Our Minister

Rev. Patricia Guthmann Haresch joined us late in the Fall of 2018 as our Developmental Minister.  Rev. Pat is a birthright Unitarian Universalist whose first position out of college was the coordination of Adult Religious Education and Programming at her home congregation, Unity Unitarian, a large congregation in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Although her minister suggested she pursue ministry at that time, Rev. Pat felt it wise to gain some life experience and embarked on her first career as a paralegal and supervisor in complex litigation, her last position before theological school being the coordination of continuous improvement investigations at the well-known Mayo Clinic in the United States.
 
Rev. Pat has served as Minister for congregations in New Hampshire and North Carolina and as a consultant for a congregation renewing religious education for all ages in Virginia.  A few years ago, her spouse, John, signed on with the U.S. State Department which has brought their family (including sons Will and Alex, and Bailey the dog) to the Philippines, where she had an active role with a local UU congregation and the national organization, then Colombia, and now Canada.
Contact Rev Pat: minister@firstunitarianottawa.ca

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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.

Lay Chaplains

Lay Chaplains perform both child naming/parent dedication services and memorial services and are licensed by the province to perform weddings. They perform these services for both members of our congregation and people who are not members but wish to use their services.  Lay Chaplains take intensive training that includes regular meetings with the Minister and observing services they will perform. Their training is overseen by the Canadian Unitarian Council through the Ministry and Lay Chaplaincy Committee.  As well, Unitarian Lay Chaplains across Canada have an organization which provides workshops for professional development.  Read about our current Lay Chaplains here.
For more information about the Lay Chaplaincy program, visit the Canadian Unitarian Council website.

Lay Spiritual Care

Lay Spiritual Visitors are volunteers who take Pastoral Care Studies and visit members of the congregation who ask for support.  Although not professional counselors, they are trained to be active listeners and provide care, comfort, and support to people who face transitions and decisions. All conversations between Lay Spiritual Visitors and members are confidential unless there is a risk of harm. If needed, we may make referrals to the Lay Spiritual Care Coordinator and to the ministerial staff.
Perhaps you're in need of our service. Or, maybe, you would be interested in becoming a lay spiritual visitor.

The Caring Network

We provide assistance to members who are sick, house-bound,  or caught in an emergency.  We offer occasional transportation, make home and hospital visits, call people to see how they’re doing, create “caring cards,” and provide support in a crisis such as child care, transportation, food, and reassurance.

For more information, call the church office at 613-725-1066.