FirstU Welcomes reverend eric

The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, at 30 Cleary Avenue, is excited to announce that we are welcoming a new Settled Minister and a new Music Director. Rev Eric Meter and Music Director Jenn Berntson began serving our congregation in August of 2021.

Reverend Eric Meter – Our New Minister
At a virtual Special Meeting held on Sunday May 2, 2021, the members of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa overwhelmingly approved the motion that Rev. Eric Meter be called as the next Settled Minister for our congregation.
A third generation Unitarian Universalist, Rev. Eric has served UU congregations in Ohio, northern California and upstate New York. Prior to answering the call to ministry, Eric worked with both the Minnesota Literacy Council in St. Paul, MN and the Twin Cities’ Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant communities. He is a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul and Starr King School for the ministry in Berkeley, CA.
In 2007, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Pacific Central District of the UUA. He is passionate about grief work, small group ministry, interfaith cooperation, and the possibilities of religious community. We are excited to see how Reverend Eric’s skills, experience, compassion, and dedication help shape not only our congregation, but our community at large, in the coming years.
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Jenn Berntson – Our New Music Director
​After a competitive search with talented applicants, input from our Music Search Team, Choir members, and Ministers, we are excited to announce Jenn Berntson as First Unitarian's new Music Director.
In addition to joining our music team, Jenn is the 2021-2022 Chamber Choir conductor for the Ottawa Children’s Choir, and has been the conductor for OCC's Prima choir for the last four seasons. She sings with the Capital Chamber Choir, and is also the founding artistic director of Aella, an advanced treble ensemble based in Ottawa known for its innovative and engaging programs.
Jenn holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice from Mount Allison University and a Master of Arts in Music and Culture from Carleton University, where her research focused on collective music-making as a form of protest. We are excited for Jenn to bring her experience, talent, creativity, and passion for choral music to First Unitarian.