Sharon United Methodist Church

Full name:  Kenneth George Roth, Jr.

But Please Call Me:  Ken

Position:  Senior Pastor

Born where and when:  New Jersey on April 21

Family Facts:  I am married to Linda, an ordained elder, and we have two sons, Daniel and Mike.  Daniel will be married in September of 2008 to Yael Gichon.  Mike is single.  We have one granddaughter, Meilyn, age 6, adopted from China by Dr. Debra Coles, who adopted us as her parents years ago.  My parents are both alive at 96 and 93.

Education:  B.A. from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, 1965.  An M.Div., Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois, 1969.

How I became a Christian:  I inherited it from my parents and have grown as my faith has deepened over time.  It seems the older I get, the more I enjoy the journey without end.

How I ended up at Sharon:  Although I was appointed here by the Bishop and her cabinet, I feel I was called to Sharon somehow, meant to be here at this time.

The most important thing I do around here is:  To encourage people to trust the person God created when God created them.  To encourage us to let loose and risk ourselves to see what God will do through us.

Favorites:

Music:  Mozart, most of Bruce Springsteen, some of Billy Joel, and some Bluegrass music.

Movie:  The Pursuit of Happyness

TV Show:  First seasons of West Wing, Ballykissangel, and House

Food:  Seafood

Place to vacation:  Almost anywhere with my wife, especially the beach.

Place to eat:  Bonefish Grill and Outback

How I spend my free time:  Trying to play some golf, taking and printing pictures, reading and playing freecell.

Best books I've read recently:  Between the Dreaming and the Coming True by Robert Benson and A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson

Prized possession:  A couple of dozen porcupine quills and a Persian Rug inherited from my parents.

Nobody knows that I...  sang in the Air Force ROTC in college.

Hero I'd most like to meet:  Anwar Sadat, whose death caused me to grieve a great deal.

My vision for the future of Sharon Church is:  To enter into the joy of the Journey and spread that joy, that Life, in all we do.

One way folks can pray for me is:  To envision the light of Christ surrounding me and infusing me with acceptance and openness to God, to self, and to others.