GCE45 NOM03 Recommendations for Appointment for November 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 the 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 Executive of the General Council respond to this issue?

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

Moderator and General Secretary Accountability Committee (December 2025 – GC46 August 2028)

• David Leyton‐Brown (Lay, Shining Waters), chairperson, General Council Executive
• Thea Sheridan‐Jonah (Lay, Pacific Mountain), General Council Executive
• M Chorney (Lay, Prairie to Pine), one-year-appointment to fill outstanding vacancy from nominations call
• Heather Leffler (Ordained Minister, Western Ontario Waterways)
• Charlene Throop (Lay Person, Indigenous Church & Prairie to Pine) as named by the National Indigenous Elders Council
• Leeann Shimoda (Lay Person, Indigenous Church & East Central Ontario) as named by the National Indigenous Elders Council 

Pension Board, Member at Large (December 2025 – December 2028) 

• Blair Patterson (Ordained Minister, Eastern Ontario Outaouais
• Daniel Yourkevich (Ordained Minister, East Central Ontario) 

Benefits Committee, Member at Large (December 2025 – December 2028)

• Robin Pilkey (Lay Person, Shining Waters)
• Brian Copeland (Ordained Minister, Eastern Ontario Outaouais) 

Finance Advisory Committee (December 2025 – December 2028) 

•  John Fraser (Lay Person, Western Ontario Waterways)  

Treasury Investment Committee (December 2025 – December 2028) 
With the joint recommendation of the Finance Advisory Committee

• Daisy Xu (Lay Person), Specialist, Reappointment for a 2nd term 

Academic Awards Committee (December 2025 – December 2028) 

• Lee Heard (Lay Person, Eastern Ontario Outaouais)
• Susan Lukey (Ordained Minister, Chinook Winds) 

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. The work that these appointments advances falls within different strategic objectives including Invigorate Leadership with the majority under Common Good: Equity and Sustainability in Resources. 

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

 An open call for nominations was held in September and October. The Nominations Committee met on line November 12 to consider expressions of interest for the groups included in this report. The committee has rescheduled the planned second day of their meeting to later in November to consider other appointments, including those for The Manual Committee. Those recommendations will be brought to a sub‐executive meeting.  

Moderator and General Secretary Accountability Committee. This committee is to be composed of two members of the General Council Executive, two named by the Indigenous Church and two recommended by the Nominations Committee through an open call for nominations. Following conversation and consultation with staff and elected members related to this new committee, the Nominations Committee is recommending that one of the two vacancies from the open call be filled now, with the other held for a year. This will allow time for the committee to meet, secure external staffing, and assess the needed skill set and related search strategy to fill that vacancy. As the body accountable for this committee, the General Council Executive could appoint one of their members to serve for this interim period. For coordination, the nominations proposal includes the names of those appointed by the National Indigenous Elders Council and the General Council Executive members recommended by the Governance Committee.  

The Nominations Committee offers gratitude to all who offered their gifts, and prays for faith and joy in the service of all those who are appointed 

The Nominations Committee: Lynella Reid‐James (chair), Allan Buckingham, Florence Bukam, Jun‐Hyok Chon, Norm Seli, Jessica Taylor. Regrets: Alcris Limongi (GCE), Katherine Brittain (GCE) Diane Bosman & Jamie Wilder (staff)