Charles grew up Lutheran in a Northern WI town not unlike the Garrison Keillor’s “Lake Wobegone.” He was ordained as a Lutheran Minister in 1973. After serving several Lutheran Churches he realized Lutheranism had one Reformation and that was all they wanted, so he transferred into the Unitarian Universalist Ministry 1981. He was motivated by the theological perspective of the UUA. He served UU congregations in Eastport, Ellsworth and Castine ME, Concord NH and Washington Crossing NJ. from 1981–2012. Since retiring he served as an interim and has preached at a number of UU congregations. In recognition of his service both the Ellsworth and the Washington Crossing UU congregations designated him as Minister Emeritus.

A major focus in ministry for Charles came in 2000 when he participated in training as a Spiritual Director at the Shalem Institute (Washington DC). When he concluded this training he was invited to be an adjunct faculty member for Spiritual Direction there for the next eight years, while continuing to serve full time as a parish minister in NJ. Charles continues to provide individual Spiritual Direction (in person or Zoom) for colleagues and laypeople upon request.

During sabbaticals, Charles studied Eastern European Unitarianism in Oxford, England, studied with Matthew Fox at the University of Culture and Creation Spirituality, and traveled to Israel and Palestine with a peace-oriented Compassionate Listening group of Rabbis, Imams, and Christian Ministers from the Delaware River area of PA & NJ.

He and Alison, his wife, retired to Blue Hill ME where they enjoy living close to nature. They are involved in a variety of activities, ranging from being Airbnb hosts, local politics (Charles is Hancock County Chair), social action and of course being available to be involved in the lives of their three adult children and one grandchild.