About Us
A congregation rooted in grace, grown in community.
We are a United Methodist church in Cheshire — a community that has gathered for worship, fellowship, and service for generations.
Our story
More than a building.
Cheshire United Methodist Church was founded by a small group of neighbors who believed faith was meant to be lived in community. More than a century later, we are still that same kind of place — a church where you'll be greeted by name, prayed for in hard times, and fed (literally and spiritually) at every potluck.
Our building has been added to, painted, repaired, and re-roofed many times. But the church has never been the building. The church has always been the people who walk through its doors and the neighborhood we are called to love.
To this end, we aspire to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
— Micah 6:8
What We Believe
Four Pillars of Methodism
Scripture
The Bible is the primary source of Christian truth and the lens through which we view all other sources of knowledge.
Tradition
The wisdom of the Church through the ages guides us, connecting our faith to the community of believers across time.
Reason
God gave us minds to think critically, and we use reason to interpret Scripture and understand our faith in a complex world.
Experience
Our personal and communal encounters with God shape how we live out our faith in everyday life.
Welcoming & Reconciling
All are welcome at this table.
Because inclusiveness has always been a core value of the Cheshire United Methodist Church, we are a Welcoming and Reconciling congregation. We embrace diversity and affirm the dignity and worth of every person — because we have all been created by the same loving God. We welcome into our faith community persons of every race, gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, mental and physical ability, economic and social position, gender identity and expression, level of education, and family structure. We strongly believe that we can all love alike, even if we don't all think alike.
Staff & Leadership
Meet our Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Steve Y. D. Kim
Pastor
The Reverend Doctor Steve (Young Dong) Kim was born in Seoul, Korea, where he spent his early school years before moving to the United States. Ordained in the United Methodist Church, Steve has dedicated the past 15 years to ministry.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Neuroscience from Knox College, IL; a Master of Divinity from Drew Theological School, NJ; a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ; and a Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology, MA. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Nu Rho Psi Society.
Steve enjoys spending time with his three children — Joseph, Daniel, and Miriel — and together with his wonderful wife, Rose, he enjoys playing board games and exploring new adventures. He also has a passion for movies and staying active through sports.
Rose Hoyeon Kim, MA, MTS
Christian Education & Choir Director
Rose Kim serves as Cheshire United Methodist Church's Christian Education and Choir Director. She is passionate about helping people of all ages grow in faith through worship, music, and lifelong learning. Rose holds a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies. With more than 20 years of experience as a music educator, pianist, violinist, and church musician, she has led worship, directed children's handbell choirs, developed music ministries, and created meaningful opportunities for intergenerational faith formation. Rose enjoys bringing people together through music, nurturing children's spiritual growth, and helping the church experience the joy of worship as one community.
Kaitlin Heuser
Administrative Assistant
Kaitlin Weed Heuser has been part of Cheshire UMC since she was five years old. As the daughter of our previous Music Director and Administrative Assistant, Mara Weed, she grew up deeply connected to the life of the church and now follows in her mother's footsteps in the church office—gratefully saying she "learned from the best."
CUMC has always felt like home to Kaitlin, and she is proud to be raising her three children—Lilah, Luke, and Levi—within the same loving community. She and her husband, Justin, are active in the life of the church, and their family can often be found at Sunday worship and church events.
When she's not supporting the ministries of CUMC, Kaitlin is joyfully on the move, shuttling between sports fields, drama club, and play groups for her children. She brings warmth, dedication, and a lifelong love of this congregation to her work each day.