Jan Kraybill appointed Hymn Society director

Jan Kraybill has been appointed executive director of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (HSUSC), replacing Reverend Deborah Carlton Loftis, who retires May 1.

Kraybill has been an active member of the organization since 1998, having served on its executive committee from 2010 until 2013. She holds degrees from Kansas State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

For the past 18 years, Kraybill has served as the principal organist for Community of Christ in Independence, Missouri. Community of Christ will house the offices for HSUSC at its headquarters in Independence, and Kraybill will continue in a reduced role for the church. She will maintain her relationship with the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Kansas City, Missouri, where she is Organ Conservator and will also continue her performances as a freelance organist and hymn festival leader.