James Hazelwood has been a parish pastor, photographer, disc jockey and ice cream scooper. These life experiences inform his writing for the recently released book, Everyday Spirituality: Discover a Life of Hope, Peace and Meaning.
Born in Concord, Massachusetts, and raised in Los Angeles, where he steadfastly avoided responsibilities as a teenager in the 1970's. This brief foray into adolescent play was his only escape from the oldest sibling syndrome of taking on leadership roles everywhere and often. While attending college he rejuvenated an anemic college radio station, launched an underground newspaper and brought the first Punk Rock Concert to a Christian college auditorium. A series of friendships connected him with a summer camp counseling position that lead to an interest in environmental education, Christian mysticism and political engagement.
He moved to Berkeley, California in 1983 to attend the Graduate Theological Union and later Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He earned a Master's Degree (M.Div) from Pacific Lutheran Seminary in 1987. He served congregations in Brooklyn, New York and Charlestown, Rhode Island for 25 years, prior to his election as Bishop in 2012.
In 2001, he earned his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. His first book, Experience Church, based on his Doctoral Studies, explored the shift from a knowledge-based approach to faith to an experiential emphasis using his work in congregations as a case study.
For fifteen years he worked as a professional photographer based in Newport, Rhode Island providing Portraits, covering weddings and creating editorial images for non-profits and publications.
He currently serves as Bishop for the 180 congregations of the New England Synod of the Lutheran Church (ELCA). He and his wife, Lisa, share a home along the Rhode Island coast where they bicycle, garden and enjoy visits from their grandchildren. He blogs and podcasts regularly at www.jameshazelwood.net
