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.”

  • Taehwan Roh

    Associate Pastor

    Pastor Taehwan Roh came to the United States from Korea in January 2021. In May, 2023, he finished an M.Div. degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. He lives with his wife, Sumi, their children Ian and Ina. He has served as a representative of the student council at Wesley Theological Seminary, the president of the Korean Student Association (KSA), member of Asian Pacific American Student Association (APIA), school dormitory resident manager, and student worker in the Admissions Office. He also served as the children's department leader at Arlington Korean United Methodist Church in Arlington where he was the pastor in charge of youth ministry. He spent his twenties in England and earned a bachelor's degree in theology and a master's degree in music. After that, he earned an M.Div. degree from Methodist Theological University in Korea. He hopes to obey God's calling and live a life worthy of God's will.

  • Jerry Rich

    Director of Music

    Jerry came to Trinity in 1995 after four years as Organist-Music Director at Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean. He has Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music from Peabody Conservatory of Music of the University of Johns Hopkins and has completed post-graduate studies in musicology at The Catholic University of America. He has taught music since 1975 and currently chairs the Department of Music at The Potomac School in McLean, where he has taught since 1987.

  • Laurie Strollo

    Director of Children's Ministry

    Laurie is thrilled to be stepping into the role of Director of Children’s Ministry and Preschool Playcare/Auxiliary Programs Manager. She comes to Trinity with 12 year’s experience in preschool teaching, administration and children’s ministry. A native of Northern Virginia, Laurie received her BA and JD degrees from the University of Virginia. Prior to her work in early childhood education, she spent two decades as a financial services writer/editor and communications director in Washington, DC. She has three children: Emma, currently at George Mason law school; Daniel, a senior at Virginia Tech; and Julia, a sophomore in the dual degree program of the College of William & Mary and St. Andrew’s University, UK. In her spare time, Laurie stays active at the gym and likes to hike, read, and go to the theatre. Her goals for the Children’s Ministry program and the Preschool program are to bring children into closer relationship with God, to strengthen their bond with the Trinity UMC community, to teach them to love God and each other, and to know that they are truly loved. In addition, she is working to strengthen the connection between Trinity’s Children’s Ministry and the Preschool programs so that both may grow and benefit from the other.

  • Catherine Wethington

    Director of Youth Ministry

    Catherine Wethington, the granddaughter of two United Methodist Ministers, is a lifelong member of Trinity and is excited to be the Director of Youth Ministry. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Trinity and has held various leadership roles over the years. In addition to being Song Leader & Soprano Section Leader in the Chancel Choir, she previously led the Children’s Choir and Youth Choir, led a girls’ Bible Study, and volunteered regularly with the Youth Group.

     

    Catherine received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan, her Masters and Doctorate in Voice Performance from the Catholic University of America. She has 12 + years’ experience working with youth in the classroom at the Potomac School, in private music lessons, and at Trinity with the youth and children’s ministry programs. In addition to teaching, Catherine is a professional singer performing in the DMV area and around the world singing classical music in operas, concerts, and chamber music festivals.

     

    She lives in Falls Church with her husband Henry and their two dogs, Hunter and Jack.

  • 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.

  • Harriet Latta

    Office Manager, Ext. 116

    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.