2
min read
Red head Kimberly smiling widely, wearing red lipstick and a black top
The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada
Credit: Photovisions Brockville

Her priorities

Elected as Moderator at the 45th General Council in August 2025, The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath is an ambassador for the Call and Vision of The United Church of Canada. As Moderator, she engages the nation in deep dialogue and bold commitments, within and beyond the church. She also aims to mentor and lift up next-generation leadership in the church. She is bilingual and looking forward to engaging with the Francophone community. Underpinning these priorities is a desire to lead the church to:

  1. Deepen our faith in changing times
  2. Embrace being small
  3. Create connections in a divided world

“Having been in congregational ministry my entire career, I am passionate about the local church and the struggles that they are experiencing and the gifts they bring,” says The Right Rev. Dr. Heath, adding that transformation is a key theme to her outlook, and was also the subject of her doctoral thesis, “Aware, Repair, Renew: Preaching Transformation into the Mainline Church.” “These three themes, rooted in Christianity, are critical to the transformation and new life experienced by many in recovery from addiction. They have the potential to offer new life and deeper discipleship to traditional Christians.”

She adds that these themes can be used to “structure sermons, raise awareness of the hurt around us, encourage listeners to help transform lives, develop patience for repair, and instill faith in others.”

Who is Kimberly Heath?

The Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly A. Heath is the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada. She was born in Lusaka, Zambia, where her parents taught school, but grew up in small towns and cities in Canada.

After studying history at McGill University, she earned her Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College, before being ordained in 1999. Her Doctorate in Ministry studies focused on preaching, particularly where it can effect transformation, within ourselves and in the world, through small steps and minor shifts.

She began her nearly three decades of active ministry with the people of Claresholm-Stavely Pastoral Charge in rural southern Alberta. Since 2007, she has served the people of Wall Street United Church in eastern Ontario.

She lives in Brockville, Ontario, with her husband, the youngest of her four children, who range in age from 15 to 27 years, and Salty the dog. She enjoys reading, sailing, and open-water swimming.

Her experience in community

  • Chair, Pastoral Relations in Foothills Presbytery
  • President, Bay of Quinte Conference
  • Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council Transition Commission
  • Mayor’s Award from the City of Brockville in 2017 for her efforts with the Refugee Assistance Committee
  • Refugee sponsorship
  • Leads clergy retreats, workshops, and preaching conferences
  • Recovery ministries

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