

General Secretary, Michael Blair, provided much support to the MAC and the Moderator with wisdom and experience on what it means to be the Moderator in word and deed, and navigation of the often multiple and competing demands of the role. Valuable support from Jennifer Henry and administrative support from Carol Owegi was gratefully received. The Moderator and the Chair of MAC met with Carol regularly to review invitations and make plans for the Moderator’s schedule.

It has been a deep privilege and great honour to accompany Moderator Carmen throughout these past three years, to listen to stories of hope and sorry, to offer guidance, and to pray with and for her. To see the excitement of love and prayers offered across our church to support this ministry of the Moderator was inspiring and enriched our role.

As the 45th General Council meets, we who have journeyed close with the Moderator know that we will always require faithful leaders called forth and chosen to quicken the hearts of the people and strengthen the whole United Church of Canada; we will all be looking forward to and praying for whomever God calls next to the office of Moderator.

Thank you to Moderator Carmen for prayerfully responding to the call, for inspiring and challenging us to practice our faith, and for reminding us that laughter, playfulness, and failing forward are just as important in the work of the faithful.

Graham K. Brownmiller, Chair
and the Moderator’s Advisory Committee

Stan McKay (former Moderator)
M. Chorney (GCE)
Danielle Ayana James
Marie-Claude Manga
Ingrid Brown
Michael Blair (General Secretary)
Jennifer Henry (EM Organizational Development and Strategy)
Carol Owegi (Administrative Support)