Growing, expanding, adding programs, doing more, serving more– these are things we usually  talk about in congregational life as we look toward the future.  And they have their place. But why at this moment might it be more critical and exciting to deepen the connections we have in our lives and our congregation?  What does the research teach us about resiliency in congregations?  What does any of it have to do with congregational polity? Important questions during a ministerial transition.   Please join us on this Stewardship Sunday for a day of celebrating our connections.  Our service will include Soul Singers, lay reflections, a Time for All Ages with our young people and much good will.

Following the service there will be a sit-down lunch provided by your Stewardship Team with help from the Governing Board and others.  It will be a great chance to. . . connect with each other!  This is a good time to complete and/or submit your pledge card as well.

We are thrilled to announce that First Parish has been matched with  Interim Minister, Rev. Susan Milnor!   Rev. Milnor has extensive experience working with churches as they prepare for settled ministry, and  will begin work on August 1st.

Rev. Susan Milnor grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she first experienced awe at the natural world in the rivers, woods, and peaks of the nearby Great Smoky Mountains. Her love of the ocean is just as keen, and she now considers New England, especially Maine, to be her adopted home.

Susan enjoys interim ministry because it is “always interesting.”  While congregations have many common threads, she finds that each has its own unique spirit, as well as its particularly gifts and challenges.  Helping congregations navigate a transitional time, with the discoveries and growth that can be part of the process, is very gratifying.

Rev. Susan Milnor is an Accredited Interim Minister who has done transitional ministries in Medford, MA; New York City; Newburyport, MA; Burlington, Vt.; Rockland, Maine; and Beverly, MA.  Before that she served in settled ministry position in Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Susan came to ministry as a second vocation after working as a college English teacher.  She earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in English from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.

Susan is married to the Rev. Terry Sweetser, who is also a Unitarian Universalist minister.  They have one adult daughter, Abigail, an actress.  Susan and Terry live with two beloved cat companions, Sherlock and Irene.

Outside of ministry, Susan loves cooking, reading, and responding to the call of curiosity.  Her husband and daughter consider her a cat whisperer.