Westerville Community United Church of Christ

MEET OUR STAFF

Sharing the Ever-widening Circle of Christ's Love

SIGRID ROTHER

Pastor

Rev. Dr. Sigrid Rother has served at Westerville Community UCC since 2002. Her focus in ministry is teaching and preaching.

Sigrid received her theological education in Germany and also in England. She received a Th. M. in 1997 from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI, and a Doctor in Ministry in Preaching in 2003 from Chicago Theological Seminary.

A devoted mother and wife, Sigrid has been married to Thomas Cochrane since 1996. They have two teenagers, Peter and Anna. In her free time she likes to walk, read, cook and travel.

DANIEL DOTY

Interim Pastor

Rev. Daniel J. Doty was called to be Westerville Community Church's Interim Pastor in November, 2019. To learn about Dan, the interim process and some of Dan's goals for his time with us, click here.

Dan attended Bowling Green State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He taught in the public schools of Ohio for four years before answering his call to ministry.

Dan received his Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL and has served in both Methodist and UCC churches. Dan is also an accomplished singer; a tenor who is equally at home on the opera, theatre or concert stage.

Dan and his wife Amy are the proud parents of three children. Kristian, Sean, and Kaetlyn Noel.

Michael Melfi

Director of Youth Ministry

We are happy to welcome Michael as our new Director of Youth Ministry. Michael, a graduate of Indiana University, has a Bachelors of Arts in History and Religious Studies. He, his wife Laura and their dogs Karma and Tonks enjoy traveling and hiking.

HAROLD STEINDAM

Pastor Emeritus

Raised in a family that was an active part of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Genoa, Ohio, Rev. Steindam began to feel an interest in and then call to ministry at a very early age, and received much encouragement and many opportunities as he grew up. He graduated from Defiance College with a major in Philosophy and Religion and then entered the Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio. While in his first year there he was called to his first church in 1973, commencing more than 40 years in ministry.

His pastoral service culminated in serving Westerville Community United Church of Christ, beginning when it was still in its early years and having the challenges and joys of being part of its growth in membership, stewardship, and most of all mission for nearly 23 years.

Harold and his wife Jenny enjoy traveling, bird watching and mission work.