REV. LARA COWTAN

Welcome

I am an ordained minister in Full Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association, with a Masters of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School. My life experience, everything I have learned and done has prepared me for Unitarian Universalist ministry, and I continue to grow with each new opportunity. I am excited to be embarking on my next chapter, serving the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa Canada, beginning in the summer of 2025.

My earlier career in nursing instilled in me the value and power of empathy and human connections, about prioritizing and about healing, and about how things sometimes don’t heal, and then how to move forward. I learned how, in spite of loss, people may find a new way of being and living in the world, growing around and with grief. I have come to understand how being in community with ourselves and others despite one's brokenness, and even maybe because of it, allows us to simply "be" in a different way.

Raised by a UU minister, I witnessed and learned throughout my life different ways of doing church; the challenges, the blessings the complicated systems so dependent upon one another, so rich in giving and also needing, needing to know love and support. I’ve seen what it takes to bring health and hope into community and individual lives. All of this has been integrated into my ministry and leadership with many congregations and faith communities around the world.

I have lived in 5 different countries, studied four languages (though they are not all readily accessible!) and spent the past 15 years steeped in international Unitarian Universalism, revelling in the glorious and complicated tapestry of our faith tradition around the globe.
What I have learned above all is that everyone and every living thing is worthy of love.

I am called to be an advocate and give voice to those who are voiceless, to care for those in need, offer safety for those who are afraid, comfort to the afflicted, sometimes challenge those who could use a little less comfort. This is ministry. I believe the future lies in saying yes to opportunities. Yes to leading the way and making space for others to move into their potential, empowering leaders to rise to meet their own challenges and bringing more compassion and justice to our world.

This is a delicate and critical period where communities are finding a new way of understanding themselves and moving intentionally towards who they wish to become while facing fears and challenges of a shifting political landscape and climate change. This transformative and generative work inspires me, draws on my gifts and skills, and also challenges me to continually grow and be engaged. I love working with congregations to deepen their spiritual lives and move towards their mission, to equip leaders to achieve their potentials, providing resources and frameworks for groups and individuals to strengthen their connection to their faith and spirituality.

There is so much opportunity and need for Unitarian Universalism in the world right now, and I believe that we can make a real positive difference. I want to maintain my valuable connections with International U/U communities around the globe, and to continue to work with them whenever possible.
Growing our connections and relationships with interfaith leaders and to align with community partners is also a keen interest for me. I am eager to join in partnership with others to strengthen our collaborative impact, towards organizational sustainability, and to support one another in our own spiritual journeys towards wholeness and healing.

As a Unitarian Universalist minister I have the opportunity to use all of my gifts and to continue learning and growing alongside of the congregations I serve. I am excited to see where the path will lead me, and where it may lead you as well.