Our Minister
The Reverend William (Bill) Neely
Meet Our Parish Minister
The Reverend William (Bill) Neely
Rev. Bill Neely was called to The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton in May of 2011 and began serving the church a little later in July. In his ministry, he seeks to empower and inspire members and friends to deepen the spirit in their own lives, their shared congregational life, and in the broader world. Through worship, service, learning, and fellowship, he believes that we gather the strength and collective wisdom to grow in the spirit and bless the world. His ministry is guided by joy, service, love, and unity.
Before coming to Princeton, Bill served as the Interim Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church, Detroit, and the Settled Minister of Neshoba Unitarian Universalist Church near Memphis, TN. He studied at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago and completed field work in St. Paul, MN, Rockford, IL, and Fond du Lac, WI. Before beginning seminary, he was a member of The Unitarian Church of Norfolk, Va.; the congregation that also ordained him in June, 2006. Among his denominational and professional commitments is service to the Southeastern Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUUSI), an annual UU family camp that draws over 1,000 participants, and past service on the Meadville Lombard Alumni Association Nominating Committee.Bill and Shannon Neely married in 1998 and have one daughter, Rachel Maia, who was born in 2009. Shannon is a yoga teacher, aspiring doula, and was the person who introduced Bill to Unitarian Universalism in the 1990’s. Their household is rounded out by their two cats, Magnolia (from Memphis) and Della (from Detroit). Bill enjoys Steelers football and many sports in general, reading, Bikram yoga, music, good coffee, great pizza, and any chocolate will do.








