Trinity Lutheran Staff & Lay Leadership
Rev. Timothy Swanson, Interim Pastor
Pastor Tim came to Trinity in September 2023 to serve as interim pastor. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and was baptized at Ebenezer Lutheran Church where his mother grew up. His father was a graduate of Yale Divinity School with a Ph.D. in Theology. Pastor Tim attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia; completing his Clinical Pastoral Education at the U. of Minnesota Hospital and two separate internships in New Jersey. Pastor Tim was ordained by the North Carolina Synod of the LCA in 1972. He has served as pastor in several churches, Recreation Minister (youth outreach) and Synod Chairperson of three different committees. His interest in evangelism began in 1979 and he has attended numerous continuing education courses over the years with the Alban Institute. Pastor Tim officially retired in 2012 but began to supply preach and do interim ministry in 2014. God has equipped Pastor Tim with a passion for sharing the Word of God through preaching and teaching. He helps congregations become equipped to renew their calling and assisting them in moving forward when a pastor leaves. Pastor Tim and wife, Sherry, is blessed with three children and three grandchildren. Both he and Sherry are avid gardeners and specialize in roses, trees and various flora. Pastor Tim’s library includes over 3,000 volumes as he loves to read (theology and history). Trinity is fortunate to have Pastor Tim as their interim pastor the congregation works to discern what God has planned for it and how it can advance the kingdom of God within our area.
Megan Hughes - Youth and Family Ministry Coordinator
Megan Hughes is the youth and family ministry coordinator. She plans and facilitates activities for the youth at Trinity. She loves that this job gives her the opportunity to get to know the kids and their families in a setting outside of the church service or Sunday school. She also loves to see the youth interacting with older members of the congregation at the various events. Megan grew up in Brookville, attending Trinity herself until college. She studied at Baldwin Wallace College in Cleveland as an English major and earned her teaching license. After college, she moved back to Brookville, began teaching high school English at Dixie High School, and eventually found her way back to her church family here! She is now married, and she and her husband, Benji, have three children—4-year-old twins (a boy and a girl) and their baby brother. They love camping, visiting the zoo, playing at the park, and craft projects.
Margaret Dill - Administrative Secretary, Choir Director, Organist
Margaret Dill wears several hats at Trinity: she is Trinity’s Office Administrator, Music Director, and one of Trinity’s two organists. Margaret manages Trinity’s office and directs the Vocal Choir and Hand Bell Choir. She has played organ at Trinity’s traditional worship service since 1987, a duty she currently shares with Julie Pratt. Margaret and Julie share organist responsibilities at Trinity and at St. John’s Lutheran in Vandalia, each of them playing two Sundays each month at each congregation. Margaret is a graduate of Sinclair Community College, Dayton, and Wittenberg University, Springfield, where she studied organ with Trudy Faber and conducting with John Williams. She also holds a certificate in advanced conducting with William Payne of Bucknell University, Pennsylvania. In addition to her responsibilities at Trinity, Margaret directs the Sinclair Community College Concert Handbell Choir and teaches private piano lessons. Margaret is a member of the American Guild of Organists, Handbell Musicians of America, and the American Choral Directors Association. Margaret is married to husband, Frank, and has three adult children.
Julie Pratt -Organist
Julie Pratt is one of Trinity’s two organists. She and Margaret Dill share organist responsibilities, each of them playing two Sundays each month at Trinity and two at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Vandalia. What she loves most about Trinity Lutheran Church is the people. Even though the congregation is small, they are mighty in their faith, and an excellent example of living out “God’s work, our hands”. Julie was born in Greenville, Ohio, moved to Trotwood in fifth grade, and graduated from Trotwood-Madison High School. She graduated from Wittenberg University with a degree in Elementary and Special Education, and a minor in Sacred Music. While at Wittenberg, she played flute in the band and sang in the Bach Chorale. She was also in Ivy Ring, the Junior Women’s Honorary. She studied organ with well-known composer, arranger, and choral director, Dr. Donald Busarow, for all of her four years at Wittenberg. Julie worked as a Special Education teacher of children with learning disabilities for 14 years, taught second grade for two years and third grade for 19, all in the Greenon Local School District. She retired in 2014 after 35 years of teaching. She is currently employed by Sinclair Community College and works at Vandalia-Butler HS as the Facilitator of the College and Career Resource Center. Julie has been married to husband Jeff for 35 years. They have two adult children and a granddaughter in preschool. Julie plays in the Sinclair Handbell Choir and teaches private piano and flute lessons.
Betty Brazier - Cherub Choir Director
Betty Brazier is the Cherub Choir Director at Trinity, where she has helped our young people enjoy singing God’s praises for over 39 years. She especially enjoys teaching music to young people, hearing their stories and experiences, and helping them grow as children of God. She has been a member at Trinity her whole life and is a 4th-generation member! Betty grew up on a farm in Preble County and attended school at Twin Valley North for grades 2-12. She went to Wright State University, majoring in Business and Finance. Professionally, Betty worked in banking for 42 years, but also studied piano, voice, and saxophone for over 20 years. She has always felt at home at Trinity, where she has been involved in church music since she was 10 years old. Betty is married to husband, Gary. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. She enjoys attending musicals and other theater productions, garden club, Bible study, grandchildren’s activities, and spending time with her family.
Jacki Burton - Nursery Attendant
Jacki Burton is Trinity’s nursery coordinator, and she loves working with children. She coordinates the nursery care for Sunday mornings during both worship services and Sunday school. She also coordinates the children’s activities and childcare for the weekday MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) meetings. Jacki grew up in Dayton and Beavercreek. She has a bachelor’s degree from Morehead State University and a M.Ed. degree In early childhood education from Wright State University. Jackie retired from 35 years of teaching primary school children at Newton Elementary School in Pleasant Hill, OH. Since retirement, Jacki has been a substitute teacher in the Brookville and Newton Local School districts, as well as a teacher at Community Preschool in Brookville. Jacki has been married to husband Ron for 47 years. They have lived in the Brookville area for 36 years, and have two daughters and three grandsons. Among Jacki’s hobbies are dance and fitness. She has taken dance lessons for many years at Miss Margaret’s in Brookville. Jacki also teaches water aerobics at Klepz YMCA, has conducted an aerobics class at Trinity for over twenty years, and participates with Total Praise Dance Ministry.
Jeff Studebaker - Vocal Leader, Worship and Music Ministry Team Chair
Jeff Studebaker (known as “Dr. Jeff” to many people) chairs the Worship & Music ministry team and provides vocal music leadership for both Sunday services. Jeff was involved in the establishment of the Chicago Folk Service in 1985, and still provides percussion for that service, including tambourine, bells, and drum set. As chair of the worship and music ministry team, Jeff also chooses the hymns for both worship services. He enjoys the challenge of choosing hymns and songs that are accessible to the average worshiper and which fit the scripture readings and the style of each worship service. Jeff works hard to do so, using more than six different hymnals to find the just the right music!
Jeff grew up in Preble County and has degrees in biochemistry and medicine from Ohio State University. He has practiced family medicine in Brookville for more than 35 years. Jeff spent one season in the OSU Marching Band and still participates in Alumni Band activities. Jeff’s wife, Vicki, joins Jeff in participating in the hand bell and vocal choirs at Trinity. They have one adult son.
Contemporary Service Jazz Combo - “The Band”
Trinity’s Contemporary Service is accompanied on keyboard by Margaret Dill or Julie Pratt; Vocal Leader, Jeff Studebaker; and a rotating crew of several talented musicians: Kevin McCloskey, drums; Doug Coppess, bass guitar and Dave Dill, guitar. Sunday service times are currently: 9:00 am - Contemporary Service and 10:30 am - Traditional Service.