Beth Axelson
My name is Beth Axelson. Trinity has been my faith home since I was a small child. I attended Sunday School here and was a member of the children’s choir. Being confirmed here and receiving my first communion here was very meaningful. During my adult years I have been involved in many ways: various choirs, usher, assisting minister, sacristan and coordinator of servers for the 10AM services on Sunday mornings. I have served on the council, property committee, worship committee as well as other things. I also served on the New England Synod council, worship committee and other committees. Trinity is in a time of transition. We need to work together so that we may become stronger and grow. I would like to be a part of this important work to move us forward.
Nancy Fontneau
I am a retired UMass physician, and have been a member of Trinity for about 30 years. During that time I have been a member of Trinity Choir, served on the church council for several terms, including service as president and vice president of the congregation. I have been a member of and chair of the stewardship and finance committees. I have also served on several search committees. I am a member of Tabitha circle, a communion bread baker, eucharistic minister, and an assisting minister. I serve on the Synod’s Candidacy committee, helping new pastors and deacons through their training to serve the church.
I am excited that as Trinity is thinking about its Pastoral leadership team we are taking time to look at who we are as a congregation, and what God is calling us to do in and beyond our community. I want to use my leadership skills and energy to work on clarifying our congregational mission, and to invite people within and outside our parish to serve together to bring more of God’s justice and peace to the people of Worcester and maybe the world.
Dwight Hubbard
My name is Dwight A. Hubbard. I reside in Paxton Massachusetts with my wife Judy. I have been active in virtually every ministry At TLC for over thirty years. I have been a member for over twenty years.
Those who know me can attest to my being an outspoken person when important issues are being considered. I am of the mind that our local Parish reflects the larger national trend towards secularism and I will be a fervent opponent to this trend if elected to council. I oppose arbitrary changes to our sacred traditional liturgy by special interest groups. As a council member I would strongly support efforts to draw families back to our congregation.
I strongly support returning the American flag to its rightful position to the right of our pulpit and do not believe this placement denigrates the sacredness of our worship space in any way. I stand as a moderate in the important issues surrounding unborn children but will insist that public prayers be offered for the most vulnerable as this has not been the case at TLC for as long as I have been a member. If elected I will promote pastoral ministry that stays faithful to the needs and interests of the majority of our members.
Dale Mattice (Candidate for Reelection)
My name is Dale Mattice and I would appreciate your vote to serve Trinity Lutheran Church by re-electing me to a seat on the Congregational Council. I have been a member of Trinity for nearly 10 years. I was looking for something that was missing in my life and realized it was God. I was born a Lutheran but had never practiced my faith. When I met with Pastor Nachtigal, toured the church and attended my first service on Good Friday, I knew I had found where I was meant to be. I am a 2013 graduate of the New England Synod School of Lay Ministry which teaches Lutheran Theology and an overview of the Old and New Testaments.
I currently serve Trinity in the following capacities: Congregational Councilor, Assisting Minister on Wednesdays and Sundays, Communion Assistant (as needed), Lead Counter, Welcome Desk Volunteer on Thursday and Friday mornings, member of the Finance Committee, Stewardship Ministry and Preschool Advisory Board and Eucharistic Minister. Finally, I have a Masters in Business Administration which has helped me serve in the Congregational Council by looking at issues that come before the council using my business background and critical thinking skills.
Ed Menard
My name is Ed Menard and I am married to Carl Robertson. I have been coming to Trinity for about nine years and joined Trinity two years ago. Since being at Trinity I’ve been involved in a lot of different actives. I have helped with the Yard Sale for the youth. I’m a Communion Assistant, Sacristan, help out with coffee hours, usher, crucifer, and was also co-chairmen of the Trinity Bazaar, and work the welcome desk. I would like to be on the council as I believe I have a lot to offer the people here at Trinity and I would make a good asset to the Council.
Jennifer O’Connor
Together with my husband, Tim, I’ve been a member of Trinity for almost 25 years. Our 17 year old son, Timothy, was baptized and confirmed here. I’m in the choir, and I have been a member of various committees throughout the years. I am an optometrist, practicing in North Brookfield and Holden. I would love to serve on council as we adjust to the new changes that Trinity will encounter.
Christopher Pavasaris
I have been a member of Trinity for a little over two years. I grew up in Needham, MA where I attended Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA). I and my almost three year old son, Clark, typically attend the 8 a.m. service. My family participates in Trinity’s ‘Dine with Nine’ young professional/new member dinner group and I am working to further involve myself in the life of the congregation.
I came to Trinity after spending time in politics and chaplaincy. In 2014 I earned my Master of Divinity degree from Yale University with a certificate in Lutheran Studies. Prior to my time at Yale, I worked as a legislative staffer on Capitol Hill for Senators Lieberman and Rockefeller specializing in environmental and transportation policy.
Most recently, after working with individuals and families as a chaplain at Hartford Hospital, I returned to Massachusetts and began a job in the legal compliance department of a financial services firm in Boston. I and my wife, Meghan, live with our son Clark in Grafton, MA.
Ana Ranese (Candidate for Youth Representative)
Hello, my name is Anastasia Ranese. I am running for the one year youth seat on the church council. I was born and raised in Worcester, MA and have been a member of Trinity since I was five years old. I am fifteen years old and a sophomore at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School. I am in the Automotive Collision Repair tech class and am currently in Honors History and Pre-AP English. I eventually want to study sharks and go to college to be a marine biologist with a minor in photography. I have a passion for muscle cars, car racing, and am currently working on restoring a 1967 Dodge Charger 383, 4 Barrel carb with turbo transmission. My mother, Norma, and my grandmother, Dale, are both active members of Trinity and we all volunteer for many projects.
I often help my mother with coffee hour, Tabitha Circle with various services and set ups, and I participate in almost all of the youth events and LIPY mission trips. I have previously served as a chorister and acolyte for the church and am now currently listed as an active usher, communion assistant, lector, and assist Jena Hardy with Sunday school as needed. I am running for the youth seat because I feel I am a good representation of youth at Trinity due to my active participation with the youth and my ability to verbalize the needs and concerns of the Trinity youth. I feel that the youth’s opinions in reference to church decisions should be taken note of and I would be honored to share both the current and future youth’s insight.
Jacob Schur (Candidate for Reelection)
I grew up celebrating the personal joys of baptism, confirmation, marriage as well as meaningful worship and education here at Trinity. I graduated from Valparaiso University in 2011 where I met my wife of five years, Katie. We live in Berlin, MA. I work as a Solution Consultant at Workday, a Human Capital Management and Finance software company based in Pleasanton, California. Katie and I regularly attend the 8 o’clock service where I serve as lector. I have served on Trinity’s Council for the past three years and I am now completing my second year-term as Council Vice-President. In years past, I have taught Sunday School, coached in the Trinity Basketball League and even served as acolyte and usher. My family and I are still heavily involved in orchestrating Trinity’s Youth Basketball and Breakfast program during the winter months. I am honored and excited at the prospect of continuing my service to Trinity as a member of the Council. I have aspirations to continue advancement of the missions of community outreach and attracting successive generations to Trinity.
Judy Willoughby
I was born and raised in TLC – baptized in 1947 at Calvary and grew up in scouts and choirs always doing some sort of services until I left. After returning to my church home, I easily slipped back into service here – Rebekah Circle, Sacristan, Welcome Desk, Property Committee, Counter and last year worked with Jena at Elm Park Ministry Day Camp. I also am trying to make some headway with church archives. I would like to continue to serve as a member of Council.