Meet TUCC's Summer Students!
TUCC SELF Loan Supports Camp Infrastructure at Scugog
Hard hats on, and an exciting project taking shape!
TUCC’s Shannon Potter and Daniel Reed recently visited the construction site at Mt. Zion United Church, where work is progressing on the congregation’s new Early Learning Centre. Once complete, the centre will help address the need for licensed, affordable childcare in London, Ontario. It’s inspiring to see communities of faith creating spaces that serve their neighbours in meaningful and lasting ways. TUCC is grateful to support this important ministry through a loan from our Investing in Ministry Fund.
The Giving Garden - TUCC's Granting Program
Islington United Church dreamed of extending the growing season of their Giving Garden ministry so that they could donate fresh produce to their local food bank year-round. With the help of TUCC’s Lillian Massey-Treble Fund grant, they were able to purchase their first two Just Vertical hydroponic units. As their Giving Garden ministry flourishes, Islington is now able to help address food security needs in their community through the winter months when fresh produce is most needed. Watch the video at right to learn more! Thanks to TUCC’s Rob Pearson for his videography work and to Monika Doherty and the rest of the gardening team at Islington for their involvement in the film.
TUCC Announcement April 16, 2026 - Our New Executive Director – W. Shannon Potter
The Board of the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of W. Shannon Potter (“Shannon”) as Executive Director, effective June 15, 2026.
Shannon brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience in faith-based charitable organizations. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a strong capacity for strategic leadership, financial stewardship, and collaborative governance, guiding organizations through seasons of growth, transition, and renewal with care and integrity.
Most recently, Shannon has served as Lead Pastor and Executive Leader at Evangel Church in Oakville, where he provided both spiritual and operational leadership, strengthening organizational sustainability while deepening community engagement. Before this, he served as Vice President of Master’s College and Seminary, overseeing finance, human resources, facilities, and multi-site operations, and working closely with boards and senior leadership.
Throughout the search process, Shannon distinguished himself as a thoughtful, collaborative, and grounded leader—someone who listens carefully, communicates with clarity, and brings people together around shared purpose. Others consistently described him as compassionate, trustworthy, and highly effective in navigating complex environments, with a leadership style that fosters confidence, transparency, and strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.
Shannon’s sense of call to this role is both intentional and sincere. While his ministry has been shaped within the Pentecostal tradition, he has expressed a deep and growing resonance with the theology, values, and public witness of The United Church of Canada. He is particularly drawn to the United Church’s commitments to reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, and to a vision of God’s world that is expansive, compassionate, and justice-seeking. Shannon, together with his wife and family, looks forward to connecting with a local United Church community of faith—sharing in its worship, community life, and faithful witness.
The Board recognizes that this appointment represents something new in our shared life, and we approach Shannon’s appointment as an opportunity to welcome a leader whose experience, gifts, and personal convictions align strongly with the mission and future to which TUCC is called.
In his own words, Shannon shares:
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with TUCC and look forward to working alongside communities of faith to strengthen their capacity for ministry, sustainability, and meaningful engagement in their local contexts.”
As TUCC looks toward the years ahead, Shannon brings a clear focus on building trust, strengthening leadership across the church, and supporting communities of faith as they renew their mission and reconnect with their broader communities—priorities that continue to position TUCC as a responsive and trusted partner in ministry. This work also aligns with the broader United Church of Canada’s Toward 2035 vision, while continuing TUCC’s distinct and independent role in connecting resources with ministry across the regions we serve.
The Board extends its deep gratitude to all who participated in the search process and to our current Executive Director, Ron Ewart, for his faithful leadership and commitment to supporting a thoughtful, smooth transition in the months ahead.
We invite you to join us in warmly welcoming Shannon as he begins this new chapter with TUCC.
With gratitude,
Ross Leckie
President
Toronto United Church Council
TUCC Retirement Announcement April 9th, 2026 – Ron Ewart, Executive Director
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Toronto United Church Council (TUCC), I want to announce the retirement of TUCC’s Executive Director, Ron Ewart. We share with deep gratitude that Ron will conclude his service with us on June 30, 2026.
Ron has been our trusted friend and colleague, often working behind the scenes to support us all. With grace, humility, and vision, Ron has guided TUCC staff and countless committed volunteers in responding to the evolving needs of our churches and outreach ministries. TUCC has grown and flourished to become exactly what the United Church of Canada needs for our time.
Ron began serving in congregational ministry within the United Church in February 1998, after coming to Canada in 1997 with his wife, Ilze, and their family. Ordained in the United Reformed Church in the UK, he was admitted to the Order of Ministry in The United Church of Canada in May 2000.
Since joining TUCC staff in July 2005, Ron has played a vital role in shaping the organization as it exists today. From establishing the work of the Centre for Church Development and Leadership, to serving as Associate Executive Director, and later as Executive Director beginning in 2014, his leadership has been steady, wise, and deeply grounded in the life of the Church.
During the restructuring of regional boundaries within The United Church of Canada, Ron recognized an opportunity to expand TUCC’s geographical reach and thoughtfully guided the organization through that transition, enhancing its service area, and offerings that included the development of the Innovative Ministry Centre and CHURCHx.
In February 2026, Ron marked 28 years of service in The United Church of Canada—an extraordinary milestone that reflects faithful leadership and commitment to the Church. Ron has shared the wisdom gathered from his previous experiences in Canada, Europe and Britain.
Ron has led with humility, integrity, and a genuine care for both people and purpose. He has a gift for bringing together staff, volunteers, communities of faith, regional partners and incorporated ministries in ways that strengthen ministry and build lasting relationships. TUCC is stronger because of the faithful stewardship he has brought to this role.
Over the past several months, the Board’s Search Committee has been prayerfully and diligently engaged in preparing for this transition. That work is now complete, and we look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks as we introduce TUCC’s next Executive Director.
To support a smooth and thoughtful transition, Ron has graciously agreed to remain on a part-time basis over the summer months following his retirement. We are grateful for his continued presence during this important time of change.
In the months ahead, there will be opportunities to express our appreciation and to celebrate Ron’s remarkable ministry among us. For now, we give thanks for his leadership, his dedication, and the many ways he has served both TUCC and the wider Church.
Please join me in holding Ron, and this time of transition, in your prayers.
With gratitude,
Ross Leckie
President
Toronto United Church Council
Remembering Wendy Jarvis
On March 13th, 2026, we received the sad news of the death of former TUCC President Wendy Jarvis.
Wendy joined the TUCC Property Committee in June 2014, becoming chairperson of the committee and a director in 2015. In 2016 she became Vice-President and then TUCC President from 2017 to 2019. Her six-year term as a director ended that year. She joined the CHURCHx Management Committee when it was formed in 2024, bringing to the committee her work experience in managing software sales and development. Unfortunately, illness meant she had to step back from that involvement.
A major occurrence in her time as President was the difficult decision by TUCC to end the lease of the Malvern-Emmanuel building to the tiny congregation it housed, and its eventual sale with the site used to build affordable housing. It was also the time when TUCC made the major decision to broaden its service area in response to the creation of regional councils.
As Chair of the Board at her home congregation, Church of the Master, she was instrumental in the decision of the congregation to create the Church of the Master Endowment Fund, the income from which flows into the Camping Opportunities Endowment Fund. Wendy also used the experience of guiding Church of the Master through closure to assist several other congregations organize that difficult work as they reached the point of closure. She was a resource person TUCC recommended on several occasions to congregations.
Taking a leadership role in her new congregational home at St Mark’s United Church in Scarborough, Wendy’s organizational abilities were drawn on again by TUCC when she took on a part-time contract in 2021 to organize the move from Wertheim Court to the Lansing offices. This in turn led to an engagement with Bloor Street United Church to organize their removal from the building to share space with St. Matthew’s to allow for the renovation of the building. She also had a brief contract role with UPRC/Kindred Works.
We will miss Wendy deeply and offer our prayers and comfort to Roberta Howey of our Financial Development Committee (herself a former director and Vice-President), Roberta’s sister Jillian, their families, and all who loved and cared about Wendy. A funeral is being planned for after Easter.
In 2018, as TUCC’s president, Wendy Jarvis presented the Heart & Vision Award to Senator Murray Sinclair along with Rev. Brian McIntosh.
TUCC's 2025 Grant Report
The mission of The Toronto United Church Council (TUCC) is connecting resources with ministry. Through our portfolio of thirty-eight restricted and designated funds, TUCC allocates grants annually to communities of faith and social agencies. These grants are aimed at fostering innovative ministry, supporting social justice, contributing to community relief projects, facilitating and supporting United Church camping in the Shining Waters Region, promoting reconciliation initiatives, offering leadership training, and recognizing the contributions of youth and young adult volunteers. In 2025 TUCC granted $1,042,760 to programs and ministries.
This substantial amount is a testament to the collective vision, dreams, and generosity of individuals, couples, UCW groups, communities of faith, and former presbyteries and extension councils. These stakeholders chose to partner and invest in the Church now and in the future, within the regions served by TUCC, by actively participating in establishing designated funds.
Our full grant report can be found here.
The Very Rev. Dr. Norman Bruce McLeod (1929–2026)
The Toronto United Church Council joins the wider United Church of Canada in giving thanks for the life and ministry of The Very Rev. Dr. Norman Bruce McLeod, 25th Moderator of The United Church of Canada, who died on January 13, 2026, at the age of 96.
Born in Toronto, Bruce McLeod was ordained to ministry following theological studies at Emmanuel College and in the United States. He served many congregations in Ontario with wisdom and pastoral depth and was elected Moderator from 1972 to 1974, offering steady leadership during a time of social and ecclesial change. His ministry was marked by thoughtful engagement, moral clarity, and a deep commitment to justice.
Beyond the church, Bruce served as Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, reflecting his conviction that faith must be lived in the public square with courage and compassion. He was a strong advocate for human dignity, human rights, interfaith understanding, and the common good.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, the Rev. Joyce Kelly, his family, and all who were shaped by his life and witness. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire faithful service.
Photo credit: The United Church of Canada
Congratulations to the 2025 Baillie Award Recipients!
Each year, TUCC’s Baillie Volunteer Service Awards celebrate young people whose faith comes alive through service, justice, and community care.
This year’s 12 recipients demonstrate a thoughtfulness, eagerness to serve, and commitment to positive social change that gives us at TUCC a great deal of hope for the future of our Church.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to:
- Jay Armstrong (Islington United)
- Stella Bonsu (New Vision United)
- Taylor Carpenter (St. John’s United Georgetown & Glen Williams)
- Beau Dickinson (Trinity United Huntsville)
- Jordan Kumar (Morgan’s Point-Fork’s Road East Pastoral Charge)
- Jordyn Lesser (Westminster United Whitby)
- Aislinn Main (Westminster United Orangeville)
- Graydon Marshall (East End Regional Ministry)
- Abigail Pergau (Burton Avenue United)
- Henry Rogler (St. Paul’s United Orillia)
- Matthew Tyhurst (St. John’s United Georgetown & Glen Williams)
- Paulina Vargatoth (First United Church Ottawa)
The Witness Blanket
In the fall of 2025, The Witness Blanket—a powerful national monument created by artist Carey Newman—will be on display at Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church in Cannington, Ontario. TUCC is honoured to support this exhibition through our Davenport Interest Fund.
Made from hundreds of reclaimed items—a school door, letters, clothing, and personal belongings—The Witness Blanket honours Survivors of the residential school system and tells the truth of this painful chapter in our Church’s history (and in Canada’s history). It also challenges us to commit ourselves to listen, reflect, and continue the ongoing work of truth, healing, and reconciliation. Learn more on the national Witness Blanket website.
We invite you to watch Janice Meighan of TUCC interview Sharon Woodrow, a member of Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church who has worked tirelessly to bring the exhibit to her community. Her story will inspire you, and we hope it will encourage you to make the trip to experience The Witness Blanket exhibit firsthand.
Visit The Witness Blanket September 7 through October 18, 2025. Admission is free, open daily from 12 noon to 8 PM (closed Mondays).
TUCC Stewards Gift of Land to All Our Relations Land Trust
In 2024, TUCC stepped into a new role of stewardship. When Four Winds Development Corporation closed, it entrusted TUCC with a piece of land—known as the Highway #15 Land. Led by Faith United Church, TUCC was tasked with facilitating the legal transfer and gifting of this land to All Our Relations Land Trust (AORLT) – an organization created by members of the local urban Indigenous community to support biodiversity and foster cultural resurgence. On December 17th, 2024 the final transfer and gift was made to AORLT along with $10,000 to assist with any immediate costs related to the land. In June 0f 2025, an aki gifting ceremony was held to celebrate this Indigenous-Church reconciliation initiative. Reflections on that ceremony and the land transfer process are shared in the video at right. TUCC is grateful to have walked on this journey with our Indigenous and Church partners.