The Connecticut District

of the New York Annual Conference

The United Methodist Church 

Welcome from the Superintendent

Welcome to this website and to our Connecticut District of the New York Conference.

Rev. Kenneth J. Kieffer,

District Superintendent.

Greetings from our new District Superintendent

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the midst of packing up my stuff from my church office when I came across one of my favorites installments of one of my favorite comic strip series, "The Far Side".  In it, Tarzan was swinging through the jungle on his way to meet Jane for the very first time.

Sensing the magnitude of the moment, Tarzan began experimenting with his all-important opening line on the trip over to her place: "Jane, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance, my name is Tarzan"; "Hi Jane, I'm Tarzan, your date for the evening"; "Tarzan here, you must be Jane."

But as it turned out, Tarzan became so anxious about his initial introduction to his future partner that when he finally introduced himself to her, all he could come up with was this now-immortal line: "Me Tarzan. You Jane!"

I find myself in a similar situation right now.  Sensing the magnitude of this moment, I hope that I can do better by way of introduction to my partners in ministry than “Me DS. You Pastor!”   

Seriously, when it comes to introductions, I’ve noticed that the more I have in common with the other party, the less awkward they are. Fortunately for us, regardless of whether or not our professional paths have yet crossed, we already have a great deal in common. We both believe in the same Bible.  We both support the private and public worship of the same God.  And we both claim that the resurrection of a carpenter’s kid has granted us eternal life.

All in all, that’s not a bad way to start a relationship, is it?

I am sure that our list of commonalities will grow over time, and I pray that they will become fruits of the Kingdom.

In the meantime, here's a brief bio: I was born and raised in Islip, on the south shore of Long Island. I was baptized and confirmed in the Islip United Methodist Church. After receiving my Bachelors Degree from Florida Southern College, a small United Methodist College in Lakeland, I came back to my church to marry my junior high school sweetheart, Karen.

I did my seminary work down in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, during which time I also graduated from the Navy Chaplains’ School. I was then ordained as a Deacon and later as an elder by Bishop C. Dale White.  My first appointment was as an associate pastor, at the Stratford United Methodist Church.  Subsequent appointments included the United Methodist Church of Glendale, New York, the East Avenue United Methodist Church in Norwalk, and the First United Methodist Church of Greenwich, where I’ve been doing ministry with the tireless support of Karen and our daughter, Olivea, for the past 9 years,

Obviously there’s more I could share with you, but in the spirit of brevity (and mercy), I will be glad to fill in those blanks in person. Until then, take care.  And God bless.

Ken Kieffer