Our Staff

 

Pastor Ruth Kocha Jensen

Pastor Ruth Jensen completed her undergraduate study at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin graduating summa cum laude with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religion/Religious Studies and Church Music.  She was rostered in the Lutheran Church in America as a Lay Professional Leader in 1984 and served congregations in the Greater Milwaukee Synod and Allegheny Synod during the first 24 years of her ministry.
 
In 2006 she earned a Master of Arts degree in Children, Youth & Family Ministry from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota followed by her Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (now United Lutheran Seminary) in 2009.  She has served in ministry for over thirty-five years.  Pastor Ruth previously served Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Windber, and Grace Lutheran Church in State College, the largest congregation in the ELCA’s Allegheny Synod.
 
Pastor Ruth brings considerable gifts to Trinity, but above all she brings a vision that all people will know and personally experience the love of God.  She feels called to reach out to the lost, anxious, conflicted, broken, shame-filled, abandoned, and marginalized people in our families, neighborhoods, and communities.

Nicholas Carroll, Director of Music/Media

Nicholas serves as Director of Music and Media, and on many church committees.  Nicholas also serves on various church and Synodical committees and has participated in churchwide vitality training. Nicholas Carroll is a professional pianist, piano instructor, author, composer, organist, piano tuner, and music minister.  He operates Nicholas Carroll Piano Studio in Somerset.  Nicholas is author of the book “Psalms from a Song Perspective”, a look at reading Psalms in a musical way.  Nicholas has released two full length piano solo albums of original arrangements and compositions: Christmas in Somerset (2018), and Prayers for Piano (2022), and a full length album of original organ pieces titled Gothic Organ all three are available on all streaming platforms.  Nicholas has published a set of sacred choral composition entitled “Scripture Songs for Small Choirs” available from SMP press and written music for two liturgies.  Nicholas is a regular performer and most notably has performed at the Flight 93 Memorial for the First Lady of United States.  Nicholas holds music degrees from Seton Hill University and the American School of Piano Tuning. Born and raised in Somerset, Nicholas has a passion for advocating for music in small towns.  In his spare time Nicholas enjoys reading and cooking.  He lives in Windber with his wife Stephanie and pet tortoise, Lidiya.

At Trinity, he also directs the TLC Choir, the Wittenberg Bells (Handbell Choir) and leads the congregation in worship at the organ and the piano.  He has particular gifts in improvisation.

Ann Voytish, Office Manager

is in the office during office hours throughout the week.  Ann is responsible for the business operations of the congregation; she is the keeper of all records and the resource manager of all supplies, computers, information, and communications.

Jody Jurgevich, Childcare Director

graduated from Harding University with a bachelors in early childhood and a minor in special education. She has had experience teaching in the preschool setting and as a substitute teacher. If you have any questions about our program please stop in and see her.

Jody oversees are wonderful staff of childcare workers and teachers who are not all listed here.

Jesse and Frank (not pictured)

Our full-time and part-time Sextons (custodians) who ensure the facility is clean and read for all of our many activities.

VOLUNTEERS!!!

A ministry like this is not possible without a TON of helpful volunteers to whom we are eternally grateful!