Meet Our Pastor

The Rev. William (“Bill”) Flug came to the UMCW as our pastor on July 1, 2007 with over 30 years of experience in ministry and service at three New England churches.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Rev. Flug received his training in Boston, graduating from Tufts with degrees in Sociology and Religion. He earned his Masters in Theology at Boston University, and then continued course work at BU toward a Ph.D, while serving as pastor of the Mansfield UMC. In two years, he brought this part-time church into full-time status, boosting its membership by a third.

His next assignment was to revitalize the UMC of Woburn. In this role, he oversaw renewal of the building, and shared in the creation of programs such as a summer Vacation Bible School and a meals program that still serves today. Under his leadership, the stewardship response increased dramatically.

Since 1994, Rev. Flug has led a congregation that now has over 600 members, at the Shepherd of the Valley UMC near Providence, RI. His tenure has been particularly strong in developing and training church leadership, with a focus on congregational life. Meanwhile, he continued to oversee projects involving building expansion, the doubling of stewardship response, and renovation of the choir loft.

Most striking across his experience is his commitment to social ministry and witness. During his first meeting with our PPR, he affirmed that he is “a true Wesleyan, who found his heart strangely warmed, seeing the world as his parish.” A common theme throughout his career is to lead efforts that impact the larger community.

While serving in Mansfield, he was president for three years at the town’s Council on Aging. He also helped to create a Good Friday ecumenical Walk for Hunger Relief. His service in Woburn included initiatives to create a Saturday ESL school for immigrant children, and establishment of a city-wide Martin Luther King celebration. Following the city’s notorious toxic waste crisis, he served as treasurer for five years in Woburn Citizens for a Cleaner Environment, having already served that organization the previous three years. He supported many other key activities for environmental awareness as well. In Rhode Island, he provided pastoral response for The Station nightclub fire, and remains engaged in pivotal social causes.

Bill is married to Irene Peloquin. Together they have raised two children, Jacob (24) and Emily (20), who live in RI. He enjoys reading (history, current events and fiction – especially Charles Dickens), and is launching a hobby in rare books. Bill also enjoys travel to Maine and New Orleans, and sports events with Jake. Bill has been a runner for the last 13 years, and has run Boston several times. He looks forward to ministry in Westford, meeting people, creating new relationships, and discovering with us the shape of our fellowship and service.