Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent Working Group

Description

Working Group on Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent 

Key Points 

This Working Group will offer direction and advice on: 

• developing an apology from the United Church to people of African descent for enslavement 
• reflecting and acting upon current legacies of enslavement faced by Black people in Canada 
• exploring creative ways of engaging with the United Nations Second International Decade for People of African Descent 

Vacancies: 4–6 members 

Key skills: Lived experience and/or a background with anti-Black racism and broader questions of equity and justice. Good communication, animation, or analytical skills along with skills in interpersonal relations, group conflict resolution, and working in the midst of cultural diversity. 

Meeting expectations: 1 in person during the 3-year term, 3–4 online annually. 

Appointment term: May 2026–August 2028 (46th General Council), with the possibility of reappointment for a second term of three years.

Mandate 

The Working Group on Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent will offer direction on ways that the church can engage with the United Nations Second International Decade for People of African Descent. They will also offer advice for the church on the process to develop an apology to people of African descent (Black people) in Canada for enslavement.    

The Working Group on Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent is accountable to the Executive of General Council (GCE) and will offer the Executive updates on its ongoing work.   

Membership 

The Working Group on Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent will have an overall membership of 4–6 people (not including staff) appointed by the General Council Executive.

Member Skills and Experience 

We are seeking people who have experience with anti-racism work, intercultural engagement, or broader work of anti-oppression, whether through volunteering, employment, education, and/or lived experience. Members will have good communication, animation, or analytical skills and have strong skills in interpersonal relations, group conflict resolution, understandings of racial trauma, and working in the midst of cultural diversity. People of all racial identities are welcome to express interest. 
 

United Church Relationship: Active participant 

For more information about this volunteer opportunity, please see the complete description, below.

To Express Interest

To apply for this vacancy, please express interest or nominate someone.

All submissions will be acknowledged by e-mail. If you do not receive acknowledgement, please contact Member Engagement. Incomplete or late submissions cannot be considered.

For further information or assistance in expressing interest or nominating someone, please contact:

Member Engagement
Toll-Free: 1-800-268-3781
E-mail: 

Downloads

• 45-25 Addressing Church Legacies for People of African Descent.pdf (227.53 KB) (PDF)