Staff and Elders

Jason Gerlach has been serving CMC since 2005 (half-time as Youth Pastor until January 2012). He relates to the Community Life Commission and Outreach commission, in addition to providing pastoral care, leading a men’s Bible study, teaching, and preaching. Earlier he served five years at Virginia Mennonite Conference as Conference Youth Minister. Jason graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and Seminary. In 2017 he earned a Master Of Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminar (Richmond). When he is not at CMC, spending time with his family, or reading literature, Jason can be found cheering for a Philly sports team.

Lana Miller (she/her) has been serving CMC as a pastor since June 2025. Her focus is on Congregational Care, and she also relates to the Community Life and Outreach Commissions. She supports Stephen Ministry, the Congregational Support Team, Small Groups and other care ministries. In addition, she provides pastoral care, leads a Bible study, teaches, and preaches. Prior to beginning ministry at CMC, Lana was a campus pastor at EMU and a Stewardship Consultant with Everence Financial. Lana graduated from Goshen College (’98) and Eastern Mennonite Seminary (’08) with a Master of Divinity and a focus on Spiritual Direction. When she is not at CMC, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking, gardening and canning, being outside in nature and going on walks.

Emily Nyce (she/her) has been serving CMC as a pastor since November 2025. She focuses on spiritual formation for all ages, relating to the Faith Formation Commission most significantly, and other commissions as needed. Emily preaches, teaches, facilitates rituals, blessings and retreats, and provides pastoral care. Before CMC, Emily was Associate Pastor at First Mennonite Church of Richmond (VA), founded Yaupon Place at Union Presbyterian Seminary, and worked or interned in several churches for a decade before seminary. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a degree in Religious & Intercultural Studies (2014), and from Union Presbyterian Seminary with a Master of Divinity (2020). Outside of her pastor-life, Emily loves being with her family, having social time with friends, taking nature walks, cooking up new recipes she can’t recreate, and attempting to paint or write poetry.

Sue Swartz (she/her) has been a member of CMC since 1988 following a family move to Harrisonburg from PA. Her teaching career spanned 25 years, and she still substitutes at Eastern Mennonite School on Fridays. Sue loves working for this church community where she was employed for six years in the 1990s; she has been church administrator since February 2023. Travel, walking, trying new recipes, reading and spending time with family and friends balance out her working hours.