The seven-member Ministerial Search Committee is leading the congregation through a series of workshops and forums to discern what UCV is looking for in its next settled Minister, in preparation for embarking on an extensive search for the best candidate – who would begin serving in the summer of 2023.

Carrie Mac

I’m Carrie Mac,  Mama to Hawk (10) and Esmé (13) who you may have seen up on stage in pageants or lighting the chalice or tearing around the campus over the last several years. I first came to UCV in 1991, for a Samhain circle dance, and have felt connected to UCV ever since, coming off and on whenever I lived in Vancouver, and especially when Esmé was an infant and toddler. We took a break when Hawk was born, because my kids didn’t want to leave the sanctuary, and also didn’t want to sit still. Oh, if we’d only had the prayground then! 

I’m Queer, a widow, a novelist by trade, and a wanderer by nature. As a unschooling family, our schedule lets us travel far and wide, when the world permits. Part of what I would bring to the search committee is the experience of having visited over a dozen UU congregations in the States, with three more coming up in the next month or so. I’ve been lucky to experience how other congregations run their services, their RE programs, their physical space, and their approach to newcomers, as well as appreciating the homilies given by a variety of ministers. I look forward to the opportunity to serve UCV in this way, and to help my spiritual community move forward through these bonkers times.

Diane Brown

Diane has been on the UCV Board twice, and twice the President. She and her son Dylan are long-time members. Diane is active on the Environment Team, the IBPOC plus Allies and Widening the Circle Groups, and is a Sunday greeter. She is also on the Advisory Board of Vancouver Civic Theatres and Theatre Cares. Her profession is Artistic Director of Ruby Slippers Theatre. What UCV means to her: a caring community grounded in Principles wherein Dylan can grow up and count on for the rest of their life, a place that empowers folks to create social/eco justice in the world, a place that celebrates creativity and diversity, a place that provides sanctuary, a place for spiritual exploration and growth. From decades working in theatre, Diane has honed her skills at assessing qualities in character. She is offering to serve on this important committee because she cares deeply about who will lead UCV forward. Diane can offer strong collaborative and leadership abilities, and has significant knowledge of how the Church works. Her goal is to help ensure UCV’s valuable legacy and community exists for future generations.

Esmé Mac-Demers

Esmé Mac-Demers is a 13-year-old associate member of UCV. She is passionate about art, comics, baking, advocating for trans youth, and her cat. Esmé’s parents attended UCV when she was a baby, but then didn’t come very often when the kids were quite little. Esmé signed up for the elementary level Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation Reflection Guide workshops in 2017, and then elementary OWL in 2018. She has been coming regularly to Sunday services and children’s programs ever since.

Esmé is now a member of Youth Group, is looking forward to CanUUdle (the national youth conference) and loves Magical Camp every summer.

Members who know her know that Esmé is thoughtful and perceptive, and brings a cooperative, friendly spark to every group she’s part of in our congregation. She’s also been to many different Unitarian churches around the States and hopes to bring her observations and opinions to the search committee. Esmé’s perspective as a youth member and her experiences in many UU contexts are a unique offering in the search process. She’s dedicated to this place, now and in its future.

Jenny Malcolm

Hello, I am honoured to be asked to serve on the Ministerial Search Committee. My family and I joined UCV in 2013 after moving back to Vancouver from London, UK. We found a warm and welcoming community here. I also serve as Member at Large on the UCV Board, and am a member of the Outreach Opportunities Fund committee. I am currently enjoying the Wellspring course. I was formerly chair of the DREMC and also served on the Interim Ministerial Search Committee in 2020. My “first career” was in communications and public affairs. I retrained as a Clinical Counsellor 6 years ago and now work in a primary care clinic with Indigenous folks. I love reading, gardening, the outdoors, and live theatre. I am also very happy to be back to in-person services again.

Meena Wong

I was born in the People’s Republic of China and lived under the harsh authoritarian regime during the Cultural Revolution. Living in Hong Kong as a teenager gave me the first taste of freedom. Then coming to Canada, the country where I feel free to express my thoughts without having to worry about being imprisoned or made to disappear.

I’ve been working with other like minded groups on social issues such as inequality, housing, and the environment. I founded the Civic Engagement Network Society in 2005 to engage newcomers from authoritarian states in civic participation and democratic process. I’ve been elected president of the West Coast Mental Health Network due to my work in the mental health services. I was nominated to run in the federal election in 2011 and as a mayoral candidate in 2014. I’ve been working with Vancouver Coastal Health as a facilitator in the last 10 years.

Becoming a Unitarian was a unique experience. The initial encounter was not an easy one but being invited to take part in last year’s programming of the Asian Heritage Month celebration was an exciting experience. It’s the first time I became engaged with the UCV community. Then the 8th Principle and the process of adopting it. It’s an emotional rollercoaster ride for me. Being a visible minority, I experienced racism firsthand. The process of building consensus and those sincere discussion sessions among members impressed me. I was amazed by the overwhelming support of finally adopting the 8th Principle. After decades living in Canada, I’m very happy to finally found a community that makes me feel at home.

Michael O’Neil

I was born in NYC and grew up in New Jersey in a large family. 

I went to undergrad and med school at the U. of Toronto. I trained at VGH and worked in various medical fields:  as a family doctor, Emergency work at LGH, urgent care, as a Hospitalist and in Palliative care.

I served on the LGH Hospital Board, was president of Medical staff and NS Medical society and was head of the LGH ER Dept. I am a clinical Asst. Prof @UBC and teach at UBC Med school part time. 

Catherine and I have been members of UCV for 30 years. Initially we taught RE for years. More recently I have been on multiple committees including fund raising, redevelopment, partner church, IM search, MTT, DMTF and UCV Board from 2019-2021. 

I have a sense of UCV’s history and current issues. We are at an important juncture and need a strong, compassionate, sensitive, and wise settled minister.

Nancy Woodham

I became a member of UCV in 1990. I started with the Single Parents Food Bank. Over the years I have been a member of the Children’s program, the Worship Committee, and an Advisor for the youth group. I was co-chair of the Worship Committee when Rev. Dr. Steven Epperson was on sabbatical.

During my time as an advisor to youth I travelled with them to many conferences and twice to New York to attend the UU UNO Spring Seminar. I am currently involved with UCV as a facilitator for the OWL (Our Whole Lives) program and a member of a Women’s Group that started in 2009. I believe in volunteering. Serving on the Search Committee is a very important role. I work well with others, am an active listener, and have a good perspective on the needs of the congregation spanning the ages from child to adult.