The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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Our Minister: Rev Lara Cowtan
Reverend Lara Cowtan is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist whose faith is deeply woven into her life and calling. A Canadian originally from Winnipeg, she traces her roots back several generations to that city’s Icelandic Unitarian community and is the daughter of a UU minister. This tradition, she says, is not just something she believes in, but something she lives and breathes.
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Before entering ministry, Lara worked as a Registered Nurse in Canada and the United States. Her nursing background continues to shape her ministry—grounding her in deep listening, compassion, and an honest engagement with both healing and loss. It taught her how to be present with people in times of vulnerability and transition, and how to help build systems of care that support both individuals and communities.
Lara lived in Switzerland for many years, where she became deeply involved in international Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist communities. ​
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During that time, she helped found the Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Basel, served in leadership roles across Europe, and discerned her call to ministry in a richly diverse and pluralistic context. She earned her Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School, completed her internship with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport, Connecticut, and was ordained there in 2017.
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After returning to Canada in 2019, Rev. Lara served in a variety of ministerial capacities, including consulting and leading worship with congregations across Canada, the United States, and Europe. She served as Interim Minister at Vancouver Unitarians and as consulting minister with the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Thunder Bay. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also served as a hospital chaplain at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, offering spiritual care during a time of profound uncertainty and loss. Most recently, she served as Minister of Congregational Care at Unity Church–Unitarian in St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the largest congregations in the denomination.
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Rev. Lara is especially drawn to ministry that nurtures connection, resilience, and shared leadership. She believes deeply in the power of beloved community, in walking with one another through times of change, and in creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves — gifts and wounds, questions and convictions.
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Whether you are new to Unitarian Universalism, exploring your faith journey, or have been part of this tradition for many years, Rev. Lara armly welcomes you and looks forward to journeying together with the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa.
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Worship Associates
The Worship Associates program offers congregation members an opportunity to participate in shaping and delivering a worship experience. Each Associate works with the minister to develop and participate in three to four services during the church year.
Our Worship Associates' participation during Sunday worship is a testimony to our community’s commitment to direct congregational involvement in the worship and the liturgy of the church through preaching, readings, storytelling, drama, dance, and music.
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FirstU's Lay Chaplains
Lay Chaplains perform many types of rites of passage, but most often, weddings, memorials, and child naming/parent dedication services. They officiate these services primarily for people who are not associated with our congregation, but can serve our members as well. Lay Chaplains take intensive training to be appointed and additional advanced training courses during their time as a Lay Chaplain. They are responsible to the minister who, with the Lay Chaplaincy Committee, ensures ongoing performance observation and coaching.
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The Unitarian Lay Chaplaincy Program is a uniquely Canadian program established by the national Canadian Unitarian Council. A national Lay Chaplaincy Committee sets standards for the program and develops and conducts ongoing professional development through courses and workshops. For more information about the CUC Lay Chaplaincy program, visit the Canadian Unitarian Council website.
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Lisa Boulay
Lisa has been a member of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa since 2018 and has quickly become involved in many aspects of the Congregation. She is a retired Family Counselor who for twenty years provided both individual and group counseling. In addition, she has developed and delivered several workshops and training programs on substance use, mental health, trauma and recovery.
Before becoming a counselor, Lisa worked in the corporate environment and brings a background in training/course design, and communications to her work. Currently, Lisa is a facilitator for the Ottawa Pastoral Care Training Program. Lisa is also a Reiki practitioner and certified Yoga teacher.
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As a Lay Chaplain Lisa is happy to offer her talents and abilities to support you in creating a meaningful and sacred ceremony to celebrate with reverence, compassion and gratitude the rites of passage and milestones of your life.
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Guy Belleperche
Guy is an engineer by education, a pragmatic idealist by temperament, a husband, father, retired public servant, resident of Ottawa since 1989, and a part of the FirstU community since 2004, where has volunteered as a sexuality educator, youth advisor, worship associate, and member of the board of directors.
As a Lay Chaplain, Guy will work with you to create a rite of passage (wedding, memorial service, celebration of life, naming and dedication service) that matches your needs and expectations.
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Pastoral and Spiritual Care at FirstU
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Pastoral and Spiritual Care is provided by many individuals in our congregation in addition to the minister.
Community Minister
Rev. Linda Goonewardene shares time with members and friends who would like to talk about the joys and challenges of our human journey. Contact her at: communityminister@firstunitarianottawa.ca.
Caring Network
‘We listen, we phone, we bake, we drive’ is the motto of our Caring Network. The Caring Network has two different contacts for each month that serve as coordinators. They also provide cards to be signed on Sunday mornings to be sent to members who are ill, or who are experiencing a life transition, be it joyous or sad. If you would like to contact this month's Caring Contact, please check the eUU for their contact information.
Caring Visitors
We are happy to announce that FirstU has a small team of trained Caring Visitors to support congregants who are experiencing challenges, transitions and times of questioning in their lives. Our Caring Visitors do visits in-person, by phone, and on Zoom. In these visits, they listen attentively and with empathy and, if requested, assist you in clarifying your feelings and thoughts. They can also make referrals to the Caring Network or our Minister. Caring Visitors do not provide counselling, driving, or appointment accompaniment. To request a Caring Visit, contact caringvisitors@firstunitarianottawa.ca or call the FirstU office at 613-725-1066.
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