Pastor William Fine
I
am the oldest of four children born to Bob and Nancy Fine.
As I look back over the years, I am filled with a growing respect and
love for my parents. My parents influenced my life through their devotion to
Christ. That devotion to Christ was
evident in what they said and what they did.
Both parents modeled the belief that followers of Christ are also
servants just as Jesus was a servant of God’s will.
I am grateful to God for parents who raised me to know the Love of God in
Jesus Christ and to cherish the authority of the spirit of the risen Lord.
Although
I was born in Indianapolis,
Indiana
my earliest childhood memories are of growing
up in
Canton,
Illinois. I
remember swimming lessons at the YMCA, little league baseball, Cub Scouts and
Boy Scouts, playing cornet for the school band, high school track, cross
country, National Honor Society and my participation in the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes.
My
family belonged to First Christian, Disciples of Christ Church in Canton. I
participated in Sunday school, vacation Bible school, and children’s choir. In
my teenage years I was privileged to be a junior deacon, which meant I could
help serve communion. Part of
the preparation for communion each Sunday was the gathering of the Elders and
Deacons in the chapel for prayer. I
learned to pray as I listened to the prayers of those followers of Christ.
While
in high school I met Sarah who agreed to be my wife after six years of dating.
Sarah is a most supportive wife and I love her dearly.
I am blessed by the wonderful relationship I have with Sarah’s family
and I thank them for the love they have for me.
Before
I left home for college my family and I joined First Congregational United
Church of Christ in
Canton. That
church family helped me discern my call to ministry.
This church nurtured and encouraged me through the process of ordination.
As a gesture of support this church created a scholarship to help me not
only with college expenses but also through seminary.
The agreement was that if I became ordained my debt would be forgiven.
I learned the generosity of God through the faith and commitment of this
church.
I
entered Illinois College,
Jacksonville
Illinois
in the fall of 1977 and pursued a bachelor’s
degree in Psychology. After
graduation in 1981, Sarah and I were married and then we were off to Eden
Theological Seminary in Webster Groves,
Missouri. In
1984 I completed my studies for a Masters of Divinity degree.
In
June of 1984 I was ordained through God’s Grace by the First Congregational
Church in
Canton,
Illinois
as a pastor with standing in the United Church
of Christ.
First
Congregational, United Church of Christ in
Winter Park,
Florida, called me as their Associate Pastor in August
of 1984. My responsibilities
included the development of youth and young adult ministries.
Our daughter Rachel was born in July of 1985 so Sarah and I were doing
our part to increase children’s ministries.
Dr. William Tuck led this 800-member church and he was a wonderful model
for me as I began my ministry.
I
was called to Westfield
Congregational, United Church of Christ in Danielson,
Connecticut
in February of 1989.
This was my first solo pastorate. My
gifts in preaching and leadership developed greatly as I trusted in the Holy
Spirit to help me in this new role. The
people of this church embraced my family and me as we grew spiritually.
Our son Nolan was born in June of 1989 and Sarah and I wondered if this
was a pattern to have a child in each church I served.
In
March of 1995 I accepted a call to serve St. John’s
United
Church
of Christ, here in Michigan City,
Indiana. My
passion is to encourage people to grow in faith and in the discovery of their
gifts to serve Christ. As we desire
to become more and more like Jesus our lives will be transformed and we will be
witnesses to the power of God in our lives.
To date we are not expecting to be parents to any more children.
Grace and Peace
Pastor Bill
