Marlene Kropf to retire from denominational ministry work

Communications Office

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Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership announces the retirement of Marlene Kropf from her position as denominational minister of worship, effective Sept. 6.

The date marks the 27th anniversary of her employment with the Mennonite Church and, since the denominational merger, with Mennonite Church USA. She will continue her work as associate professor in spiritual formation and worship at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.

"Marlene Kropf's ministry has nurtured the worship of congregations within Mennonite Church USA in a Spirit-led way," says Marty Lehman, director of administration and advancement for Mennonite Church USA. "Many church leaders have appreciated her faith-filled leadership and passionate commitment to worship planning."

Completion of Kropf's work in denominational ministry has also marked a job change for her administrative assistant.

Evon Castro transitioned at the end of November from the Elkhart office to the Mennonite Education Agency at Goshen, Ind. She now works with youth census and enrollment data gathering.

Castro began employment for the church in 1968 as a secretary for the Mennonite General Conference, located at the time in Scottdale, Pa. Through 41 years she worked in the area of congregational ministry, moving to Goshen, Ind., in 1972 to be part of the Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries, in 1975 to Elkhart's Greencroft building and with other Executive Leadership staff as they moved in 2006 to the current Elkhart office at 1601 W. Beardsley Avenue. She began working with Kropf in 1983.

Kropf is a member of Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart. Castro is a member of True Vine Tabernacle. Both congregations are part of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference.