2024 Ballot

Program and Arrangements Committee

Addie Hostetler Lucatorto

Evans City, Pennsylvania

Western Pennsylvania

Profile

Faith Statement

My faith has been shaped by growing up in the Church of the Brethren. We often make things too complicated. I believe in the love and grace found in Jesus Christ.

Vision

Welcoming all is my vision for committee service. Hospitality is a cornerstone of the Church of the Brethren and everyone should have a seat at the table.

Intercultural Work

I worked for 30+ years in intercollegiate athletics administration. Equity, inclusion, and diversity work were an important part of my career. I have always looked for ways to be inclusive. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work has now added the concept of Belonging (DEIB). This is especially relevant in church/religious spaces.

Demographic Information

Home: Evans City, Pennsylvania
District: Western Pennsylvania
Congregation: Good Samaritan
Occupation: Human Resources for a Special Education Provider
Language(s) Spoken: English
Female, age 59, European-American

Experience

Local: Moderator; worship leader; lay speaker; leadership team, chair; Sunday school teacher
District: District conference, delegate; spiritual formation committee
Denomination: Annual Conference, delegate; Standing with People of Color committee; Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center, student
Other: Athletic administration; Northeast (athletic) Conference administrators, chair; NCAA sport committees

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

I have planned/managed/executed multiple large athletic events, banquets, conferences, meetings, and parades for up to 2000 participants. Being detail oriented, focusing on problem solving, and working to consensus describe my working style. Additionally, I work to expand equity and inclusion in all of my spaces.

Laura Sellers

Greenville, Ohio

Southern Ohio and Kentucky

Profile

Faith Statement

I am an imperfect person, following a perfect God; 1 Timothy 2:5. Though I will never be perfect, I can continue to grow, molding my life after Christ’s perfect example. My job is to show Christ’s perfect love to all—without judgement, loving like Christ.

Vision

To use my God given abilities to increase the success of Annual Conference. I want to combine the traditions of the Church of the Brethren, with the goals of the future—making sure the next generation has a place to continue God’s work in the Church.

Intercultural Work

I have created and led district and denominational programs, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, learning new things, and sharing personal experiences. Through work I have met people worldwide, sharing the history of my city and connecting it to where they are from. Through mission trips I’ve met believers around the world. Differences are always an experience, but we all have the same center, Jesus.

Demographic Information

Home: Greenville, Ohio
District: Southern Ohio and Kentucky
Congregation: Happy Corner
Occupation: Museum Education, Guest and Member Relations Manager
Language(s) Spoken: English Female, age 28, European-American

Experience

Local: Sunday school teacher; youth group leader; nursery attendant; VBS leader; worship leader
District: Board; district conference, delegate; young adult, leader
Denomination: Annual Conference, delegate, press team, and young adult activities coordinator; National Youth Conference, leader and press team; Exploring Your Call (through Bethany Seminary)
Other: Planned high school reunion, international mission trips, school field trips, and university events

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

Working with multiple ages, faiths, goals, and experiences have given me opportunities and skills to learn from others. I use these skills to make and see plans through; I’ve also learned to have a plan B, adjusting as needed. I am detail oriented, enjoy working with others, and learning from new experiences.

Mission and Ministry Board – Area 4

Pearl Miller

McPherson, Kansas

Missouri and Arkansas

Profile

Faith Statement

God is love and God sent Jesus to manifest that way of love in a real time and in a real place. A church that lives that love shown through Christ is a church with integrity and deserves to claim the name “Christian”. Each of us in that Christ community has gifts to offer and grace to share, each a living proclamation of Christ.

Vision

Each of us comes to the table with gifts to offer, ideas to share, ears to listen without judgment, and hearts to serve. We work together as instruments to be used for the ministry of the church in carrying out its call to embody Jesus in the neighborhood and throughout the world.

Intercultural Work

3 years as teacher at Waka Schools in Nigeria, Host for refugee families in our home and in our church community, Host for exchange students in our home, Involvement with local diversity and dialog group in study, conversation, and action

Demographic Information

Home: McPherson, Kansas
District: Missouri and Arkansas
Congregation: Warrensburg
Occupation: Retired Librarian/Retired Pastor
Language(s) Spoken: English
Female, age 78, European-American

Experience

Local: Pastor; music ministry; board/leadership team; deacon; Sunday school teacher; Christian education team
District: Board; writing clerk; camp board; conference planning; ecumenical Christian education planning
Denomination: Annual Conference volunteer coordinator; Children’s Disaster Services volunteer and on-site manager; Global Women’s Project steering committee
Other: School & public library administrator and teacher; Food Center board, chair; Iowa Library Association

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

These roles have required management, listening and decision-making skills, visioning, planning and assessment experience, and collaboration with others.

Colby Patton

Oxford, Kansas

Western Plains

Profile

Faith Statement

My faith journey began with strong relationships I built within my home congregation, as well as many outreach experiences as a youth. Because of the strong foundation of church within me, God motivates me to spread his word and love through God-like actions of loving all human beings and speaking for those that may not be heard.

Vision

Inspire the young adults of the church to be the change that we want to see. We are the future of the church, and I want to elevate the young adult voices that are full of ideas and passion.

Intercultural Work

I embrace and learn about new cultures through the Church of the Brethren’s FaithX trips. I attended FaithX trips to Northern Ireland, Nepal, Burundi, and Spain, with hopes of attending the 2024 Ecuador trip. I am fluent in Spanish.

Demographic Information

Home: Oxford, Kansas
District: Western Plains
Congregation: Wichita First
Occupation: School counselor
Language(s) Spoken: English, Spanish
Female, age 30, European-American

Experience

Local: Deacon; Open & Affirming committee.
District: District conference, delegate; implementation team
Denomination: Annual Conference; National Young Adult Conference; National Youth Conference, youthworker
Other: Oxford Public Library Board, president Relationship of skills/experience to the position

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

An effective leader listens without judgement, and I use this skill daily in many realms of my life. My leadership roles taught me to interact with people of many opinions, and embrace healthy and productive discussions that lead towards compromise. With leadership comes service, and I look forward to serving others in my role on the Mission and Ministry Board.

Mission and Ministry Board – Area 5

Robert Aguirre

Glendale, California

Pacific Southwest

Profile

Faith Statement

I grew up in the Christian faith and specifically felt the call to ministry in my mid-twenties while I was serving in the Navy. Upon separating from the Navy, I attended Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno. After graduating with my MDiv I pastored Cornerstone Community Church of the Brethren and worked as an associate chaplain at a retirement home. Today I pastor the Glendale Church of the Brethren in the Los Ángeles area. I love preaching about Jesus and planning and facilitating the Sunday morning worship services.

Vision

I would be proud to serve my church and district as a member of the Mission and Ministry Board. I would bring my experiences of serving as a pastor in both a rural and city setting.

Intercultural Work

As a minister I have worked with Armenian and Spanish speaking congregations. My church in Los Angeles is also diverse in population and culture. While serving in the Navy I was also working in a mixed and ethnically diverse organization. All these experiences would help me serve as a member of the Mission and Ministry Board.

Demographic Information

Home: Glendale, California
District: Pacific Southwest
Congregation: Glendale
Occupation: Pastor
Language(s) Spoken: English
Male, age 43, Mexican-American

Experience

Local: Pastor
District: district conference planning committee; congregational vitality task force
Denomination: None
Other: Naval officer; Target manager; associate chaplain in a retirement home

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

My leadership positions have always been a combination of taking charge and giving direction and yet getting to know my team and workers and having a personal approach. I would use the combination of leadership and care in this role.

Erik Brummett

Yuba City, California

Pacific Southwest

Profile

Faith Statement

As a follower of God in the way of Jesus, my faith is set in Jesus the Christ who taught us, in word and in action, how to be in relationship with God, others, and ourselves. My faith in Christ challenges and encourages me to embrace all people and help build a world, founded on love and peace.

Vision

I envision an opportunity to understand how the denomination operates and connects with all the pieces that make up the Church of the Brethren. I see an opportunity for direct involvement with how the denomination works, as well as strengthening and deepening the relationships with our districts and congregations, for a cord of three strands is not easily broken.

Intercultural Work

As a pastor in the PSWD, I’m blessed to be able to interact, engage, and build relationships with the Hispanic congregations in our district and am honored to call them friends. Serving as district board chair from 2021-2023, I was able to work with our Hispanic congregations as they sought the district’s guidance and assistance.

Demographic Information

Home: Yuba City, California
District: Pacific Southwest
Congregation: Live Oak
Occupation: Pastor
Language(s) Spoken: English
Male, age 37, European-American

Experience

Local: Pastor
District: Board, chair
Denomination: None
Other: Bethany Theological Seminary, student leadership team

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

Each of these roles has given me opportunities to collaborate with others in the church to carry out its mission, realize its vision, and continue the work of Jesus. These roles have taught me to make space for the voices of others, and they have given me the space to find my own voice, to speak when I need to and the ability to assert myself. These roles have shown me what real leadership looks like – that to be a leader is to first be a servant to all.

Bethany Theological Seminary Trustee – Representing Colleges

The board seeks nominees who are aware of the dramatic changes taking place in higher education, especially seminary education, or are aware of issues of division in the denomination and changes in the larger church, or are persons of color who can help the seminary have conversations about diversity, or have corporate or executive leadership experience.

David McFadden

Milford, Indiana

South Central Indiana

Profile

Faith Statement

We are to seek and act on our calling in the world, that place where our faith is strengthened and our gifts applied to serve the needs of our neighbors.

Vision

Bethany Theological Seminary is uniquely positioned to equip leaders of the Church of the Brethren. As a trustee, I would work with the board and president to assure institutional strength and encourage and support the administration, faculty, and staff in their important work.

Intercultural Work

I participated in and led intercultural work at Manchester University over a 30-year career. I’ve worked on inclusion issues at a congregational level and at the University.

Demographic Information

Home: Milford, Indiana
District: South Central Indiana
Congregation: Manchester
Occupation: Retired, president emeritus, Manchester University
Language(s) Spoken: English
Male, age 65, European-American

Experience

Local: Board, chair; service on and chair of multiple commissions
District: None
Denomination: Bethany Theological Seminary, trustee; Mission and Ministry Board (General Board), staff
Other: President, Manchester University; community foundation, board; regional medical center, board

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

I have extensive experience serving for boards and serving on boards. I recently served two terms on Bethany’s board and understand many of the issues they are facing.

Jamie White

Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

Middle Pennsylvania

Profile

Faith Statement

Upon joining the faculty of Juniata College, I was attracted to the Church of the Brethren for its peace witness and its primary emphasis on the teachings of Jesus, as opposed to formal creeds of my childhood church. I focus my views of God on love, compassion, and the importance of working towards a loving community for all.

Vision

I am particularly interested in strengthening and supporting the career path of ministry, bringing knowledge of the day-to-day workings of higher education, expertise as an academic advisor of diverse students, experience leading faith-based non-profit organizations, and accounting acumen developed as a business owner, department chair, and church treasurer.

Intercultural Work

I work with students from a variety of economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds with a range of nationalities, sexual orientations, and gender identities/expressions, endeavoring to create an intentional community for every student’s growth and academic success. I grew up as a son of a seminary professor in Philadelphia and attended a predominantly Black (Lutheran) church. I have given a talk about coming of age amid racial neighborhood change and how those experiences color my understanding of the political racial discourse in our country. I currently live in a rural area, with far less cultural change. Having such diverse experiences gives me an appreciation for often subtle (and unsubtle) differences in how accustomed environments frame one’s worldviews.

Demographic Information

Home: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
District: Middle Pennsyvania
Congregation: Stone
Occupation: Professor
Language(s) Spoken: English
Male, age 61, European-American

Experience

Local: Treasurer; leadership team, finance team, music ministry team; gifts discernment team, office-personnel search committee.
District: None
Denomination: None
Other: Juniata College professor, department chair, advisor, reviewer; local Habitat for Humanity board president; company owner

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

As a chair, business owner, and Habitat president, I honed relevant skills, including programmatic reviews, strategic planning, and managing budgets.

On Earth Peace Board

The board requests nominees who can help OEP “develop and walk with leaders and communities who work for justice and peace.”

Jennie L M Waering

Roanoke, Virginia

Virlina

Profile

Faith Statement

I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I believe that God appears in many varied ways and inspires faith through many avenues. I believe that God created all humans in God’s image. I believe that Jesus brought a message of love—of neighbors, of enemies, of all.

Vision

My particular interest is in Standing with People of Color. In 2019, after retiring, I “awoke” to racial inequities, past and present. I began a journey of reading and studying about the issues, causes and perpetuation of racism. My friend, Eric Anspaugh, and I started Central Church of the Brethren’s Race Education Team. We believed some good Christian Brethren were unaware of racial issues where they were unknowing participants. We wanted to bring about change. This Team led to the formation of the Virlina Race Education Team. We began a series of Necessary Conversations about race and the church. I now envision bringing awareness to our denomination. I envision our denomination requiring pastors take racial training as continuing education. Racial divisiveness must be eradicated.

Intercultural Work

Racial Dialogue Circles, board; Church Women United, a racially diverse Christian women’s organization; organizer of Justice Advocates, an interfaith organization; visited the Havasupai Reservation; visited Nepal with David Radcliff and New Community Project; studying sex trafficking rescues

Demographic Information

Home: Roanoke, Virginia
District: Virlina
Congregation: Central
Occupation: Retired Assistant United States Attorney
Language(s) Spoken: English
Female, age 69, European-American

Experience

Local: Board; trustee; worship team, chair; choir member; stewards, chair; witness, chair; pastoral compensation committee
District: Virlina Race Education Team, co-chair; discipleship and reconciliation team
Denomination: None
Other: Roanoke Church Women United, board; Justice Advocates, organizer; Roanoke Bar Association, board

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

Meeting leadership; “where there is a will there is a way.” My racial justice work has prepared me for serving on the denominational Standing with People of Color project. I struggle with the concept of war and peace when nations are attacked. I would be honored to serve.

Mark Ottoni-Wilhelm

Richmond, Indiana

South Central Indiana

Profile

Faith Statement

I focus on Jesus’ words and work of confrontation, compassion, and forgiveness in the crushing political and religious context in which he lived. It is like looking into the sun: you can do it for a moment, but it’s so powerful you have to avert your eyes. Doing this makes my faith stronger.

Vision

To be in conversation with other board members and co-directors about the social science of fundraising, so that On Earth Peace can strengthen existing, and build new, relationships with people who share OEP’s vision and mission.

Intercultural Work

Teaching graduate students, most of whom are not from the U.S., and undergraduate students who are from diverse cultural backgrounds. Participating in intercultural communication workshops as a prerequisite to serve on search committees and to be a good colleague in a large organization, among people from diverse backgrounds.

Demographic Information

Home: Richmond, Indiana
District: South Central Indiana
Congregation: Northview
Occupation: Professor
Language(s) Spoken: English
Male, age 66, European-American

Experience

Local: Deacon
District: Auditing committee
Denomination: None
Other: See below

Relationship of skills/experience to the position

1) Association for the Study of the Generosity in Economics, president: leading board to make decisions. 2) Departmental Personnel Committee, chair: leading committee to make decisions when members are not of a cooperative spirit. 3) Project to collect philanthropy data from 9,000 American families, team leader: providing data to other researchers so they can conduct their own research projects; organizing data so that a team can use it to make decisions. 4) Research Committee of the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy, member and chair: leading faculty in discernment of which questions are the “big” questions in philanthropic studies; advisor to research projects; re-conceived philanthropy away from a focus on separate individuals, to a focus on the family (broadly defined), including children, adolescents, young adults, middle-age adults, and seniors.