Our Staff
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The Reverend Kenneth J. Kieffer - Pastor circleemail circlefacebook
The Reverend Kenneth J. Kieffer is a lifelong United Methodist, baptized in the Islip United Methodist Church on Long Island, where he was also confirmed and married. After graduating Florida Southern College, a small Methodist school in central Florida, he attended seminary at Emory University in Atlanta. Following graduation from Candler School of Theology, Ken was ordained as an elder in the New York Annual Conference, where he served for the next 23 years in local congregations in Connecticut and New York. In 2009, he was appointed to be the District Superintendent for 73 United Methodist Churches in the Connecticut District. In 2017, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton appointed Ken to serve as the pastor of the Cheshire United Methodist Church, and Ken couldn't be happier! He has lived in Cheshire since 2009, with his wife, Karen, their daughter, Olivea, and their pug named Bouggieboo. (Link to a sermon short)
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Tracy Hanke - Administrative Assistant circleemail
Tracy Hanke has been a member of Cheshire UMC for 18 years. She was born and raised in DeKalb, Illinois where she attended the First United Methodist Church of DeKalb. She is married to Jeff and has three children - Jack, Sam, and Grace. She plays in the Bell Choir which is very far out of her comfort zone, but she loves it anyway!
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Mara Weed - Music Director circlefacebook
Mara McSwain Weed, Music Director, grew up the daughter of a Methodist minister and a music teacher. How could church music not be a part of her life? Mara says it is a joy to help in the leadership of worship at Cheshire UMC. "We are so blessed to have such talented people in our choir, but even more blessed to have those people use their gifts to sing to the glory of God." The choir is open to anyone in the church who wants to join in this expression of praise. We have a hand-bell choir and a children's chimes choir that are always looking for new members, too. Join us! (Link to a choir clip)