Carmen Lansdowne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Carmen Lansdowne |
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|---|---|
| 44th Moderator of the United Church of Canada | |
| Church | United Church of Canada |
| Elected | July 23, 2022 |
| Predecessor | Richard Bott |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2007 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 (age 49–50) Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada |
Carmen Lansdowne, born in 1975, is a minister in the United Church of Canada. She is currently the 44th Moderator of this church. This means she is the main leader of the United Church. Carmen Lansdowne is the first Indigenous woman to lead a major religious group in Canada.
Early Life and Learning
Carmen Lansdowne was born in Alert Bay, a town on the West Coast of Canada. She is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation.
She studied at the Vancouver School of Theology (VST). In 2007, she earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div) degree. After this, she became an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada.
She continued her education at VST, earning a Master of Theology (ThM) in 2011. Later, in 2016, she received her PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.
Her Work as a Minister
In 2017, Carmen Lansdowne became the Executive Director of First United Church Community Ministry Society in Vancouver. This organization helps people in the community. She is also a Christ Institute Fellow with the Westar Institute.
Leading the Church
Carmen Lansdowne was chosen as the 44th Moderator of the United Church of Canada. She was elected at the church's General Council in July 2022. Even though she was the only person nominated, the church has a special process for choosing its leaders.
She is the first Indigenous woman to become Moderator. She is also the second Indigenous person to hold this important role. The first was Stan McKay in 1992.
Carmen Lansdowne shared that her election shows the importance of the time we live in. Canadians are learning more about the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. They are also learning from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People and the National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. These reports encourage deeper understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools has also made this learning even more important.
When she started her term, Carmen Lansdowne said she wanted to build new connections. She also wanted to fix old ones. Her goal is to work for social change. This change would help create a world where everyone is cared for and respected. She hopes people will walk together in reconciliation. She also wants them to fight unfair systems together. She believes in praying, singing, and making decisions together.
