Known as “Elka” and preferring they/them pronouns, our candidate has served as minister of the First Parish in Dorchester, MA since 2020. Prior to that, they served as Justice and Outreach Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Indianapolis, IN. They have also served congregations in Tulsa, OK and in San Diego, CA. Prior to ordination, Elka served in the Youth Office of the UUA and as a coordinator of UU youth programs.

Elka is a fourth generation UU and comes from a family of ministers. Elka’s spouse is the Rev. Seth Carrier-Ladd, currently serving as Interim Minister of the First Parish in Concord MA; together they are parents of four young children and reside in Revere.

“I feel deeply connected to the earth and its beautiful inhabitants. I find such joy in nature. Growing up spending summers on Cape Cod, the ocean has always held a special place in my heart. I love finding ways to bring the natural world into my spaces.

I love adventure. I love to explore and take risks. I rise to a challenge.

Above all else, I love people. I thrive in vibrant communities where I can find gatherings of people. I love to imagine who someone is. And more than anything, I love to discover people. To learn about them, to ask them questions about what feeds them and what scares them, to share with them who I am. I love to surround myself with interesting, challenging, loving people. People are my greatest love.”

As a Worship Leader: “A Sunday with Rev. Elizabeth Carrier-Ladd in the pulpit is the kind of Sunday you look forward to. She speaks wisely in a style that is energizing, thought provoking, and, most of all, emotionally moving. In ways that are both immediate and profound, she is able to reach around the platitudes to deliver a message that stirs the hidden reefs of our interior.  And she can stir the pot, too! Rev. Carrier-Ladd is not one to step away from the tough issues. She could tell what conversations our congregation needed to be having and she addressed them from the pulpit, challenging us and inspiring us. I would describe her as a wise and powerful presence, full of empathy and kindness.”

Leadership: “Elizabeth has a respectful, empowering demeanor and a passion for ensuring that the spirit of those she works with shines through. She lends support and can gently provide structure when necessary. She also shares her well-earned knowledge of UU history and practice as a resource but never imposes it on their process.”

Pastoral Care: “When my daughter was facing a health crisis, I received the benefit of the strength of Elizabeth’s pastoral care skills. Her genuine compassion, sympathy, and honesty lightened my burden and gave me the chance to breathe. The gift of her time and attention gave me the strength to provide support to the rest of my family during a stressful time.”

Justice and Outreach: “Elka is a gifted minister who brings a heart for pastoral care along with an always-deepening intersectional analysis. She is a connective, authentic leader. She often surprises me with her ability to name racism and oppression directly while coming from a place of deep compassion and humility. Elka has a deep commitment to our faith and an aspiration for us to live into our promise. I feel profoundly fortunate to have worked with her and learned from her in white anti-racist spaces.”

From Your Search Committee:

Friends, you told us you wanted a minister who would help us to expand our membership in size and diversity; challenge us in areas of social

justice and climate change, and partner with us as we strive to live our mission and vision.

You asked for a minister who can support families and a multi-generational community, serve in a prophetic role, and provide visible leadership and engagement in the community.

We have been impressed with this candidate’s warmth, enthusiasm, wisdom and, of course, their preaching. We feel confident that, as you spend time meeting Reverend Elka during our upcoming candidating week, you will share our excitement!

With love (pictured L-R above): Alexandra Smith-Taylor, Daphne Blount, Bill VanderClock, Katie Gullotti, Marty Ahrens – Your Search Committee