Our Team

Rev. Charles Tigard

Senior Pastor

Following a Pastoral Search process, Rev. Charles Tigard was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Church of the Trinity by a congregational affirmation of 96% in August of 2010.

Rev. Tigard has a passion for equipping lay leadership in the life of spiritual community.

From Southern California, he has served the MCC movement for 12 years as lay leader and pastor. Previous to moving to Sarasota, Charles served Metropolitan Community Church congregations in San Francisco, California, Key West, Florida and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Tigard served as a denominational staff member in West Hollywood, California for six years prior to his ordination.

Charles has studied at Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, and Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley. He graduated with honors from the Master of Divinity program at Claremont School of Theology, receiving the William and Douglas Cook award for Religion and the Arts. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vermont. Rev. Tigard completed Clinical Pastoral Education training through the chaplaincy program at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Vickie Miller

Minister of Congregational Life

Rev. Vickie Miller was ordained in MCC in 2006 and joined Church of the Trinity as part-time clergy, currently serving as the Minister of Congregational Life. She has a Master of Divinity degree from the Florida Center of Theological Studies and a Master of Counselor Education degree from the University of South Florida. Rev. Vickie has worked for many years in higher education in the area of student services and counseling. Previously, she served as the Temporary Pastor of the MCC church in Gainesville. Prior to ordination Rev. Vickie was a lay minister for many years in MCC in various capacities including a Deacon, church Board Member, and coordinator of church education programs.

Rev. Donna Twardowski

Minister of Congregational Care

Rev. Donna Twardowski was ordained in MCC in 2011 and has been part time staff volunteer since 2009 and part time staff volunteer clergy since ordination. She was “in care” at Church of the Trinity prior to her ordination. Donna has a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and also a Master of Education degree from State University of New York at Brockport. Prior to her ministry vocation, Donna was an Occupational Therapist and an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at Keuka College and Ithaca College, both in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Jo Farrand

Administrative Assistant

Diane Hewitt

Pianist/ Worship Coordinator

Greg Kaspar

Director of Administration

Greg brings over 30 years of systems administration experience in the financial, utility, and medical fields and volunteer experience in senior care, healthcare, and event coordination.

Rev. Vickie Miller

Minister of Congregational Life

Rev. Vickie Miller was ordained in MCC in 2006 and joined Church of the Trinity as part-time clergy, currently serving as the Minister of Congregational Life. She has a Master of Divinity degree from the Florida Center of Theological Studies and a Master of Counselor Education degree from the University of South Florida. Rev. Vickie has worked for many years in higher education in the area of student services and counseling. Previously, she served as the Temporary Pastor of the MCC church in Gainesville. Prior to ordination Rev. Vickie was a lay minister for many years in MCC in various capacities including a Deacon, church Board Member, and coordinator of church education programs.

Joffrey Suprina

Trinity Choir and Praise Team Director

Bob Terra

Senior Accountant

I am a native New Englander originally from Taunton, Massachusetts. My partner John and I moved to Sarasota in 1999 and became members of Trinity in the spring of 2000.

I am a graduate of Bryant University and have a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance. The majority of my career was as Treasurer of a privately held supermarket chain of forty-one stores. I then worked for five years as Accounting Manager of a travel and tourism company. Six years later, I semi-retired as Finance Director from a non-profit human service agency.

I am a past Treasurer of Trinity having served in this capacity for over six years. I have also chaired Trinity’s Finance committee, served as an usher, and was a member of our hospitality team. I currently am on staff in the church office as Senior Accountant, a position I have held for the past ten years.

Rev. Charles Tigard

Senior Pastor

Following a Pastoral Search process, Rev. Charles Tigard was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Church of the Trinity by a congregational affirmation of 96% in August of 2010.

Rev. Tigard has a passion for equipping lay leadership in the life of spiritual community.

From Southern California, he has served the MCC movement for 12 years as lay leader and pastor. Previous to moving to Sarasota, Charles served Metropolitan Community Church congregations in San Francisco, California, Key West, Florida and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Tigard served as a denominational staff member in West Hollywood, California for six years prior to his ordination.

Charles has studied at Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, and Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley. He graduated with honors from the Master of Divinity program at Claremont School of Theology, receiving the William and Douglas Cook award for Religion and the Arts. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vermont. Rev. Tigard completed Clinical Pastoral Education training through the chaplaincy program at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Donna Twardowski

Minister of Congregational Care

Rev. Donna Twardowski was ordained in MCC in 2011 and has been part time staff volunteer since 2009 and part time staff volunteer clergy since ordination. She was “in care” at Church of the Trinity prior to her ordination. Donna has a Master of Divinity degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and also a Master of Education degree from State University of New York at Brockport. Prior to her ministry vocation, Donna was an Occupational Therapist and an assistant professor of Occupational Therapy at Keuka College and Ithaca College, both in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Doug Berger

Board of Directors, Treasurer

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. My partner Shawn and I relocated to Florida 8 years ago. I graduated from University of Maryland in 1976 with a degree in Economics and pursued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University. I have had multiple careers in the field of Human Resources – I worked in banking for 20 years, in senior care for 9 years, in public education for 5 years, and now work for a retail distributor. Shawn and I joined Trinity in 2003. I serve on the media team and I am a Eucharistic server. This is my third “tour of duty” serving on the Board of Directors.

Jim Ferrell

Board of Directors, Vice Moderator

I am a retired school administrator. My partner and I retired to Sarasota in 1997. We began attending Church of the Trinity, where it was immediately apparent that we had found a church home. We became members in October of that year. Church of the Trinity has been for us a place of worship, a place where our spiritual beliefs have been confirmed, and a place where we have been accepted and embraced. We have developed a clearer understanding of our God and recognized God at work both in our church and our community. We have also experienced lots of good times and have developed lasting friendships. Over the years we have participated in a myriad of activities. I was a member of the Finance Team for many years and also chaired that team for four years. I am the Board’s liaison to the Administration Team and I am an usher.

Cindy Gallant

Board of Directors, Fundraising

I was born and raised in Westport, Massachusetts. I have had a 25 year career in the Automotive Industry; starting in marketing, customer service and the last 15 years in Human Resources, with extensive North America travel as National Training Manager.
In 2003 I moved to Bradenton with my partner Anne. Here I found 2 homes: my residence and Church of the Trinity, my spiritual home; a home offering worship, love, friendship, and acceptance for all. I have participated and enjoyed many activities here @ COTT. I have been an usher, and currently a member of the Hospitality Team, Prayer Team, Fundraising Team and now Board of Directors. I am blessed to have found Church of the Trinity and I am looking forward to serving.

Marilyn Kane

Board of Directors, Clerk of the Board; Stewardship & Enrichment Giving

I have had the pleasant opportunity to retire twice. My first was in 1995 from NYState Office of Mental Health where I was a treatment team leader and department manager for over 25 years. I also had a private practice as an occupational therapist and was active in professional associations. I began teaching at Keuka College in 1992 and retired for my second time from Ithaca College in 2007. I moved to Sarasota in 2008 with my partner, Rev. Donna Twardowski. We joined COTT where we had attended on several of our visits here. I am currently an usher, lector, clerk of the board, and have volunteered at COTT for many activities such as food drives, Christmas decorating, and filling in at the front office. I also am an Ombudsman for the State of Florida, another volunteer position which allows me to use my professional skills while assisting others. I am a “recovered” Roman Catholic and very happy to have found a spiritual home at COTT.

Cheri Lyons

Board of Directors

I grew up in North Wilmington, Massachusetts. I graduated from Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT. in 1965. I then worked at a variety of jobs from selling membership to the Boston Better Business Bureau to managing Staff Builders Temporary Employment Agency to working in the financial aid office at Boston State College. In 1974 I graduated from Parsons School of Design in NYC with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Environmental Design. Environmental Design is the design of everything that creates one’s 3 dimensional space… architectural, interior, landscape and product design. However, do to the recession of the 70′s, I got waylaid and accepted a position as Director of Financial Aid for Parsons School of Design/The New School. In 1978 I moved into publishing to sell advertising space for a Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich trade publication and became its Publisher. In addition to publishing, I did freelance advertising for several of it’s advertisers as well as local home renovations and interior design projects. In 1989 my then partner and I opened a real estate agency in The Pines on Fire Island, NY . After 15 years we sold our business and retired to Sarasota. We found that our Sarasota friends were very active in COTT. We became members in 2003. We felt extremely welcomed by COTT members and very comfortable with its doctrine. I am currently a member of the hospitality team, a greeter, show-ring coordinator for the COTT Pet Fair and now a member of the Board of Directors. In addition I work on a part-time basis at the Manatee County Jail and am an independent licensed Florida Sate Insurance Agent specializing in the Senior market.

Fran Solitro

Board of Directors, Buildings & Grounds

I retired in 1989 after 15 years in the restaurant business. I have owned property in Florida since 1986 and lived in Longboat Key 17 years. My business consisted of three corporations with over forty units, and I served as vice president with control over all financial responsibilities. Following retirement, I currently work from home as an investor in real state and stocks. I’ve been a member of Church of the Trinity since 1988 and have served in various capacities including choir member, usher, trustees committee, and the audit team.

Rev. Charles Tigard

Senior Pastor

Following a Pastoral Search process, Rev. Charles Tigard was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Church of the Trinity by a congregational affirmation of 96% in August of 2010.

Rev. Tigard has a passion for equipping lay leadership in the life of spiritual community.

From Southern California, he has served the MCC movement for 12 years as lay leader and pastor. Previous to moving to Sarasota, Charles served Metropolitan Community Church congregations in San Francisco, California, Key West, Florida and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Rev. Tigard served as a denominational staff member in West Hollywood, California for six years prior to his ordination.

Charles has studied at Claremont School of Theology, Claremont, California, the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont, and Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley. He graduated with honors from the Master of Divinity program at Claremont School of Theology, receiving the William and Douglas Cook award for Religion and the Arts. He holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Marlboro College, Marlboro, Vermont. Rev. Tigard completed Clinical Pastoral Education training through the chaplaincy program at Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Stan Writesel

Board of Directors

My partner Alan Gravley of 17 years and I joined Church of the Trinity, MCC two years ago on Easter Sunday and have never felt more welcomed and loved. I immediately became involved with the Liturgical Arts Team, Decorating Team, and Ushering on Sunday mornings. I believe that it is the responsibility of COTT to welcome all people and give them a safe place to worship God and continue to help and support one another. As a board member it is our job to listen to the congregation and lead COTT into a legal, honest and organized growing future with God. I currently run a successful interior design business with my partner and feel that I’m a positive asset in introducing new ideas to the congregation. I constantly explore various marketing strategies to adapt to the changing economic climate and knowing the difference between right and wrong and achieving a greater awareness of people’s needs in the Church of the Trinity. I’m just a person that has found God and feel that I can help the Church of Trinity MCC grow into even a better place for all types of people to come and worship and feel welcomed by all.