Meet the UCC GS35 News Team

When the United Church of Christ General Synod 35 kicks off in Kansas City July 11-15, the excitement around the days of worship, community, purpose and productivity will be high. There are proposed resolutions, constitution bylaws, amendments, and reports to be made. All of this and more will be covered by a seasoned and engaged news team, ready to highlight the news for those in attendance and at home. Those attending Synod should feel free to stop into the newsroom at the Convention Center to say hello, or share a story. The following is a bit about each team member; a hungry bunch when it comes to barbeque.

An experienced team leader

The GS35 news team is led by UCC communications and news manager Charles Jefferson, Jr. (he/him). Based in Cleveland, Jefferson is responsible for the UCC Digest on a weekly basis, as well as media relations and internal communications responsibilities for the National Ministries. He also works as a communications and marketing consultant for several organizations, including Foundation 65, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Chicago Theological Seminary, and Hair Essentials Company, and as an occasional freelance reporter for The Gateway Journalism Review.

In Kansas City, the UCC Digest will come out every day of Synod, and Jefferson is up for the challenge. Having attended four Synods in the past (two with National Ministries), he is especially looking forward to indulging in some good Kansas City barbeque this time around.

Some familiar bylines

There are several other members of the UCC news team attending synod in 2025 whose bylines will sound familiar. Kayla Berkey (she/her) is a two-year member of the Cleveland UCC marketing and communications team. A digital content specialist/writer, this is her second Synod. Berkey is looking forward to connecting with folks in person she’s met on virtual channels, and enjoying some of the sweet neighborhood cafes and coffee shops in KC.

The Rev. Donna Frischknecht Jackson (she/her) is a communications specialist and writer with the UCC marketing team. Based in Rupert, Vermont, Jackson has been on staff for two years, and this is her second Synod, having attended in Indianapolis back in 2023. She is looking forward to connecting to congregations and pastors in person — some she has had the pleasure of interviewing this past year. Jackson’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Fritz, often makes appearances when she attends virtual meetings with her coworkers.

Renée DeLuca (she/her) is a writer for the UCC Digest, and the public relations coordinator for the National Ministries, where she is based in Cleveland. With a background as a news reporter and producer for radio and television stations in Northeast Ohio, DeLuca has been on staff for two years. She attended Synod in 2023, when everything was new to her and learned quite a bit about the UCC in short order. DeLuca is looking forward to some local Kansas City beers and barbeque as well. She will miss her dog, Porter, a Springer Spaniel.

Hans Holznagel (he/him) lives in Cleveland, where he belongs to Archwood UCC. Holznagel retired in 2022 from a career with the UCC National Ministries that included work in news, communications, fundraising and administration. This will be the eighteenth General Synod he’s worked, having missed just three since his first in 1985. He and his wife, Kathy Harlow, will arrive at Synod a few hours early to visit the Harry S Truman National Historic Site in Independence.

Video and photo professionals

Many UCC folks will easily recognize Bob Lormor (he/him), who has worked as the National Ministries video services coordinator for 25 years. Lormor lives in Akron, Ohio with his wife, Cindy, and rescue dog, Brynn. National Synod in Kansas City will be Lormor’s twelfth. The first he attended in 2001 was also held in Kansas City–bringing his Synod experiece full circle. Lormor said he is also looking forward to eating some famous KC barbeque!

The Rev. C. L. “Curly” Stumb, is retired in Blowing Rock, NC, after 15 years of UCC parish ministry and 30 years in Outdoor Ministry as director of Southern Conference’s Johns River Valley Camp. Stumb had a long tenure sharing communication roles in the Southern Conference, including as layout editor of print media when conferences had an option to print a wrap-around edition with the national UCC News. He currently edits a weekly e-edition of the Southern Conference UCC News. He has attended and volunteered at many General Synods over the years. Find him in Kansas City with his camera where he is looking forward to capturing decisive moments at Synod.

From South Dakota to Connecticut

The Rev. Sam Houser (they/them) lives in South Dakota and is working on their Masters degree in licensed mental health counseling. They are also serving as a Theologian in Residence and touring for their book on reconciliation around the abuse that the church has perpetuated against women in ministry. They have attended five General Synods in the past, with their first being in Kansas City. Like many others, Houser is looking forward to meeting up with some local friends for quality barbeque while in KC again!

The Rev. Matt McCaffrey (he/him) lives in Cheshire, Connecticut. He has been an authorized minister in the UCC since his 1988 ordination by New London Association. McCaffrey is an interim ministry specialist, and in that role served the legacy Connecticut Conference as conference editor of United Church News. He continues to serve in Association and Conference committee roles. He was a delegate to GS31 (Baltimore) and GS32 (Milwaukee). McCaffrey would love to attend a Royals game, and would enjoy it even more if the Yankees’ crosstown-rival Mets come out on the short end of it.

Behind the scene on socials

Elizabeth Brooke Canada (she/her) goes by her middle name, Brooke, and works remotely from Massachusetts on all things related to social media at the United Church of Christ. This will be the second General Synod for the social media specialist, and she is looking forward to lifting up all of the major events and community activities at Synod across UCC social media channels. Canada is also facilitating a workshop about creating community in a digital world, and is excited to explore the famous fountains, jazz scene, and barbeque in Kansas City!

Seasoned pros join the team

Tiffany Vail (she/her) is director of media and communications for the Southern New England Conference. This will be her fifth Synod, and she has volunteered as part of the news team in the past, including most recently in Indianapolis in 2023. She said she is looking forward to being part of the excitement of the newsroom once again.

Originally from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Wayne Gassmann (he/him) has led a successful career in two states. He started in local news for seven years between Oklahoma and Missouri before starting his own video production company in 2017. Gassmann is a pillar in the local Kansas City film and commercial video community and will be editing videos for GS35. From humble beginnings making videos for local KC companies, Gassmann has also worked with Tmobile, Verizon, John Deere, QuikTrip, Sherwin Williams, Strange Music, and the MO/KS Lotto. Gassmann lives in Kansas City and he is looking forward to helping everyone visiting find some great spots to try while in town.

Kristin Paul (she/her), lives in Foristell, Missouri, and serves as the communications and fundraising specialist for the Missouri Mid-South Conference. She joined the Conference staff in August of 2024 and is a member of Immanuel UCC in Wright City. This is Paul’s first Synod, and she is especially looking forward to experiencing the energy and community of General Synod and getting to meet new people.

Dave Sarkies (he/him) is a digital marketing specialist with the National Setting, based in Cleveland, living in suburban Parma, Ohio. He’s the person who makes sure the UCC Digest lands in email inboxes each week, as well as other important messages from the UCC. Sarkies has a background in news, and in his free time hosts a weekly music program on Lake Effect Radio. This is his third Synod, second in-person, as one of those included the pandemic Synod. Sarkies is looking forward to barbeque and exploring Kansas City.

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