General News and Announcements

April 15, 2009

Assist the General Council in its process of becoming an intercultural church. In addition to commissioners, two self-identified racialized members and one Deaf member are sought to participate in the 40th General Council as invited guests and intercultural observers.

Racialized people are those who would self-identify as racial minority, bi-racial, Aboriginal, or Métis. Two racialized members and one Deaf member are sought to

• attend the General Council meeting
• attend pre-event gatherings
• be willing to serve as corresponding members if so named by Council
• bring an intercultural lens and racialized or Deaf perspectives to the proceedings and activities
• report to the Intercultural Ministries Task Group on observations and suggestions arising from attending General Council
• be willing to use the experience to promote participation and inclusion of other racialized or Deaf members within the governance of the church
• not already have been named as commissioners

For details, please see the call for racialized/Deaf guests [PDF: 2 pp/49 KB].

If you feel called to serve in this way, please submit an expression of interest to the General Council Nominations Committee. Provide the information listed below in no more than 500 words. If you know of someone else you believe could be called to this role, you may nominate them by contacting Committee Member Services or by encouraging the member to submit his or her own expression of interest.

• Name and contact information
• Name of home pastoral charge/congregation or ministry
• A statement explaining your sense of call to this role and commitment to serve
• The skills and experiences that you would bring, including your racialized and/or Deaf identity
• A summary of current and recent involvement in The United Church of Canada (pastoral charge, presbytery, Conference, or General Council)
• The names and contact information of two people who have discerned with you and support this call
• Please note if you are also being considered to serve as a commissioner

Complete expressions of interest or nominations must be received by May 30, 2009.

Please read More about Discernment for information on discerning a call to serve, and see 40th General Council 2009 for information about GC40.

Submit expressions of interest or direct questions to:

• Diane Bosman, Committee Member Services
  Committee Member Services, The United Church of Canada
  3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
  Toronto, ON  M8X 2Y4
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 2211
  Toll-free:  1-800-268-3781 ext. 2211
  Fax: 416-231-3103
  E-mail (preferred): Nominations