DISTRICT CLERK SALLY JANE CONNOR
(Bridgewater, Va.) Sally Jane Conner was born and raised in Manassas and was a member of the Manassas congregation. Her ancestors
migrated from Pennsylvania to Manassas and began the first Brethren church there. Upon moving to the valley, she was a member of the Dayton Church of the Brethren and served over five years as the treasurer. She is currently a member of the Bridgewater congregation, completing a second and final term as clerk. She is also a member of the church choir. Sally Jane earned a BS from Bridgewater College and an MBA from Eastern Mennonite University.
Biblical Vision
“…but all things should be done decently and in order”
– 1 Corinthians 14:40, NRSV
Description of Work
The District Clerk:
- Records minutes of the District Conference and shall, in cooperation with the district executive, prepare them for publication and distribution to the churches;
- Serve as a member of the Planning and Arrangements Team.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE GARY HIGGS
(Harrisonburg, Va.) Gary joined the district staff in November 2015 as director of finance. He attends Melrose Church of the Brethren where he has served in various roles, including as moderator. He has also served on the District Leadership Team. Gary is retired, having most recently worked at Wetsel Inc. for 30 years in accounting and finance. He resides in Harrisonburg with his wife Mary.
Biblical Vision
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”
– 1 Timothy 6:18
Description of Work
The Director of Finance:
- Be custodian of all district funds, disbursing them as authorized by the district conference, and to a depository designated by the Leadership Team;
- Be an ex officio member of the Leadership Team;
- Make written reports to the Leadership Team and the district conference as requested;
- Submit the accounts for an annual examination;
- The director of finance will be employed by the Leadership Team and directly answerable to the district executive minister.
TREASURER TERI SUMEY
(Weyers Cave, Va.) Teri Sumey retired from public education after 38 years as a teacher/administrator. She attends Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren and serves on the board of directors for Karis. She also enjoys volunteering for Special Olympics, Verona Community Food Pantry, and Love INC.
Biblical Vision
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share”
– 1 Timothy 6:18
Description of Work
The Treasurer:
- Verify vouchers and invoices with checks; verify payroll, and sign all checks;
- Be appointed by the Leadership Team.
MODERATOR CAROL SCHEPPARD
(Mount Sidney, Va.) Carol Scheppard grew up in the small clock-manufacturing town of Thomaston, nestled in Connecticut’s industrial Naugatuck Valley. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University and graduate degrees from Lesley College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and the University of Pennsylvania. She moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 1998 when she joined the faculty of Bridgewater College in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. A medieval historian by training, her primary area of research is in the history of biblical interpretation, particularly in Ireland during the early Middle Ages. At Bridgewater, she has served in several capacities on the faculty and in administration. She now holds the position of Professor of the College. Dr. Scheppard was Moderator of the Church of the Brethren in 2016-2017 and served on the Board of Trustees for Bethany Seminary for a decade under Presidents Gene Roop and Ruthann Johansen. She is a member of the Lebanon Church of the Brethren in Mt. Sidney, Virginia, and shares life on a small farm with a Great Pyrenees, two cats, two goats, one sheep, one horse, and six very large fish. She enjoys playing bagpipes with Staunton’s Shenandoah Bagpipe Band.
Biblical Vision
“O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me…”
– Psalm 43:3a, NRSV
Description of Work
The Moderator
- Preside at business sessions of the District Conference;
- Be an ex officio member without vote of the Leadership Team;
- Be chairperson of the District Conference Program and Arrangements Committee;
- Be an ex officio member with a vote on the Gifts Discernment Team;
- Study the needs of the district and give interpretation and counsel regarding them to the Leadership Team, to District Conference, and to any other appropriate district agency.
MODERATOR-ELECT MARTY DOSS
(Harrisonburg, Va.) Pastor of Harrisonburg First, Marty is married to Cheryl, and they have a daughter, Jill. He has served the District as chair of the Outdoor Ministries Team and on the Program and Arrangements Committee for the District, and he was a member of the Spiritual Renewal Team.
Marty has served as a dean at Brethren Woods, volunteered with Outdoor School and served as a cabin counselor and camp coordinator at Camp Bethel in the Virlina District, where he also served as a leader on the Pilgrimage Team (a weekend retreat for spiritual renewal). He is also the cohost of the 2 Preachers Talking podcast on podbean.com.
Biblical Vision
“O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me…”
– Psalm 43:3a, NRSV
Description of Work
The Moderator presides at the business session of the District Conference. To prepare for the role the moderator-elect’s duties include:
- Serve as ex officio on the District Leadership Team (moderator-elect and moderator year);
- Serve on Gifts Discernment Team (moderator-elect and moderator year);
- Serve as chair of the Program and Arrangements Team (moderator year);
- Study the needs and work of the district and provide interpretation and counsel to the District Leadership Team, District Conference, and other appropriate district agencies (moderator-elect and moderator year).