The Very Reverend

Richard Bott
43rd Moderator of the United Church of Canada
ChurchUnited Church of Canada
ElectedJuly 26, 2018
PredecessorJordan Cantwell
Orders
Ordination1994
Personal details
Born1968 (age 54–55)
Marathon, Ontario, Canada

Richard Bott (born 1968) is a minister of the United Church of Canada who served as the 43rd Moderator of that church from 2018 to 2022.

Early life and education

Bott was born in Marathon, Ontario[1] and grew up there.[2] Following graduation from high school, he attended University of Ottawa, where he earned his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in 1990. He then earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from Queen's University in 1994.[3]

Ministry

Following graduation, Bott was ordained as a minister of the United Church. Over the next 24 years he served at five churches in Ontario and British Columbia.[3] During that time, he earned a Diploma in Stewardship Studies from Queen's Theological College (1996), a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Laurentian University (1998) and a Doctor of Ministry from Ashland Theological Seminary (2003).

In 2000, Bott also became a liturgical writer, publishing articles, prayers and liturgy in a variety of Christian publications.

Moderator

Bott was nominated to be moderator in 2018, and at the 43rd General Council of the church in Oshawa, Ontario, he was elected after five ballots. Following his election, Bott said, "I am excited about the possibilities that are in front of the church and hopeful that we are going to live into them together."[4]

During his installation service, Bott spoke of the feeding of the multitude, when a small child offered Jesus five small loaves and two small fish in order to feed a large crowd: "This child offered what they had, knowing that they might stay hungry. The child is us at our best, and the child is the world at its best; when we are ready to offer without having any idea what the end result might be — trusting that what God does with the gift, and with us, will be enough to satisfy the hunger, the hunger of all the world, and more."[5]

As all moderators since 1994, Bott was due to serve for three years until his successor was chosen at the 44th General Council of the United Church in August 2021. However due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Council was postponed a year, and Bott's term was subsequently extended until then.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "The United Church of Canada's 43rd Moderator is the Rev. Dr. Richard Bott of Vancouver, British Columbia". United Church of Canada. September 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-21. Born in Marathon, ON, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Biigtigong Nishnaabeg
  2. ↑ White, Christopher (September 2018), "Meet your new moderator: Rt. Rev. Richard Bott", United Church Observer, retrieved 2018-11-21
  3. 1 2 "43rd General Council Moderator Nominees Profiles: Richard Bott" (PDF). 43rd General Council. United Church of Canada. August 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-21. Since being ordained in 1994, I have served in the congregations of Trinity United Church in Iroquois Falls, Ont., St. Marys United Church in St. Marys, Ont., St. Andrews-Haney (which, with Hammond United, became Golden Ears United Church), in Maple Ridge, B.C., and Dunbar Heights (which, with Ryerson United, became Pacific Spirit United Church) in Vancouver.
  4. ↑ Rodd, Catherine (2018-07-26), The Rev. Richard Bott Elected 43rd Moderator of the United Church
  5. ↑ Dorrell, Kathryn (2018-07-27), Moderator Richard Bott at Closing Worship: The Church Is Hungry for Change
  6. ↑ Kutchukian, Claudia (2020-06-20). "General Council 44 Has Been Postponed". generalcouncil44.ca. United Church of Canada. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
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