Pastor Jim Lindus
Pastor Jim was born and raised in DeKalb, Illinois. After receiving an undergraduate degree in Education from Northern Illinois University, and after toying with the idea of a career in golf, Jim decided to follow a persistent calling to pastoral ministry.
He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he served on the Board of Directors for 15 years.
From 1986 to 1989 he served at Bethany Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island, WA. He has been head pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church since October 1989.
Pastor Jim and his wife, Felicia, (Director of Trinity’s Preschool), have been married 36 years and are parents to three grown daughters, four grandsons and two granddaughters.
As senior pastor, Pastor Jim preaches, teaches, provides pastoral care, helps define TLC’s vision, heads the church staff, and has fun living with God’s people. He believes in sharing the Gospel within the context of love, service and hospitality.
Pastor Katrina Bentsen
Katrina is honored to serve as a pastor at Trinity!
An island native and graduate of South Whidbey High School, Katrina spent a gap year at Holden Village, then graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Carroll College in Helena, Montana. For more than two decades, she has worked as a nurse, while nurturing a slow and steady call to ministry.
She attended Luther Seminary (the same seminary her great-grandfather attended!), and graduated with a Master of Divinity in June 2025. She is grateful to serve bivocationally as a pastor at Trinity, while also continuing to work part-time as a nurse.
Pastor Katrina cherishes her husband and two children, and family near and far. When not working she loves participating in and supporting the arts, spending time in nature, and reading really great books!
Deacon Amy Bingham
Christian Education Director
Amy grew up in Snohomish where she was active in her church youth group, and 4H.
After receiving her AA from Everett Community College, she worked in newspaper advertising for seven years. When her second daughter was born, Amy became a full-time mom, very much enjoying her time with daughters Ava and Lia. Within a couple of years, though, she found herself volunteering for her church’s Sunday School program. This very quickly turned into a part-time job, where she truly felt God calling her to serve.
Amy attended Trinity Lutheran College in Everett, graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Children, Youth and Family Studies. She was consecrated (ordained) as a Deacon in the Fall of 2018.
She is thrilled to be serving at Trinity Freeland, working with students of all ages as they navigate their personal faith journeys.
Amy and her family enjoy spending time outdoors, especially on their small farm with their goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats, and various other critters.
Karl Olsen
Minister of Music
Karl oversees the music program at Trinity, working with pastors, lay leaders and other congregation members.
Karl has been a soloist for a variety of organizations and director of the Whidbey Island Madrigal and Motet Society, the Whidbey Island Chorale and one of the directors of the Sing!Chronicity Vocal Ensemble.
Karl holds an MA in Vocal/Choral Music and a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from the University of Denver. He taught general music at The Bush School in Seattle, has been music director at three churches, and taught music at several elementary schools, including South Whidbey, Coupeville and Oak Harbor.
Karl has also produced two recordings, Heart of Mystery and This Love which are available for sale in the church office. He performs local concerts, sings with the sea shanty group, “The Shifty Sailors,” and also performs nationally and internationally with “The Brothers Four” folk singing group. He is married to children’s author Deb Lund, and is the father of three children.
Robin Edgeman
Parish Manager
As Parish Manager, Robin keeps the congregation running smoothly by working tirelessly, often ‘behind the scenes’ at Trinity.
She has been Parish Manager since 1993 and a member of Trinity since 1991.
She works closely with congregation and staff to ensure the smooth running of the church office and assists the members and pastors with communication, lay ministry and worship.
Robin also does the scheduling for church facility use.
Pastor Tom Kidd
Visitation Pastor
Bio to come…
Tonya Henny
Office Assistant
Tonya graduated from the University of Washington before moving to Whidbey Island in 1990.
Laura Canby
AV Coordinator / Creative Media
As the technology and creative media coordinator, Laura is responsible for the worship service projections and announcements for Sunday worship services and is TLC’s webmaster and Facebook and YouTube page coordinator. She holds a B.S. degree in Journalism, Public Relations and Communications from Pacific Union College.
After an 18-year career in hospital and healthcare public relations, she became a freelancer when her husband was stationed at the Naval Air Station in Oak Harbor.
She has worked primarily with nonprofits such as the South Whidbey Schools Foundation, Good Cheer Food Bank, Helping Hand, and the South Whidbey Historical Society where she used her skills in marketing communications, writing, editing, publications, web design, photography, and video.
One of her special interests is in using digital media as a means of communicating the Gospel and helping Christians share their faith journeys with one another. She enjoys writing poetry, salmon fishing, spiritual books, interesting movies, theological conversations, and travel.
Sheila Weidendorf
Organist/Pianist/Choir Director
Beyond our sanctuary Sheila is a concert pianist, performing regularly with her improvisational ensemble, Trio Improviso; with her classical ensemble, RASA 3-4-5; with cellist Gideon Freudmann in their duo, CelloPiano; and in myriad other collaborations. She regularly wears the hat of Music Director for area theater productions. Sheila earned her B.A. in Music at the University of Minnesota School of Music, and her M.A. in Feminist Theology from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.
Also a recording artist, her discography includes “Hovhaness,” with Buell Neidlinger & the Alder Quartet; “We Are Luminous,” a solo album of piano meditations; and “Etherium,” her 2025 release with Trio Improviso.
Sheila moved to Whidbey Island in 2010 with her youngest two children (she has five children, now all grown) from Minneapolis, Minnesota. When not making music, she writes, takes lots of photos, and travels to India as often as possible.
Matthew Francis Bell
Choir Director
Matthew Francis Bell is honored to serve as the new Choir Director. A South End native, he is passionate about building community through music. His arts background includes work with the Whidbey Children’s Theater and SlapHappy!, and he is a graduate of NYU, WWU, and CWU.
By day, Matthew is a preschool teacher in the Edmonds School District. He and his wife, Emily, are proud parents to Flora and Fern and are deeply grateful for the warm welcome their family has received.
Matthew warmly invites all who enjoy singing to join the choir. No previous musical experience is necessary—all are welcome.
2025-26 Church Council Members
Church Council members are elected by the congregation at the June Congregational Meeting for a 3 year term, one third at a time, with overlapping terms. Your Council for the current year are alpha listed here, be sure to reach out to them with your ideas and input, they represent you!
Jenny Campbell –jenandav@whidbey.com
Cam Castle – camcastle@whidbey.com
Randy Enberg – enberg@whidbey.com
Jennifer Gandarias – Gandarias1217@gmail.com
Mike Johnson – golfez2@hotmail.com
Andy Hough – President – anhough@live.com
Dana Melick – Treasurer – danamelick@gmail.com
Pastor James Lindus – rvlindus@whidbey.com
Cailyn Murray – cailyndulice@gmail.com
Tevrin Murray – Youth Representative – tevrinm@gmail.com
Diane Reiersgard – Secretary – reiersg@gmail.com
Paul Ringsrud – ringsrudps@gmail.com
Nancy Treggett – Vice President – grandmat@whidbey.com
Jamie Zundel – jamieonwhidbey@gmail.com