For the first time in its 53-year history the Unitarian Fellowship of Lawrence has called its first “settled” minister. The church, 1263 N. 1100 Road, voted Sunday to call the Rev. Jill Jarvis, previously the church’s consulting minister to half-time settled ministry.

Jarvis had been working part-time with the church for the past four years and has been involved in board meetings, Wednesday night dinners, teaching classes, assisting social action, working with various committees, organizing special services and performing rites of passages.

Betty Baron, chair of the UFL, says the move to call Jarvis was the product of a warm relationship that has only grown since Jarvis’ ordination in November 2008.

“We are an evolving and dynamic congregation with a tradition of strong lay-leadership,” Baron says. “It was important for us to know that we could proceed as full partners with a professional minister in our non-creedal faith. After these past few years with Rev. Jarvis, we knew we had found a minister who is a really good partner for the Fellowship. That led to overwhelming support for calling her as our settled minister.”