The 44th General Council Executive (GCE) met in person in London, Ontario, on March 6-9, 2025, for the final planned meeting of the triennium. Each day, the GCE began by committing to Equity Aspirations (About Anti-Racism webpage > Downloads).
Over the two-and-a-half days, the Executive dealt with a number of proposals directly as well as receiving reports and proposals that will go to the 45th General Council in August.
On Friday, Rev. Michelle Owens, White Oaks Pastoral Charge in London, ON, and co-chair, Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (TICIF), led the theological reflection and worship, which was based on 1 Timothy 2: 3-8. On Saturday, the Moderator reflected on Joel 2: 28-29, inviting GCE members and staff to discuss their visions and dreams for the church in small groups. The Moderator also invited everyone to watch and sing Roots and Wings by Linnea Good.
The 2024 Operational Plan Report was received, indicating good or excellent progress in Quarter Four on all the pillars of the strategic plan. The report outlines a growing need to intensify and increase support to communities of faith (CoFs) through effective coordination across the General Council Office and with regional councils. The goal is for supports to be familiar, highly beneficial, and easily accessible by communities of faith.
General Council Executive decisions, and reports, as related to key strategic plan objectives, included the following:
A recent research project comparing the statistics from 1992 and 2023 and projecting out to 2035 has given validation to anecdotal experience of decline, while identifying areas of growth and garnering important new insights. The data demonstrates the urgent need for intervention—analysis, vision, and strategy—to enable a different and better future to emerge Toward 2035. The Executive directed the General Secretary to work with regional councils to articulate a strategy and implementation plan, as well as develop an engagement plan for a church-wide conversation.
GCE authorized the sale of Pineview Lodge in Whitecourt, AB, which was given to and held in the name of The United Church of Canada, to be used to support initial Vision 2035 initiatives. The Executive will treat the property in line with the region's (Northern Spirit) policies regarding contributions to Indigenous ministries, with the balance going to the Vision 2035 project.
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The report of the Partner Council of the United Church was received. The Council focuses on Mutual Radical Accompaniment, shifting power, and decolonizing partnerships, and provides essential leadership for global and regional roundtables.
In 2024, the Partner Council engaged in mutually accountable, decolonizing efforts with partners – such as Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) Nature Plus project with the National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) – through a global consultation via Zoom. The consultation explored innovative mission practices to transform the world toward justice, peace, and healing of creation, and provided a platform for diverse perspectives.
The Roundtable also facilitated partner participation in COP29 and supported reciprocity, respect, and transparency. The ACT Alliance General Assembly recently requested The United Church of Canada's accompaniment to deepen the decolonizing partnership.
Many United Church communities of faith already observe Orange Shirt Day (Sept. 30), also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, but it has not been designated as a "Special Sunday" in The United Church of Canada. The GCE approved a proposal to make the Sunday before September 30 an official observance.
The GCE earmarked a contribution from the United Church reserves to add to a collaborative donation to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation from the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United churches.
A proposal related to an updated apology was discussed. The GCE agreed to form a task group to review the ongoing commitments and work of reconciliation that have emerged since the 1986 and 1998 Apologies from the United Church, exploring necessary actions including but not limited to an updated apology. The proposal confirms that consultations with Indigenous communities must be in ways that are trauma-informed, collaborative, respectful of nation-to-nation relationships, with caretaker communities and rooted in a theology of care and reparative justice.
The Moderator submitted a short report, noting she is in the process of preparing a more comprehensive one for GC45. She summarized her term, including the various facets of the Flourishing Initiative. In a key reflection, the Moderator observed that while she visited almost all the provinces and territories during her term, she missed some of the more extended listening opportunities in regions which can provide deeper understanding and context for regional ministries.
The General Secretary's report highlighted the extensive ongoing work of the General Council. Reflecting on the moment, he spoke about the importance of making data-driven decisions and how data helps us challenge well held, but sometimes unfounded, perceptions. There are limits to the data we have. However, we need to seek information, to ask for it and then use it to guide us so we address real problems instead of perceived problems.
He also addressed the risks that the church is facing and urged the Executive to continue to engage in intentional conversations about risk. "It is critical for the church that we, as management and governors, are intentional about using a risk-management framework for our work and decision-making," he wrote in his report.
Rev. Norm Seli, chair of the Board of Vocation, joined the Executive online on Saturday. Based on the report, a robust conversation ensued about current needs of ministry personnel.
The Executive agreed to take no action on GC43 (2018) proposals regarding additional mandatory training for ministry personnel on mental health, anti-homophobia/anti-transphobia, and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (regarding Indigenous justice) because of the current work of the Standards for Accreditation Committee to develop new learning opportunities and continuing education standards related to these areas.
The GCE approved a proposal to establish a working group on Ministry Leadership to map the leadership needs of the church to 2035 and make recommendations about any changes to policy and practice to the 2026 annual General Council meeting.
After discussion regarding conflict of interest policies, the relevant manual section was revised to better address the exceptional circumstances of family members of employees or ministry personnel serving on governing bodies of communities of faith.
Several other small technical changes to the Manual were approved by consent:
The GCE approved the extension of the appointment of Jacques Tremblay to the Pension Plan Advisory Committee to January 2026.
The General Council Executive discussed the circumstances related to the General Secretary's dissolution of the National Indigenous Council (NIC) and the reconvening of the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering (NISG), which met November 29-December 1, 2024. The GCE concurred with the conclusion of the General Secretary and the reconvening of the NISG at its meeting in November (GOV04). The GCE owns that it did not have appropriate governance policies in place to clarify the scope of the roles and authority of the Office of the General Secretary and directs the governance committee to develop a policy on delegation of authority and management limitations. The GCE respects the trust of the National Indigenous Spiritual Gathering in the National Elders Council to find a good way forward.
Three guests joined the meeting on Saturday. Rev. Joshua Lawrence of First St. Andrew's United Church in London, a member of the Antler River Watershed's Discipleship and Justice Commission, noted that the Commission had requests amounting to $300k for Mission and Service grants but could only disperse $150k. Regional staff help connect unsuccessful applicants with other resources or grants. He introduced two guests whose excellent work was supported by Mission and Service:
The Executive approved a number of recommendations around GCE's and the Sub-Executive's use of in camera sessions, quorum, motions to move in camera, and noting in camera sessions in the minutes. The Executive will also ask the Manual Committee to provide guidance on the use of in camera sessions for the other councils of the church.
The Executive established the committee to provide guidance to the benefit programs. The composition includes members of the Executive and the broader denomination, as well as experts in the field.
The GCE approved moving the General Council Office to the Presbyterian Church in Canada office at 50 Wynford Drive, Toronto, during the period between the termination of the current lease on February 28, 2025, and readiness of the new offices at 300 Bloor Street, Toronto (currently anticipated for fall 2026).
The GCE approved in consent terms of reference for a Kindred Works Investment Advisory Committee tasked with liaising with Kindred Works and receiving regular and detailed reports.
Revisions to Audit Committee and Finance Advisory Committee terms of reference also passed in the consent agenda.
The General Council Executive had thorough discussions on a series of topics that will be on the agenda of GC45, often informed by detailed reports. Proposals will come to General Council either from the General Council Executive or directly from another body, such as the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (TICIF). Materials will be finalized for these key areas of work and be available in both official languages when the workbook is released:
The Executive agreed to a proposal to acknowledge the history and partnership of the PCC and take opportunities of upcoming gatherings of both denominations to join in celebration, inviting communities of faith and regional councils to also participate.
The terms of several members of the Executive are ending, including Rev. Samuel V. Dansokho, Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Rev. Paul D. Walfall, Jane McDonald, Very Rev. Richard Bott (as former Moderator, he will be replaced by Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne), Rev. Mitchell Anderson, Rev. Teresa Burnett-Cole and Rev. Katherine Brittain. We are grateful for their faithfulness in the service of the church.
The General Secretary offered his thanks to these outgoing GCE members for their wisdom and guidance and also shared his deep appreciation for the Moderator.
Because of time constraints, three proposals were referred to the Sub-Executive.
