This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It also includes “Our Beliefs Explained” official policy documents dating back several decades. If you can't find something you think should be included, contact gcbusiness@united-church.ca.
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The Funding Policy of the Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada outlines the best practices for promoting the long-term security of accrued benefits, allowing for stable and predictable contributions from Participating Employers and members, and providing guidelines for a buffer against future adverse events.
The Executive of the General Council (Executive), in its role as the Administrator of The Pension Plan of The United Church of Canada, has established the Pension Board to support the Executive in governing the Plan and the Fund, with most tasks delegated to the Pension Board and outlined in the Pension Board’s Terms of Reference. To date, there were no documented Terms of Reference for the Executive of the General Council in its role as Plan Administrator.
We believe God/Jesus/Holy Spirit is calling us into continued concrete relationships with partners. One manifestation of this commitment is The United Church of Canada Partner Council. The term of the nominations below for Partner Council begins in 2025 with the rise of General Council 45.
We believe that God is calling The United Church of Canada to commit to engage with the 2nd United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. This second Decade is running from 2025-2034.
We believe that The United Church of Canada will continue to deepen its commitment to becoming an anti-racist denomination by having a national committee, focused on continuing to advance the church’s anti-racism work.
We believe that The United Church of Canada will enhance its collective commitments to equity by having a national Elected Member body that engages with these diverse commitments.
Ministry personnel who are order of ministry and are appointed to administrative positions in the General Council and regional council offices (Manual section I.1.2.5) retain ministry personnel status and accountability to the Office of Vocation for compliance with the Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice for Ministry Personnel. Appointments to staff positions can be without term; the General Council and regional council offices are considered ministry sites.
The Annuity Fund plays an important role in supporting both the long-term obligations to annuitants and the Mission and Ministry works of the United Church of Canada. However, currently, there is no formal and documented funding policy guiding how the fund should be administered. While the fund has been managed prudently over the years, the absence of a written policy creates ambiguity in decision-making. There are currently no clear guidelines for deciding when and how surplus funds can be utilized to support operational needs and define funding targets and risk tolerance levels. Without a formal policy, decisions regarding the fund may be made on an ad hoc basis, which can increase the potential for governance risks over time.
The United Church of Canada (UCC) has administered a charitable gift annuity program for decades. This program offers individuals (annuitants) the opportunity to make an irrevocable gift to the United Church in exchange for a guaranteed, regular annuity payment for life, along with a charitable donation receipt.
The operating budget establishes parameters for the allocation of financial resources across various functions, including denominational governance, shared services, program work supported by Mission and Service, and corporate functions serving the General Council Office, Regional Council offices, and all pastoral charges and communities of faith. As a cornerstone of effective financial planning, the budget must be developed with a strategic lens and guided by the energy and direction endorsed by the church.
