Rev. Will Parker
Deacon in the Episcopal Church
Musician | Improviser | Teaching Artist
About
Deacon Will is passionate about cultivating community through the arts, improvisation, and spiritual exploration. Before pursuing ordination, Will worked as a full-time musician and teaching artist, and he continues to utilize these skills in his ministry. Will holds an M.Div. and S.T.M. from Yale Divinity School, as well as an M.A. in Teaching and a B.A. in Theatre from Trinity University. Will is currently the curate at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Houston, TX, where he lives with his wife, Cecelia. Together, they enjoy board games, reading aloud, and co-writing and performing original songs as their band, BlueRaspberry.
Musical Improv and Spirituality
Workshops and Retreats
Deacon Will leads playful and interactive musical improv workshops and retreats that explore the connections between theatrical/musical improv and theology. Even if you have no experience with improv or music, these experiences are designed to feel accessible to all. Some of the activities include: improv games and exercises, improvised acting and singing, prayer and Episcopal liturgy with group vocal improvisation, group discussion, and brief readings about improvisation and theology. No adherence to any belief system is required. The workshop/retreat can also be adapted for interfaith settings.