Chuck Cooper

I am a Christian and I also identify with my Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters and other ancient religions that have stood the test of time. I have a healthy respect for agnostics who are sometimes the most honest among us and for atheists of the respectful sort.

During my life-long stint as a clergyman in three distinct Christian traditions I have been exposed to the best and the worst of institutional religion. I have always expected a lot of myself and I have expected more from others in the Church than I have often seen or realized. My years have been a cycle of hope and disappointment.

Writing for the church---homilies, articles, essays, etc---are often very limited in scope and depth. For many years I have longed to live on the more creative side of writing. Since I have now left active institutional church ministry behind, I am able to become more adventurous and imaginative in day work.

"Safety Harbor: Keepers of the Light" is a story of ordinary people who live in a small town on the Oregon Coast. They are a mix of the many people I have known and met in my life's work. They are flawed characters with good hearts and good intentions. The deep spiritual questions are addressed in their lives---the common people---as they struggle to make good decisions every day. They discover that we are capable of extraordinary feats, kindness and generosity.

I live in Wilsonville, Oregon with my wife, Patty, and our two dogs, Bugsie, and Murphy. I am a father and a grandfather.