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It's in the details |
 The energy at First UU this past Sunday, February 8th, was nothing short of electric. We gathered with a shared purpose: to decide on the future of our ministry. We are thrilled to announce that by an overwhelming majority, the congregation has voted to call Rev. Kristen Kuriga as our settled Associate Minister!
By the Numbers: A Strong Showing The meeting was called to order by Board President Karen Lamphere, who confirmed that we hadn't just met our quorum—we blew past it. While we needed 144 eligible voting members to make the decision official, 213 members made their voices heard. The engagement across our community was inspiring:
A Spirit of Connection While the vote was the "business" of the day, the atmosphere felt more like a family reunion. Rev. Justine opened the meeting by lighting our chalice, setting a tone of warmth and reflection. During the interludes while votes were being counted, the sanctuary was filled with music and storytelling. Rev. Justine led the congregation in song, and members took turns at the mic to share heartfelt reflections on what Rev. Kristen and this church community mean to them. It was a beautiful reminder of the deep roots we’ve already planted together. The Path to "Yes" Before the results were announced, the Call Discernment Team gave a brief presentation on the journey that brought us here. They detailed the intentional, six-month process they led to ensure everyone who wanted to share was heard. This successful vote is a testament to that hard work and the clarity of our collective vision. The Celebration The moment the vote was announced, the room erupted. Rev. Kristen graciously accepted the call to a resounding standing ovation. The festivities didn't end in the sanctuary, though! The congregation moved to Bard Hall to keep the momentum going. We celebrated this new chapter the best way we know how: with plenty of laughter, community spirit, and, of course, cake. Thank you to everyone who participated, voted, and shared their heart during this process. We are so excited to see what the future holds with Rev. Kristen officially by our side.
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 Exciting times are ahead for First Church! The Board of Trustees has officially called a Special Congregational Meeting to take a significant step in our community’s growth and development.
We are gathering to discuss and vote on calling Rev. Kristen as our settled Associate Minister. This is a pivotal moment for our congregation, and we want you to be a part of it. Meeting Details
Why Your Attendance is Critical To make this vote official, we must reach a quorum of approximately 144 eligible voting members. Without this quorum, we cannot move forward with the process. Whether you join us in the pews or log on from home, your presence counts. Online participants are fully counted toward the quorum, so please join us in whichever way is most convenient for you! Note: Grab a snack in Bard Hall after the service and then head over to the Meeting House (or your computer) so we can begin promptly at 11:30 am. Building Our Future Together This meeting is more than just a vote; it’s an opportunity to engage in conversation about the next chapter of First Church. We are looking forward to gathering as a community to take this important step in our shared ministry. See you on the 8th & tell your friends!  Following our recent Congregational Conversations, if broad support is confirmed for extending a call to Rev. Kristen as our settled Associate Minister, we will hold a Congregational Meeting to vote on the matter.
🗓️ Proposed Meeting Date and Details:
This is a momentous decision, and we urge all eligible First UU members to attend and cast their vote! 🗳️ Understanding the Requirements for the Vote The authority to call a settled minister rests with the congregation, as reserved by our bylaws. This Call can only be made at a specially convened Congregational Meeting.
Your attendance is critical to ensure we meet the quorum! Eligible members attending in-person and those attending online will be able to vote and will count toward the quorum. 🔑 Become a Voting Member If you wish to vote, we strongly encourage you to complete the membership requirements as soon as possible.
Please plan to attend this vital Congregational meeting on Sunday, February 8, 2026! Your Voice Matters: Join the Congregational Conversations to Discern Calling Rev. Kristen!11/2/2025  The Call Discernment process at First UU is moving into a crucial phase, and we need to hear from you! The cornerstone of this process is our series of Congregational Conversations, designed for us to explore what calling Rev. Kristen as our settled Associate Minister would mean for our congregation, our mission, and our future. What Are Congregational Conversations? They are small, facilitated discussion groups where everyone will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their thoughts about this important decision.
Why You Should Attend Your participation in these conversations is vital—they are the most important part of this entire process! The feedback gathered from these sessions, along with a recommendation, will be presented to both the Board and Rev. Kristen. They will then use this information to make the final decision on whether to move forward with a congregational vote to call her. We strongly urge everyone in the congregation to attend one of these small groups. Ready to Join the Conversation? The Congregational Conversations are scheduled throughout November and December (see below). Check the website and The Window for online sign-ups soon. Your voice is essential to this discernment process. We look forward to seeing you there!   Email sent to First UU congregants on 9/22/25
Dear Fellow Congregants, I’m looking forward to working with you on the many exciting things happening at First Church this year. The search for a settled lead minister is certainly one of the key projects we’ll be undertaking together and I’m writing to give you an update of where we stand. Rev. Kristen has been in discernment about whether or not she would like to be considered for the lead minister position. After much thought, she has decided not to pursue the position. of settled lead minister. That said, she is fulfilled at First UU and very much wants to continue her work with us. Rev. Kristen is currently Assistant Minister on a two-year renewable contract basis. Rev. Kristen is beloved, respected, and valued in our church community. We have the opportunity now to acknowledge how much she and her ministry mean to First UU by calling her as Associate Minister. Moving Rev. Kristen from a contracted minister to a called minister would demonstrate our appreciation for her work with us and provide her — and First UU—long-term stability as we work our way through the important decisions that lie ahead. This work will be guided by the Contract to Call process, a framework provided by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). To begin this process, our Board has appointed a five-person Call Process Task Force to lead the congregation through the discernment process. This team will also be responsible for guiding us toward a congregational meeting where we will vote on whether to officially call Rev. Kristen as our new Associate Minister. The members of this task force are:
An essential part of this process will be a series of small group meetings which will be similar in format to the Our Sustainable Future small group sessions we held last year. After these meetings, the Task Force will prepare a summary report for the board, ministers, and the congregation with a recommendation on whether to bring the call decision to the congregation for a vote. The work of the Call Process Task Force will begin soon, with the small group meetings taking place in October and November. I anticipate that the congregational meeting will be held in January. The process of calling a settled lead minister will begin in February. Thank you for the energy and commitment you bring to our church community! Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions. Karen Lamphere Board President |
