Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a short distance from Independence and Carpenter Halls, Bill's life was influenced early by the historic themes of the documents and books both housed and written there. His childhood education began at the knee of his mother Joan and then at Willow Grove Christian Day School and later at public schools in Florida and Maryland. In 1981, after having attended several colleges and universities, public, military and private, he completed his B.A. through an historically black landgrant college, the University of Maryland,Eastern Shore(UMES). He would continue social work/theological graduate education in four seminaries without taking a degree in deference to being a...
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Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a short distance from Independence and Carpenter Halls, Bill's life was influenced early by the historic themes of the documents and books both housed and written there. His childhood education began at the knee of his mother Joan and then at Willow Grove Christian Day School and later at public schools in Florida and Maryland. In 1981, after having attended several colleges and universities, public, military and private, he completed his B.A. through an historically black landgrant college, the University of Maryland,Eastern Shore(UMES). He would continue social work/theological graduate education in four seminaries without taking a degree in deference to being a plain helping servant. Bill has been described as Augustianian, having vowed to live in poverty during time spent in Rome, Italy in 1978.
Known among colleagues as a Christian social critic, among his first jobs was as a attendant in a nursing home,later a state government social caseworker, airline customer service agent, newspaperman, an educator, college chaplain, church minister, and in semi-retirement a National Park Service Seasonal Interpretive Ranger and forest guide.He is Pastor Emeritus of Faith Fellowship Church of Uniontown,Pennsylvania. Most valued titles are servant and friend.
Ordained Southern Baptist, his service as mediator, consultant and inspirational speaker has spanned across many Christian denominations and his life experience shared with persons of the Jewish,Muslim and Buddhist religions. "We all need each other " is his mantra.The Times Argus newspaper of Vermont captured the essence of his spirit well when it wrote in 1996, " The Pastor as he calls himself, tells fascinating tales of everyday people from Main Street, U.S.A. and from the farm. He notes changing attitudes as both Americans and young adult hostelers from abroad express concern about America's loosing her legacy " of freedom. Haslam shares his experiences in a 'Grand, Fatherly' tone eliciting both laughter and an occasional tear." Inspiration and hope go hand in hand. Some "yellow brick road" and some "harsh reality" peppers his sharing during question and answer periods, but it almost always concludes with a warm feeling knowing that you have experienced lived spiritual moments and that our future includes yet another, clearer way of thinking for living.
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