For the purpose of accepting the Pastor Nominating Committee’s recommendation for the selection of Nicole Blanks to be called as pastor of Delafield Presbyterian Church and to approve the Terms of Call. Nikki will be conducting the sermon.
Introductory Reception
Friday, July 15, 2016: 4:00 – 7:00 pm
You are also invited to a receptionto meet pastor candidate Nicole (Nikki) Blanks at Delafield Presbyterian Church. Light refreshments will be served. Please come to meet her and enjoy the evening.
Nicole Blanks, the Pastor Nominating Committee’s recommendation for pastor of Delafield Presbyterian Church:
Nikki Blanks recently graduated from McCormick Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL) with a Master’s Degree in Divinity. During her time at McCormick, Nikki was elected to serve as a deacon to the student body, and was the recipient of several academic and ministerial awards, including:
- Wright Scholarship
- Ellen and James Taylor Prize for Best Sermon
- Isabella Blackstone Award in New Testament
- Floyd V. Filson Prize in New Testament
- Hugh McBirney Award in English Bible
- Joan Malick Scholarship for Women in Ministry
Nikki also holds a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies with an emphasis on the Hebrew Scriptures from Cardinal Stritch University (Milwaukee, WI).
She completed her undergraduate studies with a dual degree in college ministry from North Central University and painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (both in Minneapolis, MN).
For two years, Nikki served as a Campus Minister at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, and as Minister to International Students at the University of North Texas in Dallas. She describes her time in Louisiana as her “trial by fire,” since she was there for Hurricane Katrina. This gave Nikki many opportunities to develop her ability to understand and care for people in crisis.
Nikki spent three years as the Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian Church (Racine, WI). During both her time as a Campus Minister and as the Director of Christian Education, Nikki worked extensively with children, youth and college-aged. She organized and led five mission trips, and during her tenure, the Christian education program doubled in attendance.
Nikki completed her seminary field studies at Edgewater Presbyterian Church (Chicago, IL), an international congregation, where she founded a young adults’ group. During her studies she brought songs and communion to a care facility for the chronically mentally ill each week, giving her a keen awareness and understanding of the needs of people who struggle with mental health issues. She also served as a Chaplain Intern at Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago, IL).
Nikki grew up in southeastern Wisconsin and her parents live in Germantown. She loves the community of Delafield and all it has to offer, and is very excited to be the pastor candidate of Delafield Presbyterian Church. For fun, she loves to learn new forms of self-expression. She also loves to work with her hands and her interests range from baking, to sewing, to woodworking. She is energetic, and a gifted communicator, collaborator, leader, and organizer. Nikki is recently engaged to Dan Collins who will also be at the reception on July 15th.
A Note from Nikki Blanks
Hello!
My name is Nikki Blanks, and I am honored to have been nominated to serve as your next pastor! This congregation’s openness, warmth and involvement in the community has inspired me, and has made me very excited for the opportunity to walk with you in discovering God’s calling for the next chapter in the life of Delafield Presbyterian Church.
On Sunday, July 17th, I will be officially introduced to you in worship, and I’d like to formally invite you to be there at the regular worship time!
Also, in preparation for this service, the Pastoral Nominating Committee has arranged for a meet-and-greet to be held at the church on Friday, July 15th from 4 P.M.-7 P.M. I encourage you to stop by so that I can have the opportunity to get to know you before the service. I’m looking forward to meeting and worshipping with you!
Sincerely,
Nikki Blanks
Delafield Presbyterian Church USA 