Candidates for the Search Committee have been Selected!
Thank you to all who submitted recommendations. Over half of the congregation participated and nominated over 125 members! The Parish Committee used your recommendations and other factors to select 11 candidates. You can read their bios and learn the details of the selection process. The congregation will vote to determine which will be on the 7 member committee at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 3.
Call for Recommendations
Following Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) best practices, we are asking every member to recommend individuals they trust to serve on the Search Committee on behalf of the entire congregation. Our goal is to form a committee that is representative, trusted, well-connected, and accountable to the whole community.
Please take time to deeply reflect and consider who in our congregation has the qualities and skills needed for the Search Committee.
- Who in the congregation works well with others and listens well?
- Who can represent the whole congregation well and has no “axe to grind?”
- Who knows (or can learn) the history and culture of the congregation, whether a member of long standing or relatively new?
- Who has been and/or is active in the congregation and has demonstrated responsible participation and wellness to lead?
- Who would be able to know and relate our core qualities, from the best to the worst, to potential candidates?
- Who can put aside corporate or academic hiring practices to focus on finding a spiritual leader?
- Who would represent us well in interacting with applicants?
Please fill out your response below by March 2 (extended deadline!). If you don’t use all 5 slots and think of others, you can submit an additional form. However, we will only consider the first 5 recommendations submitted. Search Committee members must be First Parish members. Those on the Parish Committee and Transition Team are not eligible.
Please reach out to the Parish Committee or the Transition Team to discuss recommendations or learn more about the process. We will also be reaching out to members to get your input directly. We want to hear from everyone.
After all responses have been collected, the Parish Committee will review the suggestions and form the final Search Committee ballot that the congregation will vote on at the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 3, 2026.
Check out the Settled Minister Search Committee FAQ for more information.
Settled Minister Search Committee Recommendations
Please provide up to 5 recommendations of people you would like to see on the Settled Minister Search Committee. You can recommend yourself as well. We’d also appreciate it if you’d add a few words telling us about why you are recommending this person.
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