The Chinook Winds Region will send Commissioners to the General Council that reflect the diversity of the Region. Commissioners do not represent the region per se and are invited to consider the needs of the whole church and the movement of the Holy Spirit in their decision-making. Commissioners serve the General Council to which they are nominated and the normal term is three years, they are required to attend the General Council meeting as well as recall meetings. Commissioners will be invited to report to constituent parts of the region the decisions and their experience of General Council at appropriate times. Thank you to those who are letting their names stand for this important work.

As the voting members of General Council, Commissioners serve an essential role in The United Church of Canada. Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit as revealed during the gathering, Commissioners set policy and take action on a wide-range of questions including those of doctrine, worship, governance, and public-witness. Commissioners elect the Moderator who will serve as the spiritual leader of the church until the next regular meeting.
Being a Commissioner is a significant commitment of both time and energy. For most people, this commitment is also enriching and faith-deepening.

A. Commissioners

• are voting members of the General Council as outlined in The Manual Section D.1.1
• serve for three years, starting from the convening of General Council in June 2025 until the beginning of the next General Council (2028)
•  make policy and governance decisions for the United Church as both a denomination and a legal corporation as outlined in The Manual Section D.2 Commissioners are elected in the following ways:
• 204 Commissioners elected by regional councils
• by virtue of office, such as the Leading Elder or presiding officer of a regional council
• 15 Commissioners chosen by the National Indigenous Organization
• Members of the Executive of the General Council who will be continuing to serve on the Executive
• Commissioners elected by the Executive of the General Council to ensure decision-making benefits from diverse identities.

There will be an online orientation session for all Commissioners on Sunday, April 27, 2025, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. ET outlining the theme and introducing the leaders and the processes for business, travel arrangements, and expense reimbursement. Expenses incurred as part of attendance at the in-person meeting will be covered within policy limits.

B. Expectations of Commissioners

Commissioners are selected for their wisdom and understanding of the church. They prepare diligently by reviewing the information supplied to participate fully in the online and in-person sessions of the General Council. While Commissioners are expected to know the interests of the body that elected them, they make their own decision based on the leading of the Spirit relative to the information received and discussion heard.

The business process for General Council will build upon the insights learned through the three-fold approach developed in recent General Councils.

• Listening/Learning – information on proposals
  A prerecorded video (to be watched in advance) will introduce the proposal with time in the meeting for further questions.
• Discussion – Small group discussions about the proposal profiled in the learning time.
• Decision Making – Working from the discussion group notes, the Facilitation Group prepares a recommended way forward for Commissioners to consider.

Commissioners are required to participate in the following in real-time:

Saturday, June 14, 2025: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET Opening of General Council 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET Learning and Discussion

Sunday, June 22, 2025: 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. ET Learning and Discussion

Commissioners will be advised in advance which topics are being covered to allow them to review the material, participate in the learning session, and engage in the discussion. Discussion on a proposal is scheduled on the same day as the listen/learn session concerning that proposal. The goal is to consider as many proposals as possible before convening in person

Commissioners will gather at the Telus Centre in Calgary, AB, from August 7-12, 2025. Commissioners who are unable to be in Calgary can participate online. Please be advised the meeting sessions will be held on MDT.

There may be opportunities to visit famous Alberta tourist locations before or after the meeting at Commissioners’ own expense. Details will be provided as soon as available.

A Commissioner’s role continues after the meeting. Commissioners share the General Council’s decisions with their regional council and at local gatherings of communities of faith. They also attend the Annual Meeting of the General Council held each year on a Saturday in October along with any other special meeting of the General Council as needed until the following General Council is convened. Materials and learning sessions are provided for these meetings.

Lay people who are full members of a United Church congregation and ministry personnel who are interested in helping the church prepare and plan for its next 100 years are encouraged to consider letting their name stand as a nominee for General Council Commissioner.

Further questions about being a Commissioner can be directed to the Executive Minister of your regional council or to Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa, Senior Governance Support Lead at csampa@united-church.ca

About you:

The United Church of Canada is strenthened by involving a diversity of voices in its leadership. As we strive to become an intercultural and diverse church, it is helpful if we know some of the ways that members identify.
Note: that answering some of these questions is voluntary.

Tell us about yourself. Examples of things you might wish to share:

• A statement about why you feel called to serve in this way
• The gifts & experiences you have that would and would fit this role well
• A summary of your current & recent involvement in The United Church