New Pastor Takes the Helm at Trinity United Methodist

Pastor John Gerlach is a happy guy. Why shouldn't he be? He was the Pastor asked by the Methodist Bishop to take over the recently-vacated position held by Roy Jacobsen at .

Trinity is a staple spiritual community in the town of Windsor with a thriving Christian school and far-reaching charitable programs. Gerlach comes from a congregation in Branford where he pastored for 13 years. 

Born in New Hampshire, Gerlach lived in both West Hartford and then the Chicago area for part of his life. He is married with two children. 

"This was a good match for me and for the church," said Gerlach about the position. "This is a conservative and evangelical church.

"They wanted Bible-based sermons and someone with energy," Gerlach added. He certainly has energy. 

He has been attending the Vacation Bible School for the last week meeting families and getting to know parishioners. You can't miss him. He favors Hawaiian shirts and often wears them to church.

Gerlach felt called to the ministry in the 1990's after a career in marketing. "God called me," he said. "I quit my job, sold my house and went to the seminary."

Gerlach attended Yale Divinity School. Now that he is settling into his leadership position at Trinity, he is feeling blessed with the congregation he has been appointed to lead. 

"This is a great place. I love it here," he said. "The people are phenomenal." Gerlach also feels that the church is on the cusp of some exciting steps forward on their spiritual mission.

"They are ready to go to the next level," he said of his new congregation. "People are really open to God's moving." But Gerlach doesn't have any specific changes in mind.

"I am taking time to see what the Lord really wants here," he said. "I am not rushing into change." This year a few changes have taken place. Besides Gerlach taking over the helm,  there has also been a new headmaster over hired and a new Preschool Director as well. 

"There's a lot of energy and people love to be around that," said Gerlach. He sees his role right now, and the major topic in his sermon's is to: "communicate God's love.  Once folks understand God's wild, deep and passionate love, they realize they have to do something with it," he said. "I have a passion for Jesus. This church has a passion for Jesus - people like to be a part of that."

For more information on Trinity United Methodist Church and service times go to www.tumcwindsor.org.