From the Acting Associate Search Team

Dear Members and Friends of University Unitarian Church, 

We are excited to share some wonderful news with you! The Acting Associate Search Team has concluded its efforts, and we are thrilled to introduce Rev. Victoria Poling as our new Acting Associate Minister for Community Engagement. 

The position is part of our new staff team that emphasizes working with congregational teams to share the ministry of several essential areas including welcome, caring community and social justice. We will be very collaborative within the staff, as well as with lay leaders to continue to expand leadership development and build partnerships within the congregation and beyond. The associate position is acting, which indicates in this instance that it will likely remain in place as we transition into the new lead ministry and will allow the lead minister to have flexibility to continue the current ministry or seek another associate in line with their vision to build a vibrant and effective shared ministry. 

We were lucky to have strong candidates for the position. However, the search team was impressed by Victoria’s insightful and experienced understanding of ministry, her wise and compassionate understanding of the ways of church life, and her considerable experience working with lay teams in congregations. 

As one search team member wrote, "[Victoria] has a calm, grounded presence and, according to members of her current congregation, the humility, spiritual grounding, relational skills, and creativity that was pivotal to supporting their congregations and lay leaders through periods of significant complexity and uncertainty. She is deeply called to serve the land, water, and people of the Salish Sea and has a longstanding commitment to engaging with our UUC community through various roles, such as supporting our Coming of Age mentors, collaborating with UUC family ministry leaders, and leading summer services."

Victoria holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Seattle University School of Theology & Ministry, and in addition to her ministerial experience, Victoria has an impressive background in nonprofit management and environmental education, which will enrich our church’s programs and initiatives. Her multifaceted skills and deep compassion make her a wonderful addition to our community. 

Rev. Poling will begin her ministry with us in August, but will most likely begin some behind the scenes work in late July.

Please join us in welcoming Rev. Victoria Poling to University Unitarian Church! We are looking forward to the many ways she will engage with UUC and assist us all as we grow together. 

Warm regards, 

The Acting Associate Search Team

Aria Curtis, Becca Hutcheson, Eileen Bianamara, Scott Maxson and Rev. Doug Wadkins