The votes are in though the transition from nominee to board member for 17 delegates will not become official until Saturday afternoon.

Adult delegates completed an affirmation ballot in the Thursday afternoon session for nominees to the Executive Board, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Mutual Aid, Mennonite Publishing Network, The Mennonite and Leadership Discernment Committee.

The ballot will also affirm the nomination of Dick Thomas, from Ronks, Pa., for moderator-elect. “I’m excited about the Mennonite Church,” Thomas said. “There are so many opportunities.”

The moderator-elect serves as chair of the Constituency Leadership Council, which meets twice a year, with members from each of the 21 conferences, the churchwide agencies and constituency groups. Thomas said he’s fortunate to have been at three of the council meetings as the Atlantic Coast Conference representative so that he can walk in knowing members and the workings of the group.

As Thomas looks toward this next year he hopes the church stays focused and depends on the Holy Spirit to discern where God is active in the world. He is excited about the forward momentum of people across the church and defining what it is to be a missional church in the 21st century.

Thomas also looks forward to working with Ed Diller, the current moderator-elect and, after Saturday, the moderator. “Ed has a lot of energy and vision for the church,” Thomas said.

Diller, from Ft. Thomas, Ky., began his road to moderator two years ago with a phone call from Mark Weidner, a lifelong friend of Diller and a member of the Leadership Discernment Committee.

“I love it,” Diller said. “It’s wonderfully rewarding.”

Diller recognizes the time commitment of the role of moderator as well, expecting to sometimes miss events like birthdays and the chance to see “grand-babies.”

“That’s the hardest part,” Diller said.

Yet he identifies many positives to the position, with one of his favorite being the opportunity to see churches all across the country. “There’s so much we can do as a denomination,” Diller said.

As Diller transitions to moderator he hopes to build on the legacy of predecessors like Lee Snyder and Sharon Waltner, the current moderator, and maintain a healthy infrastructure. His one concern, he said, is “that the church be optimistic and energetic about the future.”

Diller speaks highly of his work with Waltner and the current executive team. “Sharon Waltner is just a gem to work with,” he said.