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Archival description

The position of Executive Minister of Theology and Leadership was created within the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary in 2015. Previously, there was a Theology and Faith position within the Faith Formation and Education Unit (2002-?), as well as a Deputy Secretary, Theology and Faith for the General Council (1979-2001). The current position holds responsibility within the General Council Office relating to United Church’s Theological Schools, staffing the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee and acts as a Theological Advisor to the General Secretary and any Committee or Task Group for whom work is assigned. The position also supervises the United Church Archives (2015-present).

Series consists of the following subseries: 1) Records of Educational Institutes, 1927-2016; 2) Records Re Theological School Funding, 1997-2010; 3) Historical Documents and Pamphlets, 1968-2006.

Bruce Gregersen was General Council Officer, Programs for Mission and Ministry from 2003-2013. He coordinated and supported the Canadian and global programs units of the church with particular care for the theological foundations of that work. Significant projects were undertaken during the tenure of Bruce, namely “Emerging Spirit,” “Environics pilot project, and “Mutual recognition of Ministry.”

Emerging Spirit was originally named ‘For Such a time as this.” Keith Howard was Executive Director and Bruce Gregersen was Senior Staff supervising Keith and the overall project.

Environics pilot project is a report that gives information about the social values and social trends of the people that participate in the congregation and of the people around the congregation.

Bruce was lead staff in the Mutual Recognition of Ministry processes leading up to General Council 42.

He also acted as supervisor of the Executive Director of Kairos, as required by Canada Revenue Agency rules to show operational control over the institution. These files relate to that specific role – approximately 2003–2012. The United Church was also a member of the Board and files will exist from this program perspective in the JGER unit.

Series consists of records of Bruce Gregersen re partnership reviews, maternity homes, full communion with United Church of Christ, Emerging Spirit and correspondence with units.

The General Secretary of the General Council is the senior staff and administrative officer of the General Council, its executive and sub-executive. The General Council Executive is responsible for appointing a General Secretary of the General Council.

The General Secretary is tasked with assisting the Executive of the General Council in discharging its responsibilities. For the General Council, its executive and sub-executive, the General Secretary is responsible for preparing for meetings, preparing and circulating reports and arranging for implementation of the decisions.

Additional responsibilities include facilitating the work of the committees and commissions of the General Council; ruling on questions about the polity, procedures and practice of the United Church; preparing draft changes to The Manual for the General Council or its executive to consider; overseeing publication of The Manual; preparing the annual budget of the General Council for the Executive of the General Council to consider; having possession of the corporate seal and the documents and records of the General Council; serving as an automatic member of any committee established to direct planning or research; serving as a general liaison officer for the courts of the United Church; and performing other duties as assigned by the General Council.

The Secretaries of the General Council have been: T. Albert Moore, 1925-1936; Gordon A. Sisco, 1938- 1953; Ernest E. Long, 1954-1972; George Morrison, 1972-1975; Donald G. Ray, 1975-1983; Phillip A. Cline; 1983-1985; Irene Evans Parker (acting), 1985-1987; Howard M. Mills, 1988-1992; Randolph L. Naylor (acting), 1993-1994; Virginia Coleman, 1994-2003; James (Jim) Sinclair, 2003-2006; Nora Sanders 2006-present (as of 2017).

Series consists of the following subseries; Records of Gordon A. Sisco, 1944-1953; Records of Ernest E. Long, 1959-1978; Records of George Morrison, 1973-1975; Records of Donald G. Ray, 1966-1984; Phillip A. Cline, 1982-1987; Records of Irene Evans Parker, 1978-1987; Records of Howard Mills, 1984-2000; Records of Virginia Coleman, 1983-2002; Records of Jim Sinclair, 2001-2006; Records of Nora Sanders, 2003-2015.

Records of Legal Counsel

The Legal/Judicial Counsel position under the General Council, and then Office of the Moderator and General Secretary was created in 1996 with the hiring of Cynthia Gunn. Legal/Judicial Counsel staff persons have been Cynthia Gunn (1996-2022); Kathy McDonald (1998-2021) and Legal Assistant Alison Jordan (1999-present). Katheryn McBey, Insurance + Property Officer under the Department of the Treasury (1986-1998) also offered legal advice.

Series consists of the following subseries: 1) Administration and Office Files, 1985-2015; 2) General Correspondence, 1984-2014; 3) Case Files, 1911-2016 ; 4) 333 and 363 Reviews, 1999-2012; 5) Property Files, 1999-2012; 6) Corporation Files, 1967-2017; 7) Alternative Dispute and Conflict Resolution Training, 1996-2013, 8) Records relating to Residential schools' settlement and the Residential School Steering Committee, 1891-2009.

The Personnel Office provided personnel counselling, job evaluation, searching and hiring for Division Staff and conference offices across Canada. The Department reported to the General Council Office. The Position of Personnel Officer was established in 1974; in 1988 the position name changed to Personnel Director, in 1996 General Secretary, Human Resources and finally in 2003, Personnel Minister. The position was held by James A.H. MacFadzean from 1974-1979, Margaret Fortin from 1980-1984, and Margaret Scriven from 1984-1995, Anne Shirley Sutherland from 1996-2003 and John W. Burton in 2003. The Personnel Officer was staff support for the Staff and Personnel Committee, Staff Personnel Policy Committee (S.P.P.C); and Human Resources Committee.

Series consists of the following subseries; General Office Files, 1983-2001; and records of Committees and Task Groups, 1946-2001.

Records of the Moderator

The Moderator is elected at each General Council and currently serves a term of three years. As the senior elected officer of the United Church, the Moderator is responsible for giving leadership in spiritual matters, presiding at meetings of the General Council, its executive and sub-executive; serving as the primary spokesperson and representative for the United Church and is automatically a member of all committees established by the General Council and of the permanent committees of the Executive of the General Council.

Series consists of the following subseries: Records of Aubrey S. Tuttle, 1971-1972; Records of George Dorey, 1954-1956; Records of Angus J. MacQueen, 1960; Records of Hugh McLeod, 1961-1962; Records of Ernest M. Howse, 1965-1966; Records of Wilfred C. Lockhart, 1966-1968; Records of Robert B. McClure, 1923-1976; Records of A.B.B. Moore, 1971-1972; Records of N. Bruce McLeod, 1972-1974; Records of Wilbur K. Howard, 1972-1977; Records of George M. Tuttle, 1934-1984; Records of Lois M. Wilson, 1979-1982; Records of Clarke MacDonald, 1982-1984; Records of Robert F. Smith, 1984-1986; Records of Anne Squire, 1986-1988; Records of Sang Chul Lee, 1988-1990; Records of Walter F. Farquharson, 1990-1992; Records of Stan McKay, 1992-1994; Records of Marion Best, 1988-1997; Records of William F. Phipps, 1997-2000; Records of Marion Pardy, 1981-2003; Records of Peter Short, 1995-2006; Records of David Giuliano, 2006-2009; Records of Mardi Tindal, 2009-2012; Records of Gary Paterson, 2012-2015; Records of Jordan Cantwell, 2015-2018.

The position of Program Coordinator, Duty of Care and Incorporated Ministries was first created in the Support to Local Ministries Unit in 2003. In 2010, the position was transferred to the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary. The Program Coordinator provides direction and support in relation to the church’s duty of care program and incorporated ministry policy. Primary focuses within the duty of care program are standards, compliance, accreditation, and related legislation. Providing support to regional councils to insure United Church incorporated ministries meet the requirements of the incorporated ministry policy is the other major work supported by this position.

Beverlea Oag has been the Program Coordinator, Duty of Care and Incorporated Ministries from 2010-present.

Series consists of records re administration standards, Appendix IV, Camping, Duty of Care, Outreach Ministry Standards, Scouts Canada and Section 429.

The position of Deputy Secretary (Regionalism and Personnel) was created in 1978. The Deputy Secretary as called by the Church to assist it regionally and nationally to fulfil the general goal of regionalism as approved by the 25th General Council, without losing the strength of being a single national body. In 1987, the title of the position changed to Secretary, General Council Management and Personnel.

Deputy Secretaries were Albion Wright (1979-1983), Irene Evans Parker (1985-1987). Barbara Copp held the position of Secretary, General Council Management and Personnel from 1987-1993.

Series consists of records of Albion Wright, 1976-1983; records of Irene Evans Parker,1982-1990; and Barbara Copp, 1982-1994.

The position of Deputy Secretary (Theology and Faith) was created in 1979. The Deputy Secretary was called by the Church to enable it to bring its decisions under theological review at all levels and within an ecumenical context. As a member of the General Council Secretariat, the Deputy Secretary assisted the Church to express and act on its theological convictions and positions. In 1984 the title was changed to Secretary, Theology, Faith & Ecumenism.

Series consists of the following subseries: Records of Deputy Secretary of Theology and Faith and the Secretary of Theology, Faith and Ecumenism, 1977-2001.

The Executive Minister, Regional Relations was mandated to work to nurture relationships and encourage connections between and among the regions and the whole church, recognizing that The United Church of Canada has significant regional distinctiveness. Part of this work included supervision of Conference Executive Secretaries and the All Native Circle Conference Speaker, attending Conference Executive meetings, coordinating a General Council Office presence at Annual Meetings, and relaying and corresponding findings to the Senior Leadership Team.

Carol Hancock was appointed Executive Minister, Regional Relations in 2002 and held the position until 2013. In 2008 the name changed to General Council Officer, Conciliar Relations and remained that until 2013.

Series consists of records of Carol Hancock, 2006-2014.