Nancy Myer: Lifelong learning

  1. Student spotlight: A second chance at seminary
  2. Student spotlight: Pay attention to the “bread crumbs”
  3. Student spotlight: Relationship leads to Union
  4. Student spotlight: The twisting path to seminary
  5. Student spotlight: Longtime educator yearns to learn more
  6. Student Spotlight: Dana Purdom digs deep
  7. Alec Powell: The Unconventional Call
  8. Kate Meeks: Theology & Food Justice
  9. Nancy Myer: Lifelong learning
  10. Senator Scott: Finding community and connection
  11. Colleen Earp: Camping, conservation, and chickens
  12. In “Reference” to Paula Skreslet
  13. Paul Smith: From police officer to pastor
  14. Heather Woodworth Brannon advocates for housing justice in Richmond

Student Spotlight

BY MOLLIE TRAINUM

Nancy Myer knew she was called to attend to seminary, but she was unwilling to compromise her active involvement in ministry. Thankfully, Union Presbyterian Seminary provided an opportunity for her to do both.

While working towards her Master of Divinity, Myer is continuing to serve as Staff Associate for Children’s Ministries at University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I never wanted to stop being in ministry in the church,” she says.

There were several indications that Union was the best fit for Myer. A mentor encouraged her to apply, and her friends and brother attended the school as well. Most importantly, Myer says that her priority was to stay at UPC full-time. “Union Charlotte worked with that schedule,” Myer says.

In 2007, Myer had scheduled a visit to Union in Richmond and had even booked her flight to the school, but she accepted a full-time ministry job, scheduled to start the exact weekend she was supposed to visit. Years later, she has returned to get her degree.

Myer says the reaction of those close to her was that “it’s about time” she attended seminary. Her parents were particularly excited, especially her father who is a retired Presbyterian minister. Her church has also been flexible and encouraging of her seminary journey, but the process has not been without its challenges.

She drives two-and-a-half hours each Friday to class in Charlotte, then drives home Saturday evening to be at church on Sunday morning. Her schedule consists of “work, eat, study, and sleep.” She says she has learned to develop a routine, and often studies and reads in the evenings.

To Myer, the key to successfully managing a ministry position and seminary is taking care of yourself in the process. “Self-care is huge,” she says. Her personal favorite form of self-care is crafting, and she often spends her free time scouring Pinterest for new projects.

“My plan is to keep doing what I’m doing today and be ordained while doing it,” Myer says. “I’m a lifelong learner. I know that I can be better at what I’m doing.”