Trinity Lutheran Church
"A mission outpost in a troubled world..."
Pastor Mark was called to Trinity Lutheran as Senior Pastor in the Fall of 1992. A
1978 graduate of Concordia Seminary in Exile (Seminex), Pastor Mark moved to
Colorado from Chicago where he served two different congregations: Edison Park
Lutheran, Chicago, '78-'84; and Redeemer's Lutheran Church, Oak Forrest, '84-'92.
Pastor Mark is married to Lynn who is a school teacher and they have three children.
"Trinity is a marvelous community of people who have been called and gathered here by the Holy
Spirit to be a mission outpost in a troubled world. We are not perfect by any means but we work
hard to honor God who has graciously called us to be partners in this ministry. We are a diverse
group of people who are in continual conversation about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
We are centered in the Word of God around the Table of the Lord. Everyone who comes to Trinity is
welcome. Everyone who walks through the door is here to receive and participate in the grace of
God, and together we work to figure out what it means to be a disciple."
Senior Pastor Pastor Mark Twietmeyer
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Pastor Gene was called to serve Trinity in its program of senior ministries, with special
emphasis on visitation of those who are unable to worship regularly with the
congregation. Pastor Gene began this ministry in January 2006 on a part-time basis,
having retired from full-time pastoral ministry in 1991. He graduated from Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, in 1950, and served as both parish pastor and campus pastor until
retirement, when he served part-time at a congregation in Fort Collins. Pastor Gene has
a Masters in Divinity degree in a combined program from Northwestern University and
Garrett Seminary.
Pastor Gene and his wife were married in 1951 and have five children, three in
California, one in Forest Park, Ill., and one in Trinity (Priscilla Murphy), and two Murphy
grandchildren.
Visitation Pastor Pastor Gene Brueggemann
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Becca Sager has worked at Trinity since Fall 2006. Becca graduated from the
University of Mary Washington in 2005 and was certified in youth and family ministries
from the Youth and Family Institute and the Center for Youth Ministries of Wartburg
Theological Seminary in the fall of 2006.
At Trinity, Becca directs the planning, scheduling, and implementation of Trinity
Lutheran Church's Youth Ministries and Programs.
Becca was born and raised in Virginia and says "y'all" frequently. She plays guitar and
enjoys being in the great outdoors whenever possible.
Director of Youth Ministries Becca Sager
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Melanie Nehls Burow has been a member of Trinity since spring 2001 and Office
Manager since July 2004.
Melanie manages the church calendar and events, production of church publications, the
church's technology and equipment, and communication to the congregation. She is the
person who makes sure things get done and considers herself a "Jane-of-all-trades."
Melanie holds a Master of Arts from the University of Chicago in Social Service
Administration with over 15 years experience working with nonprofits.
Melanie is married to Andrew Burow and they reside in Boulder. When not at Trinity
working, Melanie is at Trinity volunteering with the Middle School youth group. She also
sings in ASTER Women's Chamber Choir, where she serves as choir president. Melanie
is a Master Composter and teaches composting classes in the area each spring and fall.
She is an avid traveler and is always trying to find time to see more of the world.
Office Administrator Melanie Nehls Burow
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Pat Grady and her husband, Jim, joined Trinity in 2003 when they moved to the
Boulder area. Pat has been a part of the staff at Trinity since Spring 2004.
Pat is a registered nurse with a degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta. She is
also a certified case manager and commissioned parish nurse.
As Coordinator of Caring and Healing Ministries, Pat is responsible for identifying
pastoral care needs and coordinating appropriate interventions and follow-up. As
Office Assistant, Pat is in charge of producing the weekly bulletins and other office
tasks.
Caring & Healing Ministries & Office Assistant Pat Grady
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Valerie Hess has been at Trinity since September 1996. Valerie has a Masters in
Music in church music and organ from Valparaiso University.
As Coordinator of Music Ministries, Valerie oversees the active music program at Trinity.
She also leads the Worship Team. Valerie chooses the hymns and consults with the
choir directors and pastors about music and liturgies for our varied services.
In addition to her musical work, Valerie is a published author: "Habits of a Child's Heart:
Raising Your Kids with the Spiritual Disciplines" came out in 2004 and "Spiritual
Disciplines: A Year of Readings" came out in June of 2007.
Coordinator of Music Ministries Valerie Hess
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"Trinity as an organized community of faith is a mission outpost in a troubled world, making a God shaped impact on the World."
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Choir Director, Adult & Youth Jeff Gemmell
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Monica Plumb has been the bookkeeper since 2006 and a member of Trinity since
1995. Monica has an AA degree in accounting and has been working in this field
since 1983. She is responsible for paying the operating expenses of the church as
well as Trinity's payroll service. She also balances the check books and does the
financial statements for the church.
Monica is married to Tim and they have two boys. When she is not at Trinity, she
likes to read, hike and hang out with her family.
Jeff Gemmell has been the choir director at Trinity since Fall 2009. Jeff holds a
Doctor of Musical Arts in the Literature and Performance of Choral Music from CU,
Boulder (1997); a Certificate in Voice Performance (1989) and a Masters in Music
Education (1988) from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL); and a Bachelor of
Science in Music Education (1984) from Towson University (Towson, MD). Jeff brings
over 30 years of experience as a church musician (Youth Choir Director, Paid Baritone
Soloist, or Organist and Choir Director). At Trinity, Jeff conducts both the Youth and
Adult Choirs.
Jeff is married to Julie Barteau Gemmell and they have two children (Jennifer and
Maxwell). They reside in Longmont, CO. Jeff is also the Associate Director of Choirs
(Assistant Professor) at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he conducts the
University Choir and teaches Advanced Choral Conducting and the Graduate Choral
Symposium.
Bill Rhode has been at Trinity since 1977. Bill's role at Trinity is to keep God's
house clean. Sweep floors, clean bathrooms, wax floors, change light bulbs, empty
garbage cans, etc. Bill has always enjoyed doing things for the church since he
joined Trinity, even trimming the bushes and grass and, when needed, shovelling
snow.
Bill grew up in Chicago, IL. He was in the Air Force for 4 years and worked for the
Federal Aviation Administration when he got out of the service. He first worked for
the FAA in Illinois and requested a transfer to Colorado in 1976. He retired from the
FAA in 1995. Bill and his wife Carol have been married since 1968. They have one
son, Steven who is married to Amy, and two grandsons, Kyle & Travis.
Bill & Carol have a condo in Maui and whenever they get a chance, they go to Hawaii
and enjoy the sunshine to relax. Bill likes to ride bike and run, and he also enjoys
going down to Mexico to build houses on Trinity's Casas Mission Trips. In 1997, Bill
also traveled to Africa to build houses with Habitat for Humanity.