Ministerial Transition & Search
With the June 2024 retirement of UUC's Senior Minister of 25 years, the Rev. Jon Luopa, we are in a period of transition. On this page, you will find information regarding timeline, process, and decisions made throughout the transition to the congregation's call of our next Senior Minister.
Ministerial Search 2025–2026
Ministerial Search Team Update: Summer 2025
At our Annual Meeting in June, the UUC Congregation elected a seven-person team to conduct the search for our new minister. Your Ministerial Search Team had their first meeting on July 12 (see photo above) and we will spend more time over the summer getting to know one another. We will have our first official retreat in early September.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) offers deep resources to help with this process, including a time-line that all congregational search teams follow (see below), ongoing procedural support, best practices ideas and document templates we can use as starting points for our own work.
In September and October, the Ministerial Search Team will begin listening to and learning from the congregation about our collective priorities in this ministerial search. This will include asking folks to complete a congregational survey and scheduling many opportunities to share thoughts/dreams/hopes for our shared future. The Search Team will also be scheduling a congregational workshop in late fall/early winter to help everyone be best prepared to welcome a new senior minister. You’ll be hearing more about all of these in the new church year.
The Search Team will be updating you throughout this process in the
Gateway
enewsletter
and here on the church's website. And when you see Search Team members around church, don’t hesitate to ask questions, provide encouragement and/or offer suggestions. You can also email us at
MinisterialSearch@UUChurch.org.
Search Timeline
September–October 2025
- To help develop our church profile, the Search Team distributes an electronic survey to the congregation and holds numerous small-group listening sessions with congregants; and focus group listening sessions with UUC staff, the Board, and communities within UUC.
- The Board appoints a Negotiating Team to recommend a salary and benefits package.
- The Search Team schedules a Breaking Barriers, Building Beliefs Workshop to be held in November or December.
November 2025
- The Board approves a proposed minister contract and submits it to UUA.
- The Search Team completes the Congregational Record, which includes information from the congregational survey and listening sessions. The Congregational Record is a profile of UUC that will be reviewed by potential ministers.
December 2025
- UUCs Congregational Record goes live on the UUA site in early December.
- Ministers inform UUA of their interest in UUC.
January 2026
- UUC receives a list of interested candidates from UUA.
- UUC reviews applicant materials, selects applicants to interview, and conducts video interviews with applicants.
- After interviews, UUC chooses 3-4 pre-candidates
February–March 2026
- Search Team hosts candidates during their Friday - Sunday visits to Seattle
March–April 2026
- Search Team submits their candidate rankings to UUA while ministers submit their rankings to UUA.
- UUA confirms matches and offers can be made & accepted.
- Finish negotiating agreement and announce candidate!
- Candidating week: The candidate participates in a UUC service and meets with the UUC staff and the Board.
- A special All Congregational meeting is called to vote on the candidate.
- The Board submits a “Notice of Call” to UUA after the congregational vote.
August 2026
- Our new minister begins work at UUC.
Slate of Ministerial Search Committee Nominees Approved
June 2025
At our June 15, 2025 Annual Meeting UUC members voted to approve the slate of Ministerial Search Committee nominees.
This team will spend the next year identifying the best candidate for our next Senior Minister.
Hired Acting Associate Minister
May 2025
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.
Transition Update
June 2024
The UUC Board of Trustees has entered into a contract with the Rev. Dr. Douglas Wadkins to serve as interim Senior Minister for a two-year period beginning in August 2024. You can read more about Doug in this UUC blog post or by visiting his website.
Doug also offered this video message (at right) to the congregation in anticipation of the start of his ministry at UUC.
A final message from the Rev. Jon Luopa to the congregation reflected on the transition process and the path ahead for UUC. You can view that video here (at right).
Transition Update
March 2024
The Board of Trustees met with the Congregation during their monthly Conversations with the Board on March 17, 2024 to update the attendees on the progress to find an interim minister.
Unitarian Universalist Association Transition Process
The Unitarian Universalist Association provides guidance for churches going through the leadership transition process. Please see the links below for more information.
Congregational Meeting January 28, 2024
University Unitarian Church held their mid-year Congregational Meeting on January 28, 2024. During this meeting, Rev. Jon Luopa, Rev. Beth Chronister and Board of Trustees President Patricia Graesser all made statements regarding the leadership transition.
Senior Minister Statement
A statement from Rev. Jon Luopa at the January 28, 2024 Congregational Meeting
Rev. Beth Chronister's Remarks
A statement from Rev. Beth Chronister about her plans now that Rev. Jon Luopa is retiring at the January 28, 2024 Congregational Meeting.
Statement from the Board of Trustees
A Statement from the Board of Trustees President Patricia Graesser regarding the Interim Search Process and the leadership transition at the January 28, 2024 Congregational Meeting.