East Central Ontario Regional Council - The United Church of Canada

The East Central Ontario Regional Council (ECORC) is a Canadian nonprofit religious organization affiliated with The United Church of Canada. Established on January 1, 2019, ECORC functions as one of the sixteen regional councils within the denomination, serving as an administrative and decision-making body that supports and oversees various Communities of Faith within its geographical boundaries.

History and Background

ECORC emerged from a restructuring within The United Church of Canada that replaced former conferences and presbyteries with regional councils to better support local ministry and governance. It was previously known as Regional Council 11 before adopting its current name. The council incorporated communities previously part of the Bay of Quinte Conference, Living Waters Presbytery, and several other pastoral charges formerly under different presbyteries, reflecting a broad and inclusive regional faith community[3][4].

Geographic and Organizational Composition

The council's jurisdiction covers multiple pastoral charges and communities of faith primarily located in Eastern Central Ontario. These include specific pastoral charges from the former Living Waters Presbytery such as Trinity Pastoral Charge-Uxbridge, Sandford-Zephyr Pastoral Charge, Goodwood Pastoral Charge, and Epsom-Utica Pastoral Charge, as well as all pastoral charges from the former Bay of Quinte Conference such as Four Winds, Hills and Shores, Lakeridge, Kawartha Highlands, Kente, and Shining Waters[3].

Governance

The governance of ECORC is vested in its executive body known as the Council of Elders, which oversees the council's activities and decisions. The presiding officer of this council is designated as the Speaker. The council comprises all ministry personnel within its bounds, ministers from denominations with mutual recognition agreements, and lay members elected by the Communities of Faith, maintaining a balanced representation between clergy and laypersons[3].

Mission and Purpose

The East Central Ontario Regional Council is dedicated to serving as a thriving faith community that facilitates healing and growth. It aims to enhance faithful and holistic practices among its member communities, continuing the mission legacy of the former Bay of Quinte Conference and related bodies. Its mission reflects a commitment to promoting Christian gospel and church life through contemporary means, fostering spiritual development and communal support within its region[2][4].

Relationship Within The United Church of Canada

As part of The United Church of Canada's governance structure, the ECORC functions as a vital intermediary between local congregations and the broader national church framework. This relationship empowers the council to provide necessary oversight, resources, and support aligned with the denomination's evolving mission and ministry priorities[1][3].

This organizational structure exemplifies how The United Church of Canada adapts its administrative and spiritual outreach to reflect regional needs and contemporary contexts, strengthening the church’s presence and service in Eastern Central Ontario.