PERSONNEL NOTES

Beginning June 15, Madalyn Metzger will serve as interim executive director of Engagement and Communications for the Church of the Brethren, providing leadership for both the Communications and Mission Advancement teams. Madalyn, who grew up in the Springfield First congregation, served as the 2024 Annual Conference moderator and brings more than two decades of experience in marketing, communications, and organizational leadership, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer at Everence. Her work has centered on helping mission-driven  organizations strengthen their voice, deepen relationships, and align communications and engagement to support growth, generosity, and long-term stewardship. Madalyn will begin part-time and move to full-time on July 13, allowing for a thoughtful transition leading up to Wendy McFadden’s retirement. She will work remotely from northern Indiana and be onsite in Elgin regularly.

Rhonda Pittman Gingrich will step into a part-time interim leadership role with Brethren Press in addition to her ongoing responsibilities as director of Annual Conference. Brethren Press remains a vital ministry of the church, with work that spans publishing, curriculum, and broader engagement. During this period, Rhonda will provide steady leadership as while discerning how these areas are best supported moving forward.

Jeff Thomson has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as director of Brethren Disaster Ministries and will work remotely from his home in Kansas. In his previous role as Chief Housing Officer and General Contractor with Interfaith Housing and Community Services, Jeff collaborated with numerous volunteers while leading home repair programs for families in need in Hutchinson, Kan. Jeff brings extensive disaster response experience to this position, having deployed to more than 20 disaster sites, often in leadership roles. His professional background includes work in cabinet making and the hospitality industry. Jeff will begin his role on June 22 and will attend Annual Conference in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Adam Lane has been hired by the Church of the Brethren as program assistant for Children’s Disaster Services, working from the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. Adam is a graduate of Huntington (Ind.) University with a Bachelor of Arts in Worship Leadership and from Bethany Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Spiritual and Social Transformation. He brings knowledge of technology, social media, newsletter writing, data filing, and event planning. He began his work on May 27.

The coordinating team of the Middle Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren has called Carolyn Willoughby to serve as a member of the Interim District Executive Minister Team beginning Aug. 1. Carolyn will replace Rebecca Zeek, who completes her service July 31. Carolyn is a retired minister currently working part-time as activities assistant for the Alzheimer’s unit of Concordia at Arbutus Park retirement center in Johnstown, Pa. Carolyn is a 1992 graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary. She served previously as pastor of Farmington Bethel Church of the Brethren in Western Pennsylvania District.