Pastors
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.
Gwen Groff has been serving CMC as interim pastor since May 2024. She is preaching and providing pastoral care. Gwen comes here from Bethany Mennonite Church in Vermont where she served as pastor for 24 years. Before pastoring she worked for twelve years at Mennonite Central Committee. She has an English and Religious Studies degree from Franklin and Marshall College and a Master of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary. She is married to Robert Buchan and they have two adult children, Lilian and Andrew.
Church Administrator
Sue Swartz 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.
Elders
Three elders support the work of the pastors. They meet regularly with the pastors to hear about their ministries. The elders also provide pastoral care to congregants in collaboration with the pastors.
