Alberta Faith Leaders Statement

 — Apr. 20, 202620 avril 2026

A Statement of Conviction from Alberta Faith Leaders

RE: Premier’s Annual Christian Summit, Red Deer, May 4-5, 2026

We are faith leaders from across Alberta – from many traditions, many communities, and many ways of understanding the sacred. What we share is a conviction that faith, at its best, moves us towards one another – towards the neighbour who looks like you and the one who doesn’t. It calls us to lead with humility, to welcome the stranger, and to stand with those the powerful would rather ignore.

We also believe in pluralism – not as a compromise, but as a gift. Alberta is home to people of many backgrounds, many faiths, and many ways of living a good life. That diversity is not a problem to be managed. It is what makes our communities more honest and more compassionate. A public life that only makes room for some voices is diminished for everyone.

The Premier’s Annual Christian Summit, scheduled for May 4 and 5 in Red Deer, claims to bring faith into public life. We share that impulse. But the event’s structure – its cost, its curated guest list, its exclusive framing – means that many voices will simply not be in the room. Smaller congregations, racialized communities, younger leaders, and those without means or connections will be absent. That is not a gathering shaped by the values of welcome and humility. It is a gathering shaped by access and privilege.

We are also concerned by what this event represents more broadly. When any government aligns itself with one religious identity, it diminishes the independence of every other faith community – regardless of tradition or theology. No single tradition, congregation, or political movement speaks for all people of faith. And the faith we know – across our many traditions – has never been most itself when it is closest to power. Rather, it has been most itself when it is closest to the people that power overlooks.

We believe that faithful engagement with public life looks like listening widely, standing with those on the margins, and holding open the door – not closing it based on who can afford a ticket or who holds the right beliefs.

We offer this statement not in anger, but in hope. We have always been here. And we believe the diverse chorus of Alberta’s faith communities will always have a place in shaping the province we share.

Signed,
Faith leaders across Alberta

• Download as PDF

205 signatories as of May 5, 2026.

Thank you to all of our signatories; you made a huge difference in shifting the narrative of an expansive faith in Alberta and across Canada.

The signature form is now closed, but we encourage you to continue speaking out and contacting your representatives.

• The Venerable Jordan Haynie Ware, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton
• Rev. Monica Rosborough, Athabasca United Church, Athabasca
• Rev. Dr. John Pentland, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary
• Rev. David Holmes, St. Andrew’s United Church, Lacombe
• Rev. Mickey Wilson, Garneau-McDougall United Church, Edmonton
• Rev. Helen Reed, Camrose United Church, Camrose
• Rev. Leigh Sinclair, St. David’s United Church, Leduc
• Chris Clark, Canadian Association of Baptist Freedoms
• Rev. Sheena Trotter-Dennis, Knox United Church (Calgary)
• Rev. Dr. Dale W. Johnson, Mill Woods United Church, Edmonton
• Rev. Rachel E. Nadon, Knox United Church in Drumheller
• Pastor Lauren Harms, Calgary Inter-Mennonite Church
• Rev. Linda McLaren, High River United Church, High River
• Mx. Peter Graham, Robertson-Wesley United Church, Edmonton
• Rev Tony Snow, Indigenous Minister, United Church of Canada, Alberta
• Pastor Doug Hayden, Community of Christ, Calgary
• Rev. Kimberly Holmes-Younger, Parkdale United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Robin Galey, Diamond Valley United Church, Diamond Valley
• Pastor Parker Johnson, Community of Christ, Calgary
• Rev. Samaya Oakley, Calgary Unitarians
• The Reverend Carolyn Wendy Herold, Anglican
• Rev. Rosemary Morrison, Unitarian Universalist, Edmonton
• Reverend Brian James Kiely, Minister Emeritus, Unitarian Church of Edmonton
• Rev. Hillary Van Spronsen, Symons Valley United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Julia Kimmett, Okotoks United Church, Okotoks
• Rev. Greg Smith, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, Calgary
• Co-Clerk Jennifer Heath, Calgary Monthly Meeting (Quakers) of the Religious Society of Friends
• Rev. Kelly Osgood, Robert McClure United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Susan Ann Lukey, OM. B.Ed. M.Div., Th.M., The United Church of Canada
• The Rev. Mary-Jane Leewis-Kirk, Anglican Church of Canada, St. Laurence, Calgary
• Rev. John Griffith, Hillhurst United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Dr. Catherine Faith MacLean, United Church of Canada
• Campus Minister, Jessica Andrews, United Church
• Rev. Tracy Robertson, St. Thomas United Church, Calgary
• Rev. John Dowds, Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Rev. Karen Bridges, Robertson-Wesley United Church
• Rev Blaine Gregg, Spirit of Hope United Church: Edmonton
• Reverend Erin Thomas, Trinity Lutheran Church, Edmonton
• The Very Rev. Alexandra Meek, Anglican
• Rev. Sudrey Brooks, Unitarian Universalist
• Rev. Gary Simpson, Christian
• Rev. Gordon Churchill, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Laurie McKay, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Calgary
• Rev. Dirk Jessen, United Church of Canada
• Director Pam Rocker, Affirming Connections (Southern Alberta)
• Rev. Leila Currie, Gaetz Memorial United Church (Red Deer)
• Rev. David Robertson, Chinook Winds Region United Church of Canada, Southern Alberta
• Rev. Bruce Comrie, The United Church of Canada
• Rev Paul Bergen, Mennonite
• Affirm Team Co-Chair Evelyn J. Porter, Spirit of Hope United Church in Edmonton
• Council Member Miranda Natalie Louise Sharp, McDougall-Garneau United Church, Edmonton
• Director of Religious Education Rachael Smith, Calgary Unitarians
• Council Member Carla Janzen, Mill Woods United Church
• Organizer Veronica Malecky, Roman Catholic
• Chair Larry Derkach, Garneau-McDougall United Church
• Rev. Lynn Maki, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Ruth Noble, United Church of Canada
• Spiritual Director Sandra McDonald, Mennonite
• Spiritual Director, Michelle Copithorne, Christian
• Reverend Dave Pollard, Chinook Winds Region, United Church of Canada
• Chair, Cathy Yamada-Swan, Stony Plain United Church
• Rev. Robin King, Bashaw and Ponoka United Churches
• Rev. Dr. Kayko Driedger Hesslein, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Lutheran Theological Seminary
• Rev. Kate Zaiser, Standard Nazareth Lutheran Church
• Rev Sally Boyle, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Tammy Allan, Innisfail United Church
• Rev. Dr. Daranne Harris, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)
• Reverend J. Lee Spice, United Church of Canada
• Rev Gord Waldie, B.Ed, MDiv, St. Paul’s United Church, Grande Prairie
• Rev. Linda Carol Hunter, Wild Rose United Church, Calgary
• Rev’d Canon David Fletcher, Anglican
• Board Chair Karen Pryznyk, Okotoks United Church
• Rev. Pax Murray Speer, United Church of Canada
• Rev.. Cecile Fausak, United Church of Canada, Lacombe
• Chair, Sue Snow, Spiritual – Bwete
• Rev. Rita Roste, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Rev. Larry K. Wright, United Church of Canada, Edmonton
• Rev. Lynn Amey McKinnon Willdig, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Jope Langejans, Lakeview United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Canon Dr. Scott Sharman, Follower of Jesus (Anglican)
• Rev. Sheila P Hagan-Bloxham, Anglican
• Rev. Mark Vigrass, Deacon, St. George’s Anglican Church, Edmonton
• Rev. Trevor Potter, McKillop United Church of Canada, Lethbridge
• The Rev. Dr. Susan L Storey, Anglican Church of Canada
• University Instructor in Religious Education, Brent Saccucci, Unitarian Universalist
• Rev. Quinn Strikwerda, Anglican
• The Very Rev. Jordan Cantwell, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Carolyn Woodall, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Elizabeth Metcalfe, Anglican
• Rev. Tim Chesterton, Retired Anglican priest, currently worshipping in a Mennonite church in Edmonton
• Rev Rohadi Nagassar, A Beautiful Table, Calgary
• Reverend Ann Marie Nicklin, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton
• Rev. Susan Hutton, Knox United Church, Nepean
• Rev Christopher New, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Madeleine Urio. , St. George’s Anglican Church, Edmonton
• Rev. Fred Matthews, Anglican Church of the Nativity, Frog Lake First Nation
• Rev. Cecile Fausak, United Church of Canada, Lacombe
• President, Edmonton Interfaith Centre; Council member, Garneau-McDougall United Church, Gail Allan, United Church of Canada
• Pastoral Associate, Maria Kruszewski, Sanctuary of Peace/Inner City Pastoral Ministry
• Ven. Jonathan Crane, Anglican
• Bp. Trish Schmermund, Lutheran ELCIC
• Chair Shari Hanson, Gaetz Memorial United Church, Red Deer
• Rev. Kevin Kraglund, Anglican Church of Canada
• Christian Social Justice Activist, Annie McKitrick, Anglican, formerly Baptist of Western Canada
• Rev. Elizabeth McHan, ELCIC
• Rev. Peter Chynoweth, The United Church of Canada
• Chairperson Delores Hanchurak, United Church
• Rev. Sharon Foster, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Dr. James Hendricksen, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Rev. Richard Reimer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Rev. James Gilbert Allan, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Nancy Chegus, Sunnybrook United Church, Red Deer
• Rev’d Canon Erin Phillips, Anglican Diocese of Calgary
• Rev. Sharon Foster, The United Church of Canada
• Chair, James Lewis, Spirit of Hope United Church, Edmonton
• Rev. I. Anne McGrath, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Susan Wilkinson-Matticks, Nanton & Blackie~Gladys United Churches
• Rev. Olav Traa, The Synod of Alberta and the Territories
• Rev. Judy Purkis, Anglican, Diocese of Edmonton
• Rev. Dr. Alan Richards, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Lindsey Jorgensen-Skakum, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (Calgary)
• Rev Tom Sawyer, United Church of Canada
• Rev Deborah H Brill, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Wendy Galloway, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Darryl Roste, Evangelical Lutheran in Canada
• Rev. Shane Goldie, United Church of Canada
• Co-leader Safa Rahman, El-Tawhid Juma Circle (Unity Mosque)
• Spiritual Director, Lori Stewart, United Church of Canada
• Rev Dr Mark Chiang, Sharing Ministry, Presbytery of the Northwest
• Rev. Dr. Paul Douglas Walfall, The United Church of Canada
• Principal and Dean, and Professor of Scriptures and Sacred Stories, Fred Tappenden, St. Stephen’s College / Anglican
• Council member Erin Hickman, United Church
• Pastor Omar Reyes, A Beautiful Table, Edmonton
• Rev. Andreas Sigrist, Anglican Diocese of Edmonton
• Affirming Lead, Graham Louden-Khan, Knox United Church, Calgary
• Pastor Anne Louise Tomlinson, St. Albert United Church
• Rev. Joel Den Haan, Chinook Winds Region, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Licensed Lay Worship Leader, Kathleen Honeychurch, Chinook Winds Region/United Church of Canada
• Rev. Pamela Evans, First Third Ministry, Chinook Winds Region, The United Church of Canada
• Council Member/Community Supporter Linda McKelvie, Ponoka United Church
• The Rev. Robert Mutlow, McDougall United Church Honorary Associate
• Rev. Shelley Den Haan, Chinook Winds Region, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Dr. Jane Rowland, Anglican Church of Canada
• Co- Chair Social Justice, SSI United Church, Roger Mah Poy, Salt Spring United Church
• Chair, Evelyn J. Porter, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Marlene Salmonson, United Church
• Rev. Dale L. Watson, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Carolynne Bouey Shank, United Church of Canada
• Council Chair of Living Spirit United Church, Dianne Nikiforuk
• Rev. Erin Klassen, Scarboro United Church (Calgary)
• Rev. Dr. Karen Medland, United Church of Canada
• Lay Leader, Chris Whittaker, Carstairs United Church
• Rev. Britt Aerhart, The United Church of Canada
• Recognized Designated Lay Minister, Mary Faith, The United Church of Canada
• Mr. Caleb Rogers, Community of Christ
• Bp. Rev. Dr. Teresa Joan Hanlon, Roman Catholic Women Priests Canada
• Rev. Scott Brown, St. Andrew’s United Church, Edmonton
• Rev. Paulette Brown, Adjunct Faculty, Martin Luther University College
• Chair of Council, Leslie Gardner, Lethbridge Inclusive Catholic Community Fellowship
• Elder Vickie MacArthur, Community of Christ
• Rev. Dr. Deborah Ann Taylor, Bethel Lutheran Church, Camrose ELCIC
• (retired) Rev. Geraldine Watkins, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Craig Wentland, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Rev Margaret Ruggles, United Church of Canada
• The Rev. Bill Booth, Summit View United Church
• Bishop Stephen Kristenson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Rev. Leila Currie, Gaetz Memorial United Church
• Rev. Debra Stockdale, Summit View United Church, Calgary
• Rev. Matthew Heesing, United Church of Canada, Cochrane
• The Rev. Nicole Janelle, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Calgary
• United Church Regional Staff Rhondda Gower, Gaetz Memorial United
• Rev. Charlie McNeil, Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Rev. Keith Murray, Knox United Church
• Rev. Anne Ellis, United Church of Canada
• Chair of Church Council, Troy Sartison, St Albert United Church
• Rev. Matt Lyseng, Lutheran
• Rev. Karen Wedman, Chair of the Lutheran Synod of Alberta and Territories
• Rev. Cindy Christie-Brooks, Fish Creek United Church (Calgary)
• Deacon, Richard Gorecki, Calgary First Mennonite Church
• Rev. Don Sellsted, Orchard Valley United Church
• Council Member Henry Bergen, Mennonite
• Director Wes D., Evergreens Community GSA, SSUC Edmonton
• Pastor Aiden Scherzinger, Foothills Mennonite Church
• Rev. Jaebok Gu, Knox Presbyterian Church, Red Deer
• Chair, Terry Lee Degenhardt, Hughenden United Church
• Rev. Glenda Jane Wert, United Church of Canada
• Board Chairperson, Cindy Dorr, Regina Native Outreach Ministry (UCC)
• Rev. Ian Smith, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Lisa Penzo, Chinook Winds Region, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Bill Doyle, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Janet Taylor, Braeside Presbyterian Church, St. Albert
• Chair David Joseph Mabell, McKillop United Church, Lethbridge
• Rev. Christian Persaud, Westminster Presbyterian Church
• Rev. Jacob Van Pernis, The Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Diaconal Minister (Retired) Margaret Hetherington, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Sarah Beynon-Giles, United Church of Canada
• Rev. Marion Martin, St. Thomas United Church, Calgary
• Rev Carrie L. Symondson, United Church of Canada – First United – Hanna
• Rev. Nancy Nourse, Summit View United Church, Calgary
• Stee Marcinek, Affirm Lead and Board Member, Gaetz Memorial United Church, Red Deer
• The Rev. Dr. Alydia Smith, The United Church of Canada
• Rev. Dr. William Brook, Living Spirit Centre, Calgary

COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

• Norm Dueck, Christian
• Netta Phillet, Jewish, Coordinator of Edmonton Interfaith Centre
• Karesa Ashley Benham, Garneau-McDougall United Church – Christian (Edmonton)
• Shelley Weinstein, Hebrew
• Dave Janzen, United
• Tom Hutchinson, Robertson Wesley United Church
• Sandy Cooper, Unitarian Universalist
• Guy Blood, Baha’i
• Vital Ouellette, United Church
• Dr. Rob McPhee, United Church
• Doug Schroeder, United Church
• Lindy Mair, United Church
• Carol Hickmann, Mill Woods United Church (Edmonton), United Church of Canada
• Jim Gurnett, Christian/Anglican/Sanctuary of Peace
• John Mair, United Church of Canada (Protestant)
• Colleen Ouellette, United Church of Canada – Robertson-Wesley United Church
• John Timothy Mallandaine, No Specific Community / Contribute to Several
• Dara Smith, Southminster-Steinhauer United Church
• Wendy Vollin, Jesus Follower
• Ethel Ray, United Church
• Susan Waldie, St Albert United Church
• Alice Post, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, Calgary
• Naomi Parker, Ascension Lutheran, Edmonton
• Ruth Bergen Braun, Foothills Mennonite Church
• Susan Cooper, United Church of Canada
• Sharon Peuramaki, Catholic
• Mr. Rob Wells, Independent
• Evelyn Bosse, United Church
• Eugene Bosse, Catholic
• Marissa Stone, Santa Muerte Devotee
• Teunisje Gruber, United Church
• Dr. Wayne Youngward, United
• Joyel Hidber, St. Albert Alliance Church
• Mieke de Groot, United Church of Canada
• Laura Leyshon, Affirming Connections
• Dorie Gold, Lutheran
• Brennan Cartwright, Community of Christ
• Member of Minnedosa United Church, Colleen Wallace
• Larry Tayler, Quaker
• Kitty Dunn, Quaker
• Rondy Kyle, United Church of Canada
• Bonita Hudson, Christian
• Christian, Wendy Kalkan, Lethbridge Inclusive Catholic Community
• Follower of Jesus, Sarah Martin, United church
• Peggy Loescher, Lethbridge Inclusive Catholic Community
• Darlene Montgomery, Robert McClure United Church
• Dr. Joy Berg, Lutheran
• Karen Scott, St Paul’s United Church, Grande Prairie
• Member of Lethbridge Inclusive Catholic Church Fellowship, Bill Way, Roman Catholic Women Priests of Canada
• Susan Van Acker, United Church of Canada
• Paul Beach, Atheist
• Carmen Michaud, Roman Catholic
• Jennifer Ratlzaff, Mennonite
• Kelly Janz, Mennonite
• Marla Beach, Community supporter
• Donald M Fry, SSUC Edmonton
• Annie McKitrick, Anglican
• Sandra Cameron Evans, Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Lisa McKay, United Church of Canada
• Dr. Ty Ragan, Knox United Church
• Baz Skinner, McKillop United
• Community Supporter, Rimbey United Church
• Gary Lawrence Mak, United Church of Canada

Posted: Apr. 20, 2026 • Permanent link: ecumenism.net/?p=15016
Categories: News, Pastoral letter • In this article: Alberta, citizenship, faith leaders, interfaith statements Transmis : 20 avril 2026 • Lien permanente : ecumenism.net/?p=15016
Catégorie : News, Pastoral letter • Dans cet article : Alberta, citizenship, faith leaders, interfaith statements