United Church of CanadaAnnouncements, News & Resources
1. Comprehensive Review Task Group Releases Report
2. Truth and Reconciliation |
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1. Comprehensive Review Task Group Releases Report
After two years of intensive
study and consultation, the Comprehensive Review Task Group is recommending
major changes to The United Church of Canada that would revitalize and nurture
a range of ministries, simplify governance and administration, and enable the
church to live within its resources.
“We believe God is doing a new thing and is calling us to change dramatically so we can participate fully in God’s mission,” explains the Rev. Cathy Hamilton, chair of the task group. “Our current organizational structure is simply not sustainable from the point of view of either our volunteers or our finances.”
“We have consulted broadly across the church and are recommending six significant changes in the way the church operates and in its priorities. We feel these changes would carry the church into the 21st century and open us up to new possibilities and ministries,” Hamilton added.
The 42nd General Council will discuss and make decisions about the task group’s recommendations and any additional proposals when it meets August 8‒15, 2015, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. In the spirit of consultation that has been the foundation of this work, people across the church are encouraged to read the report and discuss it this spring in their congregations, presbyteries, and Conferences.
The following update from the Comprehensive Review Task Group contains the broad directions it plans to put forward in its final report, which it expects to be available in the first part of 2015.
To read, the update, please visit:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/general/141125-0
For the full report and background papers visit us at:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/general/150303?utm_source=Presbytery+Secretaries&utm_campaign=03603d6ae4-Comprehensive_Report_Released_Mar_3_2015-PR-Sec&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1853df2112-03603d6ae4-147712661
“We believe God is doing a new thing and is calling us to change dramatically so we can participate fully in God’s mission,” explains the Rev. Cathy Hamilton, chair of the task group. “Our current organizational structure is simply not sustainable from the point of view of either our volunteers or our finances.”
“We have consulted broadly across the church and are recommending six significant changes in the way the church operates and in its priorities. We feel these changes would carry the church into the 21st century and open us up to new possibilities and ministries,” Hamilton added.
The 42nd General Council will discuss and make decisions about the task group’s recommendations and any additional proposals when it meets August 8‒15, 2015, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. In the spirit of consultation that has been the foundation of this work, people across the church are encouraged to read the report and discuss it this spring in their congregations, presbyteries, and Conferences.
The following update from the Comprehensive Review Task Group contains the broad directions it plans to put forward in its final report, which it expects to be available in the first part of 2015.
To read, the update, please visit:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/general/141125-0
For the full report and background papers visit us at:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/general/150303?utm_source=Presbytery+Secretaries&utm_campaign=03603d6ae4-Comprehensive_Report_Released_Mar_3_2015-PR-Sec&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1853df2112-03603d6ae4-147712661
2. Truth and Reconciliation
After
six years of work, the historic agreement between the churches, including The
United Church of Canada, which ran Indian Residential Schools, the First
Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples of Canada and the Government of Canada, the
Report of the Commission will be presented to the people of Canada and the
Government of Canada on June 2nd in Ottawa. The three TRC
Commissioners have listened to the stories, gathered the truth and formulated
recommendations for the way forward. Events surrounding this take place from
May 31 to June 3rd. For more information check websites for: TRC,
Kairos, and The United Church of Canada.
What is the United Church's part in
reconciliation?
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will present its final report in Ottawa on June 2, 2015, with recommendations on how to continue the reconciliation journey within Canada. Over the past year, in conversations across the country, the United Church has been exploring for itself the question of "now what?" At the Edmonton TRC National Event in March 2014, Moderator Gary Paterson named our commitments to:
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will present its final report in Ottawa on June 2, 2015, with recommendations on how to continue the reconciliation journey within Canada. Over the past year, in conversations across the country, the United Church has been exploring for itself the question of "now what?" At the Edmonton TRC National Event in March 2014, Moderator Gary Paterson named our commitments to:
- continue the spiritual practices of
listening and learning, healing and reparation, until relationships are in
balance - respectful, just, and
healthy
- denounce the racism that continues in
the church and in Canadian society, name the destructive attitudes and policies
that arise from that sin, and work for equity and justice
- ensure the full involvement of
Aboriginal people in all decisions that affect them
- support the long, hard, step-by-step
process of recovering language and culture
- participate in working to implement the
recommendations the TAC will issue in its Final Report
- pray that our actions will match our
words, and together we will continue the
journey toward a richer, deeper embodiment of All My Relations (the Mohawk
words on our crest)
Read
the full statement at: www.united-church.ca/aboriginal/schools/trc
What
Can You Do for Reconciliation?
May 29 to June 3, 2015 is the ceremonial Closing Event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Several groups representing the United Church will be among those gathering in Ottawa to mark the occasion and take up the TRC’s “calls to action.”
But you don’t need to be in Ottawa to take part in this historic moment. People in the United Church can participate in many ways to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation. United Church congregations are also encouraged to reflect on the journey of reconciliation on four Sundays, May 31 to June 21, National Aboriginal Day
May 29 to June 3, 2015 is the ceremonial Closing Event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Several groups representing the United Church will be among those gathering in Ottawa to mark the occasion and take up the TRC’s “calls to action.”
But you don’t need to be in Ottawa to take part in this historic moment. People in the United Church can participate in many ways to demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation. United Church congregations are also encouraged to reflect on the journey of reconciliation on four Sundays, May 31 to June 21, National Aboriginal Day
