B.A., The American University, M.Div., Wesley Theological Seminary, Ph.D., Yale University
Dr. Wright is the C. K. Benedict Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew, Emerita. She was an ordained United Methodist minister for nearly 50 years and is now transitioning to becoming an Episcopal Priest. She was ordained to the transitional Diaconate May 24, 2025. She loves to teach and although now officially “retired,” she still teaches a full load of courses at the School of Theology. Wright’s primary objective is for students to encounter and enjoy more of the depths of biblical study. She uses a variety of teaching methods and multiple assignments so students will find one method and one assignment that matches their individual abilities. She introduces students to a wide range of perspectives, both ancient and contemporary, "traditional" and "non-traditional," for encountering biblical texts. Her teaching style not only helps students understand the Old Testament in its historical context, but also how it speaks to the church today.
Research Interests
- Ancient Literacy
- Linguistic Pragmatics as a tool in Biblical Exegesis
- Literature From the Underside
- Intentional Polyvalence in Biblical Texts
Parish/Pastoral Ministry
Cherry Run UMC and Sleepy Creek UMC, West Virginia, two years
Wesley UMC, Hampstead, Maryland, three years
5-point charge in NE Connecticut, one year
Portland UMC and Moodus UMC, Portland, Connecticut, five years
For more than 30 years she has been going to Chattanooga weekly to conduct bible study groups in local churches. There are now five groups in three Episcopal churches, with members including Roman Catholic and United Methodist as well as Episcopal communicants.
