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Meet Our Candidate for Minister!

The Ministerial Search Committee is excited to introduce our candidate for lead minister, Rev. Charlotte Arsenault (she/her). Charlotte is lead minister at the Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church in Dahlonega, where she’s been for the past 12 years. Prior to that she interned at Emerson UU in Marietta, her hometown.

She received her Master of Divinity from Harvard and undergraduate degree in philosophy and religion at Queens University. She was ordained at Georgia Mountains and is in full fellowship with the UUA. Rev. Charlotte has also served as chaplain since 2010 at several hospitals and hospices. She’s certified in palliative care, crisis intervention and de-escalation, and non-violent communication.

Charlotte is a Georgia native. She grew up and graduated from high school in Marietta. Since becoming minister at Georgia Mountains, the church as almost tripled in size, and has been through a capital campaign to build a brand-new building overlooking the mountains. This is despite the fact that Dahlonega has a population of only 7,500 and is situated in a small rural, conservative county of 35,000.

Charlotte is married to Leo, who she met in college. Leo’s family has French Canadien roots, thus Arsenault is pronounced to rhyme with vault. Charlotte and Leo have three children, Lilah, age 12, Nolan, age 8, and Ellie Rose, age 4.

Charlotte will be here during Candidating Week, April 26 – May 4. Her family will be joining her for the final weekend. Please mark your calendar for these opportunities to meet her:

*Sunday, April 27 – The candidate will deliver their first of two sermons and be available after the service for questions and to meet and greet.

*Wednesday, April 30, 6pm – Potluck in the Social Area followed at 6:30pm by a meet and greet with the candidate.  Please bring food to share.

*Thursday, May 1, 7pm – The candidate will be available via a Zoom meeting for questions. The link will be provided in that day's E-Blast. While this event is meant for members and friends who are not able to be at Church, everyone is invited.

*Saturday, May 3, 2pm – Ice Cream Social – While this event is meant for parents, children and youth, everyone is invited.

*Sunday, May 4 – The candidate will deliver the second of two sermons. After the service, a congregational meeting will be held to call the new minister. Childcare will be available.

During Candidating Week, the candidate will be meeting with the staff and numerous committees.

We have appreciated your trust in choosing this candidate. We’re available to answer questions anytime. You can email us at FUUNMSC@Gmail.com.

Your MinisterialvSearch Committee consists of Steve Jones (chair), Carleen Dowell, Jeannie Haman, Bill Latimer, Pat Lynch, Doug Pasto-Crosby, and Jessica Young.