Trinity Lutheran Pastor & Staff
Reverend William Shimkus, Pastor
Trinity Lutheran Church Called Pastor Shimkus to the mission and ministry of its church and school in December, 2010. He is a graduate of Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis, Missouri, from which he received a Masters of Divinity degree in 1977. In 1978 he completed colloquy requirements for ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Prior to Trinity he has served congregations in Anchorage, Alaska; Cottage Hills, Illinois; Wenatchee, Washington; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Honolulu, Hawaii. For 23 years he served as a chaplain in the US Army Reserve, primarily in hospital ministry. He and his wife Bette have three children, Matthew, who is married to Emilie, with their daughter Robin; Maria, married to Doug Mills; and Emily, a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. In addition to his parish responsibilities, Pastor Shimkus has served in a variety of positions in church and community, including Circuit Counselor and NW District Regional Vice President.
Email: pastor@trinityportland.org
Mrs. Mary Schuldheisz, Principal & Admissions Counselor
Since 2008, Mrs. Schuldheisz has been Trinity's Admissions Counselor and one of the middle school teachers. In July of 2010, Mary became Principal and continues as the Admissions Counselor. She is graduate of Concordia, St. Paul, Minnesota, has a Masters Degree from Portland State University and Administrative Certification from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Recognized and respected as an avid supporter of Lutheran education from Pre-School through University, Mary has held various positions in Portland's Lutheran education community. Her husband Joel and children, Abigail, Sam, his wife Natasha and their daughter Zoe make up her immediate family.
Email: mschuldheisz@gmail.com
Mrs. Ruth Gray, Administrative Assistant
In 2009 Mrs. Gray became Trinity's administrative assistant, managing all office matters. She is a graduate of Concordia University holding a degree in business administration. After a career in the business world, Ruth became the music teacher and director of student choirs and bands at Trinity School. She continues today in the directorship role. Ruth, husband Cedric and their children Rachel, Marcus and Jacob are active participants and leaders in many areas of Trinity's church and school life.
Email:office@trinityportland.org
Reverend Miguel and Marta Luna, Latino Ministry Evangelists
Miguel visits Spanish speaking people in NE Portland, leads Bible study, and leads a Spanish language worship service on Sundays at Trinity. Marta ably assists Miguel, and provides music leadership for the worship. Although they live in Woodburn, Pastor Luna is at Trinity Thursday afternoons or evenings for counseling and Bible study.
Dr. Walter Krueger, Traditional Worship Music Director
Dr. Krueger, organ recitalist, choir director and professor, teaches music at Portland Lutheran School (K-12) and is an adjunct professor at Concordia University, Portland. His Doctoral degree is from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Krueger is regional dean of the American Guild of Organists. He also serves the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod as instructor in the "Lutheran Musician Enrichment" program. He has been serving Trinity since 1992.
Email: wkrueger@teleport.com
Mr. Terry Plucknett, Contemporary Worship Music Director
Mr. Terry Plucknett is guitarist, vocalist and director of Trinity's praise team, serving here since 2008. He graduated from Concordia University, also in 2008, with a BA degree in education. Currently, Terry teaches 8th grade, directs the school choir and coaches basketball at Forest Hills Lutheran School. Prior to entering Concordia University, he assisted the Music Director at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Federal Way, WA. where he established and directed a youth praise band.
Church Council
- President: Chuck Kunert
- Vice-President: Chris Hoelter
- Secretary: Joyce Nitz
- Financial Secretary: Paul Brandt
- Treasurer: Elaine VonWald
- Lay Ministry Chair: Jim Riedl
- Board of Education: Dick Weniger
- Board of Parish Education: Vicki Brandt
- Board of Stewardship: Terry Gaylord
- Board of Properties: Mark Dressler
- Board of Social Ministry: Chris Curry
- Board of Fellowship: Jan Bahr, Jan Gaylord
- Board of Outreach: Lanny Afrank
Lay Ministers
- Jim Riedl, Chair
- Allison Dalton
- Bob Dressler
- Mark Duin
- Glenn Herbold
- Ron Lietke
- Joel Schuldheisz
- Joyce Twiss
- Marsha Wolf
Trinity Lutheran School
