Staff

Pastor Emily serves both Augustana Lutheran Church and Grace Lutheran Church in Elkhart, IN. Having grown up in western Ohio, Pastor Emily attended Valparaiso University where she received a BA in Theology. Her education then took her coast-to-coast from earning her MDiv at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, CA to her internship in New York City. 

In 2015 Pastor Emily was ordained into ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and served her first call on Long Island.
A change in her husband’s career brought the family back to her midwestern roots, where they settled for good on the south side of South Bend. Leaning into the ecumenism that is an important part of the ELCA's identity, Pastor Emily then served with the United Methodist Church for over 4 years before finding her way back to her Lutheran roots.
Pastor Emily is a founding partner and content creator for Barn Geese Worship, writing approachable, inclusive resources to support creative preaching and worship.
She is passionate about ministry to and with the youngest members of the church, creative worship, excellent preaching, and finding ways to spread the unconditional love of God beyond the sanctuary walls. When not at church, you can find Pastor Emily chasing her 3 energetic kiddos, supporting her husband on their small family farm, and getting in as much outdoor time as possible.

Katie Robertson currently serves as the Office Manager/ Secretary at Augustana Lutheran Church as well as First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka. 

She grew up in Elkhart and attended St. Thomas for elementary school, 

Marian for high school, and later earned her Associate of Arts degree from 

Holy Cross College.

Katie began working in retail in 2009, where she discovered her love for connecting with people through customer service. In 2013, she moved to Mishawaka - where she currently resides, along with her 2 cats, Sienna and Wicket.
When not at work, you can find her spending time with family and friends, spending time outdoors - especially finding joy in capturing the beauty of sunrises and sunsets.
Katie is also involved in various church activities and has a passion for music.  
She is a member of the adult chorale, handbell choir, and also serves as a cantor. 

 Pianist Ethan Ford is dedicated to sharing optimism with audiences through performances marked by both energy and sensitivity. He made his solo debut at age seventeen with the Miami Symphony Orchestra at the Adrienne Arsht Center, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.  3 in c minor under the baton of Eduardo Marturet.  

An enthusiastic collaborator, Ethan has performed extensively in both vocal and instrumental  chamber settings. His repertoire includes selections from Schubert’s Winterreise, Debussy’s Trois Chansons de Bilitis, Jake Heggie’s Iconic Legacies, Alan Louis Smith’s Ellis Island, Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 3 in C minor, and Vaughan Williams’ Piano Quintet in C minor, among many others. 

He has also been a member of the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra.  

As a solo and collaborative pianist, Ethan has appeared in concert and historic venues across the  United States and abroad, including the Adrienne Arsht Center and Newman Recital Hall in  Miami, Duncan Recital Hall and Stude Concert Hall in Houston, and Schloss Leopoldskron and  Mirabell Palace in Salzburg.  Ethan also brings extensive experience as a private teacher and vocal coach. 

He has taught  privately for students of all ability levels. He has collaborated with district winners of the  Metropolitan Opera Competition and performed in numerous masterclasses with acclaimed and  award‑winning singers. His vocal collaborative work has been praised for its rich tonal palette and exceptional responsiveness.            

In May 2026, Ethan earned his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Rice University, studying under Brian Connelly. He previously completed his undergraduate studies at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami under the guidance of Dr. Ana Ivanchenko and Dr.  Naoko Takao. 

Outside of music, Ethan enjoys reading and playing Dungeons & Dragons with his  wife, Kara, and playing with their two cats.