Session theme asks who are we, together, as the visionaries and dreamers of GC45?
The constitution of the 45th General Council occurred yesterday, and by the end of the session—the theme of which was “Who are we, together, as the visionaries and dreamers of GC45?”—about 450 people had participated online. The meeting was conducted through the CHIME app, which is an online platform being used for all things General Council 45, with a small contingent of staff and participants of the Moderator’s (Re)Generate program joining from the General Council Office in Etobicoke, Ontario.
The session opened with a lively and hope-filled worship service in multiple languages, led by Rev. Dr. Miriam Spies, and included Communion.
Once the business of the meeting had begun, Rev. Dr. Kenji Marui, chair of the Business Planning Committee, outlined the parameters of the meeting by introducing the procedural motion, GS01. The motion set out the terms and limits of how the business of the General Council meeting would be conducted, outlining forthcoming deadlines for all new business by August 8. The consent docket, GS02, was also passed, with the Audit Committee report removed because of a translation delay.
Rev. Taylor Croissant, chair of the Planning Committee, lifted up the Seven Sacred Teachings: love, respect, honesty, courage, wisdom, humility, and truth. Participants of the Moderator’s (Re)Generate program shared the Equity Aspirations and Holy Manners.
Lynella Reid-James, chair of the Nominations Committee, presented NOM01, which outlined the nominations for seven new members to join the Executive of the General Council and confirmed several returning members. This motion passed, as did the proposal NOM02, which appointed or reappointed members for the following:
- Audit Committee (46th General Council, 2028)
- Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee (46th General Council, 2028)
- Judicial Committee
- Nominations Committee (46th General Council, 2028)
- Board of Vocation (46th General Council, 2028)
With no nominations coming from the floor for the next Moderator, five nominees will stand for election by the Commissioners of General Council 45 on August 9 in Calgary, Alberta. The installation of the newly elected Moderator will be at Knox United Church, 506 4 St. SW, in Calgary on Monday, August 11 at 5 pm, MDT.
The Moderator serves as the primary spokesperson and representative for The United Church of Canada, offering spiritual leadership to everyone in the church. They also preside over meetings of the General Council and its Executive, and visit regions and congregations throughout the United Church. The five nominees are, in the order of their nominations:
- Rev. Dr. Samuel V. Dansokho (he/him), nominated by Nakonha:ka Regional Council
- Rev. Dr. John Pentland (he/him), nominated by Chinook Winds Regional Council
- Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, CM (she/her), nominated by Shining Waters Regional Council
- Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath (she/her), nominated by Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council
- Rev. Sungmin Jung (he/him), nominated by Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council
There was some time in the agenda for Commissioners and corresponding members to spend some time in virtual discussion groups getting to know one another.
The event experienced some technical problems, including with the process of facilitating the votes of 260 Commissioners, but the CHIME production team worked ably and quickly to resolve issues within the platform. In addition, participants will continue to learn how to effectively use CHIME.
Learning and discussion sessions for commissioners take place on Saturday, June 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. This will be the only time to discuss a list of 13 proposals, since the Way Forward committee may adjust these proposals for General Council in August, based on the discussion in this session.
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