Meet the Rev. Dr. Joyce Scheyer

From Dean Mary:  I am thrilled to welcome the Rev. Dr. Joyce Scheyer to the staff of Christ Church Cathedral starting in January. She will serve as Canon Pastor, overseeing the formation and pastoral programs for our congregation. She comes from the Diocese of New Jersey, and brings a passion for lifelong formation, training as a spiritual director, a love of music ,and some Spanish facility.

From Rev. Joyce: I was the first African American woman ordained priest in Diocese of Nebraska, and the first African American priest there since the late 1800s. I was a curate in the Diocese of Nebraska, then I served churches in Massachusetts and New Jersey. My seminary was Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

I call New England home although I grew up in a mobile military family. I was baptized as a baby and later confirmed – both by the Episcopal Bishop of the Armed Forces. I was an active layperson in Episcopal Churches especially with church school and youth groups, altar guild, choir, contemplative prayer, The Order of Daughters of the King, and Episcopal Church Women.

I graduated from Harvard-Radcliffe College, Oregon State University, and University of Nebraska (Ph.D. in Agronomy with statistics minor).  During college I worked a summer at Our Cabana Girl Guide Center in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.  I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in agriculture in rural Sierra Leone (West Africa), and then a soil scientist for USDA-NRCS in Washington State, Connecticut, and finally in Nebraska.

My diocesan service in Nebraska was with Lincoln Episcopal Youth Group in four churches.  In Massachusetts I was on Episcopal City Mission Burgess Urban Fund, and Leadership Development Initiative Youth/Adult Team for South Shore Deanery. In New Jersey I served at ECF/Lilly Boot Camp, Stewardship Committee, Project Resource Team, and Diocesan Council.

In my spare time:
I treasure every minute with my young adult children – Danny (Kjerstin), Peter, and Ben. I enjoy hiking in the woods, swimming, cooking, and making music.

What attracted me the most to CCC?
CCC offers a variety of ways to grow with God and that is special. I see familiar spiritual practices in centering prayer, choirs, crochet and knitting, and the daily office. I feel welcome in both Spanish and English language worship and activities. I am inspired by the way CCC folks continually live into your baptismal promises especially in justice ministry. Across age groups, lifestyle differences, and Christian education levels it seems that CCC joyfully lives as one in the Lord and fearlessly welcomes neighbors.