The Canadian Council of Churches Governing Board Meeting
May 20-22, 2026 – Winnipeg, Manitoba
The Canadian Council of Churches (the Council) is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical body in Canada. The Council’s Governing Board brings together representatives from Anglican; Eastern and Roman Catholic; Evangelical and Free Church; Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox; and Historic Protestant member denominations to review and coordinate its Committees and Commissions, appoint officers, obtain funds, and determine external relations to other religious and secular organizations and movements.
At this semi-annual Governing Board meeting of the Council, we:
- Were hosted by Broadway Disciples United Church, Epiphany Indigenous Anglican Church, St. Paul’s College, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha, and Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Welcomed Rev. Marlene Britton, Principal of the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg, as a guest.
- Adopted the 2025 Audited Financial Statements and 2026 revised budgets.
- Thanked Emily Savage for having served as Vice-President of The Canadian Council of Churches and Appointed Dr. Anil Varughese as Vice-President of The Canadian Council of Churches for the remainder of the triennium.
- Ratified the appointment of Dr. Paul Heidebrecht as Director of Project Ploughshares as of January 1, 2026 and appointed Betty Pries as Chair of the Management Committee of Project Ploughshares.
- Received an update on the work of the General Secretary Search Committee. The committee is still working toward a September date for the appointment of the next General Secretary.
- Took note of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation statement on Faith Communities Responding to Hate Based on Religious Identity.
- Planned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Council’s peace research institute, Project Ploughshares with Dr. Paul Heidebrecht.
- Promoted A Renewed Canadian Welcome: Eleven Visions from Migrants and Advocates with Willard Metzger, a new book from Citizens for Public Justice with a chapter from the General Secretary on “What’s at Stake for Canadian Churches in the US-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement.”
- Listened to Cathryn Wood from the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism on the Ecumenical Shared Ministries Program.
- Learned from young adults of the local Winnipeg community about faith, justice, and peace, and Engaged in reflective, meditative spiritual activities to express lament, hope, prayer, and action.
- Heard from Vince Solomon, Shannon Perez, Lisa Raven, and the Rev. Dr. Margaret Mullin about how the Holy Spirit has led them in their work and ministry with Indigenous communities.
- Engaged in a workshop led by Kaila Johnston, the Director of Education, Outreach, and Public Programming, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and Noe Prefontaine, Education Coordinator, National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, to reflect on the work of the CCC with respect to their commitments to Truth and Reconciliation.
- Received expert panel presentations and updates of the situation of Ukraine, Canada, and the Church.
- Attended evening prayers at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of Saints Volodymyr and Olha and morning prayers at the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral.
- Participated in a conversation about Federal Bill C-9, the “Combatting Hate Act” and asked the General Secretary to communicate the content of that conversation with the Minister of Justice.
The next meeting of the Governing Board is scheduled to take place in Mississauga, Nov 18-20, 2026