Welcome!
We invite you to learn more about us from our Mission Study and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
We are eager to learn more about you, and how God has shaped and is shaping your life for ministry.
Meet the Pastor Nominating Committee
Chris Bouchard,
Personal Discernment Profile Clerk
Brian Griffith,
PNC Clerk
Karen Kennedy
Fran Muench
Wade Schondelmeyer, Moderator
Sue Young
I have lived in Columbia since 1983, after finishing my service as an Air Force pilot. Not long after moving here, I owned and ran two local businesses while also serving with the Missouri Air National Guard as Comptroller for the Lambert ANG unit. After selling the businesses, I began working with the Missouri Small Business and Development Center (SBDC) and eventually became the State Director of the Missouri SBDC. Today, I work with the Missouri United Methodist Foundation, where I help clergy and church leaders with both personal and church finances. I joined Trinity in early 2024 after spending many years at another Presbyterian church. I was ordained as both Elder and Deacon. I currently serve on the Board of Trustees for Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) and served previously as treasurer for the Missouri Union Presbytery. At home, my wife and I enjoy time with our two daughters and six granddaughters. When I’m not working or with family, you’ll often find me skiing, swimming, or traveling.
I am a lifelong Presbyterian, having served as Deacon and Elder is a previously attended Presbyterian church. I was raised on a hog and cattle farm and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in agriculture and law. I was a corporate attorney and executive. My wife and I have two children with spouses, four granddaughters and two great grandchildren. We have called Columbia home for forty years.
I worked as a Systems Analyst for Bank of America in San Francisco for a few years, but after my first child was born I became a stay-at-home mom. My husband Bill and I came to Trinity in 1980 with our two little girls. Over the years we raised our four children in the church. I have served on session several times and have been on the Music subcommittee and Nominating, Session Retreat, Mission, Worship, Christian Education, and Administration and Personnel committees. I taught many years of Sunday School, as well. Now that I think back I was the Children’s choir director for a few years, too, while my children were growing up, even directing a few musical plays with them. I also served as Clerk of Session for a bit. My big claim to fame - I have sung in the choir under every choir director the church has ever had!
Fran and her husband Jim have been members of Trinity and singing in the church choir since 1988. They are both ordained Elders and their two adult children were both youth Elders at Trinity. Fran grew up in the Presbyterian Church as a pastor’s daughter. She is a graduate of William Woods University, and she earned her Chartered Financial Consultant designation from the American College of Financial Services. Her career started in St. Louis at a brokerage firm where she handled marketing research and earned a Series 7 stockbroker license. After moving to Columbia, she gained 30 years of experience in operations leadership at a large insurance company. She switched to the nonprofit sector, handling project management for a small, local nonprofit and then to First Presbyterian where she is currently employed as Financial Analyst. Fran serves on the Trinity Stewardship and Finance Committee and the Worship Committee. Her hobbies include reading and flower gardening.
I have been married 47 years to my wife, Martha. We have three adult children and eight grandchildren. I am a retired general internist after 40 years of practice. I served in several administrative roles at Boone Hospital, including two years as Chief of Staff. I am an active Rotarian here in Columbia. My wife and I have been members of Trinity since 1983. I have been involved in Christian Education in the past and Loaves and Fishes currently.
Prior to transferring my membership to Trinity Presbyterian in 2013, my husband and I attended Trinity’s early service twice a month on the Sundays when the country church he served did not have services. Initially, we were drawn by Trinity’s reputation within Missouri Union Presbytery for its passion for mission. We have remained here because it also is a worship-centered, inclusive congregation that truly welcomes all to be part of our Trinity family, and freely shares its facilities with a wide variety of community organizations. Currently, I am a member of the Congregational Care, Mission, and Pastoral Nominating Committees, as well as an active participant in Trinity’s ministry and activities. I have served as a ruling elder at Trinity and at a previous PCUSA church. During my almost forty-year career as an educator, I taught preschool through university graduate classes. My husband, Bill, is a retired college professor, as well as being a PCUSA teaching elder who is honorably retired from our Presbytery. We have four children (two by birth and their spouses), as well as two grandchildren.