TLC STAFF DIRECTORY

Pastor Amy Chalupnik

Most people call me “Pastor Amy” as my last name is not a common one, and often looks daunting to pronounce. Few people do call me “Pastor Chalupnik,” pronounced Cha – lup (like the word “up” with an “l” sound) – nick (like a person’s name or a small cut or clip), and others simply say “Amy”. I answer to all of these but prefer “Pastor Amy” as I am an ordained clergyperson with a Master’s degree in Divinity. I never go by “Reverend” except on my AAA card should I need roadside assistance (Ha!) and on some official legal documents should I have to check a box by some designation “Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr/Rev”. I do smile every time I receive formal wedding invitations addressed to The Reverend and Mr. Chalupnik however.

In the Spring of 2019, I was called to serve Trinity Lutheran in Monticello as the solo pastor. (So, you do the math as to how long I have served here!) This is my third call--third church--since I graduated from Luther Seminary (St. Paul) in 2013. Prior to seminary, I worked for KleinBank (formerly Oakley National,
now part of Old National) in a variety of banking roles. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College (St. Peter), I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Religion.  Read more

Kelly Stephens - Office Admin

Karen Stupar - President of the Council

My name is Karen Stupar, and I am currently the President of the Trinity Lutheran Church Council.  I am also on the Decorating Committee, the Wednesday Gardening Group, the Rebecca Circle and a few other teams. My husband Pete and I have been active members of Trinity for years.  We are both retired teachers.  For some thirty years we both taught in the Monticello School District.  What I most like about Trinity is our openness and inclusion of all who seek spiritual growth and/or renewal. Trinity feels like a community of acceptance and love, committed to doing God's work in the Monticello and Big Lake area.

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Amy Klatt - Worship Leader, Piano Accompanist, Vocalist

Amy has been a member of Trinity for over thirty years and has been involved in the worship and music ministry throughout that time in musicals, vacation Bible school, Sunday school, choir, worship group, and as an instrumentalist and accompanist. Amy is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a B.S. in Music and has her Minnesota K-12 vocal and general music teaching license. Her husband Jared is a long-time member of Trinity and the couple is grateful to be raising their two sons, Leo and Oliver, in the church they were confirmed in and married in. Amy and her family are active members of Trinity helping in many areas including kids’ ministry, Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, music, outreach, helping to lead worship, committee participation including the church council, and helping with technology. They are proud to be part of a vibrant liturgical ELCA church that is both traditional and progressive and has always felt like a second home to them. Amy especially likes that Trinity offers music from a variety of musical genres, time periods, ethnicities, and varied instrumentation as part of its worship. ​

Candy Johnson - Organ Accompanist

I have been an organist at Trinity for many years. I am a graduate of St. Olaf College where I studied organ and church music and majored in mathematics and German. I retired from teaching high school math in 2017 to spend more time with my grandchildren.  Trinity has a rich history of enthusiastic worship participation. I enjoy leading the music of worship and supporting the congregation in song.

Danita Sticka - Organ Accompanist

My name is Danita Sticka and I grew up in a small town in southwestern North Dakota.  Although music has always been a part of my life, I got my first degree in Secondary Math Education.  After spending 15 years teaching Junior High Math, I returned to college to get a bachelor's degree at St. Olaf College in Northfield in Church Organ Music.  I was a fulltime music director at St. Wenceslaus Church in New Prague for 8 years and then changed careers again and worked for 15 years in Public Assistance in Dakota County.  During that time I continued part-time  in church music.  I retired in 2015 and now live in Buffalo with my spouse enjoying retirement.  I was a substitute at Trinity Lutheran in late 2021 and so appreciated the warm welcome I received and continued to receive.  In the late Spring of 2022, I was offered a regular staff position. I am really excited about continuing as an organist at Trinity Lutheran.

Harry Walsh - Piano Accompanist

Harry Walsh has been playing the piano and accompanying the congregation for a number of years. Before Covid, Harry was also the Choir Director, leading rehearsals and accompanying the choir a few times per month. Harry also serves a congregation in Princeton, Minnesota and is known for writing and directing Christmas Cantatas. While not exclusively, one may find Harry at the Trinity Monticello piano on the fourth Sunday of the month.  

Jason Chalupnik  - Worship Tech

Jason Chalupnik has been the primary worship technician at Trinity since March 2020. While this is a very part-time position, Jason creates all the worship screens for the weekly Sunday worship, for both the livestream (and subsequently released as a recording) and in-sanctuary worshippers. Most weekdays he can be found working for State Farm and selling life insurance, but most Sunday mornings are spent operating the sanctuary cameras, microphones and other sound equipment--as well as the Trinity YouTube channel. Jason attended University of Minnesota - Morris and St. Olaf College, and enjoys singing, traveling, and cooking/baking. Married to Pastor Amy, he likes to say they are "the modern clergy couple": the pastor and the worship tech (not the organist), with such roles evolving as the culture has shifted and church needs have changed.