The Spirit of Saint Nicholas: A Partnership of Serendipity and Purpose
Linda Dienno, M.Sc., celebrates the partnership between Carol Myers and Virginia Theological Seminary, leading to the creation of the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice and the Saint Nicholas Exhibit in the Welcome Center.
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Serendipity, synergy, and symbiosis come to mind when describing Carol Myers and her continuing collaboration with Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS). What began as a simple phone call between Carol and me in 2019 has blossomed into a six-year journey marked by shared vision, creativity, and faith. Together, we have nurtured projects that honor the life and legacy of Saint Nicholas – expressions of generosity, justice, and joy that continue to flourish at VTS.
Now, in 2025, VTS celebrates the enduring spirit of St. Nicholas through three interconnected initiatives: the Saint Nicholas Exhibit in the Welcome Center, the newly launched Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice, and a collaborative partnership with the St. Nicholas Center website. Each of these expressions grows from the work of Carol Myers, who has devoted more than 40 years to exploring, interpreting, and teaching the story of Nicholas, the fourth-century Bishop of Myra. Renowned for his boundless generosity, deep compassion for children, and care for sailors and all in need, Bishop Nicholas continues to inspire faith, justice, and kindness across generations.
When Carol and I first connected in 2019, she was (and still is) the director of the St. Nicholas Center, a non-commercial nonprofit dedicated solely to spreading the word about Saint Nicholas and helping people understand who Santa Claus and Father Christmas truly are. At the beginning of her St. Nicholas ministry, Carol focused on creating thoughtful, faith-based resources for individuals, families, and churches – materials she herself had longed for when trying to explain to her own children that there was a real person of faith behind Santa Claus.
And yes – she also began collecting St. Nicholas memorabilia. In those early years, finding such items was no easy task, so the search became a kind of joyful sport. Carol built a network of friends and collaborators who shared her enthusiasm for uncovering rare and meaningful pieces. The advent of eBay transformed the process, allowing her to expand her collection and curate regular exhibits in the lobby cases of her local museum.
By the time we connected in 2019, the St. Nicholas Center had grown into a multi-faceted ministry with four components: a comprehensive website, a traveling museum-quality exhibit, an online shop, and a series of display and activity kits for use by churches and schools. It was Carol’s desire to find a lasting home for the website that led her to VTS.
The comprehensive website, www.stnicholascenter.org, which Carol continues to maintain, serves as the heart of the ministry. It reaches more than one million people annually, offering free of cost a vast range of information about the saint, customs from around the world, and resources for churches, families, and schools to use in celebrating his feast day. Deeply ecumenical in spirit, the site provides materials for Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, mainline Protestants, and beyond. A special children’s section offers stories, games, and activities that introduce Nicholas as a model of compassion, faith, and generosity.
As Carol began imagining her later years, she recognized that she could not continue the pace the project demanded, yet she hoped to ensure that this ministry – and its global reach – would continue for generations to come. An Episcopalian herself, she saw Virginia Theological Seminary as a strong and enduring institution that could serve as a natural home for the website. While her work has always been ecumenical, Carol believed The Episcopal Church offered the right balance of welcome and faithfulness for this ministry. As she explained: "Episcopalians get it. And people from across the spectrum find that Episcopalians are approachable."
A New Vision at VTS
Carol visited Virginia Theological Seminary for the first time in April 2019. She met with Dean Ian Markham to explore the possibility of VTS assuming stewardship of her website. What began as a conversation about digital continuity quickly evolved into something much larger and more inspiring: a vision to bring Carol’s traveling exhibit to VTS for an Advent display in the Welcome Center.
At the time, the museum-quality pieces of her exhibit were stored in a warehouse in Cicero, Illinois. Transporting them to VTS required a moving van, careful packing, and professional installation. Once on site, teams from Facilities, Institutional Advancement, and Hospitality came together to ensure the exhibit went off without a hitch. Carol was on campus to help set up the exhibit and later returned for a special evening event celebrating the display.
In true VTS fashion, what began as a single seasonal exhibition quickly blossomed into something far greater. The Seminary community recognized that the story of St. Nicholas – rooted in faith, generosity, and justice – resonated deeply with its own mission. The vision expanded from hosting a one-time traveling exhibit to permanently housing it at VTS and creating a new initiative: the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice.
For me, this new vision became a watershed moment, one that helped shape and define my remaining years at VTS, culminating in my retirement at the end of December 2024. It represented everything I have always loved about the Seminary: collaboration, creativity, and the faithful pursuit of ideas that serve both the Church and the world.
In today’s world, St. Nicholas is more relevant than ever. He stands as a counterpoint to the commercialization of Christmas, a model of generosity and justice for the vulnerable, and a universally recognized figure whose story bridges faith traditions. Within The Episcopal Church, and at Virginia Theological Seminary in particular, he has found a natural home.
Episcopalians "get" St. Nicholas. We understand that he is both joyful and serious, whimsical and wise, festive yet faithful. His story blends charity and justice, fun and formation – the very same values that shape our mission at VTS.
Through the Saint Nicholas Exhibit, the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice, and the ongoing collaboration with the St. Nicholas Center website, VTS stands as a steward of his legacy. Each expression invites students, scholars, and visitors alike to encounter Nicholas not as folklore, but as a living witness to the power of generosity and love.
As this partnership continues to grow, it remains rooted in the same spirit that began with a serendipitous phone call in 2019 – a shared conviction that faith, when lived through acts of kindness and justice, has the power to change lives.
Honoring Carol P. Myers: The Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Award
The story of St. Nicholas at VTS is, at its heart, also the story of Carol Myers – her imagination, her persistence, and her faith in what collaboration can make possible. What began as a personal calling to tell the true story of a beloved saint has become a lasting ministry of learning, justice, and hope.
In recognition of her remarkable vision and enduring ministry, VTS proudly presented the Lettie Pate Whitehead Evans Award to Carol Myers (The presentation by Dean Ian Markham is pictured at the top of this article). The award honors Episcopal laypersons who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and personal initiative in ministry, extending the reach of the Gospel beyond their parish and into the world.
Carol’s 24 years of work developing the St. Nicholas Center exemplify that spirit in every way. What began as a virtual center and website, through which millions have discovered the true story of St. Nicholas, grew into an extraordinary educational exhibit and, ultimately, the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice at VTS.
From the beginning, Carol believed that education must accompany inspiration. She saw St. Nicholas not only as a beloved historical figure, but as a saint for our own time – one who champions the lost, the lonely, the disenfranchised, and all who live on the margins of society.
Yet her vision extended beyond displays and story. She understood that St. Nicholas could also serve as a model for Christian social witness. Through her collaboration with VTS, the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice took root – a ministry grounded in empathy, generosity, and compassion.
The Center reflects Carol’s lifelong commitment to connecting faith and action. Her support for organizations such as Episcopal Relief & Development, the Episcopal Public Policy Network, the American Friends of the Diocese of Jerusalem, and Bread for the World has shaped the Center’s identity and mission.
Still in its early stages, the Saint Nicholas Center for Faith and Justice promises to become a vibrant hub for engagement – hosting displays, forums, lectures, and conferences that deepen the understanding of how faith informs public life. Seminarians have the opportunity to serve as Saint Nicholas Fellows, connecting other VTS students to community partners and modeling justice engagement. For all seminarians, the Center supports the formation of Christian leaders as faithful and effective advocates for justice in the way of Jesus. It is a model for how theological education can inspire leadership in social justice with advocacy throughout the Church and the world.
For Carol Myers, the journey that began with a few handcrafted resources and a passion for telling the true story of St. Nicholas has blossomed into a legacy that will endure, one that continues to inspire faith, generosity, and hope at VTS and far beyond.
By Linda Dienno, from VTS Magazine, Fall 2025.