The Trinity Vestry
Joanne Sundell
Senior Warden
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I am an adjunct history instructor at SUNY Erie and live in Lancaster with my husband, Dan, and our sons, Jack and Will. My search for a spiritually challenging church led me to Trinity over 20 years ago. Since then, I’ve served as a greeter, vestry member, and on committees dedicated to Trinity’s economic sustainability. I have a clear understanding of our current obstacles and opportunities, and as Warden, I intend to support our Rector and the vestry as Trinity transforms into its best, most sustainable version.
Timothy Lane
Junior Warden
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I have been a member of Trinity since I was a child. Along with 2 previous terms on vestry I have served Trinity in many different ways over the years including leading the current zoom discussion groups helping with Trinity@7 services, Christmas pageants, altar guild and singing in the choir. I also recently began serving a 3 year term on Diocesan council and will be a delegate at general convention in 2027. Outside of church I work as a music teacher, perform in productions of Operalytes and coach swimming. Though life has taken me several other places on Sunday mornings and I have always felt drawn to stay involved with Trinity. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve as your warden and promise to do everything I can to support Trinity, particularly during this time of transition.
Bing Sherrill
Treasurer
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Shortly after moving into the city in 1985, I came to Trinity. Carole Bellanca and I were married here by Ward Ewing in 1988. After retiring in 2000, I became involved with rental properties, which led to engagement in Trinity property issues. In 2020, I became Trinity’s treasurer. Concern that there was insufficient financial information available to Trinity members led me to write monthly financial essays in the Trinity e-news. To fill in the other weeks each month, subjects from Loons to Santa Claus have crept into the essays.
Elaine "Gretchen" Lodick
Clerk
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I’ve always loved to sing and my spouse Michael made a deal with me that if I joined the choir, he would come to church. And so I joined and he came and I’ve been a member of the choir for approximately 8 years now. Trinity is so many things to me, a place to sing, to be among loving, kind, respectful, caring people, a place to belong. I have 3 children, all in their 30s now who all live out of town, and I am retired after being a legal secretary at Barclay Damon LLP.
Clint Brown
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Trinity spans my entire life, from Rectors Peter Sturtevant to Matt Lincoln and is a central stream of my life. I have been a choir boy, a member of many committees and served on the Vestry. Alma and I were married at Trinity by the Rev. Warren Lane, who baptized me. My day job as an architect is spent collaboratively designing the renewal of historic buildings and heritage places, so they attract new investment, are relevant for the communities they serve, and are kept out of a landfill. Serving as a Vestry member can fulfill my obligation to give back and an opportunity to give forward.
Barbara Hall Griesmann
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I have been attending Trinity for about 6 years. I attended the University of Kentucky where I got my master’s degree. I met my husband while working as the director of a homeless shelter. Don was an Episcopal priest turned legal services attorney. We worked in four different states, in settings that provided mental health and legal service to low-income individuals. Don and I were married for 30 years until his death in 2017. I am fortunate to have a supportive extended family. I currently work as an LCSW at a health clinic operated by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
Connie Ervin
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I am a native Buffalonian, repatriated in 2002, and have been a member of Trinity since 2012. I started as one of the volunteer musicians that provided the musical inspiration on Thursdays at 7. I am a marketing retiree from a major food company and I bring that expertise to maintain "Nina’s Kitchen as a commercial space for the Trinity community. I have organized fund raisers, family fun events and volunteer for Trinity special events. I am honored to bring my analytical and financial skills to the vestry team as we design our path for the future.
Jane Kearns
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I have been an active member of Trinity since 1976, and it has been an important part of my life. I taught the Sunday school nursery for more than 8 years and have served on the vestry for two previous terms. I was a leader of the kitchen area for the White Elephant Sale for many years and have offered assistance in various other fundraisers as I have been able.
Vicky Kearns
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Spiritual enrichment and social justice have always been important to me. I see Christian discipleship calls us to comfort the afflicted by lifting the political and economic burden of the marginalized (Luke 4:18-19) while also supporting the spiritual development of a deep inner mystical life (Luke 17:21). I have worked as a journalist, and more recently in communications with Jericho Road and VIVE to support the refugees and asylum seekers here in Buffalo and am on the board of the Jung Center. I also have a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary. I am the mother of three wonderful adult children, and grandmother of two with one expected.
Meg Knowles
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I’m a documentary filmmaker and a professor of Communication at Buffalo State University, where I also co-host the social justice film and discussion series, Beyond Boundaries. I’ve enjoyed developing skills in community building, fundraising and financial oversight serving on the boards of non-profit organizations including Buffalo International Film Festival, the Massachusetts Avenue Project, and Squeaky Wheel Media Arts Center. Based on my work connecting the university with community organizations, I received a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Service. Growing up in Allentown, I started my relationship with Trinity singing in the choir as a child. I’m currently volunteering as a cyber-sacristan, putting my media skills to good use bringing the weekly service to parishioners at home. I live on the West Side with my dog Raina and two cats, Ned and Astro.
Jess Poleon
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My background in investigation and public service—I currently work for Erie County—equips me to serve the congregation thoughtfully as a vestry member and co-chair of the search committee. I am a good listener, organized, and attentive to detail, committed to understanding what the members want. I bring a fresh set of eyes and perspective to the table, believing that everyone’s voice is essential. No matter how large or small someone’s contribution may be, we are all equal and must participate in the conversations shaping the church and community’s future. I also currently serve on the WNY ASIS [American Society of Industrial Security] as chair, having previously served as co-chair. I live in the Blackrock section of Buffalo with my husband Paul, with whom I’ve shared over twenty blissful years of marriage, our son PJ (Paul Jr.), and our two dogs, Harley and Jack.
Missy Stolfi
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I joined Trinity on Christmas Eve 2022 after growing up Catholic and wandering faith-wise since my young adult years. Right away, it felt like home! Since then, I've volunteered as a reader, altar server, and helped coordinate events such as the Pride Parade and the Trinity Treasures sale.
For several years I represented our church on the Board of Directors for Compass House and have led our participation with the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk. Last year I was officially received into the Episcopal Church alongside a group of fellow Trinityites. I’m an active member of the Vestry and have the honor of serving as co-chair of the Rector Search Committee.
My career background is in higher education and nonprofits, and I currently serve as the area director for the Capital Region NY (Albany) Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Cynthia J. Stroud
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I am affectionately known as Cindy, and I work as a staff member of the Clean Air Coalition, based here at Trinity. I have been asked by the nominating committee to bring a Trinity partner perspective to the vestry. I am a proud Buffalonian who graduated from the Buffalo Public School system. I am always ready to lend a helping hand to my community and anyone in need. I am deeply committed to community health. Additionally, I have experience working with individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, negotiating contracts with a labor union, and ensuring a complete count during each census cycle, including the homeless population. In all of these efforts, inclusion and reducing disparities are priorities.