GC45 WF17: GS07 Updated Apology for United Church Participation in Residential Institutions and PM02 Truth Telling and Reconciliation Action  for Summer 2025

All groups considered these two proposals together, and all groups supported taking action. All discussion groups wanted these addressed together.  

Discussion groups also noted the importance of believing survivors of residential institutions and honouring the wisdom and teachings of Elders. 

Several groups affirmed that apology must always lead to action towards reparation and justice; words on their own are not sufficient. 

The General Secretary, Moderator, and Executive Minister for Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds, met with members of the community in early Summer to respond to the requests leading to PM02. 

Therefore, the Way Forward Team proposes: 

That, in response to GS07 Updated Apology for United Church Participation in Residential Institutions and PM02 Truth Telling and Reconciliation Action, the 45th General Council, 2025: 

• in light of the action of the Executive of General Council in March, 2025, create a task group to review ongoing commitments and the work of reconciliation and to explore the necessary ongoing actions including but not limited to an updated apology for the legacies of residential schools by consulting with Indigenous communities  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, and
• therefore take no further action on PM02 at this time.