The Ohio Conference Leadership Team is making plans for a transition in Conference staffing.

On June 21 Regional Pastor Wanda Stopher informed the Leadership Team that she is a candidate for the role of lead pastor of First Mennonite Church in Bluffton. She anticipates ending her work with Ohio Conference effective Aug. 31, 2015.

In recognition of Wanda’s resignation and Conference Minister Tom Kauffman’s earlier resignation announcement, the Leadership Team is planning to have a transitional conference leader in place by Sept. 1, 2015. This will be a full-time position that will last for 6-12 months. During these 6-12 months the Leadership Team will continue the process of listening to all of Ohio Conference to discern the needs and direction for our future.

The Leadership Team and staff are working on creating a job description for the transitional conference leader. The job description will be published, and applications must be submitted by Aug. 1. Leadership Team will meet on Aug. 7 to review applications. The Leadership Team requests prayer during this time: “Please be in prayer for all of this. Pray for Wanda and Tom as they transition to new assignments and for Regional Pastor Ralph Reinford as his workload will inevitably increase. Pray for the Leader- ship Team, the Conference and the denomination. Thank you for your ongoing support and prayers!”