Trinity-St. Paul's Church Governance
Trinity-St. Paul's Church Governance
Our Governance Structure
Decisions about the life and work of Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church are guided by three boards: the Church Board, the Building Management Board, and the Board of Trustees. Learn more below!
The Church Board is the governing body of the Trinity-St. Paul’s (TSP) United Church congregation. It is made up of members of our congregation. The Church Board meets monthly to engage in discussion, planning, and decision-making around issues affecting our TSP community. It also makes final policy decisions and ensures their implementation. Within the umbrella of the Church Board are six sub-committees:
- The Finance Committee coordinates the preparation of annual budgets and supports the work of our Church Treasurer. It provides financial advice and information to the Board and provides quarterly financial updates to the congregation.
- The Ministry and Personnel Committee supports our church staff and is the interface between the congregation and those who work for and with us. This Committee is mandated by the United Church of Canada.
- The Nurturing Community Committee coordinates fellowship and hospitality efforts, new members programming, and communications. It includes the Pastoral Care Team, which provides support during difficult life transitions, and our LGBTQ+ Group.
- The Public Witness to Social Justice Committee works on a variety of social justice issues through the following groups: the Anti-Racism Working Group; the Climate Justice Group; The Indigenous Rights Solidarity Group; and the Middle East Working Group.
- The Stewardship Committee encourages and coordinates volunteerism and financial givings in the life and work of the church.
- The Worship and Faith Formation (WAFF) Committee plans and organizes ways for members to learn about our Christian faith in the context of a multi-faith society, to share our faith experiences, and to engage in spiritual reflection and practice. Read more about our worship life here.
The United Church of Canada requires that a congregation have trustees who “are responsible for holding all congregational property for the congregation as part of the United Church” and who “must give the same care and attention to congregational property as a reasonable person would give their own property” (The Manual, 2025, p.124). The Board of Trustees is responsible for the care of our liquid assets (trust funds) and our building (real estate).
The Future Directions Committee
The Future Directions Committee (FDC) is a sub-committee of the Building Management Board (BMB). We are exploring options to provide for the long term sustainability of our building as a Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts.
Trinity-St. Paul’s has been a vital part of the Harbord Village, Annex, and Huron Sussex communities for more than a century. Three separate congregations, including ours, meet in our building. We are an important venue for the performing arts, including the world renowned Tafelmusik Orchestra and Chamber Choir, which is our long-time building partner.
Social justice and community organizations are also frequent users of our space. These include a variety of twelve step programs, and groups working in support and solidarity with Indigenous, climate justice, and LGBTQ organizations.
In March 2023, the FDC brought forward a vision, approved at our annual congregational meeting, recommending TSP retain ownership of a renovated building, which includes space for a growing and vital congregation. This was elaborated on with the congregation at the FDC’s April 15th information forum.
Our congregation and our neighborhood are changing quickly. We (FDC) are engaging broadly and deliberately to ensure Trinity-St. Paul’s is well positioned as a community hub, providing services to the congregation, partners, and the community.