Reverend Doctor William A. (Bill) Wright

 I was born and raised, the youngest of six, in Lancaster, PA, a stone’s throw from an Amish farm. At 16 I had a powerful experience of faith in Christ. In 2006 I was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which enjoys a Ministerial Partner relationship with the United Church of Christ. Since 2015, I have lived in Pelham with my wife, Jessica, and our 13 year-old son, Silas.

 Before that, I enjoyed an academic career. I completed a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Chicago and taught religion for eight years at Eureka College in Illinois (where I met Jessica), mentoring several students into ministry. I enjoyed teaching but longed for the more personal involvement and more engaged life of ministry. I prefer part-time pastoring so that I can continue to write books in theology. My current one is called The Reasonable Protestant’s Guide to Mysticism.

 I love ministry, even though it hasn’t always been easy. Praise God that Templeton is such a loving place! I am inspired by the trust that people place in their minister, sharing their struggles and joys, births and deaths. I am awed by leading a community in worship of God—standing together where life meets the infinite and eternal! It thrills me to draw on the local wisdom of a congregation and to figure out together how we can serve our community as only a church can. And our world needs us more than ever, I believe. I feel whole when I am immersed in an intergenerational community gathered in Christ’s name, and I have always done my best to welcome families and to find ways to allow faith to light up the lives of our children. None of this comes easily today. But God is present and glorified simply by our commitment to try.

 Jessica, Silas, and I live happily among the woods of Pelham. I love hikes with my family, regular exercise, cross-country skiing, and relaxing afterwards by the wood stove. I take pleasure in our summer week on the Cape, my dinky sailboat, and being carried by the rush of waves. I celebrate the goodness of creation by enjoying food and drink with family and friends. I love to cook and bake, to forage for mushrooms, to tend my little orchard. I make a big fuss about coffee. I am fascinated by philosophy and science. I enjoy listening to jazz, and honk on my trombone from time to time. My favorite pastime—honestly—is reading, thinking, and writing about God. I do it most of the time. It’s just weird.