Pilgrimage of Learning Initiative Launches Global Engagement in 2025

Between May and September, four regional delegations—sixteen individuals from across The United Church of Canada—are visiting global Mission and Service partners across Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East as part of the 2025 Pilgrimage of Learning initiative.

As a transformative initiative, the pilgrimages strengthen global solidarity, amplify partner voices, and affirm the United Church’s commitment to faithful presence and mutual learning across cultures and continents. The church’s commitment to Mutual Radical Accompaniment supports its broader mission of decolonizing global partnerships.

Findings and insights from the pilgrimages will be shared in a report to the General Council in November 2025, with the goal of strengthening long-term impact and global solidarity within the church's mission work.

On their visits, each delegation will engage with partners and communities who are working on pressing global issues such as climate change, gender equality, Indigenous rights, militarism, and food insecurity.

Through firsthand learning and relationship-building, delegates will help assess the sustainability of the Global Partnership Program. Upon return, delegates will engage with communities of faith, regions, and the General Council Executive to amplify partner voices and share the lived experiences from their time abroad.

Delegates’ bios and photos are in the download section at the bottom of this page. Watch for more stories as the delegations return. Communities interested in hosting a delegate to hear and learn from their experiences are encouraged to contact  .

Delegation overviews

May 2025: Middle East (Palestine and Israel)

• Larissa Kanhai (Winnipeg, MB): Community leader and justice advocate with a global lens.
• M Chorney (Selkirk, MB): Policy analyst and Affirm United communications lead focused on human rights.
• Mark Laird (Harriston, ON): Executive Minister and third-generation United Church leader with deep pastoral experience.
• Randy King (Hagersville, ON): Student minister and cultural knowledge keeper from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (was unable to travel).

May 2025: Asia (Philippines)

• Aidan Legault (Orangeville, ON): Ministry candidate committed to justice and inclusive communities.
• Rev. Dave Pollard (Medicine Hat, AB): Veteran partner engagement leader with a legacy in international ministry.
• Sophie Fitzgerald (St. John’s, NL): Youth advocate and inclusive educator with national and international church experience.
• Wonder Chimvinga (Pine River, MB): Zimbabwean pastor embodying cross-cultural ministry and rural leadership.

June 2025: Latin America and the Caribbean (Cuba)

• E.K. Murray (Nelson, BC): Peacebuilder and intercultural communicator with global diplomatic experience.
• Lisa Byer-de Wever (Montreal, QC): Diaconal minister, activist, and advocate for justice, equity, and dialogue.
• Lucy O’Brien (Victoria, BC): Youth and camping ministry leader passionate about justice and spiritual formation.
• Thea Sheridan-Jonah (Vancouver, BC): Student, activist, and national church leader committed to drug policy reform and community care.

September 2025: Africa (Kenya)

• Rev. Christopher Fraser (Parkdale United, Toronto): Minister and affordable housing advocate.
• Jordan MacDonald (O’Leary United, PEI): Community developer with expertise in rural economic growth.
• Natalia Cabrera Guerra (Parksville, BC): Colombian-born community builder focused on attachment and intergenerational care.
• Sherri Fowler (Keremeos, BC): Lifelong United Church volunteer with international travel and outreach experience.

For more information, or to support this initiative, please contact: