Our Lead Minister Search Team is working on behalf of the congregation to find the next settled minister who will help lead UUFR into the future. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we’ve heard.
Rev. James Kubal-Komoto has served as UUFR’s Developmental Minister. Developmental ministry is a specific type of ministry with a set term and goals for congregational growth and change. Developmental ministers are currently not allowed to become a congregation’s settled minister. While UUFR could “bend the rules,” Rev. James could potentially lose his ministerial standing with the UUA and never be allowed to serve another congregation. Rev. James has helped us make important progress during his time here and is now preparing to serve a different congregation.
The Lead Minister Search Team was nominated and elected by the congregation in 2025. Unlike committees (which report to the Board and are ongoing), the Ministerial Search Team is a temporary, independent team who serves the congregation, and is tasked only with leading this one search. You can meet the team here.
The search follows a year-long process guided by the UUA
You can see a more detailed timeline here.
No. The early stages of the process are confidential. Only the Search Team sees and evaluates the pre-candidates. This allows ministers currently serving other congregations to explore the possibility of a new call without putting their current ministry at risk.
Here’s how it works:
When we select the final candidate, the whole congregation will meet them during
Candidating Week. During that week, everyone will hear sermons, on two consecutive Sundays, and have many opportunities to interact with the candidate in forums, Q&As, and social gatherings before the vote.
Candidating Week is when the final candidate spends about 10 days at UUFR. They preach on two consecutive Sundays, meet with members, staff, and leadership, and participate in congregational activities. At the end of the week, the congregation votes on whether to call them as our next minister.
The Breaking Barriers, Building Beliefs (B4) congregational workshop is a required part of the ministerial search process. It helps the congregation reflect on inclusion and equity – exploring issues of identity, privilege, and bias. It lets us prepare to call a minister in a way that is welcoming and just. This congregational workshop strengthens our search by helping us understand the congregation’s culture and values more deeply. All of UUFR is encouraged to attend, especially all congregational leaders (board, staff, committee/team leaders, social justice leaders, volunteer organizers, and more)
Your voices are central. Congregational participation happens through:
Key links for your involvement will be maintained on our Search Landing Page.
If the congregation votes not to call the candidate, the Ministerial Search Team, in consultation with the UUA, would consider next steps. This could mean recruiting a short-term contract minister and re-entering the search process the following year with a new Search Team
In UU life, a “failed search” doesn’t mean no one applied or that we didn’t get a match. It happens when a congregation calls a minister who isn’t the right fit, leading to conflict, mistrust, or stalled ministry.
In contrast, a successful search means we’ve called a minister who feels genuinely called to UUFR, understands who we are, and is ready to grow with us in shared ministry. That’s why your participation in surveys, workshops, and conversations is so important. It helps us present ourselves honestly and find the minister who is truly aligned with us.
The Search Team is supported by the UUA in several ways including access to the Ministerial Search Handbook, on-going contact from our UUA Transitions Coach, Christine Purcell, direct access to other UUA staff with special areas of expertise, and the collective wisdom of other congregations who have gone through this process.
Key links will be maintained on our Search Landing Page. Regular updates will also be shared on the UUFR website, in the weekly Chalice newsletter, and during Sunday services.
📩 Have a question not answered here?
Email the Lead Minister Search Team at .
