Cadences of God

Short Bio

I was born in the most fabulous city on earth, New York. I am blessed to have an older brother who is a businessman in Asia and a sister who teaches High School history in New England.  I went to High School at the Browning School and won several awards for drama and public speaking. Next, I scuffled on down to Colby College in Waterville, ME., majoring in History and Philosophy with a minor in Classics. After hearing a call to serve in ministry in my final year there, I went to full time service in the United Methodist Church. I was further “edu-macated” at Union Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Theological Seminary, and Colgate-Rochester-Crozer Divinity School. I am married to my High School sweetheart Rachel, who work as a emergency room doctor. We have a daughter, Cordelia, and two less-than-brilliant dogs, Dax and Shamrock. I first served churches as the coordinator for young adult ministries and then assistant pastor for the New Brunswick UMC. Around the same time, I was a chaplain at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. For several years, I helped with ministry development and served as a chaplain for the Wesley Foundation at Rutgers University. From 2001-2004, I was the pastor of the United Methodist churches in Pultneyville and Sodus Point, NY. In upstate New York, I also served as chairman of that conference’s Board of Church and Society. I have served as pastor in Lumberton since July 1, 2004.   

Church Background 

I am a convert to United Methodism. I was baptized, raised, and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. During college, I regularly worshipped with the Society of Friends (Quakers). The Episcopalians probably gave me my love of classical theology, liturgy, traditional, ritual, and the sacraments. The Quakers are probably the root of my love for Christian spirituality, social justice, the centrality of community and fellowship, and a deep thirst for social justice. The United Methodist tradition has given me a love for preaching, song, and scripture which are the cornerstones of Wesleyanism.    

Memberships and Affiliations 

I am a brother in the Order of Saint Luke, and member of the Methodist Federation for Social Action, the Reconciling Ministries Network, the International Bonhoeffer Society, the International Thomas Merton Society, the American Academy of Religion, and the North American Paul Tillich Society. 

Hobbies 

Being from New York, I have a mournful love for the New York Mets (“Go Mets!”) and anything relating to my home town. I have a crazy and abiding love for the movies and reading, as you can tell in a moment from any of my classes and sermons. Recently, thanks to the two foot inhabitant of my house, I have become something of a Wiggles fan. My wife and I have traveled to many different countries and are always scrapping together pennies for the next trip. Oh yes, I have a sick (and really nerdy) love of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.