A joyous service marked the beginning of the Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath’s service as Moderator

Carmen Lansdowne, Kimberly Heath, and Michael Blair at the installation service at Knox United Church
Rev. Carmen Lansdowne, the Right Rev. Kimberly Heath, and Rev. Michael Blair at the installation service at Knox United Church
Credit: Courtesy of Alan Lai
Published On: August 11, 2025

In a moment of profound celebration, the installation service of the 45th Moderator of The United Church of Canada, the Right Rev. Dr. Kimberly Heath, took place tonight at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta. Streamed live online across the country, the service marked the final evening of the 45th General Council, which was held in Calgary from August 7–11.

The service, led by 44th Moderator Rev. Carmen Lansdowne and General Secretary Rev. Michael Blair, included prayers, readings, and hymns in English, French, and Stoney Nakoda. In a full sanctuary, the Right Rev. Heath received several gifts during the service, including a medicine bundle, a stole, a signed t-shirt from the Youth Forum, a talking stick, a towel and water basin, and an olive wood cross.

A laying on of hands was performed by United Church leaders, ecumenical partners, and the Moderator’s support circle, including her uncle, a long-time member of Knox United Church. Rev. Heath was also entrusted with the renewed Union Bible before her declaration as Moderator, which was followed by a joyous chorus of Hallelujah.

Moderator Heath’s poignant reflection included a profound message of thanks for the work of those around her in the church, those who speak out for justice and peace, and those who do the humble work of the day-to-day church. She spoke of the importance of deep faith in this historical moment as a church and society, and the need to surrender to and trust God on the path ahead, remaining open and ready for what is to come.

“Your hopes for me, your hopes for this church, they lie in you. The spirit has given you these gifts to shine into the church. So my hope is that you will bring out all of the flavours, all of the goodness, all of the diversity of the church,” the Right Rev. Heath spoke. “Faithfulness is often not very sexy or exciting. It’s humble. It’s committed. And I’m grateful for all of you who do so much to keep the lamp of God burning. To keep that oil in the lamp.”

The Right Rev. Heath has served Wall Street United Church in Brockville, Ontario, since 2007. She was born in Lusaka, Zambia, and raised in small Canadian towns. She studied history at McGill University,  earned her Master of Divinity at Emmanuel College, and was ordained in 1999. Previously, Rev. Heath wrote that as Moderator, she aspired to “help build up the church by deepening faith in Jesus, strengthening what is small, and encouraging life-giving connections.”

Elected to a three-year term, the Moderator is the spiritual leader and public representative for the United Church of Canada, and plays a significant role in its overall governance. The Moderator presides at meetings of the General Council and its Executive, and visits regions and congregations throughout the United Church, connecting communities of faith to one another.

A recording of the installation service is available on the United Church YouTube channel.

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