Family: my wife, Susan; and three children, Matthew, Adam and Sage.

Pets: We have two dogs, Bella and Peach. Bella is a potential Chihuahua-terrier mix. She’s about 8 years old now, 30 pounds, and a brindle, and doesn’t really look like a Chihuahua but that’s what we were told when we rescued her. Peach is a Mountain Cur mix. She’s something else, but we’ve never figured out what. She is also a rescue, who belongs to our son Adam, but she lives with us.

How long have you lived in Sandy Hook? Almost two and a half years.

Work: I work at Newtown United Methodist Church in Sandy Hook as the pastor.

Are you a member of any clubs or organizations? I am a member of the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and Connecticut Cactus & Succulent Society.

What do you like to do in your free time? Care for my plants, have fun with my family, go for walks, enjoy my children and my dogs, and listen to music.

What is your favorite music genre? Classic rock.

Who are your favorite musical performers? The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

What is the most recent concert you’ve been to? Brit Floyd. It was fantastic.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? In the face of an enormous conflict or tragedy, especially if you’re in the role of a leader — or pastor, in my case — sometimes it’s best to get out your notebook and pocket protector, and put on your white lab coat.

This is advice given to me by a retired pastor following the Petit tragedy, when I was pastor of the Cheshire church where they were members. His advice in that direction was that I should not get caught up in all the emotion because it will eat me up and I will be worth nothing to anybody. So take a more clinical approach to everything, and do everything you possibly can, without getting so swallowed up in it that you can’t be anything for anybody. That was from Fred Clark, who has since passed on.

Favorite color? Blue.

Favorite thing to eat? Eggplant parmesan.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Helping to raise my children. My daughter, the youngest, is phenomenal. Not that my other two boys aren’t too, but she’s really rising up to her own. She’s a real go-getter. I couldn’t be more proud.

What is your favorite thing about Newtown? I like the large tracts of land that are available to see and enjoy. I love going to Fairfield Hills and going for walks. The people that you run into, a lot of very loving people here. Being part of the SHOP Halloween Walk a few weeks ago really showed the parents and the children out and enjoying the community. Everybody just seems to get along.

Do you have a personal credo? Love above all.