McGormley (at right) with one of her favorite Ukrainian babushkas (grandmothers), Ekaterina Gregorivna Seetnik. From the Megan McGormley collection. Learning to ask the questions of life and faith: Megan McGormley
Daily unfolding like a divine version of the popular game show, Jeopardy®, the answers seemed to appear to Megan McGormley before the questions.
Even before this daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian pastors had thought to ask the question, “Who is God calling me to be,” a host of mentors in the faith emerged from both expected and unexpected places to suggest possible responses and next steps in her ongoing exploration of Christian vocation.
“My vocational journey didn’t really begin until I was a freshman at Hanover College, which is related to the PC(USA),” McGormley recalled. “Although I was pre-med at the time, when I was taking a theology course with Dr. David Yeager, he just thought to inform me about a program that Hanover had with Eli Lilly, where students could write their own grants, apply for funding and then intern overseas or at home in an effort to discern a vocation.” McGormley subsequently wrote a grant to explore her calling as a missionary doctor, which Lilley approved.
Upon seeking how to accomplish the objectives articulated in her grant proposal, McGormley searched the PC(USA) Web site for appropriate opportunities. After realizing that her young age disqualified her from a number of the PC(USA)’s overseas volunteer programs, McGormley then contacted the World Mission office of the General Assembly Council, which provided her with the email addresses of five PC(USA) missionary doctors.
Dr. Salvador and Irma de la Torre, a husband and wife doctor-nurse team serving the PC(USA) in Kenya, soon responded and welcomed McGormley into their lives and their home.
“The Presbyterian Church makes a big world smaller,” McGormley observed about her initial communication and overall experience with the de la Torres. “It turned out that they knew my great uncle, who had served as an accountant for missionaries. They thought very highly of him and were happy to help anyone related to him.”
After spending what she characterized as “an amazing two months in Kenya,” McGormley realized that she did not want to be a missionary doctor. “Observing the other medical students there getting practical experience and following around doctors taking X-rays and resetting bones, I realized I didn’t feel called to medicine,” she said. “But as I played with children in an orphanage and saw the disparity around me, I knew that my trip did enlighten me in terms of my career.”
Returning to Hanover to begin her sophomore year, McGormley continued to search for answers. Upon changing her major from pre-med to International Studies and completing her undergraduate degree, McGormley soon discovered a program in which she could continue to explore the important questions of Christian vocation, the Peace Corps Master’s International Program with the University of Denver. While in Denver, she also answered a call to serve as a Youth Advisory Delegate from Maumee Valley Presbytery to the 217th General Assembly (2006).
Having now completed the required coursework for her master’s, McGormley — now in Ukraine doing community development work — will return to the United States to complete her dissertation. She expects to graduate no later than December 2009.
“Megan’s story is a beautiful testimonial to how our PC(USA) ‘ecosystem’ can nurture us as we seek to discern our calling in life,” said the Rev. Marcia Myers, director of the Office of Vocation, a joint ministry of the General Assembly Council and the Office of the General Assembly. “Church connections helped Megan to understand Christian vocation more broadly, not just in terms of ordained ministry or other church work.”
Moving forward, McGormley continues to look to her parents, the Revs. Dean and Ellen McGormley — co- pastors of First Presbyterian Church, Monroe, Mich. — for support in her vocational quest. She is proud to call them her “strongest and most consistent supporters.”
“Now that I’ve seen and done a bit more in life, I’ve only started asking myself questions about what kinds of gifts I have and where they might best be suited,” McGormley said. “I’ve only, within the past few months, really started asking God if there is a place for me in the Presbyterian Church in terms of vocation. I think that being contacted to tell my story and to think through this part of my life is a small part of God’s answer.” |
