OUR PASTOR - RYAN AHLGRIM

Ryan Ahlgrim believes in the church. For all its mistakes and foibles and disappointments, the church is what provides us with a community of love, support, mutual discernment, and faith. Being a Christian is not something we do alone; it is what we do together. The goal is to be a Spirit-inspired community that enacts wholeness and reconciliation with each other, the world, and God. For Ryan, no calling could be more meaningful or important than being a pastor.

Ryan became the pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond on August 1, 2014.

He began his ministry straight out of college as a youth minister in his home congregation, Lombard Mennonite Church, near Chicago. While attending seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, he worked for two years as an assistant minister at Dunlap United Methodist Church. After graduating, he helped plant Peoria-North Mennonite Church in Illinois. Eleven years later, he became lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Indianapolis, where he served for nineteen years before moving to Richmond, Virginia.

Ryan holds a B.A. degree in English from Goshen College, an M.Div. degree from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (including a semester at Princeton Theological Seminary), and a D.Min. degree from McCormick Theological Seminary through the Chicago Association of Theological Schools D.Min. in Preaching Program.

While pastoring in Indianapolis, Ryan taught communication courses at Ivy Tech Community College. A frequent contributor to church periodicals, he has authored two books: Not as the Scribes: Jesus as a Model for Prophetic Preaching (Herald Press, 2002), and Sick Religion or Healthy Faith? Beliefs and Practices for Healing Christian Communities (Wipf & Stock, 2016). He maintains a website of essays, stories, articles, videos, dramas and more at www.ryanahlgrim.com.

Ryan is married to Laurie (Silver) Ahlgrim, a retired school nurse. They have two grown children: Garrett and Savannah.

Emily Hodges Nyce —Associate Pastor

Emily Hodges Nyce (she/her) is the Associate Pastor of First Mennonite Church of Richmond (June 2023-). Emily was born and raised in Richmond, VA, though she was unfamiliar with the Mennonite denomination until attending Eastern Mennonite University for her undergraduate degree. While there, she quickly found that the Anabaptist tradition was her true theological home. Emily (and her husband, Travis) have been actively involved at FMC since August 2017. She is deeply grateful and excited to expand upon her dedication to FMC’s vision of holy community now through her part-time Associate Pastor role.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious and Intercultural Studies from Eastern Mennonite University (2014), which included a full semester in the Middle East. Additionally, Emily worked professionally in Mennonite churches while in college and for several years after before moving back to Richmond for seminary. She holds a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary (2020), and has also completed a Certificate in Community Storytelling through The Hearth in Ashland, OR. Emily has a decade and a half of professional experience working in a broad range of churches, non-profits, and volunteering to support local peace efforts. In addition to her Associate Pastor role with FMC, she is also founder/director part-time of Yaupon Place. Emily finds great joy and creativity in working both within the traditional setting of FMC and at the park through Yaupon Place. It is a gift to be a part of God’s diverse, transformative Spirit in the city of Richmond.

Emily and Travis are new parents to their daughter, born October 2021. When time (and sleep) allows, Emily enjoys nature walks, writing and poetry, spirituality, cooking, social time with friends and family, food festivals, and any chance to get to the beach.

STAFF - MINISTERS - COMMISSION CHAIRS

Staff

Hannah Harward - Office Manager

Ministers

Jim Lehman (chair)
Sandra Joireman
Christine Suders
Matthias Joireman

Administrative Board

Val Reinford (chair)
Craig Wilson (chair-elect)
Laura Beckler (treasurer)
Jim Lehman

Commission Chairs

Pat Rohrer, Fellowship Commission
Jean Oswald, Christian Formation Commission
Dorothy Wiebe-Johnson, Worship Commission
Murray Ellison, Outreach Commission