Gary J. Paterson (born 1949) was the Moderator of the United Church of Canada from 2012 to 2015. He was the first openly gay person to take the post since the church was formed in 1925 and the first in the world to lead a major Christian denomination.[1]
Gary Paterson | |
|---|---|
| 41st Moderator of the United Church of Canada | |
 Paterson on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 | |
| Church | United Church of Canada |
| In office | August 18, 2012 - August 13, 2015 |
| Predecessor | Mardi Tindal |
| Successor | Jordan Cantwell |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1977 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1949 (age 74–75) Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada |
| Spouse | Tim Stevenson |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia Queen's University Andover Newton Theological School Vancouver School of Theology |
Early life and education
editPaterson was born in Whitehorse, Yukon in 1949, and as an "army brat", lived in Toronto, Ontario and Germany before his family settled in Vancouver, British Columbia.[2]
He earned two degrees in English literature and became a sessional lecturer at University of British Columbia.
Ministry
editPaterson studied theology in Boston and the Vancouver School of Theology before being ordained by the United Church of Canada in 1977. He served as minister at several rural and urban churches, became a staff member of the British Columbia Conference of the United Church, then served as minister at three churches in Vancouver: Ryerson United Church, First United Church, and his current church, St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, where he is Lead Minister.
Moderator
editPaterson was nominated to be Moderator in 2012, and at the 41st General Council of the church, he was elected to the position on August 16, 2012, after six ballots, and was installed as Moderator two days later.[3]
In an interview following his election, Paterson acknowledged that the United Church faced many challenges, but while in office, he hoped to bring inspiration and hope during times of change.[3]
Honours and personal life
editPaterson received an honorary doctorate from the Vancouver School of Theology in 2012.[4]
Paterson lives in Vancouver with his spouse, Tim Stevenson, a Vancouver city councillor who, in 1992, was the first openly gay person to be ordained by the United Church.[2] Paterson has three children from a previous marriage.[3]
References
edit- ^ "United Church Elects New Moderator" (Press release). United Church of Canada. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
- ^ a b Rev. Gary Paterson: Biographical Sketch (PDF), United Church of Canada, 2012-08-10, archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-09, retrieved 2012-08-17
- ^ a b c "United Church of Canada elects first openly gay moderator". Ottawa Citizen. 2012-08-16. Archived from the original on 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ "St. Andrews Notes & Announcements: Honorary Doctorates". St. Andrews United Church. 2012-08-17. Archived from the original on 2012-08-07. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
