GCE45 NOM02 Recommendations for Appointment for September 2025

1. What is the issue?

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.

2. Why is this issue important?

The Executive of the General Council needs to appoint and authorize members to serve on committees and task groups which conduct work on its behalf and as delegates to represent The United Church of Canada. 

3. How might the General Council Executive respond to the issue?

The Nominations Committee recommends the Executive appoint the following members with terms as noted:

Working Group on Ministry Leadership (August 2025 – December 2028)

• Penny Nelson, (Ordained, Bermuda-Nova Scotia), Commissioner
• David Mugadzi (Ordained Minister, Living Skies), Commissioner
• Deborah Elliot (Lay, East Central Ontario), nominated by TICIF
• Norm Seli (Ordained, Shining Waters), nominated by the Board of Vocation
• Albertine Chokoté Naoué (Lay, Nakonha:ka), nominated from the candidacy boards
• Deepak Nitesh Yohan (Ordained, First Dawn Eastern Edge), appointed by GCE

Board of Vocation (September 2025 – GC46, August 2028)

• Peter Haddow (Lay, Canadian Shield Regional Council)

4. What will be the impact?

These appointments enable the responsibilities and commitments of these groups to be carried out.  Appointments are offered with a view to the strategic objective of Invigorate Leadership: Adapting and Innovating for Bold Discipleship, which is also the strategic area most critically carried out by these two appointed bodies.

5. How does this proposal help us live into the commitments on equity?

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.  All members of committees and representatives of The United Church of Canada to ecumenical bodies are expected to uphold the United Church’s commitments to equity in the roles to which they are being appointed.

6. For the body transmitting this proposal to the General Council Executive:

The Nominations Committee conducts its work in accordance with the mandate outlined in the Manual, the Terms of Reference set out in Policy 2.08 The Nominations Committee and the expectations set out in Policy 1.08 Committee Membership

The Nominations Committee of the 45th General Council met on line September 19 to consider expressions of interest for the commissioner vacancies on the Working Group on Ministry Leadership and to consider the expression of interest received for an outstanding vacancy on the Board of Vocation.

Working Group on Ministry Leadership – The creation of this working group was directed by the General Council Executive in March 2025. A special nominations call was issued over the summer for the two vacancies to be filled by GC45 Commissioners. The other recommended members are nominated by various bodies as specified in the terms of reference approved by the General Council Executive.

GS 141 WORKING GROUP ON MINISTRY LEADERSHIP

The Working Group would be made up of no more than 6 individuals:

• One member nominated by the Board of Vocation
• One member nominated by the Theology Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee who worked on the 2025 Statement on Ministry
• One member nominated from a Candidacy Board
• One member nominated by the General Council Executive
• Two members recommended by the Nominations committee from the Commissioners of the 45th General Council

Board of Vocation – As noted in proposal GC45 NOM 02 to GC45 Members Recommended for the Elected and Appointed Bodies of the General Council outstanding vacancies to the Board of Vocation would be addressed based on priorities set for these positions. The following criteria were identified as priorities for the remaining vacancies:

• ministry stream diversity (lay, diaconal, designated lay minister)
• gender balance (male or non-binary)
• francophone

Individuals who had previously shown interest in the work of the Office of Vocation with suitable expertise and who would advance these priorities, were contacted and invited to express interest.

The Nominations Committee offers gratitude to all who serve and prays for faith and joy in their appointments

The Nominations Committee: Lynella Reid-James (chair), Alcris Limongi (GCE), Katherine Brittain (GCE), Allan Buckingham, Florence Bukam, Norm Seli, Jessica Taylor.

Diane Bosman & Jamie Wilder (staff)