Day 4 of the 151st General Assembly began with worship, with Temeka Williams leading the worship team. The Rev. Karen Dimock, minister at St. Andrew’s, Ottawa, ON, drew on Acts 8:26-40 to talk about being moved by the Spirit. Like Philip in the Acts story, the Spirit relocates us, time and again. We might feel a little disoriented; we might ask, “What am I doing here?” But when you find yourself relocated by the Spirit, you are where God wants you to be. You have purpose. Karen ended with, “As we are gathered at GA, may we know the beauty of being a Reformed and Reforming church.”
This morning’s ecumenical guest was Subdeacon Brian A. Butcher, Advisor for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). Brian told the Assembly that his first introduction to the Presbyterian Church, and to liturgy, was at Kortright PC in Guelph when he was a teenager – so the PCC set him on the road to where he is meant to be today. Brian talked about the structure of his work, and the National Ecumenical Strategy that was launched in 2025 after years of consultation. It’s a practical guide that sets forth Catholic principles of ecumenism in a Canadian context. One of the points addressed is to foster grassroots ecumenical commitment; the idea that ecumenism can’t just trickle down from the top, but must also rise up from the bottom.
The Rev. Mary Fontaine, convener of the National Indigenous Ministries Council (NIMC), highlighted a few items from their report, thanking the PCC for the funding provided for Indigenous ministries and the various ways these ministries will use the funds. These include offering programs for children in Indigenous communities, funding for an Indigenous storytelling program, renovation and repairs, healing programs and drop-in centres, and healing and the arts. A short video on Hummingbird Ministries was shared. Mary also highlighted the 150th celebrations planned for Mistawasis Memorial Church on July 26.
The recommendation that the Special Committee Regarding an Apology for Residential Schools and Colonization continue its work for another year was adopted.
Arising from the Narratives of Hope and Possibility Working Group, the Change Leadership team (Special Commission) was appointed by the 2025 General Assembly. Based on the recommendations of the Working Group and the Assembly Council, the Change Leadership Team was tasked with encouraging the church’s apostolic witness. The convener of the Special Commission, Cindy Stephenson, reported to the General Assembly that a few initial items have become apparent: that not everyone is clear what a healthy church looks like; that a financially solvent church is not necessarily a spiritually vibrant church (a church may pay its bills and balance its budgets but may be slowly losing its connections with its community); that there is a deep need to free up ministers to focus on the ministry of Christ; and that there cannot be a one-size-fits-all solution. Cindy noted that the future of the church depends on ordinary people who cannot keep the good news to themselves. This is not a moment for despair. While renewal is not easy, Jesus Christ is still calling the church and sending people into the world. Often the finest work happens when people feel that they have reached the end of their strength.
A Minute of Appreciation was held for Karen Plater, retiring from her role as Associate Secretary for Stewardship in 2026. Karen lives her convictions: that we live our faith through words and actions, that money follows mission, and that all gifts (time, talent and treasure) should be celebrated. With these convictions in our sights, we, as a church, move God’s mission forward with careful stewardship of the gifts given to each to do ministry. A Christian steward is responsible for the planning, management, and care of resources given by God—all deftly accomplished by Karen in her work. We offer gratitude for the gift that is Karen Plater and wish her many years of happiness as she retires after 30 years of service in, through, and to The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Other business was concluded.