Dear members and friends of UUFR,
This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to introduce you to our candidate for settled minister, The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevens, and to share a glimpse of who she is through her video message. If you would like to revisit that introduction you can view her video here: Rev. Dr. Stevens’ Video Message to UUFR As you begin your own personal process of discernment, we also want to share more about Elizabeth’s experience, ministry, and background.
Elizabeth brings over 25 years of ordained ministry within Unitarian Universalism, including two settled ministries and more than a decade of leadership with the UU Church of the Palouse in Moscow, Idaho.
Her ministry reflects a strong balance of:
Authentic, emotionally grounded worship
During her time in Idaho, she supported a thriving and growing congregation, guided her community through significant external challenges with resilience and care, and helped lead a successful $2.6 million capital campaign and building project.
She has also contributed to Unitarian Universalism at the national level through leadership in the UU Ministers Association and training work focused on conflict, trauma, and healthy congregational systems.
Those are just a few highlights. We welcome you to explore her full ministerial record for a more complete picture of her experience, theology, and approach to ministry.
Read Elizabeth’s full ministerial record here: Rev. Dr. Stevens’ Ministerial Record
Candidating Week is your opportunity to truly get to know Elizabeth and to experience what
shared ministry might feel like in this community.
Throughout the week, there will be multiple opportunities to:
To sign up for a group meeting with Rev. Dr. Stevens click here
This process has been shaped every step of the way by you – through searching circles, the congregational survey, and many thoughtful conversations.
These shared reflections helped us understand who we are as a congregation, what we value, and what we are seeking in our next minister. They guided our discernment and remained at the center of every decision we made.
As you continue your own discernment in the weeks ahead, we encourage you to hold these shared hopes alongside your own experience as you prepare to participate in the congregational vote:
In Unitarian Universalist congregations, a strong affirmative vote (typically around 95%) is needed for a minister to accept a call, reflecting the importance of mutual trust and shared commitment.
The congregational meeting to vote on calling Elizabeth as our next settled minister will take place: Sunday, April 26, following the second service (approximately 12:45pm)
All members are eligible to vote. Ballots will be available at both the first and second services that morning.
If you are considering membership and would like to participate, please complete your membership registration by Sunday, April 12. You may do so by stopping by the office or completing the membership form online.
For those unable to attend on April 26, absentee ballots will be available in the office beginning April 12.
Your participation is essential, and we hope you will plan to be present as we take this important step together.
Discernment is both personal and collective.
We invite you to stay open and curious, to listen not only for what you think, but for what resonates more deeply. Pay attention to how you experience connection, meaning, and possibility.
And just as we reflected during Flower Communion, this is not about a single flower—but about what we create together.
With gratitude, and with excitement for the days ahead,
Your Search Team
Bill MacMillan, Becky Elliott, Chris Olson, Laura Dupré, Sandy Pearce, Jim VanKirk, & Ted Spencer
