The Assembly of Elders
The Assembly of Elders is the executive of the East Central Ontario Regional Council (ECORC) of The United Church of Canada. The presiding officer of the Assembly of Elders is called the Speaker.
The vision of the Assembly of Elders by which we evaluate progress is based on:
- Supporting and enhancing the life of Communities of Faith where ministry takes place
- Nurturing Social Justice and Outreach programs
- Building Communications
Three council structure
As of January 1, 2019, The United Church of Canada adopted a three-council structure, consisting of communities of faith, regional councils and a denominational council. The East Central Ontario Regional Council is one of 16 new regional councils in The United Church of Canada, replacing former conferences and presbyteries.
Governance handbook
This Handbook contains an outline of the East Central Ontario Regional Council (ECORC) governance structure; descriptions of its leadership teams; and terms of reference for its policies. Updated as of April 30, 2022. Download or read online by clicking the link below.
Assembly of Elders Minutes
2021 Minutes
Please note, there will be no Assembly of Elder’s Meeting in July, August, October or December. Minutes are posted a month after each meeting. October’s minutes below are a continuation of our September meeting.
January 29, 2021
February 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
April 23, 2021
May 21, 2021
June 18, 2021
September 24, 2021
October 1, 2021
November 26, 2021
December 10, 2021
2020 Minutes
2019 Minutes
January 31
February 25
March 27
April 15
April 24
Summary of Actions by Assembly of Elders – to 2019-04-24 (from ECORC Inaugural Meeting Report Book) [PDF]
May 22
June 5
June 26
August 28
September 9
October 4
November 1
December 6
2018 Action of Transition Commission
2022 ASSEMBLY OF ELDERS MEETING SCHEDULE
Please note: This list includes regular in-person and interim (zoom) meetings
- Friday, January 28, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, February 25, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, April 1, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, May 27, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, June 24, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, September 23, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
- Friday, November 25, 2022 – 9am to noon via Zoom
Members
Speaker (Presiding Officer)
- The Reverend Paul Reed, Kirkfield
Lay Members
- Brian James (Treasurer), Lakefield
- William (Bill) Sheaves, Ajax
- Ted Meyers, Uxbridge
- Kathleen Whyte, Coe Hill
- Margaret Curtis, Sunderland
- Patricia Long, Courtice
Ministry Personnel
- Executive Minister, The Reverend Rosemary Lambie, Quebec
- The Reverend Don McLean, Hastings
- The Reverend Lynn Watson, Bancroft
- The Reverend Lesley Hamilton, Port Hope
- The Reverend Edward (Ned) Wells, Courtice
- Kaitlyn Ostrander, Candidate Supply, Arden
- Retired Supply Minister, Ian Robb, Brighton
- The Reverend Wanda Stride, Brighton
Corresponding (non-voting) Members
- Joel Miller, Program Assistant to the Executive Minister and Recording Secretary
- The Reverend Darren Liepold, Pastoral Relations Minister
- Karen Valley, Minister for the Office of Vocation, Québec and East Ontario
- Sharon Hull, Minister for Spiritual Nurture, Respectful Relationships and Justice with All Ages
- The Reverend Rodney Smith-Merkley, Minister for Respectful Relationship and Indigenous Justice
- Karen Wilson, Communications and Administration Assistant
- The Reverend Roger Janes, Stewardship & Gifts Officer, Philanthropy Unit
From the Manual
From The Manual (2022) p. 81
C. Regional Council | C.3 Organization | C.3.1 Executive
C.3.1.1 Appointment
The regional council is responsible for appointing an executive to do the continuing work of the regional council when the regional council is not meeting.
C.3.1.2 Membership
The executive must consist, to the extent possible, of a balance of ministry personnel and lay members who are not ministry personnel.
C.3.1.3 Responsibilities
The executive has all of the responsibilities of the regional council, unless the regional council has decided otherwise.
C.3.1.4 Reporting
The executive must report its actions to the regional council for information and for inclusion in the minutes of the regional council.
C.3.2 Committees and Other Bodies
The regional council may fulfill its responsibilities with the help of officers, committees, task groups, steering groups, teams, and other bodies, as determined by the regional council. The regional council must designate a member to fill the role of the leading Elder or presiding officer under section D.1.1 d).