Secretarial Staff
office@trinitylutheranchurch.org
Roles and Responsibilities:
Membership Secretary

Held position since:
June 2009
 
Lori Michels
lori@trinitylutheranchurch.org
 
 
  Roles and Responsibilities:
Office Administrator

Held position since:
August 2000
    Michele
michele@trinitylutheranchurch.org
Custodian
Roles and Responsibilities:
Janitorial, maintenance, and
groundskeeper

Held position since:
1986

Background:
Born in Rochester. Served six years
in U.S. Army.
 
Bill Simmons
bill@trinitylutheranchurch.org
   
Organists
Roles and Responsibilities:
Organist for Thursday evening
services and mid-week Advent/Lenten
services

Held position since:
1957

Background:
Organist since 1946. MA from U of
MN. Studied organ at U of MN and
Oberlin Conservatory.
 
Fred Nitschke
   
  Roles and Responsibilities:
Organist
Choir Director


Held position since:
1992
    Brian Poch
Roles and Responsibilities:
Organist


Held position since:
2003

Background:
Graduated with K-12
Instrumental/general music teaching
degree and Director of Parish Music
with a emphasis in Organ from
Concordia University in Saint Paul,
MN in 1999.  Currently working on an
Orff Schulwerk music certification
from Saint Thomas University in Saint
Paul, MN.
 
Annette Engelmann
Senior Pastor
Roles and Responsibilities:
Administrator; staff team leader; worship coordinator; works
with Boards of Elder, Trustees, and Stewardship. Also serves
as Rochester Circuit Counselor.

Held position since:
October 2002

Background:
B.A. – Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, IN – 1968
M. Div. – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis – 1972
S. T. M. – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis – 1973
Served parishes in Columbia Heights, MN, Hudson and
Shawano, WI, and  Rochester, MN
William Otte
pastorotte@trinitylutheranchurch.org
    Associate Pastor for Family Life
Roles and Responsibilities:
My special focus of pastoral ministry at Trinity is to develop,
coordinate and administer an effective and comprehensive
ministry to families, especially in the areas of seniors ministry,
ministry to couples and families, and young adult ministry. I
also preach and assist with worship, visitation, and other
educational opportunities, including junior and adult
confirmation.

Held position since:
July 2010

Background:
Background: B.A. in History - Truman State University, Kirksville,
MO - 2006
M.Div. - Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO - 2010
Married to Kristin in 2007
Son Caleb born March 2010
Joel Haak
pastorhaak@trinitylutheranchurch.org
Lay Minister
Roles and Responsibilities:
Visit and bring comfort and communion to the homebound
members of Trinity

Held position since:
January 2000

Background:
Degree of Associate in Arts - Lay Ministry - Concordia
University, Mequon, WI
Claire Vomhof
    Director of Christian Education
Roles and Responsibilities:
Developing, coordinating, and administering a comprehensive
ministry to the children and youth of Trinity Lutheran Church
specifically including children’s parish Christian education and
junior and senior high youth ministry working with the board of
youth and board of education.

Held position since:
August 2009

Background:
DCE certification from Concordia University Nebraska - 2009
Majored in theology and psychology
Emphases in youth ministry and family life
Mark Cook
mark@trinitylutheranchurch.org
    Coordinator of Equipping Ministries
Roles and Responsibilities:
Assist staff, boards, and committees in finding and utilizing
volunteers. Help members of Trinity find ways to use their time
and talents to the glory of God and the edification of the church.
Train and equip volunteers and teachers.

Held position since:
July 2005

Background:
Taught at Rochester Central Lutheran School, Concordia
Immanuel Lutheran School in Red Wing, and St. John's
Lutheran School in Wykoff.
BA in elementary education from Concordia, St. Paul.
Jennifer Jurgensen
jen@trinitylutheranchurch.org
Vicar 2011 - 2012
Roles and Responsibilities:
Preaching and leading worship services, Thursday Morning
Bible Study, Confirmation Class, Visiting members who are in
the hospital, VBS, prison ministry, point of contact for walk-ins.

Held position since:
August 2011

Background:
B.A. in Elementary Education from Saginaw Valley State
      University (2004)
Served through LCMS World Mission in Togo (2005-06) and
      Taiwan (2006-08)
Taught 5th-8th grade at Hope Lutheran, St. Louis (2008-09)
Married to Molly in July 2008
Son, Matthias, born April 2011
Elden Kohn
vicar@trinitylutheranchurch.org