1. The United Church of Canada
90th Anniversary Historical Timeline

2. July 1, Birth of a Nation
Canadian Confederation (French: Confédération canadienne) was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, On that day, three British colonies became four provinces of the new dominion. The existing United Province of Canada was divided into the new provinces of Ontario and Quebec and two other colonies, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, also became provinces of the new Dominion of Canada

3. 1876 – Indian Act Residential Schools - assimilation
The Indian residential schools were a network of “residential” (boarding) schools for Native Canadians (First Nations or “Indians”; Metis and Inuit, formerly “Eskimos”) funded by the Canadian government's Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and administered by Christian churches, most notably the Catholic Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada. The policy was to remove children from the influence of their families and culture and assimilate them into the dominant Canadian culture. The system had origins in pre-Confederation times, but was primarily active following the passage of the Indian Act in 1876, until the late-20th century. An amendment to the Indian Act made attendance of a day, industrial or residential school compulsory for First Nations children and, in some parts of the country, residential schools were the only option. The number of residential schools reached 80 in 1931 but decreased in the years that followed. The last federally operated residential school was closed in 1996}. In total, about 150,000 First Nations children passed through the residential school system, and at least 4,000 of them died while attending the schools. (Approximately 30% of native children were placed in residential schools nationally.) Photograph: Qu'Appelle Indian Industrial School, Saskatchewan ca Parents of First Nations children had to camp outside the gates of the residential schools in order to visit their children.

4. 1896 – Japanese Methodist Mission - Vancouver
The Japanese Methodist Mission was established in Vancouver in It fell within the purview of the Home Missions Board until well after WW II, even though the congregation had become self-supporting by 1936. 

5. 1902 – Formal Union discussions begin
1902 Formal union discussions begin among Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches.

6. ca. 1910 – Diakonia Presbyterian deaconesses

7. 1914 WW1 begins Talks of Church Union subside
1914 World War I begins and church union efforts subside.

8. 1915 – Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) formed
1915 – Canadian Girls in Training The group was founded in 1915, as an alternative to the burgeoning Girl Guides movement. Initial support was provided by the YWCA, along with the Anglican, Baptist,Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. By the end of its first decade, 75,000 girls had received CGIT training. By 1933, there were chapters in 1100 communities across the country, with a total membership of 40,000. The group later became a program of the Canadian Council of Churches' Department of Christian Education, and was an independent organization by Today, it is supported by The United Church of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Canadian Baptist Ministries, and numbers approximately 2,000 members in 150 groups.

9. June 10,1925 – Church Union
In 1925, three of these Protestant denominations, the Methodist, Congregationalist, and two-thirds of the Presbyterian churches in Canada amalgamated to create The United Church of Canada through an Act of Parliament. The agreement between these different traditions is found in the Basis of Union.

10. June 10, 1925 – Inaugural worship Mutual Street Arena, Toronto
On June 10, in the Mutual St. Arena in Toronto, The United Church of Canada is formed by a union of Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational, and the General Council of the Local Union Churches.
June 10, 1925 – Inaugural worship Mutual Street Arena, Toronto

11. The United Church of Canada Crest in 1925 -Representing the founding denominations
In 1925, three of these Protestant denominations, the Methodist, Congregationalist, and two-thirds of the Presbyterian churches in Canada amalgamated to create The United Church of Canada through an Act of Parliament. The agreement between these different traditions is found in the Basis of Union.
The crest is the official signature of The United Church of Canada, placed on legal documents, ordination and commissioning certificates, and licences to perform the sacraments. Designed by the Rev. Dr. Victor T. Mooney (a treasurer of the United Church), it was officially adopted in 1944 by the 11th General Council.
* See the Guidelines for Use below if you are interested in using this image.
For our church members, this insignia is a spiritual and historic reminder. Its oval shape is derived from the outline of a fish, a symbol of identity by early Christians. The initials of the words "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour" spell the Greek word for fish.
The crest is designed in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross with an insignia in each of the four corners. The "X" at the centre, the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, is a traditional symbol for Christ. In the four corners of the crest are symbols, three of which are particularly associated with the three communions—Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian—that united to form The United Church of Canada in 1925.
The open Bible represents the Congregational Churches with their emphasis upon God's truth that makes people free. From this communion we have a heritage of liberty in prophesying, love of spiritual freedom, awareness of the creative power of the Holy Spirit, and clear witness for civic justice.
The dove is emblematic of the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:10) whose transforming power has been a distinctive mark of Methodism. Here our heritage is one of evangelical zeal, concern for human redemption, warmth of Christian fellowship, the testimony of spiritual experience, and the ministry of sacred song.
The burning bush is the symbol of Presbyterianism. It refers to the bush that burned and was not consumed (Exodus 3:2), and symbolizes the indestructibility of the church. From Presbyterianism we have received a heritage of high regard for the dignity in worship, the education of all people, the authority of scripture, and the church as the Body of Christ.
The symbols alpha and omega in the lower quarter are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They symbolize the eternal living God, in the fullness of creation (Revelation 1:8).
The Latin words ut omnes unum sint that surround the symbols on the crest mean "That all may be one" and are taken from John 17:21. They are a reminder that we are both a "united" and "uniting" church.

12. Missionary and Maintenance Fund 1925 Mission boats serve BC coast
At first, the church’s wider mission fund was known as the Maintenance and Extension Fund. In an effort to make it clearer that gifts to the fund supported “mission,” its name was changed to the Missionary and Maintenance Fund in This name was used for the next 40 years.

13. Residential Schools - ca 1930 Morley Residential School
Morley Residential School ca 1930

14. Chinese UC celebrates 50th Anniversary in 1935
1935 – Chinese United Church celebrates 50th Anniversary

15. 1936 – Rev Lydia Gruchy 1st woman ordained in the UCC
See notes on next slide for Lydia’s story

16. Rev. Lydia Gruchy
Lydia Gruchy was the first woman to be ordained as a minister in The United Church of Canada. She was born at Asnières, France, on September 5, She was raised in France and England, and came with her family to Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, in In 1920, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan. She then studied theology at the Presbyterian College in Saskatoon (now St. Andrew’s College), graduating in For several years, she served as a lay minister in the rural communities of Saskatchewan.
Gruchy sought ordination in 1926 in the newly formed United Church of Canada; her presbytery petitioned the General Council repeatedly, every two years, showing that she was already doing the work of an ordained minister and that she was clearly qualified. Gruchy was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1936, the year that the Church altered the Basis of Union to allow for the ordination of women. She served as minister’s assistant at St. Andrew’s United Church in Moose Jaw, then was called to Toronto to serve as secretary to the committee on the deaconess order and women workers in the United Church. Gruchy returned to pastoral work in 1943, and served at various small charges in Saskatchewan for the remainder of her career. After retirement in 1962, she settled in White Rock, BC, and became an active member of First United Church. Lydia Gruchy died on April 9, 1992.
Gruchy is also the first Canadian woman to receive an honorary doctor of divinity degree, which St. Andrew’s College awarded her in 1953.

17. 1929 The Great Depression How does a church respond when so many are hurting?

18. 1930s Youth in the Church Growing in faith
Youth work develops with many different programs: Canadian Girls in Training, which had begun in 1915; Trail Rangers for boys 12 to 14; Tuxis Boys for 15 and up; and Older Boys Parliament. Photograph: Camping in 1930s

19. 1939 – 65 UCC clergy signed a ‘Witness Against War’ outlining pacifist views.
World War II begins.
United Church engages in chaplaincy effort.
65 United Church clergy sign a Witness Against War outlining their pacifist views.

20. 1940 A Statement of Faith is published; naming who we are at this time in our journey
1940 – A Statement of Faith is published. By 1950, 75,000 copies are sold.
Church retires Depression debt with war loan. "A loan to your country and a gift to your church.“ Photograph: Rose Window – St James UC, Montreal, PQ

21. 1946 A joint proposal from the United and Anglican churches on mutual ministry is issued.
A joint proposal from United and Anglican churches on mutual ministry is issued.

22. 1948 Residential Schools begin to close.
World Council of Churches is formed with the United Church a member.
Church residential schools begin to close.

23. 1952 – UCC supports creation of medicare
Tommy Douglas the father of affordable healthcare for ALL Canadians

24. 1960 Edmonton Residential School Closes
th General Council, Edmonton, Alberta, Moderator: The Right Rev. Hugh A. McLeod.
Council approves policy that abstinence from alcohol is the "wisest and safest course," but moderate usage is acknowledged. Total abstinence is not a condition of membership.
The Rev. Arthur Packman works as padre of the pubs in Toronto. The Rev. Gordon Winch follows.
Growth in Understanding, a joint Anglican-United study guide on union, is published.

25. 1962 – the United Church Women (UCW) formed
Woman's Association and Woman's Missionary Society join to form United Church Women.

26. 1965 Bestsellers engage people in talking about church in the public arena
1965 Pierre Berton's book The Comfortable Pew is published at the request of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Why The Sea Is Boiling Hot, a United Church symposium in response to Berton's book, is published.

27. 1960s The New Curriculum Teaching people in the pews about modern critical reading of scripture raised the ire of many!
One response of the United Church to the world of the 60’s was its development of a “New Curriculum” for Sunday schools and adult study programs in While this curriculum was based on the results of modern higher critical reading of scripture, it was also based upon a more contemporary style of teaching. The New Curriculum was a success, but the patient died: between 1961 and 1975 Sunday School attendance declined rapidly (eg. the B.C. Conference Sunday school membership declined from 75,000 to under 20,000). Perhaps the New Curriculum required more time and preparation than some teachers had, but it would seem that the decline of the Sunday Schools had less to do with the New Curriculum, and more to do with the cultural anarchy of the age.

28. The Evangelical United Brethren Church joins the UCC (1968)

29. Dr. Robert B. McClure
(1968)
1st Lay Moderator of the UCC

30. 1968 Mission and Service Fund Missionary and Maintenance Fund given a new mandate and name
In 1968, all the work of stewardship and revenue generation was combined into one administrative unit in the United Church’s General Council Office. To reflect this change and to better reflect what the church’s mission fund supported, the name was changed to the Mission and Service Fund in This is the name we have used in the church ever since.

31. 1968 A New Creed A new expression of our shared faith
Commission on Ministry in the 20th Century appointed in response to growing frustration from congregations, presbyteries, and ministers about the role of ministry.

32. 1971 Plan of Union approved with the Anglican, United and Disciples of Christ only to be defeated in 1975
1971 Plan of Union approved by joint commission (Anglican, United, Disciples of Christ).
The Hymn Book is jointly published by the United Church and the Anglican Church. Photograph: Cover of the Hymn Book 

33. Rev. Wilbur K. Howard (1974) 1st African-Canadian Moderator
Wilbur Kenneth Howard ( ) was a United Church minister and Moderator of the United Church. He was born in Toronto, graduated in theology from Emmanuel College and was ordained by Toronto Conference in He later did post-graduate studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York and, in 1969, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Emmanuel College. In 1975, he was given an LL.D. degree from the University of Winnipeg. From 1941 to 1949 he served as Boys' Work Secretary for the Ontario Religious Education Council, from 1949 to 1953 he served as Christian Education Secretary for Manitoba Conference, from 1953 to 1965 as Associate Editor of Sunday School Publications. From 1965 to 1970 he was a member of a team ministry at Dominion-Chalmers United Church in Ottawa. From 1970 to 1981, he served at Emmanuel United Church, also in Ottawa. He served as Moderator of the United Church of Canada from 1974 to He retired in 1981 and in 1991 he was received into the Order of Ontario
Rev. Wilbur K. Howard (1974) 1st African-Canadian Moderator

34. UCC Task Force concludes that there is one ministry “the ministry of God himself, into which ministry he calls his whole church”.
Task Force on Ministry concludes that there is one ministry, "the ministry of God himself, into which ministry he calls his whole church (the laity)."

35. 1978 National Ethnic Ministries Committee established in Division of Mission
1978 Photograph: Toronto Alpha Korean United Church sign

36. 1980 – A woman takes the lead Rev. Lois Wilson - Moderator
The Very Reverend, The Honourable Dr Lois Wilson, C.C., O.Ont. B.A. (Manitoba); B.D., M.Div., D.D. (Winnipeg) D.D. (Mt. Allison), D.D. (Queen's Theological, D.C.L., (Acadia), D.D. (United Theological), D.D. (Wycliff), D.D. (Victoria U.), LL.D. (Dalhousie), LLD. (Manitoba), LL.D. (Trent), LL.D. (UToronto), D.Hum.L. (Mt. St. Vincent), S.D.T. (Ripon), Fellow Massey College.
Ordained a United Church minister in 1965, Dr. Wilson shared team congregational ministry for fifteen years with her husband Rev. Dr. Roy Wilson, before becoming the first woman Moderator of The United Church of Canada. As President of both the Canadian and World Council of Churches, Dr. Wilson visited partner churches in Asia, Latin America, India and Africa as well as being a leading advocate of inter-faith encounters within Canada. She monitored elections in El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Sri Lanka and Guatemala, and developed a grass roots knowledge of the challenges facing the developing world. She became a leading advocate of international human rights, a Board member on The Canadian Institute for International Peace and Security, the Chair of the Board of Rights and Democracy, and served as Officer with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. She has authored seven books, and served as Chancellor of Lakehead University
She served a four year appointment as a Member of the Refugee Status Advisory Committee, and an eight year appointment as a Panel Member of the Environmental Assessment Review Board for the Disposal of Nulcear Waste in Canada.
As Independent Senator in Canada in she was Canada's Special Envoy to the Sudan, led Government delegations to China and to North Korea, co- founded the Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, and co-chaired the Canadian Committee on Women, Peace and Security for the UN, which brought together NGO’s, Government and Parliamentarians around Resolution 1325 for gender equality.
1980 – A woman takes the lead Rev. Lois Wilson - Moderator

37. 1980 French translation “L'Église Unie du Canada” added to UCC crest
In 1980, a French translation of The United Church of Canada— L'Église Unie du Canada —was authorized by General Council to be added to the crest.

38. Project Ministry Conclusion: “As a church we are still on our journey toward a more complete understanding of ministry.”
After reviewing the latest study on ministry, Project: Ministry, a General Council Sessional Committee concludes: "As a church we are still on our journey toward a more complete understanding of ministry."

39. On August 15, at the General Council meeting in Sudbury, Ontario, The United Church of Canada issues a formal apology to First Nations peoples within the church. It’s the first official recognition of the need to apologize for a troubled, painful, and destructive history. Speaking on behalf of the United Church, Moderator Robert Smith says, “We tried to make you like us and in doing so we helped to destroy the vision that made you what you were.” The 1986 apology is “joyfully received” by First Nations peoples within the United Church but, to this day, it has not been “accepted.” The road of repentance is a long pathway in which apologies must be followed by concrete acts that clearly demonstrate that the church is committed to living in right relationship with First Nations peoples.
1986 – UCC issues an apology to the First Nations people for their part in Residential Schools

40. UCC ends investments in South Africa to protest apartheid 1986

41. Sang Chul Lee (1988) Moderator
1988 Rev. Sang-Chul Lee became the first Asian Moderator of The United Church of Canada. For more than 30 years, he has preached equality and multicultural harmony. It wasn't until his three daughters married non Koreans that Rev. Lee had to do some soul-searching of his own.

42. UCC declaration that sexual orientation should not be a barrier for ordination or church membership (1988)
General Council declares that "all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, who profess their faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to be or become members of The United Church of Canada" and that "all members of the United Church are eligible to be considered for ordered ministry."

43. Rev. Stan McKay (1992) Living into the Apology
In August, the Rev. Stan McKay is elected Moderator at the 34th General Council meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. McKay, a former high school teacher who grew up on the Fisher River Reserve in Manitoba, is a powerful voice for Native concerns and a long-time advocate for the rights and gifts of First Nations faith communities within the United Church. He is the first Aboriginal person to serve as Moderator. McKay, who began ordained ministry in 1971, had been chosen in 1982 as the United Church’s first national coordinator for Native ministries. In that role, he worked with great strength and care to ensure that the Native voice was heard in the wider United Church and his efforts helped to lay the groundwork for the establishment of the All Native Circle Conference.

44. The Healing Fund established to aid First Nations residential school survivors 1994
The General Council, meeting at Fergus, Ontario, in August, establishes the Healing Fund—a five-year fundraising and educational campaign to help address the impact of the residential school system on Aboriginal peoples. The church decides to keep the fund open for donations and to date well over $1.2 million has been contributed across the United Church. The Healing Fund Council, comprised of First Nations United Church members from across Canada, meets twice a year to consider grant proposals from local groups seeking the healing and health of First Nations communities.

45. Rev. Bill Phipps’ (Moderator) comments evoke a national debate on the divinity of Jesus (1997)
In October 1997, comments made by Bill Phipps in conversation with a newspaper editorial board spark a heated national debate over the divinity of Jesus.

46. Apology to First Nations peoples - for residential School abuse (1998)
Having heard more and more stories of the suffering of First Nations peoples in the residential school system, the General Council Executive issues the United Church’s second formal apology in October. Addressing former United Church Indian residential school students, their families, and communities, Moderator Bill Phipps says, “I wish to speak the words that many people have wanted to hear for a very long time. On behalf of The United Church of Canada, I apologize for the pain and suffering that our church’s involvement in the Indian residential school system has caused. We are aware of some of the damage that this cruel and ill-conceived system of assimilation has perpetrated on Canada’s First Nations peoples. For this we are truly and most humbly sorry.” Phipps goes on to offer a “sincere apology” from the church “to those individuals who were physically, sexually, and mentally abused as students of the Indian residential schools in which The United Church of Canada was involved…” Acknowledging a tragic history of dishonouring the struggles and the gifts of First Nations peoples, Phipps says, “As we travel this difficult road of repentance, reconciliation, and healing, we commit ourselves to work toward ensuring that we will never again use our power a

47. Anti-racism policy adopted (2000)
Welcoming ALL in the Name and Spirit of Christ
At Camrose, the 36th General Council, responding to the Anti-Racism Task Group’s report, reaffirms the church’s commitment to act for justice and anti-racism in all areas of its life. It affirms that a United Church anti-racism strategy should involve all church courts across the country. “The anti-racism work,” says the General Council, should “include development of a strategy to equip local congregations with practical tools to help the General Council adopts the anti-racism policy "That All May Be One," recognizing the need for the United Church to address racism both within and outside the church The position of General Council Minister, Racial Justice, is created to assist the church to live out its commitment to becoming an anti-racist church and walking a new path toward reconciliation with Aboriginal peoples.

48. The United Church's two-year education, advocacy, and fundraising initiative, the Beads of Hope Campaign, draws to a close. This highly successful campaign was launched in December 2002 as an emergency response to the global HIV-AIDS pandemic. In addition to raising awareness and advocating for changes to public policy, over $2.3 million dollars, more than twice the original goal set for the campaign, was raised.
Beads of Hope campaign – 2002 Responding in love to aid victims of HIV/AIDS pandemic

49. Seeking Justice Bill C-7
First Nations Governance Act is allowed to die as UCC stands with Aboriginal peoples
Bill C-7, the proposed First Nations Governance Act, is allowed to die by the federal government in the face of dramatic, nearly universal opposition from the First Nations community. The United Church, both individually and as part of a wider church coalition, supports Aboriginal peoples in their condemnation of the proposed legislation, which they believe threatens inherent and treaty rights, perpetuates discriminatory federal policies, and would be imposed on First Nations without their consent. Former Moderator Anne Squire represents the United Church in a meeting of representatives from seven denominations, the Assembly of First Nations, and the Federal Department of Indian Affairs in March to share concerns about the impending legislation. The church leaders call on church members to urge the federal government to abandon the bill.

50. Sharing Generously UCC emergency appeal raises over $1
Sharing Generously UCC emergency appeal raises over $1.5 million to aid victims of Dec 26, 2004 tsunami
2004 The United Church launches an emergency appeal asking its congregations for donations designated for relief and reconstruction following the devastating tsunami that struck Asia and East Africa on December 26, Over $1.5 million is raised.

51. UCC stands in favour of same-gendered marriage (2005)
Seeking Justice
UCC stands in favour of same-gendered marriage (2005)
2005 The United Church urges the Canadian Parliament to vote in favour of same-sex marriage legislation.

52. 2007 United for Peace campaign launched as a peace initiative in Israel and Palestine
2007 The United Church of Canada launches its United for Peace Campaign. The two-year campaign, which will focus on education, advocacy, and fundraising, set a financial goal of $2 million. Half of the monies raised will be designated to peacebuilding initiatives in Israel and Palestine, and the remainder will be used to support peace projects that are proposed by the United Church's partners in Canada and around the world.

53. 2011 Occupy Movement seeking justice for the 99%
Occupy Toronto was a protest and demonstration that began on October 15, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario near Bay Street in Downtown Toronto’s Downtown Financial District and moved to St James Park. It is part of the international Occupy movement, which protests against economic inequality, corporate greed, and the influence of corporations and lobbyists on government.  
Photo credit: Toronto Star

54. 2009-2012 Seeking to live into right relations with creation
Celebrate Earth Day with us April 22 at 3:00 p.m. ET in a live interactive webcast. Link with people and congregations across the country through the webcast, Facebook, and Twitter (hashtag #modearth). Find out more about the United Church's 20-plus years of international leadership on climate change issues, and watch the Web premiere of two new hymns. An hour to celebrate soul, community, and creation! 

55. Living into Right Relations
Ray Jones, Chair of the Aboriginal Ministries Council, and Moderator Mardi Tindal celebrated the final step of a journey towards the United Church’s formal recognition of Aboriginal congregations by showing off their new moccasins.
The footwear was a gift from the church to mark the signing of a covenant by the Aboriginal Ministries Council and The United Church of Canada that acknowledges the place of the Aboriginal church in the formation of the denomination in 1925.
The signing was part of a banquet held at the 41st General Council on August 17, 2012.

56. Commissioners at GC41 approve a new crest that honours the First Nations peoples (2012)
August st General Council approves changes to the United Church Crest, adding the four “traditional colours” and the phrase “All My Relations” in Mohawk

57. GC41 Commissioners also expand UCC doctrinal statements to include Statement of Faith, A New Creed (1968) and A Song of Faith (2016)
August st General Council expands the doctrinal statements in the Basis of Union to include the 1940 Statement of Faith, “A New Creed” (1968) and “A Song of Faith” (2006)

58. Breaking More Boundaries
GC41 listens to the Spirit Rev. Gary Paterson Moderator
August 2012 The United Church of Canada (UCC) has made history by electing its first openly gay moderator.
The Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson, who describes himself as a “passionate preacher” and a “closet poet,” was elected Aug. 16 by the UCC’s 41st General Council meeting in Ottawa. A news update from the UCC’s website said that Paterson was happy that his sexual orientation was a “non-issue” in the election.
Paterson also becomes the first openly gay leader of a major Christian denomination, the UCC noted.  “What some denominations or some parts of the world see as a huge dilemma and a problem has not, within our immediate community, been seen in that way at all,” said Paterson at a news conference following his election.

59. Being the Church
2015 Toronto Conference and the Living Into Right Relations Circle invite you join us in marking a significant moment in both the history of the our church and of our country as the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) draws to a close in Ottawa in June 2015.

60. 2015 Being Christ’s Church into the future GC42 Corner Brook, Nfld
2015 The 42nd General Council (GC42) of The United Church of Canada will take place at Grenfell Campus of Memorial University, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador from August 8 to 15, 2015.