Roy and Nancy Lambert continue in the heritage handed to them

Roy and Nancy Lambert met at a Presbyterian Church in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania (near Philadelphia), where Roy sang in the choir and Nancy played the flute for a special Christmas program. They were married about a year later on February 14, l948.

Roy was born in Westfield, New Jersey; his father Harold had a small taxicab business, and his mother was at home. There were no other children in the family. He was greatly influenced by his mother’s faith, and she always saw to it that Roy attended Sunday school.

But his mother died when he was fourteen years old, so an aunt and a young Presbyterian pastor, Donald Graham, nurtured and encouraged him. Pastor Graham encouraged Roy to attend Wheaton College in Illinois following his high school graduation.

Roy had many questions and was seeking answers, and when he entered college decided to major in philosophy. He and five other students roomed in the home of a Wheaton College philosophy professor, creating an opportunity for many evenings of lively discussions about philosophy and theology. This professor was a knowledgeable teacher with a strong faith.

Also while at Wheaton, Roy took voice lessons and became very close to his teacher who demonstrated Christian faith through his deeds and music. Both of these teachers were helpful to Roy as he came to his own conclusions about faith.

Roy went on to receive a master of divinity degree from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia, a school independent of any denominational ties at the time, but with Reformed teachings. He stayed an extra year to earn a master of theology degree. Then, newly married, he served a church in Cambridge, New York for three years.

Roy and Nancy moved to Ohio where Roy served two small churches in Harrisville and Uniontown for three years. In 1953 they came to Waterford, Michigan, where Roy started the Lakeland Presbyterian Church; he served there for thirty-three years.

During his forty years as a pastor – and still – Roy has liked the New English and Revised Standard versions of the Bible. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Peter 3:15 “Be able to give reason for the faith that is in you . . .”

Nancy was born and raised in Philadelphia. Her family attended church at least three times a week. She thought when she attended (Presbyterian) Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, she might “back off” from such frequent church attendance, but the college mandated chapel attendance five days a week! She was surprised to find that this fostered her faith and that she really liked it. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a teaching degree.

After she and Roy were married, Nancy taught high school math in New York State. When their first child, a son, was born, she became a stay-at-home mom. After moving to Ohio a daughter was born, and another daughter was born in Michigan, completing the family. As the children grew older, Nancy went back to school, receiving a master’s degree from Michigan State University, and became an elementary school and language arts teacher for twenty years. After retirement from teaching, she taught communication skills for the hearing impaired at a senior center. As a pastor’s wife she was always active in church activities including teaching Sunday school at Lakeland Presbyterian Church.

Nancy uses the NIV Study Bible, and her favorite verses include Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”; Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”; and Galatians 5:22: “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Roy and Nancy moved to Chelsea and came to Westminster in l992 with the encouragement of Herald and Virginia Watt who they knew in Waterford. They have been active in church activities here, especially the Sixty Plus Club, adult education classes and the Chancel Choir (Roy). They have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

From May to October, Roy and Nancy live at their “summer place” in Bellaire, Michigan, overlooking Torch Lake. They enjoy having family stay with them, and invite friends to come anytime for a visit!