The United Church of Canada has undergone significant structural changes in recent years but we still have a General Secretary,. The current GS, Nora Sanders is retiring after many years of service through uncertain times for the denomination. Yesterday Rev. Michael Blair, was announced as the new General Secretary. While I don't know Michael, our son Isaac, a United Church minister, has met him and respects him
It might seem odd to state the obvious, but Michael is Black. While there have been several Moderators in the UCC who were people of colour I can't recall any other GS who was. Michael will bring his gifts for leadership which include a perspective as an ordained minister. He will also help the church understand changing realities in our culture. While the United Church has upheld racial equality and diversity, we have been predominantly While in the pews for the 95 years of our existence. His appointment is timely and we can hope, providential. Here is the United Church news release:
Published on:
August 28, 2020
The United Church of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev. Michael Blair as its new General Secretary beginning November 1, 2020. The role of General Secretary, General Council is a permanent position, providing leadership in the direction, management, and coordination of the affairs of the church working in close collaboration with the Moderator, who is elected every three years as the church’s spiritual leader and spokesperson.
The Rev. Blair is currently serving in the General Council Office, Toronto, as the Executive Minister, Church in Mission Unit, which maintains the relationships with overseas partners, develops faith formation resources for the church and initiates advocacy campaigns for the denomination. He has been in that role for eight years. Born in Jamaica, his faith journey began in the Anglican Church. He came to Canada as a young adult with his family, was ordained in the Convention Baptist Church, and in 2010 was admitted to the United Church’s order of ministry.
The Rev. Blair replaces Nora Sanders, who is retiring after almost 14 years as General Secretary. The Rev. Blair was appointed by the church’s General Council Executive during their online meeting August 27 after a search process that lasted 10 months. Sanders says, “I have worked with Michael for 12 years. I know his deep faith and sense of call to continue the life and work of the United Church in this time, with all its complexities. He is also well known in ecumenical circles and to many of our international partners, so he brings a broad horizon of expertise to the role.”
2 comments:
Yes, welcome, Rev. Michael Blair - I hope the average UCC person will get to see and hear more of him than we have past General secretaries. I know of Nora Sanders but never met her or heard her speak or read anything that she wrote....possibly my own negligence, but I think we tend to expect words from "on high" just from the moderator...maybe we need a lesson in what the roles of these folk are....
That's a good observation Judy. The United Church has become increasingly congregation, so fewer members/attenders are aware of who the moderator is, let alone the general secretary, yet the GS is often the continuity as moderators come and go. And while we like to think of the UCC as collegial and non-hierarchical, the GS has considerable decision-making authority.
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