Pastors page

Hello to all of you at the Gowrie United Methodist Church!

I am very pleased to be joining you in worship and ministry. God is good. I am not a stranger to you but feel I am coming home to you in a new and exciting role.

I,  Susan Rohden, became a Lay Speaker while in your congregation and preached my first sermon in your midst. I will now be returning to you as your pastor. As many of you know I have had a fruitful and challenging 25 year career in social work. God has been leading me toward pastoral ministry for some time.

I am a native of South Dakota and grew up on a dairy farm. I was raised in a family of 5 and attended a rural Reformed church established by my grandparents when they moved from Iowa to South Dakota. I attended University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with my Bachelors in Social Work, 5 years later I graduated from University of Kentucky with my Masters in Social Work. I moved to Iowa and continued my social work career as an outpatient mental health therapist, which I practiced for 17 years. The past 2 years I have been working as a social worker for Unity Point Hospice.

I became a member of the Gowrie United Methodist Church around 2002, I met my husband Glenn at this church while leading youth group together and we were married in 2003. We live in rural Paton, with our three dogs, one cat, four chickens and one rabbit. Glenn has one son Matthew who is father to our four-year-old grandson Sully. We have had 3 foreign exchange students from Africa, and one International college-student. I enjoy gardening, reading, hiking and kites.

Last May, 2016 I attended licensing school for the United Methodist Church. As a young person I felt called to go to seminary and be a pastor. I have finally come to that place in my life when God is fulfilling that call.

I am thrilled to be appointed to the Gowrie United Methodist Church 3/4 time. I plan on continuing my education working toward a Master in Divinity while I am your pastor. I look forward to continuing our ministry journey together. 

God's blessing to each and every one of you and I look forward to seeing you all soon. 

Pastor Susan K. Rohden