Ministerial Search Committee – First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto

Learn more about the search for our next settled minister.

We are looking for our 23^rd settled minister. Our last two settled ministers were with us for more than seventeen years each. Our congregation was founded in 1845 and we have recently moved into our fourth “permanent” location.

The Ministerial Search Committee is tasked with finding our next settled minister who will join us in September 2026.

The following members of the committee were nominated by our Nominating Committee and appointed by our Board of Directors. Check out their bios below their photos:

Name & Position	Bio
Judy Clarke, Documents Packet	I was raised in the United Church but had not been a regular churchgoer for many years. Then around 2002, my neighbour invited me to First, and “it stuck”. I liked what I heard and felt about the place and have been coming ever since. I became a member of the congregation in 2008 and have worked in many roles (including Admin Convenor, On the Move Committee, Memory Book, Building Connections in Oakwood Vaughan, Reconciliation Working Group), as well as sung in the choir. I am happily retired from my former work as a Research Associate at the Institute for Work & Health in Toronto, and love being part of the community at First. I look forward to the time when we have a new settled minister and am happy to have the opportunity to contribute to the search for the right person.
Stacy Hewson, Director	Stacy has been a member of First Unitarian since 2012. She has participated actively in journey groups for many years and has served as a Facilitator of a virtual group since 2020. Stacy has also taken part in numerous UU events, including the Winter Family Retreat and at Unicamp, accompanied by her two sons, Cole and Jesse. She has previously served on the RE committee and as an RE teacher. Professionally, she is a genetic counsellor at SickKids and serves as the Director of the MSc in Genetic Counselling Program at the University of Toronto. Stacy looksCommittee (twice), the Funds Management Committee, and Team Generosity, and as a greeter.
Beth Ann McFadden, Co-Chair	I have been a member of Toronto First since 1992. I was raised Catholic in rural Pennsylvania - the third of 5 children. I became a UU when I was about 15, though I didn’t know about Unitarian Universalism until I turned 30. When I found First, I found my spiritual home. I was grateful to be in a place where I could raise my children and openly express my beliefs. I am currently serving on the committee for the new building. Starting in 1992, I taught R.E. for 5 years and organized the family retreat for 6 years. Then I became a worship leader and before I knew it, I was the Worship Convenor. Later, I served as Chief Convenor. Along the way, I served on the committee on ministry for the Morrison-Reeds, then for Shawn Newton and later for Lynn Harrison. I also served on committees for two different Intern Ministers, as well as the search committee for our Director of Congregational Music. I believe the world needs more Unitarian Universalism, and that is why I am honoured to be serving on the search committee for our new settled Minister.
Loo Russell, Co-Chair & Treasurer	I’m honoured to have this important role. I’m from Montreal raised in a very strict Chinese Presbyterian church. I had many friends of diverse religious backgrounds and at a young age questioned the Presbyterian beliefs. I’m retired from a large global software company (SAP) where I was a director responsible for clients, staff and projects. My husband and son don’t attend church, but they live the UU values. I became a member of First in 1997. I had many roles at First, e.g., children’s programs, Sunday services and Funds Management. I’m currently on the 473 Renovation team, where I learned about the challenges of trying to meet the needs of various groups within the constraints of the budget and an existing building.
Kim Saltarski, Communication & Website	I have attended First Unitarian since 2001 with my wife Wendie, our children Maya and Jason. Previously, we were members at Santa Monica UU in California since 1999. I have headed up the RE Committee, Team Generosity, launched online sermons and created the Sacred Spaces First UU video. I also managed the Family Winter Retreat for several joyous years. I am a documentary filmmaker, TV writer/producer/director and lover and creator of music. I am excited about contributing to the Ministerial Search Committee.
Harold Wright, Interviews	I joined First in the early eighties. I taught Religious Education at several levels during that decade as well as serving on the Intern Minister Committee during one internship. During both the ministerial terms of the Morrison-Reeds and Shawn Newton, I have served on the Committee of Shared Ministry. A long-time usher at Sunday services, I have also been facilitating the High Park Living in Spirit group since 2000. I’ve also had many years of involvement in the selection of candidates for service for CUSO and for Romero House.