Contact information for ministers and staff can be viewed here.
Rev. Deborah Bennett
Interim Minister

The Rev. Deborah Pope-Lance
Affiliate Minister
The Rev. Deborah J. Pope-Lance provides training and coaching to clergy and congregations on the ethics of ministerial practice and congregational life. In addition she maintains a therapy practice in Natick, Massachusetts, offering counseling to individuals and couples and supervisory support to ministerial staff teams. She holds Ministerial Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association in both Parish and Community Ministry, is an accredited Interim Minister with the Interim Ministry Network, and a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Currently, she is engaged in a counseling ministry as an Affiliate Minister with the First Parish in Wayland, Massachusetts.

Kate Holland
Director of Lifespan Education
Kate Holland has been a religious educator for over 13 years, 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 to 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 20’s 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 3 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.