The Rev'd William J. Watson III
Interim Rector
The Rev’d Bill Watson serves as the interim rector during the transition in clergy leadership at Bruton. Bill comes to Bruton after serving churches in the Dioceses of Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia, and South Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical School. He practiced Family Medicine in Newport News for twenty years and played a role in forming Tidewater Physician Multispecialty Group. He felt called to Virginia Theological Seminary in 2000. Graduating in 2003, he was awarded the Harris Award for Leadership. He was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 2003. He was a consultant for Church Pension Group and served for 16 years as a faculty member for Credo Conferences focusing on clergy well-being.
The grace and joy of his life is his marriage to Sallie. They have three grown sons and five grandchildren. Bill’s interests include reading, cooking, exercise, and gardening. His faith journey has enlarged his perspective on holiness and wholeness. As a disciple of Jesus, he draws deep joy working with others as they sense the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The Rev'd Charles H. Bauer, Associate Rector
for Christian Formation & Canterbury
The Rev'd Charlie Bauer joined the Bruton staff in October, 2020. He serves the children, youth, and family communities at Bruton, is Chaplain to Canterbury: the Episcopal Church at William & Mary, and coordinates adult formation. A native of southeastern Wisconsin, he has earned degrees from the College of William & Mary (B.A., concentrating in medieval music theory) and the General Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity). Ordained in 2016, Charlie previously served as the Curate at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church in Toano, VA. He is active in ministry beyond the parish, chairing the Program, Budget, & Review Committee and the Credentials Committee, serving on the Liturgical Committee for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and has served twice as a deputy to General Convention.
Charlie is married to Kelly, a Williamsburg native, fellow William & Mary graduate, and a local pre-school teacher. Together, they have two young daughters and two cats. Charlie enjoys hiking, cooking, and is an avid fan of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. He has a passion for uplifting all persons in ministry and discovering new ways for us all to engage in our faith.
The Rev'd Lauren M. McDonald, Associate Rector Outreach & Women's Ministries
The Rev. Lauren McDonald joined the staff of Bruton Parish in May of 2016 as a part-time Associate. In addition to working with Mission and Outreach and Women’s Ministries, Lauren leads labyrinth walks, online Bible studies, book groups, and retreats. She also serves as the Director of Spiritual and Community Programming at SpiritWorks Foundation, a recovery community organization in Williamsburg for individuals and families healing from the disease of addiction. One of her favorite ministires is planning and leading the First Fridays Recovery Eucharist, hosted by SpiritWorks and held at Bruton. Previously Lauren served as the Associate Rector at Hickory Neck Church in Toano and as the Episcopal Chaplain to Christopher Newport University. Ordained a priest in 2008, Lauren received her Master of Divinity degree from Seabury Western Theological Seminary. Her first vocation was to the theatre, receiving her B.A. in Theatre from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and then working as a professional stage manager for 15 years, including 12 years at Virginia Stage Company in Norfolk. Born and raised in Georgia, Lauren considers Virginia her adult home. She enjoys exploring spiritual practices, hiking, reading, writing, and snuggling with her two cats, Spirit and Shadow.