Trinity's Staff
Our Pastor
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I was born 67 years ago on the west coast…of Wisconsin that is; La Crosse, along the Mississippi River. At an early age I became fascinated with everything there was to do with the weather, and by 2nd grade knew that I would pursue a career in weather forecasting. I studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin, earning Bachelors and Masters Degrees, and then embarked on a 27 year career of TV weathercasting that took me and my family (wife Kay and daughter Beth) from Madison, WI to Sacramento, CA, Atlanta, GA, Jacksonville, FL and finally Spokane, WA. I had been baptized as an infant into Christ, as a Lutheran, and the Church has always been a major part of my life. In the final 10 years of my TV career I began to believe that I was being called to serve the Lord as a pastor. According to the Lord’s good will and perfect timing that happened about 16 years ago as I entered into the seminary (Fort Wayne) and served St. John Lutheran Church of Spokane, WA until retiring from active ministry as of December 1st of 2017. (Note: “Retirement is NOT a Biblical concept. Moses worked up until the day he died at 120 years old, and Christ worked up until and including the day He died. Three days later He got back up and went back to work again!) We immediately relocated to Venice, FL in order to escape the ice, snow and gloom of winter, and to be closer to our daughter who is now a high school mathematics teacher in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In September of 2018 I received the call to be the Pastor here at Trinity Lutheran Church of SW Florida, and accepted. I was installed Sunday October 21st and joyfully serve this wonderful and committed flock of God's people.
I currently also serve as a volunteer cooperative precipitation reporter for the Tampa Bay National Weather Service Office, and a trained Severe Weather Spotter. I am also an avid, although not accomplished, tennis player. That, and college football (Wisconsin Badgers) are my main sports interest. I love to sing, both solo and in groups, and given my size, cooking and eating can be considered a strength.
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Pastor Brian can be reached at:
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Bruce Snyder is a veteran musician, He taught choral music in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan for 35 years. He has been involved in music ministry for 50 years. He recently retired as the Director of Music Ministries at the Orchard Lake Community Church, Presbyterian after almost 30 years. He has been active in the organizations that support music, both in education and in ministry. The Michigan School Vocal Music Association, the American Choral Directors Association, the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians, the American Guild of Organists and the Presbyterian Association of Musicians have all contributed to his music making. He served on these boards to support and encourage his colleagues. There have been some accolades: Master Teacher, Distinguished Service Award, Honors Choir Director, the Maynard Klein Award for distinguished service by the ACDA. In semi-retirement he is active as a clinician, a vocal coach, an accompanist and is still serving in a local church.
Bruce and his bride Jane are seasonal Florida residents living in Fort Myers.
Our Organist
Karen Kirkland, Office Coordinator
Kerri Keller, Choir Director