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The United Church of Canada is the largest Christian Protestant denomination in Canada, and is a uniquely Canadian organization, formed in 1925 through the union of the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches in Canada. (About 30 percent of the Presbyterian congregations continue today as the Presbyterian Church of Canada.) The United Church has traditionally been a leader in social and justice issues, and works throughout Canada and worldwide through local initiatives and international partners. This work is supported through the Mission and Service Fund.
The United Church is based on the idea that there are three ways of knowing the Holy: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We believe that God created and intends good for all things and is revealed in nature, in the heart of humans, and especially in Jesus Christ. We also believe that God made humans in God's own image and left them free to choose between good and evil.
Jesus, through his word, actions and spirit, revealed God to us.
The Holy Spirit proceeds from God and Jesus and incites good in the hearts of humans, while turning them from evil. The spirit dwells in every believer as truth, wisdom, holiness, comfort and love.
As Christians, we are called to lives of loving action, justice seeking and caring for the earth and its creatures.
As an institution, the United Church of Canada is a democratic organization. Each congregation elects its board or council, which sends representatives to area Presbyteries and they send delegates to Conferences. These in turn are represented at the General Council, which currently meets every three years, at which decisions of policy and action at the national level are taken. A moderator, whose role is much like that of Canada's Governor General, is elected and serves for a term of 3 years. Individual congregations hire their own staff and set local policy in accord with United Church of Canada guidelines.
Source - Religions in Canada
Sources of Additional Information: http://www.united-church.ca - official website of the United Church of Canada.
For interesting on-line discussions on topical and spiritual issues, go to www.wondercafe.ca, an initiative of the United Church of Canada.
United Church of Canada
3250 Bloor Street West
Suite 300
Etobicoke, ON M8X 2Y4
Phone: (416) 231-5931
Website: http://www.united-church.ca
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