Meet Our Staff
Lead Pastor, Rev. Ed Kovacik
Rev. Ed Kovacik is a life-long native of Harrison County, growing up on a small farm, attending school at Jewett-Scio. Upon graduation, Pastor Ed received airline training, but following the oil embargo in 1973, found work at Nelms No. 1 mine, utilizing his skills as a shot-fire. In 1974, he enrolled at Kent State University and majored in music. Using his God given talents educating children as a band and choir director for the next 23 years in Jefferson and Harrison counties.
Pastor Ed is married to Roxann (Busby) and they have a daughter, Rev. Mikayla Kovacik who is serving the Pleasant Valley UMC in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. Roxann is currently serving as pastor at both Hopedale UMC and Bloomingdale UMC.
Pastor Ed furthered his education, receiving a master's degree from Dayton University in Educational Administration in 1988. In 2000, Principal Kovacik led Harrison Lakeland Elementary and in 2003, became Principal at Harrison Jewett, where he continued until it was closed in 2010. At that time, Pastor Ed oversaw all noncertified staff as well as school and personnel safety. It was not long until his efficiency efforts were noticed, and he was assigned those similar duties additionally at Buckeye Local Schools, being one of the first in Governor Kasich's shared services model. In 2013 Pastor Ed was able to retire from fulltime duty and became a school cunsultant working with Connotton Valley schools for the next school year and then driving bus for Harrison Hills for another year.
In 2014 and 2015, as Pastor Ed served the Wintesville UMC as Choir Director and playing in their praise band, he felt the urge to serve God more fully and began serving Riverside UMC in Toronto as their pastor. In 2016, Pastor Ed entered Methodist Theological School of Ohio and received his Master of Divinity degree in 2019. Upon receving his theological qualifications, Pastor Ed was assigned to Scott Memorial United Methodist Church in Cadiz, Ohio.
Scott Church is fortunate to have Pastor Ed leading and teaching us when you serve others, you serve God. Always looking for the needs of our church family and our community, and working to meet those needs is a powerful witness to God's love for everyone.
Administrative Assistant, Marcella Evans
Walk through the doors of Scott Church, and you’ll feel warmth and peace. You’ll know this is the place you want to be, thanks to Marcella. Marcella serves as the Administrative Assistant to Scott Church. Thanks to her extensive experience and love for the people of Cadiz and Harrison County, Marcella brings an array of gifts, talents, and abilities to the administrative position she holds at the church. Marcella has two sons: Andy and Danielle live in Dennison and have two children, Mariah and Drew. Chris and Natalie live in Cadiz and have three children, Emily, Katie, and Jake. We are sure that you will experience the love of Christ, a servant’s heart, and the help you need, no matter how big or small the need, as you interact with Marcella. Scott Church is very excited to have Marcella as a part of the Scott Church family and the staff team here!
Marcella Evans became the Administrative Assistant of Scott Church in 2018.
Choir Director, Dr. Gary Barker
Can you hear the sound of voices, lifted in harmony, worshiping Jesus in song? Under the artful direction of Dr. Gary Barker, our chancel choir, with each note sung, lifts our hearts in worship.
We invite to attend our services and enjoy the many musically gifted individuals that make up Scott UMC Choir under Dr. Barker's leadership. You will not be disappointed.
For more information about our choir, check out our choir page under the "Ministry" tab.
Organist & Pianist Becki Smith
Becki Smith was added to our staff at Scott UMC in 2019. Becki lives in Unionport, Ohio. She has previously served at several area churches as organist/pianist or in their choirs. She also performs occasionally with the Chancel Choir at Coral Ridge Prebyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Becki has a Master of Science, Instructional Leadership-Mathematics Education from Robert Morris University and is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity at United Theological Seminary. Becki believes "Excellence in all things, all things to the Glory god!"
We are so excited to have her as a member of Scott Memorial UMC!
Nursery Director - Mary Rothel
Open the doors of the nursery. Who do you see taking great care of all the little children? Mary Rothel. Mary has a great love for children and a passion for the Lord. She loves to serve the Lord by taking care of the young children who will be the future generation of the church.
Mary and her husband Mark live in New Philadelphia, Ohio with their daughter Rebekah whom you will meet as you enter Scott Church. Rebekah serves as an Usher almost every Sunday and also assists with the Nursery.
We are so forunate to have the Rothel Family as members of Scott Memorial UMC.
Housekeeper, Kathleen Clark
When you enter the double-doors of Scott Church, you'll immediately see the expertise Kathy exemplifies each day. She strives to complete the many tasks required to keep Scott UMC looking pristine and orderly at all times.
After working for Banking & Insurance companies for several years Kathy wanted to do something different and joined our staff in 2019. Kathy and her husband Bruce live on Unionvale Road, Cadiz. She is passionate about making Scott Church a warm and welcoming place for people to connect and worship the Lord.
She is responsible for cleaning, decorating, and preparing the church for ministries, services, and events. No matter how large or small the job may be, she works with a kind hearted spirit, attention to detail, and with a love for Jesus and Scott Memorial UMC!