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The Board of the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa are pleased to welcome Reverend Lara Cowtan as our new minister. Lara 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.
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’. |
Watch Rev Lara's message to FirstU.
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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.
Rev. Lara is looking forward to working with FirstU Ottawa 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.
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.
Rev. Lara is looking forward to working with FirstU Ottawa 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.
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, call the FirstU office at 613-725-1066 or send us an email using the button below: |
Reverend Lara Cowtan, Minister
Reverend Linda Goonewardene, Community Minister
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