Author: Stonewall Ballard

Raffle Prize Cottage Letter

By Stonewall Ballard

Eighth and final  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign. It would normally have appeared as an insert in the April 26, Sunday order of service, but now will be sent via email. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign. April 30, 2020 Dear Ones, When the pandemic restrictions are over, I’m … Continued

2020 Pledge Testimonial – Tom Wilson

By Tom Wilson

Good morning and I am glad to be with you today.

Let me start by telling you a quick story.  You’ve probably have heard this, but it bears repeating.  There once were 3 blind people and an elephant.  They were asked to describe what the elephant … read more.

Stove Letter

By Stonewall Ballard

Seventh  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign and would normally have appeared as an insert in the April 5, Sunday order of service, but now will be sent via email. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign. Good afternoon— I figured you’d be aching for a little community about now. I … Continued

2020 Pledge Testimonial – Mary Ann Barton

By Mary Ann Barton

Today I’ll tell you a story from back in 2008, when the First Parish building was being renovated. Our congregation met at Kerem Shalom, the synagogue on Elm Street. My heart was heavy that year and I wanted to attend services. I couldn’t because of … read more.

Wiring Letter #2

By Stonewall Ballard

Sixth  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign and would normally have appeared as an insert in the March 29, Sunday order of service, but now will be sent via email. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign. Hey— I had to write again— it’s Wiring. I’ve been lonely without you coming … Continued

Pledge Letter

By Stonewall Ballard

Fifth  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign and would normally have appeared as an insert in the March 22, Sunday order of service, but now will be sent via email. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign. What inspires you to pledge at First Parish? I’m interested because it’s my genesis; … Continued

2020 Pledge Testimonial – Tim Whitney

By Tim Whitney

While my church-going life has been quite brief I have always believed churches, at their best, support, enhance, and change lives. And I would suspect that is the order in which many people experience church: first supportive, then life-enhancing, and ultimately life-changing.

For me it was … read more.

UUA Program Fund Letter

By Stonewall Ballard

Fourth  in a series of letters to First Parish about this year’s pledge campaign and would normally have appeared as an insert in the March 15, Sunday order of service, but now will be sent via email. All are being posted on: firstparish.org/campaign. “We’re living in a period where a lot of shocking things are happening in … Continued