GCE45 NOM05 Recommendations for Appointment for February 2026

1. What is the issue?

We believe that the Holy Spirit calls us to use our God‐given gifts. Our gifts differ, but all areneeded. The practices of Christian spiritual formation call on us to practice individual and groupdiscernment 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 oncommittees and task groups which conduct work on its behalf and as delegates to representThe United Church of Canada.

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

The Nominations Committee recommends that the General Council Executive

1. appoint the following members with terms as noted:

General Council 46 Planning Committee (February 2026 – GC46 August 2028)

• Kenji Marui (Ordained Minister, Antler River Watershed), Business Coordinator, 2ndterm
  [For Information]
• MiYeon Kim (Ordained Minister, Chinook Winds) Worship Coordinator, as appointedby the General Secretary.

Finance Advisory Committee (February 2026 – GC46 August 2028)

• Boyde Clarke (Lay Person, First Dawn Eastern Edge), 1st term
   

2. Extend the appointments of the following members of the Indigenous Justice Advisory Committee to December 2026 

• Debbie Hubbard (Lay, Pacific Mountain), 2nd term
• Daniel Reed (Ordained Minister, Shining Waters), 2nd term
• Robin McGauley (Ordained, Western Ontario Waterways), 2nd term

4. What will be the impact?

These appointments, reappointments and term extensions enable the responsibilities andcommitments of these groups to be carried out. Appointments are offered with a view to thestrategic objective of Invigorate Leadership: Adapting and Innovating for Bold Discipleship.

General Council Planning Committee – The members of the General Council Planning Committee have traditionally come together as a mix of recommendations from the hosting Regional Council, invitations from the General Secretary or Moderator, and appointments made by the Executive through the nominations process. Kenji Marui served as Business Coordinator for the 45th General Council. A second term of appointment provides continuity and invests in strengthening the team leadership. MiYeon Kim was invited to serve as Worship Coordinator by the Moderator. Kenji and MiYeon join recently-appointed General Council Planning Committee chair, Deborah LaForet.

Finance Advisory Committee – This appointment would fill an outstanding vacancy on the Finance Advisory Committee.

Indigenous Justice Advisory Group – The committee is composed of three Settler members appointed by the Executive, and three Indigenous members appointed by the Indigenous Church. The short extensions for the three GCE-appointed settler members will support the committee as it integrates new members appointed by the Indigenous Church and re-engages its work following various disruptions. In the fall, the committee will seek a combination of new appointments and reappointments.

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 andlived experiences make each of us unique. All members of committees and representatives ofThe United Church of Canada to ecumenical bodies are expected to uphold the United Church’scommitments 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. Where other courts or groups are authorized to recommend or to appoint members to committees of the General Council, the Nominations Committee compiles these recommendations into a coordinated report. The Nominations Committee met on February 9 to consider these emerging appointment, reappointment and extension requests in order to enable their approval in a timely manner. The Committee took the opportunity to discuss and affirm the Behavioural Covenant.

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, Alcris Limongi (GCE), Jessica Taylor, Katherine Brittain (GCE). Regrets: Norm Seli. Diane Bosman & Jamie Wilder (staff)