We are delighted to welcome Rev. William (Bill) Schram back to Albany Presbytery. Bill was a previously a member of Albany Presbytery and we wanted to catch up and share more about him with everyone.
Before we get started, can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up, any siblings, etc?
I grew up in Pelham, NY, just north of the Bronx. I have two younger brothers and we grew up alternating between being good friends and being annoyances. Dad was the pastor at Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church, and we grew up thinking that the church was a cool place to play hide and seek. From there it was on to college at Williams College. I am married, and have three daughters (one of whom is a foster daughter) and one granddaughter. My primary home is in East Stroudsburg, PA.
Share with us a little about your hobbies?
I enjoy reading and a variety of music. As my knees have been losing cartilage, hiking and such have become memories more than practice. Driving between away-from-home interims and PA has become a new habit.
How did you connect with PC(USA)?
My father was a Presbyterian minister. Naturally I grew up being sure I would not be a minister like my father. College allowed me to connect with church on my own, without the expectation I had to be there because of Dad. I worked for 2 years after college while I pondered my future. I also worked with a youth group at a local church and people there encouraged me to explore ministry. So off I went to McCormick Seminary, realizing that I wasn’t going to be a minister exactly like my father, and he would never have been a minister exactly like me.
When were you last associated with the Albany Presbytery?
I served as interim at the Northville Presbyterian Church from May 2014 – August 2015 and enjoyed the scenic Great Sacandaga Lake. Residents were clear that I needed to say “Great Sacandaga Lake,” and not shorten it by dropping the “Great.” I never did find out if there was a “Meh” or “wee” Sacandaga Lake.
What have you been doing while you were away?
I have served two subsequent interim positions. Starting with the Northville Church, the three churches I’ve served as interim have all called a pastor named Rebecca.
What brought you back to Albany Presbytery?
I was searching for my next interim position. I saw that Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany was still searching for an interim and contacted them. Discussions proceeded and the match seemed good to all sides.
What are you looking forward to now that you are back in Capital Region?
Primarily, getting to know and connect with the ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church. The setting is different and the diversity of membership and program are greater than other churches I’ve served in any capacity since my days at churches in Chicago during seminary.
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