About Governance, Leadership Teams, Networks and Clusters
EXECUTIVE OF CONSEIL RÉGIONAL NAKONHA:KA REGIONAL COUNCIL
Full Voting Members
| President (2-year maximum) | Marc Grenon |
| President Elect (Elected in “off year” for one-year term) | (vacant) |
| Past President (one year) | Rev. Linda Buchanan (interim) |
| Treasurer (no term) | Paul Stanfield |
| Executive Minister | Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (as of Jan. 9, 2023) |
including representatives chosen by leadership teams:
| Pastoral Relations | Rev. Dr. Christine Marie Gladu |
| Nominations | Rev. Linda Buchanan |
| La Table des ministères en français | Rev. Pierre Goldberger |
| First Third Ministries | Denis Ashby |
| Living in Right Relations | (in rotation) Rev. Jan Jorgensen, Lisa Byer-de Wever, Rev. Read Sherman |
| Justice and Community Ministries | Bailey Eastwood |
| Granting and Enabling | Rev. Barbara Bryce (interim) |
| Planning Regional Gatherings | Valerie Nickson |
| Finance and Extension Board | Peter Bisset |
|
Five (5) Full Voting Members at Large
|
1. Rev. Tami Spires – 2024 |
| 2. Rev. Dr. Samuel V. Dansokho – 2024 | |
| 3. Rev. Marie Claude Manga (new) – 2025 | |
| 4. Quan (Erika Leung) Liang (new) – 2025 | |
| 5. Adedeji Sunday Akintayo (new) – 2025 |
Corresponding Non-Voting Members
| Pastoral Relations Minister | Rev. Dan Hayward |
| Communications | Judy Coffin |
| Program Assistant to the Executive Minister | Joel Miller |
| Regional Network Minister | David-Roger Gagnon |
| First Third Ministries | Shanna Bernier |
| Property, Finance and Administration Manager | Brian Ruse |
Learn more about nominating yourself or someone else for a role in the Regional Council: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/nominations/
LEADERSHIP TEAMS
First Third Ministries
MANDATE
The First Third Ministries leadership team is responsible for vision and steering the Youth, Young adult and family ministries of the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council.
MEMBERS 2023
- Rev. Joëlle Leduc
- Jillian Lalonde
- Esther Marie Snarr Guillen
- Rachel Lambie
- Virginia Wallace
- Judith Bricault
- Jenn Carroll
- Gary Tompkins
- Denis Ashby (representative to Executive)
- Georgia Barratt-Lamey
- Jean-Daniel Ó Donncada
- Billi-Jo Poirier
- Bailey Eastwood
- Shanna Bernier (staff)
Granting and Enabling
MANDATE
The Granting and Enabling Leadership Team (GELT) is established with the exclusive mandate to consider and recommend any granting or financial assistance from the various endowment and other funds of the Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council (CrNRC), with a view to streamlining the granting process and reducing the burden both on the communities of faith and other faith partner recipients and on the volunteer members on the granting and enabling groups involved, while promoting a more informed and overall view of the needs and aspirations of CrNRC faithful in extending and deepening their ministries, consistent with the mission plan of CrNRC.
For more information, see the Governance Handbook.
MEMBERS 2023
- Rev. Barbara Bryce (chair)
- Fred Braman
- Elva Crawford
- L.E.Moir
- Rev. Read Sherman
- Rev. Helen Hliaris
- Renate Sutherland
- Rev. David Clinker
- Rev. Mark Hammond
- Rick Sheffer
- Rev. Mher Khatchikian
- Rev. Darla Sloan
- Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (staff, ex officio)
- Brian Ruse (staff, corresponding)
For more information, see the Granting and Enabling Resources page.
Justice and Community Ministry
MISSION
God is calling us to expand our faith and theological understanding of a world-community where human dignity is defended, creation is mended and gifts are shared for the good of all. This keystone of God’s vision of justice, compassion and actions leads us deeper into this world and requires us to be present in our communities.
MANDATE
- Finding ways of planting ourselves firmly in our neighbourhoods and communities;
- Listening to the people there and engaging in constructive, open dialogue (inter-cultural, inter-generational, inter-faith)
- Offering encouragement and hope.
MEMBERS 2023
- Rev. Paula Kline
- Lisa Byer-de Wever
- Patricia Lisson DM
- Guy-Lin Beaudoin
- Rev. Jennifer Mountain
- Rev. Helen Hliaras
- Rev. Pierre Goldberger (representative to Regional Council)
- Bailey Eastwood
- Adedeji Sunday Akintayo
- Maureen Scott-Kabwe
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
For more information, see the Governance Manual or download the Community Justice team profile.
Licensed Lay Worship Leaders
MANDATE
The Licensed Lay Worship Leadership program is intended to honour and encourage members of the Laity to share their gifts and express their faith while meeting the vital need of congregations to gather for worship.
MEMBERS 2023
- Charlotte Griffith (chair)
- Norm Haslam
- Allan Marshal
- Valerie Epps
- Brenda Lee Strickland
- Rev. Lee Ann Hogle
For more information on policies and guidelines regarding Licensed Lay Worship Leaders, see the Governance Handbook.
Living Into Right Relations Leadership Circle
MANDATE
MEMBERS 2023
Shared leadership:
- Rev. Read Sherman
- Lisa Byer-de Wever
- Robert Patton (representative to Regional Council)
Other members:
- Rev. Jan Jorgensen
- Rev. Richard Miller
- Rev. Attila Gyorgy
- Rev. Samuel Dansokho
- Beryl Barraclough DLM
- Rev. Linda Buchanan
- Gabrielle Lamouche
- Julia Budd
- Grace Cawley
- Cameron Gray
- Natacha Sanson
- Salinda Hess
- Rev. Martha Nell Thompson
- Graham Weeks
- Rev. Tami Spires
- Rev. Pierre Goldberger
- Maureen Scott-Kabwe
- Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (staff)
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
Learn more: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/programs/living-into-right-relations-lirr/
Join Facebook Group: Living Into Right Relations – Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council
Vision and New Ministries
MANDATE
MEMBERS 2023
- Royal Orr
- Jim Fyles
- Patricia Lisson DM
- Rev. Helen Hliaras
- Frederick Sheffer
- Rev. Paula Kline
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
Nominations
MANDATE
The Nominations Leadership Team recommends appointments for the Regional Council Executive, and other leadership teams, boards, task groups, or United Church representatives, as requested by the Regional Council, its Executive, or the Executive Minister.
MEMBERS 2023
- Rev. Linda Buchanan (chair)
- Rev. Tami Spires
- Rev. Helen Hliaras
- Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (staff)
- Joel Miller (staff)
Pastoral Relations
MANDATE
The Pastoral Relations Leadership Team will provide support for ministry personnel throughout their ministry, including equipping, covenanting, pastoral relationships and retirement.
MEMBERS 2023
- Rev. David Lambie
- Rev. Janet Bisset
- Rev. Mher Katchikian
- Marc Grenon
- Rev. Tami Spires
- Rev. Christine-Marie Gladu
- Rev. Dan Hayward (staff)
- Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (staff)
Planning Regional Gatherings
MANDATE
Our mission is to ensure that we are living out our call to be the church through worship and work. We seek to create meaningful, spirit-filling, safe spaces at least twice a year for the work of our for whole region to gather together in community face-to-face and virtually.
Our tasks throughout the year are to plan the two regional meetings held in the fall and spring, coordinate a meeting space, create a theme for the meeting, build the worship around the theme, and lead worship throughout the meeting. Our team in collaboration with the sitting President of the region create the agenda for the meeting, work with the meeting space on-site team to provide them support as they plan to host the meeting, to work with spaces where remote communication and meeting sites are needed, work with our Regional Council technology team, and be on-site the day/night before the meeting to set up the physical meeting space.
What kind of additional skills/gifts might new members bring to this team?
- We are looking for creative people!
- People who enjoy planning large scale events!
- People who are able to do physical tasks (moving furniture, setting up and taking down the space, carrying boxes)!
- People who can speak, write, and read in a variety of languages!
- People who can help us promote our meetings, get people excited to register, energize our people to come to the regional meetings!
MEMBERS 2023
- Valerie Nickson (chair)
- Shirley Stark
- Rev. Joëlle Leduc
- Rev. Kent Chown
- Denis Ashby
- Robert Patton
- Marc Grenon
- Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly (staff)
- Joel Miller (staff)
- Shanna Bernier (staff)
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
- Judy Coffin (staff)
Property and Finance
[Please note that as of January 18, 2024, the roles and responsibilities of Property and Finance Leadership Team have been delegated to the Finance & Extension Board]
NETWORKS and CLUSTERS
Networks link people working on specific issues (e.g. supportive housing, intercultural ministry, youth ministry) or for project work (e.g. event planning) that function through the whole church, depending on the issue.
Clusters are local clusters of communities of faith that would provide community and support for communities of faith and their leaders, and focus on worship, mission, learning, collegiality, and strategic planning.
These bodies are meant to bring people together around matters that are close to their heart in living out their faith in the world.
NETWORKS
Environment / Nakonha:ka Green Team
MANDATE
MEMBERS 2022
- Natacha Sanson
- Marion Hodge
- Rev. Neil Whitehouse
- Rev. Lee Ann Hogle
- Rev. Wendy Evans
- Mercy Awori
- Judy Coffin (staff)
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
Learn more: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/programs/environment-network/
Join Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/environmentnakonhakaecologie
Pride and Friends Network
MANDATE
MEMBERS 2022
- (confidential)
- David-Roger Gagnon (staff)
Learn more: (page in development)
Join Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/463343757798001
United Church Women (Executive)
MANDATE
The UCW’s mission is to love God; foster Christian commitment, faithfulness, and spirituality; and promote respect and love for all God’s creation.
Any woman “willing to contribute her prayers, gifts, and services for the work of the Church” may join the United Church Women (UCW). Along with providing important networking and social bonding opportunities, the UCW has led discussions on, for example, feminism and restorative justice.
MEMBERS 2023
- Valerie Nickson (chair)
- Pat Hurley
- Shirley Stark
- Janice Knowles
- Sharon Moore
- Carolyn Linde
- Linda Scarriddco
Learn more: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/programs/ucw/
The following networks are not currently active
Archives
MANDATE
MEMBERS 2022
- Beverly Anderson-Levine (staff)
- Shirley Cartmill
Learn more: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/archives/
Food Ministry
MANDATE
MEMBERS
- Ivylin Scott
Loss and Living Exploration
MANDATE
MEMBERS
- Rev. Ian Smith
- Lorane Mckenzie
- Bruce Houghton
- Beverly Clark
- Judy Coffin (staff)
Remote Communications
MANDATE
MEMBERS
- Paul Stanfield
- Peter Mundie
- Rev. Lee Ann Hogle
- Judy Bachelder
- Rev. Kent Chown (chair)
- Andrew Schurman
- Rev. Mark Hammond
Strategic Communications / Translation
MANDATE
As a multilingual regional council, it is important to have a clear strategy for communications across multiple platforms in multiple languages. The mandate of this team is to assess and determine priorities for translation, to ensure that important resources are available in English and French and to support efficient and effective communications across platforms.
MEMBERS
- Judy Coffin (staff)
- Rev. Joëlle Leduc
- Marc Grenon
- Rev. Denis Fortin
- Rev. Darla Sloan
CLUSTERS
Introduction to Clusters
Video: https://bit.ly/2022-11-19-Regroupements-Clusters-DRGagnon
Staff resource: David-Roger Gagnon
Laurentian Area Ministry (LAM)
MEMBERS 2022
to come
Video: https://bit.ly/2022-11-19-LAM-MRL-KMolloy
Web site: https://www.lam-mrl.com/
Saint Francis Cluster
MEMBERS 2022
Lay Members
| Plymouth-Trinity UC: Sherbrooke | Ann Fowlis (Chair until October 2022) |
| Georgeville UC | Judy Bachelder |
| Saint Paul’s UC (Magog) | Joan Bergeron |
| Hatley UC (Lennoxville) | Kylie Côté |
| Lennoxville UC | Sandy Davidson |
| Stanstead UC (Lennoxville) | Dave Drew |
| Stanstead UC (Lennoxville) | Lynne Drew |
| Richmond UC | Lois Fowler |
| Hatley UC (Lennoxville) | Kenneth Johns |
| Plymouth-Trinity UC: Sherbrooke | Allan Marshall |
| Beulah UC (Ayers Cliff) | Dean Young |
| Beulah UC (Ayers Cliff) | Susan Young |
Ordered Ministry Members
| Waterville United Church | Mead Baldwin |
| Retired Minister Supporting the Cluster | Ron Coughlin |
| Plymouth-Trinity United Church | Samuel Dansohko |
| Danville-Asbestos-Trinity United Church | Reg Jennings |
| Ayer’s Cliff-Magog-Georgeville Pastoral Charge (St. Paul’s United Church/Beulah United Church /Georgeville United Church) | Angelika Piché |
| United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge (Trinity United Church/Sawyerville United Church/Bishopton United Church/Brookberry (Grace) United Church/Island Brook United Church/East Clifton United Church) |
Tami Spires |
| Lennoxville United Church | Vacant |
Special Ministries
| Richmond-Melbourne Pastoral Care Project | Scott Patton |
Staff Support
| Administrator | Eleanor Brown |
| Nakonha:ka Staff | David-Roger Gagnon |
South Shore & Valleys Cluster
MEMBERS 2022
Lay Members
| Hemmingford United Church | Debbie Beattie-Watt |
| Richelieu Valley United Church | Norman Haslam |
| St. Andrew’s-Delson United Church | Valerie Nickson |
| Kahnawake United Church | Robert Patton |
| Maplewood Presbyterian Church- Châteauguay | Kosta Theofanos |
Ordered Ministry & Student Ministry Members
| Howick/Ormstown/Franklin United Churches | Rev. Barbara Bryce |
| Huntingdon United Church | Rev. Dr. James Christie |
| Kahnawake United Church | Rev. Jan Jorgenson |
| Rennie’s United Church | Rev. Mher Katchikian |
| St. Andrew’s Presbyterian (Saint-Lambert) | Rev. Barry Mack |
| Maplewood Presbyterian Church- Châteauguay | Rev. Barry Mack |
| Saint Andrew’s-Châteauguay United Church | Rev. Alice McAlpine |
| Saint Lambert United Church | Rev. Jennifer Mountain |
| Greenfield Park United Church | Rev. Birgit Neuschild |
| Mount Bruno United Church | Virginia Wallace |
Staff Support
| Nakonha:ka Staff | David-Roger Gagnon |
Video: https://bit.ly/2022-11-19-SouthShoreValleys-JMountain
West Island and Riverside Cluster
MEMBERS 2022
Lay Members
| Merging Waters Pastoral Charge (Union Church/Beaurepaire United Church) |
Libby Monaco (Lay Representative) |
Ordered Ministry & Student Ministry Members
| Beaconsfield United Church | Rev. Linda Buchanan Bailey Eastwood Adedeji (Ade) Sunday Akintayo |
| Summerlea United Church | Rev. Christine-Marie Gladu |
| Riverside United Church | Rev. Helen Hliaras Cynthia Reynolds |
| Cedar Park United Church | Rev. Elisabeth Jones |
| Sainte-Geneviève United Church | Rev. Joëlle Leduc |
| Roxboro United Church | Rev. Darryl Macdonald |
Community Participating in Shared Summer Worship
| Lakeshore Trinity United Church | Rev. Steve Gillam |
| Valois United Church | Rev. Scott Hunter |
Special Ministries
| Refugee Integration and Support Program (BUC-RISP) (Outreach Ministry of Beaconsfield UC) |
Adedeji (Ade) Sunday Akintayo (Coordinator) |
| West Island LGBTQ2S+ Centre (Outreach Ministry of Beaconsfield UC) |
David Hawkins (Coordinator) |
| LGBTQ2S+ REFUGEE Centre (Outreach Ministry of Beaconsfield UC) |
Arit (Rita) Nduonofit (Coordinator) |
| The Beaconsfield Initiative (Support ministry to the Philippines – Beaconsfield UC) |
Patricia Lisson (Coordinator) |
| ORA Loss & Living Program (Outreach Ministry of Ste. Geneviève UC) |
Kathryn Harvey (Coordinator) |
Staff Support
| Nakonha:ka Staff | David-Roger Gagnon |
Video: https://bit.ly/2022-11-19-WestIsland-Riverside-HHliaras-CMGladu
Web site: https://www.westislandriversideunited.org/
PARTNERS
Finance and Extension Board
MANDATE
The Finance & Extension Board of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council, United Church of Canada was incorporated in June 1926 under the United Church of Canada Act. The assets of the board acquired over many years from acquisitions of property, donations, bequests and the investment thereof are invested in a balanced portfolio. The investment of these funds is entrusted to professional investment counsel. The income and gains from these investments are used to carry out the purposes of the Board through certain annual programs and grants.
MEMBERS (2023-2024)
- Peter Bisset (President and representative to Regional Council)
- Fred Braman (Vice-President)
- Rick Sheffer (Past President)
- Paul Stanfield (Treasurer)
- Caroline Leamon (Secretary)
- Craig McAlpine
- Dave McCormack
- David Clinker
- Diane Campbell
- Jim Fyles
- Jim Moffat
- Jim Vanstone
- Marc Grenon
- Monique Moser
- Paul Clarke
- Paula Kline
- Royal Orr
- Ted Rutherford
- Thomas Kent
Finance
- Thomas Kent (Chair)
- Ted Rutherford
- Rick Sheffer
- Peter Bisset
- Paul Stanfield
- Dave McCormack
- Craig McAlpine
- Fred Braman
- Marc Grenon
- Brian Ruse, Finance & Office Administrator
- Caroline Leamon, Finance & Extension Board Secretary
Investment
- Paul Stanfield (chair)
- Rick Sheffer
- Peter Bisset
- Fred Braman
- Ted Rutherford
- Thomas Kent
- Craig McAlpine
- Brian Ruse, Finance & Office Administrator
- Caroline Leamon, Finance & Extension Board Secretary
Property
- Fred Braman (chair)
- Peter Bisset
- David Clinker
- Paul Stanfield
- Jim Moffat
- Jim Vanstone
- Marc Grenon
- Rick Sheffer
- Brian Ruse, Finance & Office Administrator
- Caroline Leamon, Finance & Extension Board Secretary
Bursaries
- Monique Moser (chair)
- Dave McCormack
- Brian Ruse, Finance & Office Administrator
- Caroline Leamon, Finance & Extension Board Secretary
- Resource persons: Lynn Drew, Renate Sutherland
For more information: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/bursaries/
Sabbatical Leave
- Diane Campbell
- Jim Fyles
- Caroline Leamon, Finance & Extension Board Secretary
- Brian Ruse, Finance & Office Administrator
For more information: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/sabbatical-leave
Nominating
- Rick Sheffer (chair)
- Paul Stanfield
Staff
- Diane Campbell (chair)
- Monique Moser
- Paula Kline
Indigenous Ministries
Indigenous spirituality, leadership, and participation are vital to the life of the United Church. The Indigenous contribution to the church is honoured by the Mohawk phrase “Akwe Nia’Tetewá:neren”—all my relations—on the crest.
For more information, visit the Indigenous Ministries page of the United Church of Canada website
La Table des ministères en français
MANDATE
La Table des ministères en français was created with the intention of ensuring, on a continuous basis, cultural and linguistic representation within the United Church of Canada, whose conciliar structures are undergoing transformation.
La Table has three fundamental objectives: to support the French-language departments already in place; promote the establishment of new ministries in French; and to help the whole Church to respect its commitments regarding the use of French. The establishment of links with French-speaking churches on an international scale and the sharing of experience from secularized French-speaking environments will constitute important contributions for the whole of the Church.
For more information, see Covenant-LaTable-Bilingual or contact Rev. Darla Sloan, Responsable des ministères en français (interim)