David W. Good – Founder

 
Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, David grew up in the United Methodist Church, and studied philosophy and English literature in college. Choosing the ministry as a profession, David went to Yale Divinity School and in his last year switched denominations to the UCC (Congregational) and since graduation served as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, CT. for 37 years until his retirement in 2012. Now he devotes his time as a volunteer for the Tree of Life ministry that was established by the Old Lyme church under his leadership. David writes: “After 9/11 our church intensified its efforts to be in community with those of other faith traditions, which led to my first interfaith journey to Israel and Palestine and engagement on the human rights issues for which our own country is at least partially responsible.” Under David’s leadership, the Old Lyme church established a number of cross-cultural partnerships, including the Storefront School in Harlem,NY, Koinonia Farm where he chaired the Board of Directors, the Crosby Scholarship Fund for Haiti, the Green Grass community on the Cheyenne River (Lakota) Indian Reservation in South Dakota, Central Methodist Mission in Johannesburg, South Africa, and a 12-year partnership with the community of Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem in Palestine. David has led 12 interfaith journeys to Israel and the West Bank. He continues his love of philosophy (Heidegger) and poetry (T.S. Eliot, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, William Blake, Theodore Roethke). David is married to Corinne Good of Liverpool, England, and when not building fences for his dog, Annie, he likes to play tennis. His publications include, Zionism Through Christian Lenses edited by Carole Monica Burnett and a collection of sermons, A Place of Grace: The Gospel According to The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme.