I was born in Strathroy, and lived there and in Kerwood until I was 8 when we moved to London in 1984. My parents raised us to find our own faith in the world. When I was 10, I joined a United Pentecostal Church (The one on Dundas just west of Clarke Road.) My experiences there taught me to look outside of the church and focus on the value of having faith in myself and the support of my community, and not to expect a great life just based on how much faith I had in God.
I attended Ryerson University and received my Bachelor of Journalism. I also went to the International Academy of Design and received a diploma in Digital Video Editing. When I moved back to London from Toronto in 2003, my husband at the time, Derek, introduced me to the Unitarian Fellowship of London. I was 9 months pregnant with my son Jamie, and I loved the idea of raising my son in a community that valued goodness and humanity for their own sake and would give my son teachings of religions without the old dogma.
As there was little work for a broadcast journalist or video editor in London, I started my career in the non-profit world. I worked for United Way for nearly 10 years, then moved to Youth Opportunities Unlimited and then ATN Access Inc. I also had the opportunity to work and receive my Certificate in Not-for Profit and Voluntary Sector Management from Ryerson University. During these years, I was on the Board of Directors and Chair of the Finance Committee at the Mary Campbell Co-op. I was also the Treasurer for London Fuse and sat on the London Housing Committee as a Member-at-large.
My current husband and I were married by Joyce Orchard here at the Fellowship on July 13, 2013.
In 2017, I decided I wanted to work for the Government, so I went back to school to get my Masters in Public Administration (MPA). With school, full-time work, and 2 children at home, I unfortunately no longer had time to attend the UFL. However, I now work for the Federal Government in Employment Insurance.
In 2026, I noticed I was missing something in my life. It was my community, the UFL. I decided it was time to come back. It was almost like I never left. That is how welcoming you are. I am excited to be your Treasurer, and with a little time and patience, I hope to serve the position well.
What a busy summer. From the successful Pride booth and parade to the LAIC picnic we have been very engaged. I thought it would slow down in September but that hasn’t happened. We are having a membership celebration next week for about 11 new members, and our Chalice or Small Ministry groups are well under way with 4 groups of 5 people attending. Next comes the Volunteer Fair November 1 and the Fall Fundraiser on November 24, and then it’s Christmas. We hope to go in the Argyle Santa Claus Parade on the 5th of December at 4 pm. Please let me know if you can attend.
I have to apologise for all the changing information about my MFC interview (last step in ordination process). I wasn’t able to squeeze in to September or December bookings so I’m now aiming for the March meeting – they only meet three times a year. Linda Thomson is helping me prepare and I am so thankful.
Our numbers at services are good and we have new members attend almost weekly. Make sure you say hi and welcome them.
I am doing a service on the value and serenity pets bring to our lives in response to Raghul’s purchase of a service last fall at the Services Auction. I leave you with these words: “Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” By George Eliot. This is the kind of unconditional love we strive for in our UU congregations.
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Lori Turner Otte M.Div
Director of Congregational Life
Unitarian Fellowship of London 519-859-1640
The UFL Social Justice Committee is looking forward to hosting the service on Sunday, October 25 at 10:45 AM. The speaker will be Sally Humphries, a board member of SeedChange. After the service, a lunch of soup and buns will be served with donations going to support the work of SeedChange.
In the September issue of the Chalice, an article described how the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) initially under the leadership of Lotta Hitschmanova morphed into SeedChange.
It has become evident that programs to reduce poverty and hunger work best if those who are the focus become part of the solutions and are involved in the actual programs.
“SeedChange partners with farmers across Africa, Latin America and Canada to strengthen seed diversity, build climate-resilient food systems, and help local solutions thrive. The result is innovation that is practical, transformative, and grounded in the ingenuity and insight of farmers.” (from SeedChange Jottings, Spring 2026)
In our Unitarian Universalist faith, The Living Tradition We Share Draws from Many Sources is found in our hymnal Singing the Journey. One of these is “Spiritual teaching of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.” The philosophy of SeedChange follows this path.
So again, please put Sunday October 25, 10:45 AM in your calendar. The service will be followed by a luncheon of soup and buns.
Donations will go to support SeedChange. Those who wish to receive a charitable donation receipt, should donate by cheque payable to SeedChange, or click here to donate online.
4 p.m. – Cocktail hour
5 p.m. – First set of Game Shows and Raffle Draws
6 p.m. – Dinner
7 p.m. – Second set of Game Shows and Raffle Draws
8 p.m. – Dessert, Coffee, and Tea
8:30 p.m. Final Raffle Draws
The event planning Committee, Kathy Kaill, Klarissa Fear-Firman, and Hannah Akinsola, are changing things up this year!
Instead of auctioning off services, you will be winning services raffle-style. Draws will be held throughout the night and at the end of the night we will draw for the consolation prizes.
Consolation prizes you say? YES! Everyone will end the night taking home a prize. Through our raffle draws, people can win services or items of their choice. You may win one, or you may win many. However, if you do not win anything, then your number will be added to a final draw where we will call numbers in order, and you can go and select from remaining duplicate services and items.
As always, our fair and equitable services raffle doesn’t require anyone to use real Canadian currency to get raffle tickets. An attendee makes his or her most generous donation at the front door and receives, in return, a numbered card, 15 raffle tickets to use on the prizes of your choice, and a list of the donated services being offered. Tax receipts will be issued for the amount of the donation, less $10.00 for cost of the dinner. Couples who make separate donations at the door will each receive 15 raffle tickets. Childcare will be available for young children in the child care room in RE. Everyone will win additional tickets throughout the evening as we challenge table against table in some friendly gameshow-style competitions.
The party theme is Play it Forward: International Style. We will be celebrating our diversity and love for the differences across the world by playing various Game Shows from around the world and enjoying a variety of international foods. We are looking for volunteers to make and share their favourite international one-pot dishes with the congregation.
What can you do to make this event a success? Donate a service, by filling out a Service Auction Donor form, on Sundays, or filling one out online. Examples of donated services in past events have included such items as : 2 hours of yardwork, 2 hours of handyman repairs, home baked loaves of bread, providing a meal for 4 or 6 in your home, or delivering a meal to the successful bidder’s home, theatre tickets, a drive in the country, movie tickets, a Tim Horton’s gift card. We want all our members and friends to attend this fun-filled fundraiser so save the date. We also need many volunteers. There are lots of jobs to choose from, beginning with set-up on November 14, to the clean-up at the end of the evening.
Any questions? Please contact one of the Service Event committee members or email Kathy at KathyUFL@outlook.com.
“Mirth & Dignity, the Canadian not-for-profit behind the wildly popular UU Hysterical Society, is holding a retreat this autumn in beautiful southern Ontario! Spend four days/three nights at the Crieff Hills retreat centre (just outside of Guelph, ON) laughing together, dedicating time to rest and recharging, and connecting with other UUs.
Some of your favourite Canadian UUs are going to be there: UUHS founder Liz James, songleader Wendy Luella Perkins, storyteller Katharine Childs, and animator Amber Dawn Bellemare will be leading the programming!! We can’t wait for you to join us!!”
Find out more at uuhystericalsociety.com/
Please submit any information to the office email by the third Friday of each month to be included in the next edition of the Chalice.
