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 children. In her free time she likes to walk, read, cook and travel.

Susan Langner

Associate Pastor

Rev. Susan Langner joined our staff in July 2021 as Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Engagement.

Susan grew up in Wheaton, IL, and attended St. Matthew United Church of Christ, where she learned the value of meaningful friendships in youth group, received the unconditional care of loving adults, met her first female minister, and built the foundation of her faith. It was not until after she graduated from Denison University and spent several years working in higher education and volunteering with her church's youth program that she felt the call to join a church staff. Shortly thereafter, with the support of her husband, she answered when the Spirit nudged her toward seminary and ordained ministry. She graduated from Methodist Theological School in Ohio in 2019 with a Master of Divinity and was ordained in 2020.

She is passionate about her family and about raising her son and daughter to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" (Micah 6:8). She believes in showing the love of God to children of all ages, reminding them they are beautiful and made in Divine image.

Trey Pearson

Director of Children's & Youth Ministry

With over a decade of experience in youth ministry, Trey has led young people in congregations and large conference settings. Inspired by his powerful youth group experiences, he felt called to youth ministry before college. He went on to start the successful contemporary Christian band Everyday Sunday, touring the US and the world, often performing for and leading major youth events.

Trey has been very engaged with the United Church of Christ in a local congregation and through his work with affirming churches worldwide. He is excited to return to local church ministry, bringing his creativity, energy, and gifts to work with children and youth. Trey is pursuing a Master of Theological Studies through United Theological Seminary. Trey lives with his husband and two children in Columbus.