That’s My Church!
I recently enjoyed a late afternoon visit with Rustin and Lauren Rodewald and their two young daughters, Emmie (4) and Maddie (2 ½). Rustin and Lauren became members of Simsbury United Methodist Church on September 22, 2024. Here’s some information about them.
As with most young families, Rustin and Lauren find their days hectically rewarding-- full of the joys and challenges of raising their two young girls. Despite managing their respective full-time jobs, they are immersing themselves fully in their parenting and enjoying the wonder of children. Their girls love gymnastics, dance lessons, and swim classes.
Rustin and Lauren both attended Cornell University. Rustin was from San Diego, CA, and Lauren hailed from the Jersey Shore, NJ. They met each other during Cornell’s Freshman Orientation and were together through their entire four years at the University and ever since. Rustin studied Labor Relations. Lauren was in the Hospitality & Hotel School focusing on Design and Construction.
Rustin works for Travelers as an Assistant Vice President in Human Resources, and Lauren works for Nelson Construction as Director of Operations. They live in Simsbury.
They take pleasure in traveling, going to beaches, cooking, and eating. Pre-children, Lauren’s hobbies included scrapbooking and photography, and Rustin was a skier and dabbler in home brewing. Their family loves visiting Vermont for the lake activities and fishing. Vermont feels like a second home to them.
When I asked how they happened to choose Simsbury United Methodist Church, Rustin explained that he and Lauren were raised Christian and they wanted their daughters to be raised in a church. They intended to visit a number of churches in town, but after visiting SUM, they didn’t feel the need to look further. They felt comfortable, welcomed, and were attracted to the programming offered for kids from preschoolers to youth group. They like knowing that children are welcome and that they are part of a community that is welcoming and accepting of all people. They look forward to making connections with other parents at our church.
Since coming to our church, their daughter Maddie says with excitement whenever they drive by SUM, “That’s My Church!” Her parents confess that she says this whenever they drive by a building made of brownstone (Town Hall), but I think the sentiment is in the right place.
Leslie Lahue