At the Special Congregational Meeting on April 26, 2026, 101 congregants voted overwhelmingly to call Rev. Diana Smith as our next settled minister. She will begin her work with us in August.
The meeting was called to order by UUSM President Vilma Ortiz at 12:37 pm. The Covenant of Right Relations was read by Denise Helton and Eileen McCormack. The Rules of the Meeting were approved by acclamation.
The work of the Ministerial Search Committee was acknowledged, followed by a summary of the process, from the selection of the search team by the Leadership Development and Nominating Committee to the committee developing a congregational profile and vetting candidates, narrowing the field and choosing a candidate that matched with us, and finally coordinating the many many meetings with congregants during the just concluded Candidating Week, April 19-26. Thank you again to Susan Hendricks, Chela Metzger, Beth Rendeiro, Norm Richey, Shanna Shaked, James Witker, and Cassie Winters.
Following discussion, ballots were collected and the official counters retired to the administrative offices at 1:33 pm to process the votes. At 1:53 pm, Eileen McCormack emerged with the results. Rev. Diana received 94.4% yes votes. The meeting was adjourned following an eloquent closing by Vilma:
Our work here has ended
And our work has just begun:
The work of holding one another and this community in love.
The work of trusting that we are on the right path.
The work of believing that what connects us is stronger than what separates us.
The work of engaging in that which makes us whole.
The work of deeper understanding and commitment.
The work of letting go of that which does not serve us.
The work of radical inclusion.
The work of collective liberation.
The work of this beloved community.
A beloved community of which we are all part.
A place where we are welcomed, respected, valued, cherished.
A place where we belong.
Go in peace. Amen. And blessed be.
Chela Metzger had taken Rev. Diana to lunch during the meeting. They were informed of the results and returned to UUSM, where Rev. Diana accepted the call, documents were signed, a group photo was taken, and a lovely lunch was provided to everyone who remained.
Postscript: Congratulations are in order for for our developmental minister, Reverend Jeremiah, who was also called yesterday as senior minister to University Unitarian Church in Seattle! See https://www.uuchurch.org/2026/uuc-calls-rev-jeremiah.
Photos by Carol Ring, Roy Patience, and Greg Wood. CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.
