Contact information for ministers and staff can be viewed here.
Rev. Lauren Smith
The Rev. Lauren Smith joined the First Parish in Wayland in August 2026 after nearly twenty years as a Unitarian Universalist minister. Rev. Lauren has served congregations in Portsmouth, NH and San Mateo, CA. More recently, she served as national Director of Stewardship and Development at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in Boston.
Rev. Lauren shares three children—Hazel, Jack and Aliyah—with her husband, the Rev. Chris Holton Jablonski. She cherishes each of the Unitarian Universalist congregations in which her children have grown up, and is passionate about the power of multi-generational religious community.
First Parish appreciates the warm touch Rev. Lauren brings to building relationships and fostering an enduring sense of belonging. We are also grateful for the perspective she brings as the first person of color to serve as our minister.
The Rev. Deborah Pope-Lance
Affiliate Minister
The Rev. Deborah J. Pope-Lance is a UU community minister affiliated with First Parish. We think of her as one of our ministers while recognizing that her work is accomplished and remunerated outside of the congregation. She holds Ministerial Fellowship as both a Parish and Community Minister, is an accredited Interim Minister, and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She maintains a therapy and consulting practice in Natick, Mass., consulting with clergy and congregations on the ethical challenges of ministerial practice and congregational life, providing therapy, coaching clergy, and offering support to staff teams. In the 1970s, some may recall, Deborah was a ministerial intern at First Parish.
Kate Holland
Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration
Kate Holland has been a religious educator since 2004, first serving on the staff of the UU Area Church in Sherborn as their Director of Religious Education for eight years and now working with us here at First Parish. She has also served on the board of the Unitarian Sunday School Society as their grant manager. Kate has worked with children throughout her career as well as raising four children of her own. Kate’s role here at First Parish allows her to work with people of all ages to find programming that helps them deepen their own spiritual center. Outside of work, Kate is an avid crafter, and enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs.
Pauline “Polly” Oliver
Music Director
Polly Oliver, First Parish Organist and Music Director, has enjoyed a lifelong career as a pianist, harpsichordist, organist, choral director, and teacher. At First Parish, she conducts both the Adult and Children’s Choirs, each year preparing and conducting two major works with the choirs and orchestra. An active chamber musician herself, Polly truly loves searching out amateur musicians within the Parish and surrounding community, encouraging them in their music and providing them opportunities to become involved in the First Parish Music Program.
Karen Plaskon
Parish Administrator
Although not introduced to UUism until her twenties, Karen feels she was born a UU in spirit. She is an experienced church administrator with strong skills in communications, technology, and financial systems. Karen studied and worked in computer software for many years and continues to work in a family-owned internet marketing business, building and maintaining websites. Karen is mom to three grown children and an adorable “terri-wawa,” Rubio. Having a lifelong love of water, she is currently able to walk, bike, and kayak around the beach, living on the South Shore.
First Parish also has a team of Lay Ministers, parish members who receive special training to assume this role. Lay ministers lead a time of “Joys and Sorrows” in our services and provide important one-on-one support for parishioners in need.