Annual Congregational Meeting
The 2024 Annual Congregational Meeting is Sunday, November 24, 2024 immediately following the second service at church. We invite members and non-members to attend this meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on open positions on the Board of Deacons and Permanent Committees (Nominating, Personnel, Finance and Property Committees), as specified in our Bylaws. Everyone will receive a ballot and is encouraged to give us their feedback. However, only members’ votes will be counted. We ask you to pray diligently for this meeting.
If you are requesting new business, please present the request in writing to the church clerk, Karen Douglas, by Wednesday, October 30, 2024 as stipulated in the Bylaws.
TOWN HALL MEETINGS
The Board of Deacons will host Town Hall Meetings to give the congregation ample time to ask questions about the nominees and church business. This enables us to complete the Congregational Meeting efficiently. We strongly encourage you to attend if you have questions. The Town Hall Meetings are:
VOTING INFORMATION
Our Bylaws include these voting requirements:
- A quorum is required for the vote to take place. Twenty (20) percent of active church members must be present to form a quorum.
- Deacons and Permanent Committee Members must be affirmed by no less than 80% of the votes cast by the members present in the quorum at the business meeting.
- If a person nominated for the role of Deacon or Permanent Committee Member does not garner 80% he/she is not considered affirmed by the congregation and may not assume the role. A new nominee will be presented at the next business meeting.
Nominating Committee
There are four (4) openings on the Nominating Committee. The current member remaining on the Nominating Committee is: Pheobe Bosma.
Gaylen Crumley
Gaylen has been a member of Brandywine for 5 years and has attended for 6 years. He has served with Stephen Ministry since 2022 and has been a leader for over a year. Gaylen and his wife Sheila have been married for 51 years. Prior to retirement, Gaylen was a pilot flying military, commercial and business jets. “I would like to serve on the nominating committee because I feel that God has provided a path for me to serve in this special ministry,” says Gaylen. “I thank Him for the other ministries that he has provided at Brandywine and the opportunity to serve him and my fellow Christian brothers and sisters.”
Lisa Grimsley
Lisa has been a member of Brandywine for nearly 30 years. Lisa is the English as a Second Language (ESL) Director and has also served on the worship team, in small groups and on the Nominating Committee. She is a recently retired teacher who taught ESL at the English Language Institute at the University of Delaware for over 30 years. “I’ve served on the Nominating Committee before but many years ago,” says Lisa. “I enjoyed meeting and connecting with other church members on the Committee.”
Emily Horne
Emily has been a member of Brandywine for 17 years and has attended for 22 years. She serves in Awana, VBS and as a teacher for preschooler on Sunday mornings. She and her husband Mark have one son who is active in Brandywine Students. By day, Emily is a homeschool mom. Emily says, “I want to help our church choose excellent people to serve on various committees for our congregation.”
Ruth Jones
Ruth has been a member of Brandywine since 1975. Back then, she was part of the team that lead the Youth Program, there was no youth pastor. Ruth and a friend started the first singles group in 1977, which is where she met her future husband Ed. They were married in 1978. Ruth has served on mission trips (adult and student), in the nursery, taught Sunday School. Prior to retiring to become a full-time mom, Ruth worked as a Legal Secretary. “Brandywine has blessed me and my family in so many ways over the years,” says Ruth. “I would like to be able to give back to this wonderful church community.”
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
There is one (1) opening on the Property Committee. Members of the Property Committee are: Charlie Bricker, Jan Murray and Joe Scalia.
Carl Jones
Carl has been a member of Brandywine for over 30 years. He has served with Brandywine Kids on Sunday mornings and has been very active in Brandywine Students as a small group leader including the summer mission trips. Carl and his wife Jeanne have two adult children. Carl is a general contractor who owns his own business. Carl wants to serve on the Property Committee because it is another way for him to serve the church and to share his expertise. Carl is nominated for his second term on the Property Committee.
Personnel COMMITTEE
There are four (4) openings on the Personnel Committee.
Robin Hinmon
Robin has been a member of Brandywine for nine years and has attended for 14 years. She has served in Brandywine Kids for over 10 years and is an active small group leader. She has also served on committees for special events like GO Sunday and Women’s Ministry events. Robin and her husband Kendall have three daughters who are active in Brandywine Students. She is the owner of a small business which focuses on tutoring; it has approximately 25 tutors. Robin says, “I would like to use the talents that God has gifted me for His service. I also find enjoyment working alongside others at Brandywine.” Robin is nominating for her second term on the Personnel Committee.
Mike Loughery
Michael has been a member of Brandywine and attended for over eight years. He has served at VBS for six years and participated in Pastor Nate’s Shepherd’s Training. Michael has five children: three adult children and two teen/tween. He works in marketing and communications. Michael says, “Since joining Brandywine and becoming gradually involved over the years, I am always looking for ways to serve in greater ways. Having five children makes time limited, however, as they get older, I am interested in doing more for Brandywine.”
Jonathon Nazigian
Jonathon has attended Brandywine for three years and has been a member for one year. He has participated in Adult Sunday Classes and GO Week. Jonathon and his wife, Debbie, have three sons. He is the headmaster at Wilmington Christian School. Jonathon says, “I’d be honored if my insight or experience can support the staff and maximize the ministry impact of Brandywine Valley Church.”
Kendra Young
Kendra Young has been attending Brandywine since 2004 and has been a member since 2014. She currently serves in the Women’s Ministry. She has co-led the IF Gathering, speaks to the women at the Sunday Breakfast Mission, has coordinated women’s breakfasts and book studies and, perhaps most importantly, encouraging and helping women get connected at Brandywine. Kendra has served on the Personnel Committee for two years leveraging a leadership role she holds with a local financial services company. She is an active participant in a family Small Group with her daughter Emerson (aka Emmy). Emerson also serves with VBS and the Special Needs Ministry. Kendra says, “I have a heart for service and love that in addition to serving at Brandywine, my full-time job also gives her a lot of opportunities to serve in the local community.” Kendra is nominated for her second term on the Personnel Committee.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
There are four (4) openings on the Finance Committee.
Jennifer Crock
Jennifer has attended Brandywine for the 16 years and has been a member for 10 years. She has served as an usher and greeter at Traditional and Contemporary services. Jennifer and her husband Karl have been happily married for 25 years and have two adult sons. Professionally, Jennifer is an Aerospace Engineer and certified Project Manager and has spent over 25 years working as a project manager. “One of the primary responsibilities of my job is to develop and manage budgets to ensure that my projects meet the company’s financial objectives,” says Jennifer. “I am excited to have the opportunity to bring my experience in the business realm to serve the church on the Finance Committee.”
Matthew Dunn
Matthew and his wife, Lorraine, have been attending Brandywine since the summer of 2019 and became members in 2022. They have three children who enjoy attending Brandywine Kids. Matthew has served in different roles at Brandywine: sound team, leading lessons in small group and as a substitute teacher in Bridging the Gap. Professionally, Matthew spent 13 years in education and currently helps schools navigate the accreditation process. “I believe deeply in being active within the local church and supporting it’s mission,” says Matthew. “Serving on the Finance Committee is a meaningful way for me to give back to the church and help ensure that the financial resources entrusted to Brandywine are managed wisely and effectively. I look forward to contributing my experience in leadership and problem-solving to support our pastors and the broader church community in this way.”
Tim Glavin
Tim has been a member of Brandywine for 20 years and has attended for 30 years. He has serves as a Deacon and currently is a member of the Finance Committee. Tim and his wife Hope have five children ranging in age from young adults to a teenager. He is an entrepreneur who has created several start-up companies. “It has been a pleasure serving on Finance Committee for this past term,” says Tim. “I am happy and honored to use the gifts God has given me to help His church. I found over the past year that God was able to use my business skills to help the church.” Tim is nominated for his second term on the Finance Committee.
Elise Martin
Elise has attended and been a member of Brandyine for over 25 years. She has served in a variety of roles at Brandywine including nursery, worship team, sound team, Brandywine Students small groups and currently serves on the Finance Committee. Elise and her husband Bill have two adult children. Professionally, Elise works as a Chief Operating Officer. “I enjoy the opportunity to serve,” says Elise. She is nominated for her third term on the Finance Committee.
board of Deacons
There are two (2) openings on the Board of Deaons. Additionally, two (2) Deacons are being reappointed but the congregation must still vote on them during the Annual Meeting.
Current Deacons who remain on the Board are: Jeff Ernst, Ryan Hayes, Kendall Hinmon, Willie Mah, Craig Montgomery, Brandon Ontjes, Chris Vincent, Bill Wilson and Pete Zuber.
Richard Bowen
Richard has been a member of Brandywine for over 20 years. He and his wife Judy have been married for 58 years. Prior to retiring, Richard worked at Nemours Hospital (formerly A. I duPont Hospital for Children) as doctor in Pediatric Orthopedics. “I just thank God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for everything: a wonderful church of friends, great family, and so many blessings,” says Richard. “I know that Jesus died for my sins and that I am saved. Now that I am ‘retired,’ I will perform whatever assignment God provides until taken to my eternal home.”
Tim Cura
Tim has attended Brandywine for 25 years and has been a member for 6 years. He has served Worship Team, Sunday Adult Class Teacher, Safety Team, on the Nominating Committee and is currently serving as a deacon. Tim and his wife Erica have a college-age son and teenage daughter. Professionally, Tim works as a pilot and also serves in Army Reserve as Admissions Liaison Officer. Tim says, “I want to continue to serve the church body in offering up my time and efforts to further the Church and Kingdom of God.” Tim is nominated for a second term on the Board of Deacons.
Dan Price
Dan has been a Brandywine member for four years and has attended for five years. He has served as worship leader, led Passover Seder on Good Friday, taught in Adult Sunday Classes and serving with Brandywine Kids. He and his wife Megan have four children ages 14-7. Professionally, Dan works as the Director for International Ministries for the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. “I believe that every member must contribute to the work of the ministry of the church (Ephesians 4:11) in whatever way God has gifted and prepared them,” says Dan. “If selected, I would be happy to serve the church as a Deacon because of the love for Jesus’ church that He’s given me. I’ve dedicated my life to serving Him and His people however He might lead me to do that.”
Steve Stirparo
Steve has been attending Brandywine for over 20 years and has been a member for 16 years. He has served in Brandywine Kids, the Kid’s Christmas Musical, the Sunday Service Prayer Team and currently serves as a Deacon. Steve and his wife Kathy have four adult children. Professionally, Steve works as a personal injury and consumer bankruptcy attorney. “I consider it an honor and privilege to serve as a Deacon at Brandywine,” says Steve. “I have very much enjoyed being a part of the Deacon Board for the past three years and interacting with my fellow Deacons and the Ministry Leadership Team. The leadership at Brandywine has a deep faith in God and are committed to introducing people to Jesus Christ and helping them follow Him. I am excited to see God moving at Brandywine and look forward to seeing all that He accomplishes here in the next three years as Brandywine is on the move.” Steve is nominated for a second term on the Board of Deacons.
