our minister
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REVEREND ERIC METER
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. He began his ministry with us on August 9, 2021. Contact Rev Eric at [email protected], 613-725-1066, ext 225. Sadly, Reverend Eric announced on Thursday, February 13, 2025, that he will be leaving FirstU to return to the US after the end of June 2025. Click HERE to read the letter from Reverend Eric regarding his decision. |
Reverend Lara Cowtan
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The Board of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa is very pleased to announce that the Rev. Lara Cowtan has accepted its offer to serve as the congregation’s next minister! She will begin serving in this role in early August this year.
Rev. Lara is currently serving as the Minister of Congregational Care at Unity Church Unitarian in St. Paul, Minnesota, one of the largest UU congregations. In that role she leads Unity’s work in pastoral care. She is Canadian, originally from Winnipeg, where she traces her roots back several generations in that city’s Icelandic Unitarian community. Her mother was also a UU minister. Visit Lara's personal website. |
Rev. Lara began her professional career as a Registered Nurse, practicing in Canada and the US before moving to Europe. It was while living in Switzerland that she found herself drawn to helping create a UU community in Basel, which led to her calling to enter UU ministry and to devote herself to this faith she has described as, ‘the air I breath’.
After earning her MDiv from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, she served in a number of ministerial roles in the US, Canada and Europe. She also has been very active in a variety of international UU organizations, including serving on the Executive Committee of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists.
Prior to her current ministry in St. Paul, she served for three years as the Interim Minister at Vancouver Unitarians, one of the largest Canadian congregations, and also briefly as the consulting minister at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Thunder Bay.
Rev. Lara told us that she feels it is time to put her roots down in a long-term relationship with a Canadian congregation and has said that she is looking forward to that being with FirstU. She also has said, ‘I hope to serve a congregation that is committed and active in its calling to build beloved community and to work with a dedicated team of staff and lay leaders in shared ministry with fresh vision and energy.’ As this is a three-year contract-to-call position, we will have an opportunity to explore calling Rev. Lara as First U’s next settled minister and expect to start that discernment process during her second year with us, but will be flexible regarding when this process begins.
The Search Committee found a common theme of collaboration mentioned by those who spoke about Rev. Lara and her approach to ministry.
The board is excited that Rev. Lara has accepted its offer to join us at FirstU and is looking forward to working with her to help us live into our mission to kindle the light within and to inspire courage to nurture the web of life and create a just and compassionate world.
After earning her MDiv from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, she served in a number of ministerial roles in the US, Canada and Europe. She also has been very active in a variety of international UU organizations, including serving on the Executive Committee of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists.
Prior to her current ministry in St. Paul, she served for three years as the Interim Minister at Vancouver Unitarians, one of the largest Canadian congregations, and also briefly as the consulting minister at the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Thunder Bay.
Rev. Lara told us that she feels it is time to put her roots down in a long-term relationship with a Canadian congregation and has said that she is looking forward to that being with FirstU. She also has said, ‘I hope to serve a congregation that is committed and active in its calling to build beloved community and to work with a dedicated team of staff and lay leaders in shared ministry with fresh vision and energy.’ As this is a three-year contract-to-call position, we will have an opportunity to explore calling Rev. Lara as First U’s next settled minister and expect to start that discernment process during her second year with us, but will be flexible regarding when this process begins.
The Search Committee found a common theme of collaboration mentioned by those who spoke about Rev. Lara and her approach to ministry.
The board is excited that Rev. Lara has accepted its offer to join us at FirstU and is looking forward to working with her to help us live into our mission to kindle the light within and to inspire courage to nurture the web of life and create a just and compassionate world.
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.
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 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. 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. Read about our current Lay Chaplains here.
For more information about the Lay Chaplaincy program, visit the Canadian Unitarian Council website.
For more information about the Lay Chaplaincy program, visit the Canadian Unitarian Council website.
pastoral and spiritual care at FirstUPastoral 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. 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 [email protected] or call the FirstU office at 613-725-1066. |
Rev. Eric Meter, Settled Minister
[email protected] Rev. Linda Goonewardene, Community Minister [email protected] 
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