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Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Rev. Karsten Snitker (he/him)
Rev. Karsten Snitker (or Pastor Karsten) is honored to have been called as pastor for Trinity UCC.
Pastor Karsten grew up in a rural agricultural area in NE Iowa and come from the Norwegian-American and German-American communities who settled there in the late 1800s. He studied music at Luther College in Decorah, IA and completed my Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.
He is passionate about ministries of environmental justice and the ways in which the arts connect us to the Sacred. He also loves hearing stories, making connections, and learning about what is sacred to others. We all have a story interwoven with God’s grace, and he looks forward to hearing yours!
May the Peace of Christ be with you.
pastor.karsten@trinityucctiffin.com | Tel: 419-447-3191
Treasurer
Karen Halcomb
Karen Halcomb has been the Treasurer of Trinity United Church of Christ since March 2001. She lives in New Riegel with her husband, Keith. They are the parents of two adult sons, Tyler and Shane. She earned her BSBA in Accounting from The Ohio State University. In her spare time she enjoys baking and cooking.
Office Adminstrator
Joan Nelson
Joan Nelson has served as the office administrator for Trinity United Church of Christ since 2013. She is a graduate of Fostoria High School and Bowling Green State University.
Joan has had a variety of jobs that have always dealt with interacting with people, something she enjoys most. Joan is the mother of four and grandmother of 12 Joan feels that God has blessed her richly!
officeadmin@trinityucctiffin.com | Tel: 419-447-3191
Music Coordinator and
Chancel Choir director
Vicki Ohl
Vicki Ohl, Ph.D., is the Chancel Choir director and Music Coordinator for Trinity UCC. She is enjoying this second career after retiring from Heidelberg University, where she taught piano and music theory before serving in the administration of Academic Affairs.
She enjoys playing piano with Piano-Stachio!, a quartet of local pianists, and is also chairing Berg Bravo! Friends of Heidelberg Music and Theatre. She serves on the Church and Ministry Team of the UCC’s Northwest Ohio Association, as well as on the board of the National Machinery Foundation.
Music is a gift, and sharing it with others is a joy!
Organist
Blake Depinet
Blake has had the privilege of serving as Trinity's organist being on staff since 2020.
He is a recent graduate of Heidelberg University ('23) and is now teaching 6-8 instrumental music at West Holmes Middle School. Alongside playing the organ, he also enjoys playing the piano and tuba.
Director of Praise Band
Pat Powers
Pat has been a member of Trinity UCC for 44 years Currently, she is the Praise Band Coordinator. I
organize the music and coordinate with the Praise Band members for the Homestyle (Contemporary)
Service and band practices. Also, I have been the bass player for the Trinity Praise band for over 20
years. Music ministry has been an important part of my life at Trinity.
Director of Bell Choir
Lynn Heunemann
Lynn started attending Trinity UCC as a college student at Heidelberg. A student invited her to sing in the choir, and that has turned into 40+ years, including occasional solos and substitute conducting. An invitation to join Canticle Ringers handbell choir turned into a similar long life of playing, leading to directing the bell choir at present.
Lynn has a music ed master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg University. She taught elementary music education, and was on the directing team for the high school musicals, all at Seneca East Schools, for 35 years. She is certified in, and has taught the Orff Schulwerk method of elementary music.
At Trinity, Lynn directed a youth choir, the Choristers children’s choir and began a multi-generational music group focused on family fun and making a joyful noise. She worked with Trinity Women together, and the Northwest Association, serving to write a mission statement, educate congregations about the New Century Hymnal, and forming faith-based groups. She serves as chair and active member of the Arts Committee.
Her two grown sons were brought up at Trinity. She lives with husband Kurt, and at least one cat, in Tiffin.