TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 9, 2012) - Canada's largest Protestant denomination, The United Church of Canada, is holding its 41st General Council in Ottawa, August 11-18, 2012. The meeting will take place on the campus of Carleton University in the Ravens' Nest Gym.

Reporters are invited to attend a pre-General Council media tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.to meet The United Church of Canada's current Moderator, Mardi Tindal.

Also available to speak with reporters at this media briefing will be:

• Nora Sanders: The United Church of Canada's senior administrative officer, the General Secretary of the General Council.
• The Rev. Ste╠üphane Vermette: Chairperson of the Planning Committee for the 41st General Council.
• Barbara Reynolds and David Stafford: Co-Chairs of the Local Arrangements Committee for the 41st General Council.

The General Council is a national gathering of more than 350 delegates called commissioners. Commissioners are selected by the church's 13 regional Conferences and represent an equal number of lay and ordered men and women. In addition, close to 300 guests, observers, youth, children, global partners, staff, and volunteers will be present for the week-long gathering.

The General Council meets every three years to elect a new Moderator, to pray and worship together, and to approve new church policies. The last meeting of the General Council took place in Kelowna, British Columbia in August, 2009.

IMPORTANT: Please note that while other United Church spokespeople will be available for media interviews throughout General Council, this media briefing will likely be the only opportunity to speak with the Moderator and General Secretary, most of whose time will be occupied preparing for and facilitating the meeting of General Council.