The Rev. Nancy Ross-Zimmerman has been named pastor and head of staff at Lakeside Presbyterian Church, becoming the first woman to hold that position.
Nancy Ross-Zimmerman and her husband, Craig Zimmerman (Photo provided)
Rev. Ross-Zimmerman joins Lakeside’s Associate Pastor, Louisa Watkins Umphres, in forming a strong team for Lakeside’s future.
She grew up in Cincinnati, attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music before transferring to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey where she was schooled as a church musician.
Nancy and her first husband Jeff Ross served as music directors in congregations in New Jersey, Virginia, and Texas before Jeff was killed in a family car accident. Nancy eventually moved with their two young children back to Cincinnati where she served as Director of Music and Youth in Hamilton Ohio.
It was at The Presbyterian Church in Hamilton that Nancy and Craig Zimmerman met and were married, blending their children into a family of five. Ross-Zimmerman felt called to ordained ministry in 1997 and attended the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she received her M.Div. in December 2000.
Rev. Ross-Zimmerman speaking at Lakeside Presbyterian Church. (Photo by Deborah Williams)
In her final months of seminary, she was called as Associate Pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati where she has served since January 2001.
Rev. Ross-Zimmerman and her husband Craig have three married children and their spouses, Robert and Debbie Ross, Jessica Zimmerman and Michael Andresen and Ashley Ross and Claude Cassion. Rob and Debbie live in Philadelphia and have three children, Tennyson (8), Delaney (6) and Millie (4). Ashley and Jessica each have a dog.
Nancy loves hiking, exploring, and photography and if she could do all three and be in Scotland, she would be delighted! (Feel free to ask her about Iona!) She also enjoys spending time with family, especially at the beach on Topsail Island, North Carolina. Nancy’s mother, brother, two sisters, and their children, all live in the Cincinnati area.
“I am a relational, perceptive pastor who is sensitive to the Spirit’s leading in helping people to open up and make connections from the past, present, and future,” said Ross-Zimmerman. “I find I am able to give perspective, guidance and hope to families, and I feel blessed doing so.”
She also has a deep respect for traditions, as well as the need for change.
“In order to thrive and grow, change is necessary and I feel energized and equipped to navigate growth and change through innovation, both inside and outside the walls of the church building,” she said.
