David Giuliano
Encyclopedia
The Very Reverend David Giuliano (born May 16, 1960), was the Moderator of the United Church of Canada
from 2006 to 2009.
Giuliano grew up in Windsor, Ontario
, in his words, "a descendant of deeply faithful Southern Ontario Quakers, born-again Baptists, and Italian-American immigrant Catholics." While in high school, he met his future wife Pearl at a church youth group.
Following his graduation from university, Giuliano worked for the University of Guelph
as human rights commissioner, conference co-ordinator, and residence manager. In 1980, he and his wife spent four months volunteering at a vocational school in Cap Haïtien, Haiti
.
Giuliano made the decision to become a minister of the United Church of Canada
, and entered Queen's Theological College
in Kingston, Ontario
. Following his graduation in 1987, he was ordained as a minister by the London (Ontario) Conference of the United Church of Canada
. He was settled at St. John's United Church in Marathon, Ontario
, where he remained as minister until his election as Moderator.
During his time in Marathon, he was active in community development, and was the founding chairperson of several groups, including a regional restorative justice program, a food bank and thrift store co-operative, a school community council, and an anti-racism committee. He also co-chaired the municipal community development committee.
In 2006, he was nominated as a candidate for the post of Moderator. At the 39th General Council of the United Church at Lakehead University
in Thunder Bay
, Ontario
on August 18, 2006 (his son's 19th birthday), he was subsequently elected to succeed Peter Short as the 39th Moderator of the United Church for a three-year term. He was succeeded by Mardi Tindal
in August 2009 at the 40th General Council.
During his tenure as moderator, Giuliano tried to prepare the United Church for a new vision of its mission in Canada's post-Christian society, saying that concerns about falling attendance and revenue should not stand in the way of change, for "God is getting ready to do something new and is inviting us to be part of that."
Shortly after his election as moderator, Giuliano discovered that a cancer he had fought into remission several years previously had recurred. While recovering from surgery and during other treatment, Giuliano shared his journey of faith, hope and discovery with the wider church through letters, articles and videos. In the December 2008 issue of The United Church Observer
, he wrote:
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees earned before his ordination, he also has a Master of Theology, a Master of Science in Adult and Experiential Learning, a certificate in Spiritual Direction, and a certificate in Expressive Arts. In 2007, he received an honourary Doctorate of Divinity from Huntington University.
He and his wife Pearl have two children, born in 1987 and 1989.
Moderator of the United Church of Canada
The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is the presiding leader of the United Church of Canada, Canada's largest Protestant denomination. The church is highly decentralized and non-dogmatic and the moderator has only limited power...
from 2006 to 2009.
Giuliano grew up in Windsor, Ontario
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
, in his words, "a descendant of deeply faithful Southern Ontario Quakers, born-again Baptists, and Italian-American immigrant Catholics." While in high school, he met his future wife Pearl at a church youth group.
Following his graduation from university, Giuliano worked for the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
as human rights commissioner, conference co-ordinator, and residence manager. In 1980, he and his wife spent four months volunteering at a vocational school in Cap Haïtien, Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
.
Giuliano made the decision to become a minister of the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
, and entered Queen's Theological College
Queen's Theological College
Queen's School of Religion, formerly Queen's Theological College, is affiliated with Queen's University. Graduates receive their degrees from Queen's University...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
. Following his graduation in 1987, he was ordained as a minister by the London (Ontario) Conference of the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
. He was settled at St. John's United Church in Marathon, Ontario
Marathon, Ontario
Marathon is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Thunder Bay District, on the north shore of Lake Superior north of Pukaskwa National Park, in the heart of the Canadian Shield.- History :...
, where he remained as minister until his election as Moderator.
During his time in Marathon, he was active in community development, and was the founding chairperson of several groups, including a regional restorative justice program, a food bank and thrift store co-operative, a school community council, and an anti-racism committee. He also co-chaired the municipal community development committee.
In 2006, he was nominated as a candidate for the post of Moderator. At the 39th General Council of the United Church at Lakehead University
Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a public research university in Thunder Bay, and Orillia, Ontario, Canada.Lakehead University, shortened to 'Lakehead U', or 'LU', is non-denominational and provincially supported. It has undergraduate and graduate programs and a medical school.The school has more than 45,000...
in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on August 18, 2006 (his son's 19th birthday), he was subsequently elected to succeed Peter Short as the 39th Moderator of the United Church for a three-year term. He was succeeded by Mardi Tindal
Mardi Tindal
Mardi Tindal is the current Moderator of the United Church of Canada, only the fourth layperson to take the post since the church was formed in 1925...
in August 2009 at the 40th General Council.
During his tenure as moderator, Giuliano tried to prepare the United Church for a new vision of its mission in Canada's post-Christian society, saying that concerns about falling attendance and revenue should not stand in the way of change, for "God is getting ready to do something new and is inviting us to be part of that."
Shortly after his election as moderator, Giuliano discovered that a cancer he had fought into remission several years previously had recurred. While recovering from surgery and during other treatment, Giuliano shared his journey of faith, hope and discovery with the wider church through letters, articles and videos. In the December 2008 issue of The United Church Observer
United Church Observer
The United Church Observer is a Canadian denominational magazine, reporting on national and international issues of faith, justice, ethics, daily living and pop culture. Although it was the official publication of The United Church of Canada for 60 years, it is now a financially and editorially...
, he wrote:
If we played the [Christmas] pageant together, who would you be this year? ...
This year I would be the donkey, I suppose. I would be a donkey who used to be a warrior horse. The ravages of failure, age and illness, though, have transformed me into something more humble and comical — and I say that with no disrespect toward donkeys. It feels as though maybe I am only beginning to understand what it means to carry the promised Christ on my back. Only just beginning to understand this remarkable journey, but even in my stubborn single-mindedness I have been invited to a place of honour on the journey.
In addition to the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees earned before his ordination, he also has a Master of Theology, a Master of Science in Adult and Experiential Learning, a certificate in Spiritual Direction, and a certificate in Expressive Arts. In 2007, he received an honourary Doctorate of Divinity from Huntington University.
He and his wife Pearl have two children, born in 1987 and 1989.