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 of Canada. Carmen Lansdowne is also the first Indigenous woman to lead a major church group in Canada.
Early Life and Education
Carmen Lansdowne was born in Alert Bay, a community on the West Coast of Canada. She is a member of the Heiltsuk First Nation, which is an Indigenous group. She studied at the Vancouver School of Theology (VST). In 2007, she earned a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div). This degree is for people who want to become ministers. After getting her degree, she became a minister in the United Church of Canada. She continued her studies at VST and earned another master's degree (ThM) in 2011. In 2016, she earned her PhD from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. A PhD is the highest university degree you can get.
Her Ministry Work
In 2017, Carmen Lansdowne became the Executive Director of the First United Church Community Ministry Society in Vancouver. This organization helps people in the community. She also works with the Westar Institute as a Christ Institute Fellow.
Becoming the Moderator
Carmen Lansdowne was the only person nominated to become the 44th Moderator. She was chosen at the 44th General Council of the church in July 2022. The United Church has a special process for choosing its leaders. She is the first Indigenous woman to be chosen as Moderator. She is also only the second Indigenous person to hold this role. The first was Stan McKay in 1992. Carmen Lansdowne said her election shows the important time we live in. Canadians are learning more about the calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. They are also learning from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal People and the National Inquiry on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. These groups have made many recommendations for change. She explained that these events, along with discoveries about residential schools, highlight the need for deeper talks and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians.
At the start of her term, Carmen Lansdowne shared her goals. She plans to build new connections and fix old ones. She wants to work for social change that helps the world and respects everyone's dignity. She hopes to walk together in a spirit of healing and reconciliation. She also wants to fight unfair systems and work together for a better future. She believes in praying, singing, and making decisions together.
