Moderator of the 2023 General Assembly
The Rev. Mary Fontaine, B.A., M.DIV.
Mary Fontaine is Nehiyaw (Cree) from Mistawasis Nehiywak, Saskatchewan, where she grew up attending the Mistawasis Presbyterian Church with her family. The Founding Director of Hummingbird Ministries (2005), an Indigenous-led healing and reconciliation ministry, Mary discerns the Spirit at work in Indigenous wisdom and spirituality and sees how this can enhance the church she loves and grew up in. Through healing circles and the performing arts, Hummingbird educates the public and raises the profile of Indigenous people, especially Indigenous children.

Mary has a B.A. in Native Studies from the University of Alberta (1995) and an M.Div. from the Vancouver School of Theology (2003). She was on the Executive Committee of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (2010-2017). She convenes the National Indigenous Ministries Council of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and serves on the Special Committee re Listening, Confession and Associations.
Working In relationship-building and care of the earth, Mary hopes that as in the Indigenous vision (similar to Revelation), one day, the nations will gather beneath the tree of peace and learn to love and live in harmony with one another. Mary preaches at local churches and special occasions such as the 2019 General Assembly.
Mary was elected and installed as the 2023 General Assembly Moderator, and welcomed by the former moderator, the Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Faris, after the opening worship. Part of Mary’s installation was the sacred ceremony of smudging, after which she was presented with a star blanket.
Previous Moderators
2022
The Rev. Dr. Robert Faris
Moderator of the 147th General Assembly
2021
The Rev. Dr. Daniel D. Scott
Moderator of the 146th General Assembly
2019
The Rev. Amanda Currie
Moderator of the 145th General Assembly
2018
The Rev. Daniel Cho
Moderator of the 144th General Assembly
2017
The Rev. Peter Bush
Moderator of the 143rd General Assembly
2016
The Rev. Douglas Rollwage
Moderator of the 142nd General Assembly
2015
The Rev. Karen Horst
Moderator of the 141st General Assembly
2014
The Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Farris
Moderator of the 140th General Assembly
2013
The Rev. Dr. David Sutherland
Moderator of the 139th General Assembly
2012
The Rev. Dr. John A. Vissers
Moderator of the 138th General Assembly
2011
The Rev. Dr. H. D. Rick Horst
Moderator of the 137th General Assembly
2010
The Rev. Dr. Herbert F. Gale
Moderator of the 136th General Assembly
2009
The Rev. A. Harvey Self
Moderator of the 135th General Assembly
2008
The Rev. Dr. Cheol Soon Park
Moderator of the 134th General Assembly
2007
The Rev. Dr. J.H. (Hans) Kouwenberg
Moderator of the 133rd General Assembly
2006
Dr. M. Wilma Welsh
Moderator of the 132nd General Assembly
2005
The Rev. Dr. M. Jean Morris
Moderator of the 131st General Assembly
2004
The Rev. Dr. Richard W. Fee
Moderator of the 130th General Assembly
2003
The Rev. Dr. P.A. (Sandy) McDonald
Moderator of the 129th General Assembly
2002
The Rev. Dr. J. Mark Lewis
Moderator of the 128th General Assembly
2001
The Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Reed
Moderator of the 127th General Assembly
2000
The Rev. Dr. H. Glen Davis
Moderator of the 126th General Assembly
1999
The Rev. Dr. Arthur Van Seters
Moderator of the 125th General Assembly
1998
The Rev. Dr. William J. Klempa
Moderator of the 124th General Assembly
1997
The Rev. Dr. John D. Congram
Moderator of the 123rd General Assembly
1996
Dr. Tamiko (Nakamura) Corbett
Moderator of the 122nd General Assembly
1995
The Rev. Dr. Alan M. McPherson
Moderator of the 121st General Assembly
1994
The Rev. Dr. George C. Vais
Moderator of the 120th General Assembly
1993
The Rev. Dr. Earle F. Roberts
Moderator of the 119th General Assembly
1992
The Rev. Dr. Linda J. Bell
Moderator of the 118th General Assembly
1991
The Rev. Dr. John R. Cameron
Moderator of the 117th General Assembly
1990
The Rev. Dr. John F. Allan
Moderator of the 116th General Assembly
1989
The Rev. Dr. J.J. Harrold Morris
Moderator of the 115th General Assembly
1988
The Rev. Dr. Bruce A. Miles
Moderator of the 114th General Assembly
1987
The Rev. Dr. Tony Plomp
Moderator of the 113th General Assembly
1986
The Rev. Dr. J. Charles Hay
Moderator of the 112th General Assembly
1985
The Rev. Dr. Joseph C. McLelland
Moderator of the 111th General Assembly
1984
The Rev. Dr. Alex J. Calder
Moderator of the 110th General Assembly
1983
The Rev. Dr. Donald C. MacDonald
Moderator of the 109th General Assembly
1982
The Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Smith
Moderator of the 108th General Assembly
1981
The Rev. Dr. Arthur W. Currie
Moderator of the 107th General Assembly
1980
The Rev. Dr. Alexander F. MacSween
Moderator of the 106th General Assembly
1979
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth G. McMillan
Moderator of the 105th General Assembly
1978
The Rev. Dr. Jesse E. Bigelow
Moderator of the 104th General Assembly
1977
The Rev. Dr. DeCourcy H. Rayner
Moderator of the 103rd General Assembly
1976
The Rev. Dr. A. Lorne MacKay
Moderator of the 102nd General Assembly
1975
The Rev. Dr. David W. Hay
Moderator of the 101st General Assembly
1974
The Rev. Dr. Hugh F. Davidson
Moderator of the 100th General Assembly
1973
The Rev. Dr. Agnew H. Johnston
Moderator of the 99th General Assembly
1972
The Rev. Dr. Maxwell V. Putnam
Moderator of the 98th General Assembly
1971
The Rev. Dr. Murdo Nicolson
Moderator of the 97th General Assembly
1970
The Rev. Dr. Dillwyn T. Evans
Moderator of the 96th General Assembly
1969
The Rev. Dr. Edward H. Johnson
Moderator of the 95th General Assembly
1968
The Rev. Dr. Clifton J. MacKay
Moderator of the 94th General Assembly
1967
The Rev. Dr. John Logan-Vencta
Moderator of the 93rd General Assembly
1966
The Rev. Dr. G. Deane Johnston
Moderator of the 92nd General Assembly
1965
The Rev. Dr. J. Alan Munro
Moderator of the 91st General Assembly
1964
The Rev. Dr. Hugh MacMillan
Moderator of the 90th General Assembly
1963
The Rev. Dr. Harry Lennox
Moderator of the 89th General Assembly