Book Description

Wilson's Wisdom presents a remarkable collection of sermons by The Reverend Wilson Carter, an Episcopal priest who served five parishes for over four decades in and around piedmont North Carolina. His words, both written and spoken, were the special gift he offered to his congregations. Grace Episcopal Church in Lexington, NC was fortunate to have Wilson Carter as its priest for twenty-four years, the longest tenure of his career. While many parishioners urged him to publish his sermons, he never accomplished this task. He died on March 3, 2015. With help from his loving family and several communicants of Grace Church, this collection has been compiled and is now offered in his memory. Wilson Carter grew up in Winston-Salem, NC. Following his preparation at Virginia Episcopal Seminary, he was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1968. In addition to Grace Church he served other North Carolina parishes in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, and Burlington and in Danville, Virginia. While studying at the Jungian Institute in England, Wilson Carter developed an abiding fascination with Jungian psychology, an attraction that led him to become an authority on the interpretation of the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator (MBTI). During his ministry, he made several pilgrimages to Belize where he helped foster a relationship between the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and the Anglican Church of Belize. He considered these visitations pivotal toward his own personal and spiritual growth. In 1995, he retired from the active ministry and moved with his wife, Janie Leigh, to Hom-a-gen, his family homeplace in Caswell County. As his health declined in recent years, countless family and friends have expressed their appreciation for his constant support and affirmation. Many credit him as a mentor for their own personal growth and self-understanding. The editors, Bett Hargrave & Sandra Reynolds, have recognized that "through Wilson's astute observation of modern culture, coupled with his understanding of the relationship between spirituality and psychology he was adept at translating Biblical scriptures into a language that is relevant today." All proceeds from book sales will be directed to The Wilson Carter Fund and the Social Concerns Commission of Grace Episcopal Church.