Luci Duckson-Bramble at PHS, August 2021.Photo by Fred Tangeman.
Luci Duckson-Bramble at PHS, August 2021.Photo by Fred Tangeman.
Luci Duckson-Bramble has joined the staff of the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) as Director of Development. Her first day was Aug. 16.
An experienced development professional with close ties to the national Church and its mid councils, Duckson-Bramble said she “looks forward to working with the PHS staff and Board to raise funds to support and enhance the work” of the national archives of the PC(USA).
“I am thrilled to have Luci join us at PHS,” said Executive Director Nancy J. Taylor. “I know the staff and Board are eager to work with her and draw on her fundraising experience and deep knowledge and love of the Presbyterian Church. Her enthusiasm for Presbyterian history is contagious.”
Duckson-Bramble lives in Hempstead, New York, and will work remotely as the leader of PHS’s development team.
Prior to joining PHS, Duckson-Bramble worked as Chief Funds Development Officer for the Girl Scouts of Nassau County.
When asked what drew her to PHS, Duckson-Bramble said, “The past 20 months has been very hard and forced me to reevaluate all aspects of my life. I wasn’t looking for a new job, but a more fulfilling call. The position spoke to me on so many levels and I felt God leading me through it.”
“I knew my prayers had been answered when the position was offered to me. The bonus is that Philadelphia is my hometown and I always love being there.”
A lifelong Presbyterian, Duckson-Bramble grew up attending Germantown Community Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. She now attends Christ’s First Presbyterian Church in Hempstead, where she has been a ruling elder for the past two decades and served as clerk of session for almost 18 years. Duckson-Bramble currently serves on committees of the Presbytery of Long Island and the Synod of the Northeast.
“I was a commissioner to General Assembly 223,” Duckson-Bramble said, “serving as Moderator of Committee 9: Peacemaking, Immigration, and International Issues.” She also recently served on the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly.
During her 18 years with the Girl Scouts, Duckson-Bramble excelled at major gifts and planned giving. Her work also extended beyond fundraising. She helped raise the community profile of other nonprofit programs in Long Island and built strong partnerships with educational institutions that deliver programs to children and youth.
“I am particularly proud of securing funding so that any girl could participate in the Girl Scouts, regardless of her family’s ability to afford membership or participation fees,” she said.
Duckson-Bramble is excited to help raise financial support for PHS, a ministry area of the Office of the General Assembly, and to make Presbyterians aware of the preservation and research services PHS provides.
“PHS is where Presbyterians know they can get information about their congregations,” Duckson-Bramble said, “even when churches are no longer open.”
“I love history and have visited the PHS website many times in the past few months. ... I actually found a picture of Rev. Clarence Cave, my first pastor from Faith Presbyterian Church [in Germantown].”
“I love the connectional scope of our church and its polity,” Duckson-Bramble added. “PHS offers connectional opportunities that resonate with many.”
“As a fundraiser, it’ll be my job to help further share the stories of PHS’s work across the denomination.”