Our Holy Trinity Staff
The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Wilson – Lead Pastor
Pastor Jeff Wilson was called to serve Holy Trinity as our Lead Pastor in October 2023. He comes to us after serving three congregations in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod: Redeemer – McLean, VA; Bethel – Manassas VA; and St. John – Riverdale, MD.
Pastor Jeff was born in Wilmington, DE, and was raised in Orange, TX. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from Stephen F. Austin State University – Nacogdoches, TX. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia (now United Lutheran Seminary). In May 2012, he matriculated in the Doctor of Ministry program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, with a concentration in Congregational Mission and Leadership. He successfully defended his doctoral thesis in March 2017.
He has served outside the congregation in roles such as the dean of the Fairfax Conference for four years, the Synod Assembly Planning Team Chair for two years, and Confirmation Camp both as a pastoral-leader and as dean for several years.
His daughter, Caroline, lives with her husband in Fairfax, VA. Pastor Jeff enjoys cooking, tending to his bee hives, gardening, music, reading, and tinkering with technology.
The Rev. Richard Neal – Intentional Interim Pastor
The Rev. Richard W. Neal serves as Holy Trinity’s intentional interim pastor. He has more than forty years of experience as a pastor in Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist congregations in Southern Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont, including seven terms as an intentional interim pastor. Rich believes every change is an opportunity to enrich life. “Change happens all the time,” he says, “and we don’t have a choice about it. But we can choose whether to resist change or embrace it as an opportunity for discovery and growth. When you embrace change creatively, a richer life is possible.”
Rich came to parish ministry after a career in scholarly publishing as a book designer and production director. He still doesn’t know where God is leading him, but he believes it’s the quality of the journey and not the destination that counts in the end, because the destination is already determined: reconciliation with God. How we make the journey of reconciliation, Rich believes, is what influences how we experience the abundant life Jesus offered, more and better life than we ever dreamed of having.
In addition to nurturing individual and congregational growth through creative change, Pastor Rich particularly enjoys the ministries of preaching, spiritual guidance, and adult education. He lives in Snyder with his wife Sheryl.
Kristen Pomietlarz – Organist
Kristen received her undergraduate degree in Piano and Bassoon Performance in 2000 at SUNY Fredonia, and her Graduate Degree at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University – Bloomington in 2002, with concentrations in bassoon and organ.
While at Fredonia, Kristen was awarded the Performer’s Certificate, and was the winner of the 1998 SUNY Fredonia Concerto Competition for Piano. At IU Bloomington, Kristen studied organ with Chris Young and Larry Smith, with continued subsequent study with Stephen Kennedy, Eastman School of Music and Organist of Christ Church Rochester, NY. Aside of her organ duties, Kristen has played principal bassoon with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and teaches instrumental music at West Seneca East Middle School.
Justin Pomietlarz – Choirmaster
Justin is a 1997 and 2004 piano performance/music education graduate of SUNY Fredonia, now in his 12th year on the faculty at Amherst Central High School. Prior to his appointment as Director of Music at Holy Trinity, Mr. Pomietlarz served as Concert Committee Chair, lead tenor and assistant conductor of the Chancel Choir and director of Youth Choir of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and sung with and accompanied for the Vocális Chamber Choir for the past 11 seasons.
He has been the accompanist and/or chair of the NYSSMA Zone I Area All-State Women’s Chorus and chairperson of the ECMEA Senior High All-County Mixed Chorus since 2012, guest conductor of the 2010 Chautauqua Junior-High All-County Chorus and the 2017 Ulster County Junior High All-County Chorus. This year he will guest conduct the 2018 ECMEA Junior-High North All-County Treble Chorus. He was selected as the 2013 Amherst Central School District PTSA Educator of the Year and is listed in Who’s Who of American Teachers. Mr. Pomietlarz recently recorded Finzi’s Eclogue for piano and strings with the Camerata di Sant’ Antonio, and served as Interim Director of the SUNY Fredonia Women’s Choir from 2010-2012.
Mr. Pomietlarz studied piano with Robert Jordan, and conducting with Donald Lang and Gerald Gray at SUNY Fredonia, with post graduate work with Janet Galvan (Ithaca), and William Weinert (Eastman).
Linda Lipczynski – Office Manager
Linda was named Office Manager in recognition of her many duties coordinating the ministries and properties of Holy Trinity in 2012; she began her time with Holy Trinity as parish secretary in 2007. Linda is the hub: her duties include administrative office tasks including: producing weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, maintaining the council and committee minute book, coordinating the pastors’ and church calendars, and updating the membership roll. Her previous employment of 22 years was with the law firm of Hodgson Russ LLP as legal secretary. Linda is married to Brian and has two boys, Kyle and Eric.
Carol Littlefield – Parish Accountant
Carol has been with Holy Trinity since February of 1987. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Canisius College. Carol is responsible for recording members’ contributions, paying all the expenses, and tracking the church’s investment portfolio. She is married to Marty and and they have two daughters, Caitlin and Claire.
John Busch – Director of Buildings and Grounds
John has been with Holy Trinity since April 1994. He is in charge of and oversees maintenance functions pertaining to all buildings and property belonging to the church. Some of his duties include performing plumbing, electrical, heating and painting repairs. He is also instrumental in acquiring bids from contractors for future renovations/repairs and oversees contractors throughout these projects. As of December 2008, John retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the Air Force Reserve.
Charles Ryniec- Steward of Buildings and Grounds
Chuck has been at Holy Trinity since 2010. He started off part time and has become a full-time Steward of Building & Grounds in 2012. Daily he works with John Busch to maintain the church grounds. He is always on hand to help the congregation when needed. Chuck is married to Barbara and has two children, Kimberly and Derek.
Congregational Church Council
President: Jennifer Yap
Vice-President: Kathy Crissey
Secretary: Linda Horton
Treasurer: Fred Howard
Council Members:
Paul Bauchle
Matthew Brown
Gail Camilleri
Christopher Huber
Karen Kolb
Pat Lonergan
Raul Saona
Elizabeth Vihnanek
The Church Council generally meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month beginning at 7:00pm. Most council meetings are held in Redeemer Hall.
Council meetings are open and members of Holy Trinity have privileges of voice at a regularly called meeting.