Donna Hillcoat begins as director of Deacon Ministry.

Donna Hillcoat has accepted a part-time position as director of Deacon Ministry in the Caring Ministries of the Church of the Brethren, effective Oct. 20.

Hillcoat has been involved in the ministries of the former Association of Brethren Caregivers as a member of the Family Life Ministry Group, and has assisted with several Caring Ministries projects including the interim Child Abuse Prevention report and publications such as a book by Fred Swartz, "Essential Servants: Reflections on the Caring Ministries of Deacons," a Wellness Study Guide, and Health Promotion Sunday materials.

Her professional and volunteer experiences have included counseling services for older adults and their caregivers, developing and leading training programs and workshops, coaching people in transition, facilitating caregiver and grief support groups, and volunteering with PADS (a program of churches offering temporary shelter for the homeless in the area of Elgin, Ill.) and a community food pantry.

She is business partner and coach for Between Us: Personal Coaching for Women, and previously was managing partner and director of Resources for Change Management Associates, Inc. Her first professional position was as assistant director of Admissions for Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. She holds a master's degree in Community Counseling from Argosy University and a master's degree in Library Science from the University of Michigan.

Source: 10/23/2008 Newsline Extra