Rev. Nancy Dumford

When the First Presbyterian Nominating Committee began searching for an interim minister to step in after Rev. Gauen’s retirement, they didn’t have to look very far. Rev. Nancy Dumford has accepted the position and was approved as our interim/transitional pastor by Presbytery on April 22. Rev. Dumford grew up close by, having moved to Westerville as a child in 1976. In fact, Debby Nealer-Bice was her fourth and fifth grade teacher at Annehurst Elementary.

Rev. Dumford, a graduate of Westerville South, began her professional career as a high school math teacher as she moved from Westerville to Cincinnati to Cleveland and back again. She held several education-related positions prior to feeling the call to begin seminary. “I just kept feeling this nudge,” she said.

She describes herself as a “raging extrovert.” In her previous interim roles in Carlisle and Fredericksburg, both in Ohio, she helped congregations to grow their membership, improve their children’s/youth programs, and expand outreach initiatives. Rev. Dumford’s contract with First Presbyterian will bring her to us for one year, with flexibility to extend the commitment if our search for a permanent pastor takes longer or to reduce it should we move faster (which is unlikely). She will begin working part-time in May to provide overlap with Rev. Gauen for transitional purposes. She will begin preaching after his official retirement celebration on June 2, when she will step into her full-time role.

She’s ready to get started. “I’m excited about hearing your stories,” she said. “I plan to do a lot of listening. Each congregation is unique. I want to hear about you individually and as a congregation. What is your unique call and place in the community?”

Rev. Dumford is married with three adult children and one grandchild. She met her husband, Bryan, in college when both were working as Presbyterian camp counselors.