We're so happy to host Winnetka native Bill Hulseman on Tuesday, July 29 at 6:00 pm as he discusses his new book of essays with writer and book group leader Alice Moody.

Author Bill Hulseman's powerful debut, Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass: Reflections on Life, Identity, and Moving Forward, challenges what it means to inherit identity—and what it means to let it go. Part memoir, part meditation, this striking book of essays offers a nuanced and heartfelt exploration of queerness, Catholicism, pop culture, family, and personal transformation.  This program is free, but registration is requested. CLICK HERE to reserve your spot!

Hulseman, the youngest of ten children in a devout Catholic family, grew up feeling like “an ornament” in his own household. As a gay man who went on to teach religion in Catholic schools, Hulseman writes from the tension between belonging and invisibility—offering readers raw, reflective, and often humorous glimpses into a life lived on the margins of acceptance and authenticity.  Through a series of compelling personal essays, he confronts the identities handed down to him—religious, familial, sexual, and cultural—and asks the reader to do the same. From channeling resilience through Madonna’s Ray of Light, to breaking silence in the classroom, Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass is not a manifesto—it’s an invitation. 
“We are not stuck with the identity we inherit,” says Hulseman. “The challenge—and the gift—is deciding what to keep and what to let go.” 

More About the Author: Bill Hulseman is a writer, ritual designer, and former educator whose work explores identity, belonging, and personal agency. A former middle school principal, teacher, and campus minister, Hulseman holds degrees in religious studies, the comparative study of religion, and education leadership. His time in Catholic schools gave him both a profound appreciation for faith and a firsthand understanding of the tensions between personal identity and institutional tradition. His writing is informed by this background, as well as his deep love for pop culture—where figures like Madonna and “The Golden Girls” helped him see himself long before the world was ready to. Hulseman lives in Seattle with his husband, Jonathon. Learn more at BillHulseman.com.
Conversation Partner 

Alice Moody is a seasoned book group facilitator, writing coach, and workshop leader whose stints in publishing and secondary education laid the foundation for her true passion: inspiring aspiring writers and avid readers. Her belief in the transformative power of story serves as the underlying principle guiding her book discussions and workshops. A lover of the beauty and power of words, Alice thrives on a good dose of excellent novels, strong morning coffee, lively conversation, and — most of all — her two beautiful children. Learn more here!