DISTRICT CLERK
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
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
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
Moderator: Regina Cyzick Harlow
(Bridgewater, Va.) Regina Cyzick Harlow is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and a member of Mountain View Fellowship Church of the Brethren. She has served as interim pastor, associate pastor, and pulpit supply in the Shenandoah District. She co-founded the Sadie Rose Foundation with
her husband in memory of their firstborn daughter, a non-profit organization providing a peer support community for those in grief. Regina, her husband, Lee, and their four children, Eli, Elsie, Korana, and Reese, live and homeschool in Bridgewater.
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
Moderator-elect: Duane Painter
(Luray, Va.) Duane Painter is a pastor at Newport Church of the Brethren, a farmer with Pilgrim’s Pride and a school board member in the Page County Public School System. He has served on the board of directors for The Life Center of Page Valley and Living Legacy – West Luray Recreation Center for the underserved diverse community in Page County. He is currently serving a ministry through Newport called Free Indeed helping people with life recovery. Newport Church supports the Lybrook Mission in New Mexico, Christian
Love Fellowship in the Philippines, and recently sent Bibles to Rejoice African Ministries in Kenya.
He worked for 30 years in the commercial construction industry with Kawneer Co (Harrisonburg, 27 years) and GPR – Glass Projects Resource (Sterling, 3 years) in technical services and management. He graduated from EMU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Organizational Development and an associate degree in Mechanical Design from BRCC. He is married to Tonja Painter, and has two daughters, Joelle Painter and Krystle DeMeritt and two grandchildren Lily and Maverik DeMeritt.
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).