Gary Paterson


Gary J. Paterson was the Moderator of the United Church of Canada from 2012–2015. 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.

Early life and education

Paterson 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.
He earned two degrees in English literature and became a sessional lecturer at University of British Columbia.

Ministry

Paterson 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

Paterson 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.
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.

Honours and personal life

Paterson received an honorary doctorate from the Vancouver School of Theology in 2012.
Paterson currently 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. Paterson has three children from a previous marriage.