Frances Stebbins
Contributing writer
The Rev. Daniel L. Rudy of Roanoke will become the next District Executive Minister for Church of the Brethren congregations in much of Virginia and North Carolina. Pastor of the Ninth Street Church of the Brethren in Southeast Roanoke since 2011, Rudy will begin his duties February 6 of next year.
He will succeed the Rev. Dr. David Shumate who was honored earlier this month on his retirement from the district executive position after 30 years. Shumate was ordained to the ministry 40 years ago.
In the five weeks between Shumate’s departure and Rudy’s start, the Rev. Emma Jean Woodard of Roanoke will serve half-time as the district executive.
The Virlina District office is in Roanoke. A major denomination in Western Virginia with a smaller number of congregations in North Carolina, the Church of the Brethren is one of the historic “peace churches” which originated in Germany around 500 years ago. The District Executive coordinates many human service ministries including Camp Bethel in Botetourt County.