Members of Simsbury United Methodist Church (SUM) are preparing to bid a heartfelt farewell to their beloved pastor, Gene Ott, as he transitions to a new appointment on July 1. For nearly eight years, Ott has been a pillar of faith, guidance and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the church and its members.
During his tenure, Pastor Gene expanded his leadership to oversee “The Quad,” a collective ministry including North Canton, Washington Hill and Copper Hill United Methodist Churches. He introduced innovative ministry initiatives, led diverse worship services, and nurtured a dynamic group of “exhorters” who rotate services across the Quad. His commitment to fostering vibrant congregations has been evident in his efforts to engage lay members, enhance youth ministry and serve on various church boards.
In a recent message, Ott expressed gratitude for the kindness, intelligence, humor, and faithfulness of the SUM community. His parting words capture the mutual appreciation shared between pastor and congregation: “Thank you once again for being some of the kindest, smartest, funniest, and most faithful people I’ve ever met.”