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2026 Nominations

The Nominations Team of the East Central Ontario Regional Council invites expressions of interest for several leadership roles in the life of our wider church. The deadline to express interest is April 13th at 3pm. We are grateful for your prayerful consideration.

We sing of a church
seeking to continue the story of Jesus
by embodying Christ’s presence in the world.
We are called together by Christ
as a community of broken but hopeful believers,
loving what he loved,
living what he taught,
striving to be faithful servants of God
in our time and place. – Song of Faith

In the life of faith, so much begins with an invitation. Just as Jesus invited his followers to “come and follow me” we are always being invited into God’s action. The invitation might look like a church sign, a pamphlet, a post on social media, or someone encouraging us to, “come and see.” It might be a bench painted with the colours of the rainbow that makes the church feel like a safe, welcoming place for someone wondering where they might find a place of belonging. It might be words of a sermon, the ministry of music, or even the way the light shines in at a particular moment. It might be a word of encouragement from a friend or colleague saying, “I think you’d be perfect for this.” God’s invitation comes in so many different ways. God’s invitation leads us into possibilities that we might never have imagined.

These days our communities of faith and each of us are experiencing a great deal of change. The ways we gather, serve our communities, and live out our calling continue to change. Practices that we have kept for years don’t lead to the same results and the best way to adapt to the changing times is not always clear. What hasn’t changed is that the Spirit continues to invite us into God’s action in the world. We continue to experience the Spirit encouraging, inviting, nudging, insisting, or perhaps even dragging us (kicking and screaming) into stepping forward to share our gifts and take part in blessing the world.

Perhaps you’ve responded to such an invitation in your local community of faith? Maybe you are wondering what God is inviting you into now?

This year within the East Central Ontario Regional Council there are opportunities to join the Council of Elders, the Nominations Team, the Covenant Support Team, the Ministry Through Property Team, and the Formation, Nurture and Justice Team. We invite you to consider if you are feeling called to share your gifts to further the life and work of the Regional Council in supporting local communities of faith. If you know someone who you think would be perfect for one of these positions, please let them know that you have noticed the gifts they have and encourage them to consider putting their name forward.

For 2026, the following positions are available:

  • 2 positions with the Council of Elders
  • 1 position with the Nominations Team
  • 3 positions with the Covenant Support Team
  • 3 positions with the Ministry Through Property Team
  • 4 positions with the Formation, Nurture and Justice Team

Elections will take place at the Spring Meeting of the Regional Council on May 1-2, 2026. As you discern whether this invitation is for you, we hold you in prayer. May you find courage and clarity as you reflect on the gifts you have been given. Your willingness to serve helps strengthen the wider church and supports our shared ministry across the region.

Thank you,

Ned Wells (Chair) and the Nominations Team

2026 Expression of Interest for Volunteers

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Thank you for coming forward

    The nominations team of the East Central Ontario Regional Council welcomes expressions of interest for five different areas at this time. The deadline is Monday, April 13th at 3pm. We thank you for your interest.

  • Current openings

    In 2026, the following positions are available: * Council of Elders (2 names) * Formation, Nurture and Justice Team (4 names)* Covenant Support Team (3 names) * Ministry through Property Team (3 names) * Nominations Team (1 name) Elections will occur at the spring meeting of the Regional Council on May 1st and 2nd, 2026.

  • Expression of Interest(s)

  • The executive of the ECORC is known as the Council of Elders. The council of elders shall have 12 members who share responsibility for overall mission and vision as established by the Regional Council. The Council of Elders meets at least six times annually, and members will serve on at least one team and be a conduit of information between the Council of Elders and the Team. Terms are two years in length, with youth having the option of one year terms. The Council of Elders will elect a Speaker Elect who commits to a 4 year term that is divided as follows: 1 year Speaker Elect of the Council of Elders, 2 years as Speaker of Council of Elders followed by 1 year of past Speaker of Council of Elders.
  • Please share a brief summary of the experience and skills you consider most relevant for this volunteer position and any other information you feel would help our discernment
  • The Covenant Support Team has 12 members, eight of whom are elected by ECORC, and the team meets at least six times annually. The covenant Support Team supports and nurtures the relationships between the East Central Ontario Regional Council and Communities of Faith, Retirees, Licensed Lay Worship Leaders, and those in paid accountable ministry. In other words, those who are in a covenant relationship with the Regional Council. The large scope of work for this Team is assisted by the Pastoral Liaison, LLWL and Retirees Forums; through their collective wisdom and experience, recommendations for policies and decision making are made to the Covenant Support Team. The Covenant Support Team shall serve, support and provide oversight of Communities of Faith, Ministry Personnel and Pastoral Relationships.
  • Please share a brief summary of the experience and skills you consider most relevant for this volunteer position and any other information you feel would help our discernment
  • The Formation, Nurture and Justice Team shall have at least 8 members, including 5 who are elected by the ECORC. The Team meets approximately 6 times annually. The Team serves the Regional Council in areas of global and local mission partnerships, ministry with all ages, honouring and living into cultural mission and ministry and living in covenant with Mother Earth and All My Relations. This Team supports the work of the ECORC youth executive, supports the work for right relations as well as clusters and networks. This team also fosters dialogue between various levels of church governance. Terms are two or three years in length, with youth having the option of a one-year term.
  • Please share a brief summary of the experience and skills you consider most relevant for this volunteer position and any other information you feel would help our discernment
  • The Mission Through Property Team shall have 11 members, including 8 elected by the ECORC. The team supports and provides oversight of the financial responsibilities of the East Central Ontario Regional Council, and of the financial viability and property matters of the Communities of Faith. In the area of stewardship, the team encourages and supports individual generosity and discipleship of resources. The team oversees the revenue from the assessment of Communities of Faith, and develops and manages the budget of the Regional Council. For property, the team provides support and guidance to Communities of Faith on all matters pertaining to property, including requests to buy, sell, mortgage, exchange, renovate, lease, or otherwise deal with Community of Faith property.
  • Please share a brief summary of the experience and skills you consider most relevant for this volunteer position and any other information you feel would help our discernment
  • The Nominations Team shall have 7 members, six of whom are elected by the ECORC. The team meets as necessary leading up to ECORC meetings, or as needed by the Assembly of Elders. The Nominations Team serves the ECORC by recommending appointments and or elections to the Council of Elders, Teams, Forums and Task Groups as well as individuals to positions as requested by the ECORC, its Council of Elders or the Executive Minister; Every three years, the Nominations Team also recommends election of individuals to serve as commissioners to the General Council. Terms are two or three years in length.
  • Please share a brief summary of the experience and skills you consider most relevant for this volunteer position and any other information you feel would help our discernment

  • ABOUT YOU:

    The United Church of Canada is strengthened 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. Please note that answering some of these questions is voluntary. Required questions are marked with an * so you can choose for yourself.

    Please indicate if there are any other identities you hold that might diversify and strengthen the church's leadership.

    Each of us comes from and is shaped by a wide range of contexts and identities, including our racial and ethnic background, geographic location, gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities and abilities, vocation and economic reality. Everyone is encouraged to reflect on how these gifts contribute to the perspectives and wisdom they bring to the role.

  • Please tell us about yourself

    Please note that any questions with an * are required in order to move forward and submit the form. Thank you.
  • ECORC covers the cost of this training
  • Please share the pronouns that you use (if you are comfortable) ie. he/him, she/her, they/them

  • References

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