GC43 or earlier Marriage, A United Church of Canada Understanding When the 38th General Council-the highest decision-making body of The United Church of Canada-decided in 2003 to ask the federal government to recognize same-sex marriage in the marriage legislation, it was acting on a lengthy history of earlier actions. The purpose of this paper is to describe the United Church's historical and theological understanding of marriage. Our theological understanding of marriage is informed bypeople, the very neighbours Jesus has invited us to lovescripture, which grounds our faith and our understanding of the nature and purpose of marriagehistory, which affirms the importance of marriage as a social institutionsocial expectations, which regard marriage as a contractual relationship governed by legal sanctions and customsmarriage as sacred covenant, a means of God's grace not only for the marital partners but also for their offspring and for the wider community Resources Marriage, A United Church of Canada Understanding.pdf Save to PDF True Document Date December 30, 2005 Document Type Social Policy Originating Body Other Topic Gender and Sexuality Latest News GCE Summary, February 20–21, 2026 The first 45th General Council Executive (GCE) of 2026 met online on February 20 and 21, 2026, thoughtfully reflecting the Executive’s role to offer insight, oversight, and foresight for the good of the church. First Executive Meeting of 2026 Coming up February 20–21 The 45th General Council Executive (GCE) meets online on February 20 and 21. Using the lenses of Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice, the Executive members will work generatively together, and reflect through the communal experience of worship. GCE Summary, November 14–15, 2025 The 45th General Council Executive (GCE) met online on November 14 and 15, 2025. The two days focused on setting the triennium up for transformative change, with dialogue around the triennium operating budget, the strategic direction and objectives, and affirming the commitment to anti-racism.
