​REMIT 1 results: By the numbers

Posted on: April 11, 2024 by Lori-Ann Livingston
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All 16 voting regional councils, the National Indigenous Council, and just over 80% of pastoral
charges in The United Church of Canada voted in the recent remit process. 

Remit 1: Establishing an Autonomous National Indigenous Organization has passed.

Here are the results of this remit vote, by the numbers:
  • The National Indigenous Council, and the 16 voting regional councils:  Yes: 17  No: 0
  • Pastoral charges:  Yes: 1482  No: 9

Additional information about the remit vote results, as well as the response to the results from
the National Indigenous Council, are noted on the General Council 44 website.

News from the Tri-Regional Spring Council Meeting 2024

  • Tri-Regional Spring Council Meeting 2024:  The combined Spring Meeting of Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council (WOW), Antler River Watershed Regional Council (ARW) and Horseshoe Falls Regional Council (HF) was held at the UNIFOR Centre in Port Elgin May 24 to 26. Rev Harry Disher attended in person. Tina Oteka and I attended by Zoom. There were about 350 attendees in person and 150 on Zoom. The theme was “LIFE TOGETHER”.
 
Some of the special highlights follow:
•   The address by the Moderator, the Right Reverend Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, on the theme “Life Together” was excellent. We are fortunate to have such an inspiring, informed and “with it” leader.
•   We approved a diverse slate of Commissioners to attend General Council 45 to be held in Calgary in 2025.
•   Twenty-four individuals were ordained and commissioned to serve in ministry in the United Church.
•   We celebrated the newly Affirming Ministries, including Lakeshore United Church, and Pride Flags were presented.
•   A slate of nominees to serve on the Executive and Commissions was approved.
•   We began planning for the 2025 Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada.
•   The Tri-Regional Evaluation of the newly structured Regional Council Format and recommendations for WOW were shared.  Constructive feedback is welcome.
•   We Covenanted with our new Executive minister, the Rev. Mark Laird.
•   We welcomed Rebekah Duncan as President-Elect of WOW.
•   Jubilands and retirees were celebrated. The Rev. Gwen Nicol-MacDonald has retired.  United Church ministers and personnel who passed away since last autumn's Regional Meeting were remembered.
•   To show concern for the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, we are encouraged to “write” letters to the Government of Canada. The “written word” is more powerful than a text or email. Check the UCC Website for updated information.
•   We shared in inspiring and joy filled Worship and we lived out our vision of connecting, supporting and transforming.
Submitted by Dawn Cumming
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Our Mission:  "With Christ as our Guide, we are called to be an inclusive, progressive faith family, to worship God, nurture our community and serve the wider world."
Statement of Intention: 
  • We are intent on making Lakeshore United Church a broader reflection of God’s vision for creation, to be a safer haven for all seeking peace, justice, affirmation, acceptance, and equality.
  • We are a people who celebrate differences and accept them as gifts; in a place where new ideas are embraced, rather than feared, as we learn to expand our hearts and open our minds so that all are welcome.
  • We are called to be a part of a ministry that welcomes and includes all, honours the gifts of each, and recognizes that all receive God’s abundant grace.
  • We affirm that this includes full participation of persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities, races, abilities, ages, economic circumstances, ethnic and faith backgrounds in the life and work of the ministry.
  • Jesus reached out to all people, honouring all in their diversity.  We celebrate the richness this brings to Lakeshore United Church.






Lakeshore United Church
56 North St., Goderich, ON N7A 2T4
519-524-2103