Our pastors and staff

  • Dave Rochford

    Senior Pastor

    A native of Fairfax County, Dave grew up in a small, hand-built house in the woods of Oakton, VA. (That house and those woods are now long gone!) He studied History at Davidson College (Davidson, NC) and the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (Mexico), and later obtained an MA in Latin American Studies from The University of Texas - Austin. Dave worked in Government Affairs for the company now called Verizon for several years in Arlington, VA before marrying his college sweetheart, Lisa, in 1994 and moving to South Dakota to work at a school for special-needs Lakota (Sioux) children. Following that sojourn, Dave attended The Divinity School of Duke University (Durham, NC) and in 1999 received his first Virginia Conference appointment in Southside VA.  He then served as Associate Pastor for Williamsburg UMC, and was subsequently appointed Lead Pastor at St. Mark’s UMC (Daleville) in the Roanoke Valley. In 2013, Dave was named Superintendent for the former Staunton District, comprised of 82 churches in the Shenandoah Valley and Allegheny Highlands. Dave began ministry at Williamsburg UMC as Lead Pastor in 2020, and became Lead Pastor to Trinity – McLean in 2025.

    Dave’s wife, Dr. Lisa Rochford, hails from NC and is a child psychologist who practices locally; the Rochfords’ sons are Ben, a PhD student in Computational Sociology at Duke (along with wife Hannah, who is herself a Divinity student); Jon, an Arts Management undergrad at Randolph Macon College (Ashland, VA); and Alden, a 5th grader at Franklin Sherman ES.

    The Rochfords enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking, travel, and the immersive life of the community called “Church.”


    Email Pastor Dave.

  • Taehwan Roh

    Associate Pastor

    Pastor Taehwan Roh joined Trinity Church as Associate Pastor in July 2023. Originally from South Korea, he came to the United States in 2021 after years of studying, serving, and growing through a variety of experiences that continue to shape his ministry today.


    Taehwan first studied music composition in South Korea before completing his required military service. He then spent nearly ten years living in London, where he earned a bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in music. After returning to South Korea, he completed a Master of Divinity while serving part-time in a local church ministry and working full-time as a health and fitness trainer and team leader. During his theological studies, he also spent a semester as an exchange student at Claremont School of Theology in California. He later moved to the United States to continue preparing for ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree.


    Taehwan believes the church is at its best when people worship, serve, and grow together. He especially enjoys helping people of all ages find meaningful ways to participate in the worship and life of the church, using the gifts God has given them.


    He and his wife, Sumi, live in McLean with their two young children, Ian and Ina. Outside of ministry, he enjoys music, playing guitar, learning new things, and making memories with his family.


    Email Pastor Taehwan.

  • Jerry Rich

    Director of Music

    Jerry has been involved with music at Trinity UMC for over 30 years as organist and director of choirs. After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music from Peabody Conservatory of Music of the University of Johns Hopkins, he taught music for eight years at The Catholic University of America. He is currently in his 40th year teaching music at The Potomac School. His choirs there have sung in the White House, the National Gallery of Art, and the Kennedy Center; they have performed over 50 times at Washington National Cathedral. They have also given 25 tours, singing in churches in Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Atlanta, Avignon, Barcelona, Bath, Bermuda, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Durham, Florence, Girona, Hallstatt, London, Los Angeles, Marseille, Miami, Montserrat, Munich, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oxford, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Ravenna, Salzburg, Venice, and York.


    Email Jerry.

  • Laurie Strollo

    Director of Children's Ministry

    Laurie Strollo is grateful to have found her spiritual home at Trinity UMC, where she has been Director of Children’s Ministry for the past five years, as well as Aftercare Manager for Trinity’s preschool. Laurie has been a United Methodist for 25 years and has two decades of experience in Early Childhood/Christian Education as both a professional staff member (teacher and administrator) and as a volunteer for programs such as Jeremiah Project and Food for Others.

     

    A lifelong Northern Virginia resident, Laurie holds BA and JD degrees from the University of Virginia, and prior to her work in education, enjoyed a lengthy career as legislative specialist and communications director for the financial services sector. Laurie is proud to be the mother of three grown children, all of whom attended Virginia universities and who are currently working in the fields of secondary education, marketing, and Congressional fundraising.

     

    In her interactions with families, staff, and volunteers, Laurie endeavors to ensure that everyone touched by Children’s Ministry knows that they are a beloved child of God.


    Email Laurie.

  • Catherine Wethington

    Director of Youth Ministry

    Catherine Wethington is a lifelong member of Trinity and serves as the Director of Youth Ministry. The granddaughter of two United Methodist Ministers, Catherine's roots at Trinity run deep. She was baptized, confirmed, and married here, and has served the congregation in many capacities over the years. In addition to leading the Youth Ministry she serves as Song Leader and Soprano Section Leader in the Chancel Choir. She has also led the Children's Choir and Youth Choir, guided a girls' Bible study, and volunteered regularly with the Youth Group.

     

    Catherine holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan, as well as a Master's and Doctorate in Voice Performance from the Catholic University of America. She previously served on the choral faculty at the Potomac School for over 14 years working with youth both in the classroom and through private music instruction. Beyond her work in ministry and education, Catherine is an active professional singer, performing classical music in operas, concerts, and chamber ensembles throughout the DMV area and internationally. She is also a VA-licensed real estate agent.

     

    Catherine lives in Falls Church with her husband, Henry; her daughter, Eliza; and their two dogs, Hunter and Jack.


    Email Catherine

  • Angi Oxendine brings 20 years of experience in the Methodist church preschool environment to her role at Trinity Preschool. She began her journey teaching 2 year-olds and quickly developed a passion for working with children of all ages. After gaining experience with various age groups, she moved into an Assistant Director position, and two years later became the Director. She loves her role because it allows her to combine her Business Management degree with her passion for Early Childhood Education. It’s a privilege to blend these two areas while working within the Methodist church, which has always been a significant part of her life. Angi’s goal is to create an environment where children not only enjoy their time at school but also leave Trinity Preschool feeling confident in their abilities. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the children, families, and staff at Trinity Preschool.


    Email Angi.

  • Harriet Latta

    Office Manager

    Harriet received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Roanoke College and earned a Master of Arts in Lay Ministry in Christian Education from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. After completing a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education in Houston, Texas, she returned to Northern Virginia to begin teaching and volunteering in her home church. She came to Trinity UMC in 2005 after 5 years teaching in public, private and parochial schools. She still lives in her childhood home in Arlington with her miniature schnauzer, Finn.


    Email Harriet.