Rev. FitzGerald is Our Minister of Care & Community Engagement

After a 7-month search process, we joyfully announce that Reverend T. J. FitzGerald is joining First Unitarian Church of Dallas as our Minister of Care and Community Engagement.

A Message from Rev. T. J.

“It’s with deep humility and profound joy that I accept the invitation to journey with this community further in our ministry to this world.

In my short time here, I have come to know people who offer this community and the community beyond the kind of compassion, bravery, and vision that I believe has the power to change lives. I want to be a part of the important, life-saving work of this community in all the ways I can.

Thank you for your faith in me. And may this great blessing yield many more blessings in the days ahead of us all.”

How the Minister Search Committee Arrived at Their Recommendation

“In August 2022, the Minister Search Committee was created and charged by Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter to help him identify candidates for the newly-created position of Minister of Care and Community Engagement, a contract ministry reporting to him.

Throughout Fall 2022, our seven-member committee, representing the congregation, commenced the task. We gathered pertinent information, held an open meeting with interested congregants, and worked closely with the UUA to post the position. An external avenue through which qualified non-UUA members could apply was also created. The application process was opened for two months, from mid-November through mid-January 2023.

Once the job posting was closed, the committee reviewed ten viable candidates. Each candidate had filled out an extensive application form (up to 30 pages) in addition to the required résumé. The committee then viewed their online sermons. After much discussion and discernment, three finalists were identified, who were interviewed via Zoom.

During the final round, an online data capture program was created to collate all feedback from each committee member. This feedback was then compiled and reviewed, as a team, after the interviews were completed. In the end, through a ranked voting process, the committee presented Rev. Kanter with our recommendation.

The committee is grateful for this opportunity to serve our church community. And we are wholeheartedly aligned in the belief that Rev. Thomas J. FitzGerald fulfills all the requirements of the position and will be a welcome addition to our ministerial family. We’re very happy T. J. is here to stay.”

-Dean Castelhano, Mary Jo Earle, Cierra Graham, Leslie Palmer (co-chair), Sajeev Prelis, Michelle Touchet, and Stephanie Womack (co-chair)

We express deep gratitude to the Minister Search Committee and the Board of Trustees for their diligent work throughout the search process and are overjoyed with the outcome.

Please offer Rev. T. J. a warm welcome the next time you see him at church!