The Body of Christ is made of many parts, and people experience their understanding of God in many different ways. On this blog, we'll consider the beliefs and activities of congregations, denominations and different religions.
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
E-ssentials: Next General Secretary Appointed, the Moderator’s Orange Shirt Day Message, and more!
Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly Appointed as the New General Secretary
[Image credit: The United Church of Canada]
We're pleased to share that The United Church of Canada has appointed Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly as the next General Secretary, effective January 1, 2027.
Currently serving as Executive Minister for East Central Ontario, Eastern Ontario Outaouais, and Nakonha:ka Regional Councils, Rev. Hébert-Daly brings extensive experience in church leadership, strategic planning, and community development. A passionate advocate for a thriving and welcoming church, he has played a key role in shaping Toward 2035, our hope-filled strategy for a bolder future.
Born to an Acadian family, Éric has roots in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. He will be the first Francophone to serve as General Secretary.
We give thanks for the faithful leadership of Rev. Michael Blair, who will continue as General Secretary until December 31. Following a transition period in January 2027, he will retire, after more than six years of dedicated service in this critical leadership role.
Please join us in congratulating Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly as he prepares to begin this new ministry of leadership and service.
Moderator's Orange Shirt and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Message
[Video still credit: The United Church of Canada]
For Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Moderator Rev. Kimberly Heath shares a personal reflection on participating in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation ceremony on Parliament Hill.
In this message, Moderator Heath honours the children who never came home, recognizes the courage and resilience of survivors and their families, and acknowledges the ongoing impacts of residential schools and intergenerational trauma.
She also reaffirms the church's commitment to walking the path of truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. As we wear orange, may we remember, learn, and work together toward renewed relationships and lasting reconciliation.
Join the General Secretary, members of the General Council Executive, and the Moderator for a live conversation with people across the United Church. Listen, ask questions, put faces to names, and share perspectives that can help inform the church’s leadership and decision-making.
On World Communion Sunday, Consider How to Set the Table For All
[Image credit: Courtesy of Tori Mullin]
What might it mean for the church to truly reflect the richness and diversity of God’s people?
Reflecting on a World Communion Sunday experience in Seoul, Rev. Tori Mullin invites us to imagine communion tables shaped by the many cultures, flavours, and traditions of our human family. As we look toward a United Church that is “inspired, resilient, and diverse,” she asks what we need to do within ourselves to help set that table. Read Rev. Tori Mullin’s full blog, Setting the Table for an Intercultural Church.
This fall, Rev. Dr. Hyuk Cho will lead Becoming an Intercultural Church: Encountering God Across Cultures, a six-week online course exploring how communities of faith can move beyond simple "inclusion" and offer leaders ideas for practical applications of intercultural ministries in their own contexts.
The bilingual gathering included time for discernment, storytelling, worship, and reflection on anti-Black racism and the ongoing legacies of slavery. The group will also consider how congregations can engage with the United Nations’ Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034).
The working group was formed following a decision at the 45th General Council and is expected to report to the 46th General Council in 2028.
Can you envision General Council (2028) as a space of equitable participation and decision-making? Can you imagine how to make that happen? Are you a non-anxious presence in difficult situations? The General Council Equity Support team will help the General Council and its leadership teams live into the church’s equity commitments before and during the in-person meeting in St. Catharines.
At Plymouth-Trinity United Church in Sherbrooke, QC, a simple Sunday morning breakfast is helping families feel welcome and connected.
“Breakfast Club” began in 2025 to support families who sometimes struggled to arrive on time for worship. Today, 10–15 people gather each Sunday for breakfast and conversation. Congregation members, local businesses, and community partners contribute food and funds, with Mission and Service gifts helping sustain the program.
More than a meal, Breakfast Club is creating community—bringing families, volunteers, and neighbours together around the table.
Your gifts to Mission and Service help congregations respond to needs in their communities. Give generously.
For more inspiring worship ideas and resources, subscribe to GatheringWorship.ca.
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