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People and organizations
Corporate body · 1987-1988

Early 1987 the General Council Secretaries made a policy decision to centralize print production activities for United Church print materials originating at Church House. The above Group was formed in September 1987 to design a model to do this and develop a plan to implement it. The project group completed its work in May 1988 and presented a report to the General Council Secretaries. The Implementation Committee was then established to plan the process for hiring a Director, Graphics Manager, and Production Manager; to negotiate transfer of funds and consider personnel implications of the new department. The Graphics and Print Department was established within the Communications Department in 1989.

Kabayama, Jun, 1895-1979
Person · 1895-1979

Jun Kabayama was born July 11, 1895 in Kagoshim-Ken, Japan. He took Commerce at Kansai Gakuin College. Following graduation in 1919, he joined the Japanese Army for one year before taking a job at the Public Department at Kobe City Hall before returning to Tokyo to attend Kansai Gakuin and learn under Dr. Armstrong. In 1923 he moved to Shizuoka and worked at a Mission Centre, and as Deputy Director of the Shizuoka Home of Inomiya. In 1924 he was asked by the Japanese Methodist Church to become a missionary. He was ordained by the Northern Division of the Japanese Methodist Church in 1929 and invited to come to Canada by the superintendent of the Home Mission Board of Orientals of the United Church of Canada. He served in Ocean Falls from 1929-1942, and was then forcefully relocated under the War Measures Act into an internment camp in British Columbia. He was then relocated and worked in Lethbridge, Alta (1942-1952); Okanagan Japanese (1952-1963); and Fraser Valley Japanese (1963-1965). Kabayama retired in 1965 and died in 1979.

Mills, Howard, 1935-1993
Person · 1935-1993

Rev. Howard (Howie) M. Mills (1935-1993) was born in Toronto to Thora R. and Ralph S. Mills. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1956 with a B.A. in Philosophy, and Emmanuel College in 1959 with a B.D. and Masters of Divinity. After ordination in 1959, he went on to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York where he earned a second masters degree in Marriage and Family Ethics in 1960, and a Doctorate in 1970 in Theological Ethics and Economics.

Mills was a minister to congregations in Lac Jeannine United Church in Gagnon, Quebec, 1960-1963. He was University Chaplain at Mount Allison University from 1965-1968 and from 1969-1972 was Associate Professor of Christian, Social Ethics at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton. He was pastor at St. James-Bond United in Toronto from 1972-1974. He was Executive Secretary of the Division of Ministry, Personnel and Education from 1974-1982; President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minneapolis, Minnesota from 1983-1987and General Secretary of the General Council from 1987-1993 when he died suddenly of a heart attack. He was a dedicated supporter of interfaith dialogue, social justice and activism, and ecumenical work, and was Chair of the World Council of Churches Program on Theological Education for many years.

Mills married Virginia (Geegee) Lee Epes in 1961 and they had three children.

Corporate body · 2002-2010

The Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit was created after a massive unit reorganization in 2002. The Unit absorbed much of the work of the previous Division of Mission in Canada, and Division of World Outreach. The Unit had lead responsibility for justice initiatives, global partnerships, and ecumenical and interfaith relations. It offered leadership that strengthened the church’s engagement in God’s mission embodied in Jesus Christ of justice, peace, and care of creation, locally and globally, facilitating the sharing of resources with global, ecumenical, and interfaith partners. The work was divided into four major headings: global partnership, including global ecumenical and global mission personnel; justice, peace, and creation advocacy; inter-church/interfaith programs and the General Council Ecumenical Office, and education for engagement. The unit changed over time.

Under a 2010 unit reorganization, work of the Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations unit was split up between the newly created Communities in Ministry, and Partners in Mission units. In 2013, the units reorganized again and most of the work came under the Church in Mission Unit.

Person · 1912-1953

Lynden Harold Winter Barclay (1912-1953) was a minister in the United Church of Canada. He attended high school at Glebe Collegiate in Ottawa. After graduation he attended McGill University, receiving a B.A. in 1932. He then earned an M.A. in Education at Queen’s University in 1934. He graduated from Emmanuel College in 1941 and was soon ordained into the United Church. He took some further post-graduate work at Union Theological Seminary in 1942. He was a minister at Radville, Saskatchewan 1942-1944; Kenogami, Quebec 1944-1948 and Woodroffe in Ottawa from 1949-1951. He took a study leave in 1942 and was studying for his doctorate of theology at Emmanuel when he was killed in a car accident in 1953. His parents were Dr. and Mrs. G.O. Barclay who served at Bell Street in Ottawa for over 40 years.

Legge, Gordon, 1910-2000
Person · 1910-2000

Gordon Legge (1910-2000) was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. He became a Candidate for Ministry in Maritime Conference in 1939. While a candidate, he attended Mount Allison University in Sackville, earning his B.A. in 1942. He then attended Emmanuel College, Toronto and received his B.D. in 1947. He was ordained in 1944 by Toronto Conference at St. James Bond United Church; and was a minister at Black River U.C. in Maritime Conference from 1945-1947; Humbercrest U.C. in Toronto in 1948; Elverston-Trethewey in Toronto from 1949-1958; Dunlop U.C. in Sarnia, 1959-1968; Trinity U.C. in Guelph from 1969-1971; Ridgeway in Hamilton Presbytery from 1972-1975. He retired from active ministry in 1976 but still worked in Ministry in the Hamilton area/Halton Presbytery from 1977-2000. Legge died November 24, 2000.

Person · 1888-1965

Thomas Harry Williams, M.D.C.M, D.T.M., H (English), F.C.A.P., (1888-1965) was a Doctor and Medical Missionary in West China. Williams was born in Escanaba, Michigan and his family moved to Manitoba when he as a young child. He attended Central Collegiate in Winnipeg, then graduated with an M.D. and M.S. from the University of Manitoba in 1916. In World War I he served in the Medical Corp. In 1919 he was appointed as a Medical Missionary in the pathology department of West China Union University. He sailed on October 30th, 1919 and remained stationed in China until 1942. Upon retiring from missionary work Williams continued work as a Pathologist, becoming director of laboratories, and the Department of Oriental Diseases at Deer Lodge Military Hospital in Winnipeg. He also served for a time as an Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Manitoba, and as President of the Canadian Association of Pathologists. Williams was married three times; to Laura McGirr, Kate McKellar and Emily Neil. He was widowed following the deaths of Laura Mcgirr and Kate McKellar. After retiring as a doctor, Thomas and Emily moved to Victoria B.C.

MacDonald, Clarke, 1920-1993
Person · 1920-1993

W. Clarke MacDonald (1920-1993) was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia. MacDonald graduated from Dalhousie University in 1941. Afterwards, he took his theological training at Pine Hill Divinity Hall in Halifax, was ordained by the Maritime Conference in 1943. In 1944, he received his Bachelor of Divinity from Pine Hill, and married Muriel MacDonald. From 1944-1962, he served pastorates including West Bay (Cape Breton), Black River Ridge (New Brunswick), Port Hawkesbury and Trinity Church (Cape Breton) and also served as Secretary of the Maritime Conference from 1961-1962. From 1962-1971 he was minister at St. Luke’s in Toronto, then, was appointed Secretary of the Board of Evangelism and Social Service in 1971. He served as Moderator of the United Church from 1982-1984. After serving as Moderator, he returned to his position of Deputy Secretary of the Division of Mission in Canada, with the responsibility for the Office of Church in Society and also, was chairman of the ecumenical Project Ploughshares. He retired in 1986 and died in 1993.

Person · 1934-

Robert Frederick Smith (1934-) was born in Montreal. After receiving his B.A. from the University of Alberta in 1956, he got a diploma in Theology at St. Stephen’s College in 1958, a B.D. from the University of Alberta in 1964, and a Th.D. at Boston University School of Theology in 1973. He was ordained by the Alberta Conference of the United Church in 1958, and also married Margaret Ellen Maguire that year. After his ordination, he held pastorates in the following areas: St. Lukes, Fort St. John, British Columbia (1958-1961), Trinity, Edmonton, Alberta (1961-1965), Memorial Congregational Church of Atlantic, Quincy, Massachusetts (1965-1968), Richmond Hill United Church (1968-1974), Eglinton United Church, Toronto (1974-1982), and Shaughnessy Heights United Church, Vancouver, British Columbia (1982-1984). Throughout his time as a minister he held many posts on many committees; Doctrinal Commission, General Commission on Church Union, Committee on Union and Joint Mission, Co-Chair of Roman Catholic-United Church Dialogue, and the Committee on Theology and Faith. He was chair of York Presbytery from 1972-1974, Toronto Area Presbytery from 1977-1979, and President of Toronto Conference from 1981-1982. He was Founding President of the Richmond Hill and Thornhill Area Family Services. He served as Moderator of the United Church from 1984-1986.

Lee, Sang Chul, 1924-
Person · 1924-

Sang Chul Lee (1924-) was born in Siberia, a son of Korean immigrants. At seven, he moved to Manchuria and while there, attended a school operated by the Canadian Mission Board. After World War II he moved to South Korea, and received his theological education there and in Switzerland and Vancouver, Canada. His ordination was in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK), a partner church of the United Church. With his family, Lee emigrated to Canada in 1965; serving a three-point charge in Vancouver. He came to Toronto in 1969 and for twenty years was pastor of the Toronto Korean United Church. Lee served as Moderator of the United Church from 1988-1990. He served as Chancellor of Victoria University, Toronto from 1992-1998.

Farquharson, Walter, 1936-
Person · 1936-

Walter Henry Farquharson (1936-) was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan. He received a B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1957, and received a B.D. in 1961 and a D.D. in 1975 from St. Andrew’s College in Saskatoon. He married Joan Casswell in Saskatchewan in 1958 and was ordained by Saskatchewan Conference in 1960. From 1960-1961, he was an assistant at Morningside Parish in Edinburgh, and from 1961-1976 as minister at Saltcoats in Bredenbury Pastoral Charge. In 1966 when Saltcoats had a crisis in their school he took up the challenge of teaching. He was appointed Principal of Saltcoats Junior High, completed his diploma in Education and taught at the Yorkton School Unit over seven years. Walter Farquharson served as Moderator from 1990-1992. Farquharson was also involved in many committees, he chaired Yorkton Presbytery, was President of the Saskatchewan Conference, Senate at St. Andrew’s College, Board of Directors at the Prairie Christian Training Centre. He was a prolific writer of hymns, publishing over 60.

McKay, Stanley, 1942-2003
Person · 1942-2003

Stanley J. McKay (1942-2003) was born and raised on Fisher River Indian Reserve. He attended Fisher River Indian Day School until he was 13 years old, then was sent to Birtle Indian Residential School to complete High School. After a year at the Manitoba Teacher’s College he taught at Norway House, Manitoba from 1962-1964. In 1967, McKay graduated with a B.D. from United College in Winnipeg, and married his wife, Dorothy. In 1971, he was ordained, the ceremony being held at Stevens Memorial Church on the reservation where he grew up. McKay served Fisher River from 1971-1975, and Norway House from 1975-1982 before being hired to coordinate the developments of the United Church’s national consultation process for the National Native Council, 1982-1987. During that time, McKay successfully advocated for the Church’s apology for it’s role in culture oppression of First Nations peoples in 1986. From 1987-1988 he served in Native Ministry at Winnipeg Presbytery and in 1988 was hired as the director of the Dr. Jessie Saulteaux Resource Centre, a training centre for native ministries. McKay served as Moderator from 1992-1994.

Best, Marion
Person · 1924-

Marion Best was born in New Westminster, British Columbia. She received Nurse Training at the Royal Columbian Hospital, then worked there from 1968-1975. In 1977, she and her husband Jack Best received a joint call to the Naramata Centre in British Columbia, where she worked on programs and he worked on public relations and finances. She continued work there until 1987 when she began freelance consulting work with church and community groups, in the healthcare field. For many years, she was on the Executive of the World Council of Churches. She was also President of the British Columbia Conference, and on the United Church’s General Council Executive. A lay-leader, she served as Moderator of the United Church from 1994-1997, and in 1998 began serving as Vice-Moderator of the World Council of Churches. Best was Chair of the sessional committee that produced the 1988 recommendations on opening the ministry to gays and lesbians, in the report Toward a Christian Understanding of Sexual Orientation Lifestyles and Ministry.

Pardy, Marion, 1942-
Person · 1942-

Marion Pardy (1942-) was born in Gander, Newfoundland. She graduated from Covenant College (Centre for Christian Studies) and holds a B.A. (Honours) and a Masters degree from York University. She earned Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology in 1997. In 1968, she was ordained as a diaconal minister by Hamilton Conference and designated as a deaconess at Gower Street United Church (St. John’s). She was Director of Christian Education for Yorkton Presbytery from 1968-1970, Team Minister and Minister in Birtle Presbytery (1970-1973), Program Resource Field Staff for Manitoba Conference (1973-1975), Pastoral Assistant, Forest Grove United Church (1975-1977), and Team Minister at Cliffcrest United Church (1977-1981). She was ordained in 1982. Pardy has served the United Church General Council Office as well, she was a contributing writer for Loaves and Fishes, Religion and Life, Worldwind and Exchange, served on the Celebration Committee, Christian Initiation Task Force, Loaves and Fishes Committee, and was chairperson of the Ministry with Children Working Unit. In 1982, she was appointed as Special Assistant, Children in the Division of Mission in Canada. From 1990 she was pastor of Gower Street United Church in St. John’s. Pardy served as Moderator from 2000-2003, and was the first diaconal minister to do so. Following her term as Moderator, she represented the United Church on the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches, where she served as Vice-President from 2004-2009.

Short, Peter, 1948-
Person · 1948-

Peter Short (1948-) was born in Kingston, Ontario. He married his wife, Susan in 1953. He graduated from York University in 1973, Emmanuel College in 1977 and was ordained by the Maritime Conference in 1978. He served at Yellowknife United Church from 1983-1990, Beaconsfield United Church, Montreal 1990-1999, Wilmot, in Fredericton from 1999-2008. Short served as Moderator from 2003-2006. He also served the General Council office as a member of the Executive of the Department of Stewardship Services (1993-1998), chair of the Moderator’s Advisory Committee for the Very Reverend Bill Phipps (1997-2000), Chair of the Business Committee of the Executive of General Council (2000-2002), and Chair of the Agenda and Planning Committee for the 38th General Council. Short retired in 2010.

Tindal, Mardi, 1952-
Person · 1952-

Mardi Tindal, a layperson, was an administrator and a Moderator of The United Church of Canada (2009-2012). She was born in 1952 and grew up in Victoria Square, Ontario (now part of Markham). She graduated from York University with a B.A. psychology and holds an M.A. in educational psychology from the University of Toronto. She worked as a consultant on leadership and program development and Coordinator of recreational ministries and youth resources with the Division of Mission in Canada at the General Council Office. She also served as Communication and Stewardship officer at Hamilton Conference, director of Camp Big Canoe and was executive director of Five Oaks Centre before becoming Moderator. From the 1980s to the 1990 she was co-host, producer and writer of Spirit Connection. Mardi Tindal served as Moderator from 2009-2012. She is married to Douglas Tindal.

Giuliano, David, 1960-
Person · 1960-

David William Giuliano (1960-) was born in Jerseyville, Ontario and raised in Windsor, Ontario. He married his wife, Pearl E. Ryall in 1959. He earned a B.A. from Guelph University in 1982, and following that, worked at the University as a Human Rights Commissioner, Conference Co-Ordinator and Residence Manager. He earned a Master of Divinity in 1986, and a Master of Theology in 1987 from Queen’s University. He was ordained by London Conference in 1987 and began work as a minister at St. John’s United Church in Marathon, where he remained until he was elected to serve as Moderator of the United Church from 2006-2009. Aside from pastoral duties, Giuliano served the church as Chairperson of the Pastoral Relations Committee and Outreach and Social Action Committee for Cambrian Presbytery, and a member of the Presbytery Planning Committee and Youth Event Planning Committee for Cambrian Presbytery, the Local Justice Concerns and Ordination Interview Committees for MNO Conference, and the National Learning on the Way.

Paterson, Gary, 1949-
Person · 1949-

Gary J. Paterson (1949-) was born in Whitehorse Yukon, and as an ‘army brat’ lived in Toronto and Germany before his family settled in Vancouver, British Columbia. He earned a B.A. in English Literature at the University of British Columbia and an M.A. in English from Queen’s University before becoming a sessional lecturer at the University of British Columbia. He then studied theology at Andover Theological School in Boston and the Vancouver School of Theology. He was ordained in 1977. He was a minister at Marpole United Church in Vancouver from 1979-1981. He served as minister in Vancouver-Burrard Presbytery from 1982-1989, First United in Vancouver from 1989-1993, Ryerson in Vancouver from 1993-2005, and St. Andrew’s-Wesley, Vancouver from 2005-2011. Paterson served as Moderator of the United Church from 2012-2015, and was the first openly gay person to do so. His spouse, Tim Stevenson, a Vancouver City Councillor is the first openly gay male to be ordained by the United Church.

Cantwell, Jordan, 1967-
Person · 1967-

Jordan Cantwell was born in New York in 1967; as a child her parents moved to the Canadian Prairies. She was involved with social justice movements in the 1980s and the United Church of Canada sent her to South Africa in 1993 as an Observer through the World Council of Churches. She officially joined the United Church in the late 1990s, and prior to being ordained worked at The Centre for Christian Studies when it first moved to Winnipeg. She also worked as a staff associate at Augustine United where she served the Oak Table outreach ministry. She earned her Master of Divinity at St. Andrew’s College, and was ordained in 2010. She interned at Delisle-Vanscoy United Church, and served there for seven years before becoming elected as Moderator in 2015. Cantwell’s spouse, Laura Fouhse is a diaconal minister in the United Church. Cantwell served as Moderator from 2015-2018.