Anna Groff submitted her resignation to the board of directors of The Mennonite, Inc., on May 26. Groff has worked for The Mennonite, Inc., for over nine years.

In October she will begin full-time as executive director of Dove’s Nest, an organization that works to equip faith communities to keep children safe in their homes, churches and communities.

Groff began working for The Mennonite, Inc., in May 2006 as a half-time web editor, and the position grew into associate editor.

When former editor Everett Thomas left The Mennonite, Inc., in January 2014, the board of directors named Groff interim editor and then executive director in February.

As interim editor, Groff launched a new website, which experienced a record-breaking increase in web traffic and social media engagement this past fall. In addition to editing two ezines—TMail and Meno Acontecer—for more than seven years, she also started an online edition in May.

“These past nine years with The Mennonite, Inc., have been enriching, challenging and invigorating,” says Groff. “I appreciate the many opportunities and responsibilities I have been given during my time with The Mennonite, Inc. I am grateful to have been able to serve Mennonite Church USA in this way.”

Gordon Houser will continue as editor of the print magazine, The Mennonite. Houser has been associate editor of The Mennonite since 1998. From 1992-1997, he served as editor of The Mennonite, the General Conference Mennonite Church publication, which merged with Gospel Herald in 1998.

“I have absolute confidence in the current staff and their ability to carry The Mennonite, Inc., through this transition,” says Groff. “I have learned a lot from staff and the board over the years.”

The board of The Mennonite, Inc., and the Executive Board of Mennonite Church USA, which must approve the selection of Groff’s successor, will coordinate the transition to a new executive director.

Hannah Heinzekehr, director of communications and marketing for Mennonite Church USA, is the liaison between the Executive Board and the board for The Mennonite, Inc.

Dove’s Nest began as a grass-roots movement among concerned Mennonites at the 2009 Mennonite Church USA convention. In early 2012, the Dove’s Nest Board made the decision to broaden their scope beyond Mennonite churches and to incorporate as an independent 501(c)(3) organization.

Dove’s Nest offers training and consulting across the United States and Canada. Recently, a new opportunity also presented itself, with Dove’s Nest being asked to help facilitate relationships between the Amish and Old Order Mennonites and social services in New York. The Dove’s Nest team looks forward to increased opportunities for helping faith communities keep children and youth safe.

Jonathan Stanton, former Dove’s Nest executive director, completed his tenure on March 31. Stanton was hired as the first program coordinator in 2013 and was named executive director in 2014.

“It is an absolute honor to join Dove’s Nest,” says Groff. “I firmly believe that church should be a safe and positive place for children and youth. I look forward to the significant work of empowering churches to protect children in church settings and beyond. This is vital and timely work, and Dove’s Nest is leading the way.”

Groff, originally from Lancaster, Pa., graduated from Goshen (Ind.) College in 2006 with a journalism degree. She earned a Master of Public Administration (nonprofit management focus) from Arizona State University in May 2013. She also worked as grant director for the White Mountain S.A.F.E. House in Pinetop, Ariz., in 2013.

She serves as an elder at Shalom Mennonite Church, Tucson, Ariz., and is married to Brian Miller, a family doctor with the Indian Health Service. They have a daughter, Ella. Groff will work for Dove’s Nest from her home office in Tucson.