nancy benson-nicol

Upheld integrity of corporate worship by participating in Sunday worship and special services and officiating daily Morning Prayers; prepared guest speakers (many in high-profile careers) to deliver reflections or sermons at Morning Prayers; welcomed university community at Wednesday Afternoon Tea receptions sponsored by and held in the home of the Rev. Prof. Peter J. Gomes Innovated effective operational and outreach efforts and grant evaluation procedures for committee allocating grants to community service organizations in Greater Boston area from $25,000 budget

Cultivate and steward philanthropic relationships with the Seminary among individuals and churches in Central and West Texas, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe, New Mexico

Provided administrative oversight of Seminary Support Network. Managed communications and publicity efforts on behalf of TEF and Office of Theological Education in PMA. Coordinated joint representational activities and projects of 12 Presbyterian seminaries and partner institutions at major events including General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE), and through digital media venues. Resourced COTE as staff representative. HIGHLIGHTS: Shepherded receipt of gift and public acknowledgment of $100,000 “Pentecost Gift,” largest single donation to TEF in its 25-year history from a single congregation Supervised production of revamped Seminaries Viewbook promotional item in print and digital forms to winsomely highlight all ministries and entities related to Office of Theological Education Edited new 2014 Theological Education Sunday liturgy resource for print and digital distribution

* Education, Fellowship, Outreach: * Instituted Forum Lecture Series featuring local experts from variety of disciplines * Formulated and taught adult education classes independently and in partnership with church members * Organized outreach for hurricanes Katrina and Rita relief including collection and donation of supplies, planning and execution of work team sent to Fayetteville Relief Distribution Center, and information-sharing on other volunteer opportunities * Initiated Deacons’ Ministry “Cookie Mailing” to away-from-home students & military personnel * Innovated weekly "Noon w/ Nancy" lunches at local retirement community * Commenced young adult ministries including “Holy Rollers” weekly Bible study w/bowling excursions; Habitat for Humanity workdays; fellowship brunches; etc. * Pastoral Care: * Provided pastoral care and administrative support to, with, and for Stephen Ministry and Deacons Ministry * Conducted regular home, hospital, and care facility visits

Recognized by the Associated Church Press with an Award of Excellence in 2013 The six books of the New Testament explored in this study—1 and 2 Peter, 1–3 John, and Jude—teach us what it means to live in community, what it means to belong to the household of God. A subset of New Testament letters known as the General Epistles, these letters were written to be shared and read aloud in early Christian communities. During the time in which the authors of these letters lived, believers regarded one another as members of God’s family. Thus, a guiding and powerful metaphor in these epistles is the understanding of family—what it means in the world of the Roman Empire as contrasted with the more expansive idea of being a member of God’s household through the Holy Spirit. These letters were meant to inspire and comfort the faithful in first-century Asia Minor, and they continue to speak to us today as we grapple with how to live in community as disciples of Christ.

Promoted spiritual, emotional and ethical well-being through corporate worship, fellowship, education, and pastoral care Coordinated and supervised weekly ecumenical Chapel services; planned and executed university convocations Assisted students and others in working gracefully through spiritual and social challenges through providing pastoral care to individuals and groups, making referrals to mental health professionals as needed Equipped on-campus student religious groups in promoting self-sustaining ministries and facilitate collaborative projects among religious groups in providing activities open to all Engaged community in exploring and addressing intersections of race, class, gender, religious, and socioeconomic differences Fostered strong university relations with local and regional governing bodies of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and other organizations by participating in select committees, sharing in dialogues, and fulfilling requests for speaking, teaching, etc.

Recruited from competitive applicant pool to work among ministry staff of 2300+ member congregation for innovative 2-year opportunity for new ministers. Education, Fellowship, Outreach, and Spiritual Formation: Originated, planned, and facilitated highly acclaimed "Walking Together: A Multi-Religious Retreat" (held 1/26/03) in collaboration with religious advisors representing over 7 different faith traditions for University of Michigan undergraduate and graduate students Enhanced and expanded college and graduate student outreach efforts of Campus Ministry Program by creating discussion forums on faith and life issues, including "Theology on Tap" events in local pubs and restaurants Envisioned, programmed, and led captivating multi-generational women's retreat, "Green Pastures: Women Tend Their Souls,” 4/03; co-created and co-facilitated, in partnership with ministry colleague, retreat smash success, "Past the Potluck: Women Assert Their Faith,” 4/02

Invited to continue in this ministry by Committee on Theological Education (COTE) and Presbyterian Foundation in light of transition of Theological Education Fund (TEF) from Presbyterian Mission Agency to Foundation (effective January 1, 2015) per action of 221st General Assembly (2014)] Directed Seminary Support Network (15 compensated mid council regional representatives and 135 Presbytery volunteers) in raising in excess of $1,000,000 annually for TEF through donations from congregations and individuals, and in interpreting importance of theological education as offered through Presbyterian seminaries. Executed communications and publicity efforts. Partnered with Ministry Relations Officers and other Foundation staff in promoting and providing resources on stewardship, giving, and investment.

Awards/Honors: Williams Fellow—awarded to top ten entering students demonstrating promise in ministry; Hopkins Fellowship—awarded to top five promising second-year students * Senior Paper: “The Gown Informs the Town: Wellesley College as a Model for Dialogue on Religious Pluralism in the United States”

Bachelor of Arts with Honors"]