PASTORS
Contact: GErdos@trinityenglish.org
Pastor Erdos grew up in Butler, Pennsylvania, a town forty minutes northwest of Pittsburgh. After attending Grove City College, Grove City, Pennsylvania and graduating with degrees in Economics and Finance and a minor in Philosophy, he attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. In his time at Trinity he spent a year at the Boston Theological Consortium and a year on internship at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington, Virginia. While in seminary, he had the opportunity to work with Walter Bouman on the Concordat of Agreement with the Episcopal Church, one of the documents leading to the full-communion agreement between the ELCA and Episcopal Church.
After graduation, Pastor Erdos served parishes in South Park, Mt Lebanon and Freeport Pennsylvania – all near Pittsburgh and then St Mark Lutheran Church in Yorktown, Virginia. In this time, he participated and taught courses at the College of Preachers of Washington Cathedral and became involved in Ignatian spirituality, leading and participating in retreats related to Jesuit ideas. While at St Mark, Pastor Erdos and the parish of St Mark were involved in Diana Butler Bass’s project studying the revitalization of mainline congregations. The ministry of St Mark was one of the parishes highlighted in Bass’s book, Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Pastor Erdos is married to Luanne Erdos, a marketing and business teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School where she also heads the Honors Academy. Luanne has also taught in New Hampshire, Ohio, Pittsburgh and Virginia where she has headed a number of popular marketing programs for high school students. Their older son Andrew lives in Northern Virginia and younger son Peter is a student at St. Mary's College in Maryland.
After graduation, Pastor Erdos served parishes in South Park, Mt Lebanon and Freeport Pennsylvania – all near Pittsburgh and then St Mark Lutheran Church in Yorktown, Virginia. In this time, he participated and taught courses at the College of Preachers of Washington Cathedral and became involved in Ignatian spirituality, leading and participating in retreats related to Jesuit ideas. While at St Mark, Pastor Erdos and the parish of St Mark were involved in Diana Butler Bass’s project studying the revitalization of mainline congregations. The ministry of St Mark was one of the parishes highlighted in Bass’s book, Christianity for the Rest of Us.
Pastor Erdos is married to Luanne Erdos, a marketing and business teacher at Concordia Lutheran High School where she also heads the Honors Academy. Luanne has also taught in New Hampshire, Ohio, Pittsburgh and Virginia where she has headed a number of popular marketing programs for high school students. Their older son Andrew lives in Northern Virginia and younger son Peter is a student at St. Mary's College in Maryland.
CONTACT: Hhawkinson@trinityenglish.org
A proud Midwesterner, Vicar Hawkinson grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago. In 2017, she graduated from North Park University in Chicago, where she double-majored in English Literature and Biblical and Theological Studies. She then moved to the east coast for three years to study at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, graduating in 2020 with a Master of Divinity. Before joining the Trinity English staff, Hannah served as a pastoral intern at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton, Minnesota and as a student chaplain at Monroe Village, a continuing care retirement community in central New Jersey. She has also served as a writer and editor for several publications, including Gather, the official magazine of Women of the ELCA, and the award-winning Covenant Companion.
Hannah is currently pursuing ordination in the ELCA and is thrilled to be a part of the life and ministry of Trinity English. When she’s not at church, you can find her at the movies, spending time with friends and family, reading, or trying out a new recipe.
Hannah is currently pursuing ordination in the ELCA and is thrilled to be a part of the life and ministry of Trinity English. When she’s not at church, you can find her at the movies, spending time with friends and family, reading, or trying out a new recipe.
STAFF
Contact: RHobby@Trinityenglish.org
Robert A. Hobby is Director of Music at Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, where his responsibilities include playing for many of the worship services, overseeing the graded music and arts program, leading youth choir and adult fine arts trips, and managing the concerts that the church offers. Bob received his Bachelor's degree in church music from Wittenberg University in 1985 and a Master's degree in organ performance from the University of Notre Dame in 1987; an honorary Doctor of Music degree was conferred on him by Wittenberg University at its commencement in 2014. Over 250 of Bob's compositions, including 2 large choral/orchestral works, are in print with 8 publishers. His compositions have been heard nationally on TV and syndicated radio programs and in concert and worship venues around the world, and his musical contributions currently appear in 4 major denominational hymnals. Bob also maintains an active schedule as clinician and performer throughout the United States and is a member of various professional music organizations, in some of which he has held leadership positions. Bob and his wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of three daughters: Hannah, Lydia, and Elizabeth.
Contact: RKarcher@Trinityenglish.org
Rebecca has the fortunate role of helping Trinity find its place in the downtown neighborhood. As managing editor of Trinity's magazine, Thinking Out Loud, she gets to raise timely issues to a larger focus and find ways to include Trinity in the broader conversation. Rebecca is always looking for ways to connect Trinity members to one another and to the opportunities present in our larger community. Rebecca’s career has included two different stints with Fort Wayne City government, as well as public relations work with advertising agencies. She is a Kansas City native who came to our city to work as the executive producer of news at WPTA-TV and ended up making Fort Wayne her home. She and her husband Rich (a local attorney), are very proud of their Wittenberg graduate student, Justin Fisher. Both Justin and his father, Dave Fisher, are also members of Trinity English. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys acting in community theater, practicing yoga, and being involved with different groups to support women's involvement in public service.
Contact: JAltmeyer@Trinityenglish.org
As the Director of City Ministry Janet works closely with the pastors and staff of Trinity English Lutheran Church, volunteers, and community partners to engage people in meaningful and supportive relationships. Janet oversees Trinity English’s Mental Health Ministry, which is based on Craig Rennebohm’s Companionship model, designed to reduce isolating behavior and build a vibrant community of faith. Janet is an honors graduate of Vanderbilt University and The University of Saint Francis. For over 25 years she consulted and taught students with psychological and other learning challenges. In 2009 Janet joined the staff at Trinity English Lutheran Church. She is an amateur landscape designer, animal lover, reader, and story enthusiast. Along with being a grateful wife, mother, daughter and sister, she is the Founder/ Executive Director of PAWS, Inc. (Pets Assisting Well-Being and Success, Inc.,) an animal-assisted therapy and research organization.
Contact: BEastman@Trinityenglish.org
Brian Eastman is a lifetime resident of the Fort Wayne area and joined the Trinity English Ministry Staff in March of 2015 as Director of Facilities. Brian came to Trinity English from the City of Fort Wayne's Division of Community Development where he worked as a Community Development Project Administrator, Program Manager and Construction Specialist. Brian is a licensed Building Contractor, licensed Insurance Adjuster and a former construction company owner with property maintenance and management experience. Brian and his wife, Melissa, keep busy with their five children and enjoy outdoor activities. Brian is excited with the opportunity to help maintain the historic facilities and be part of the ministry of Trinity English.
Contact: MTedder@Trinityenglish.org
Makayla, a Fort Wayne native, is bringing her skills in layout and design as well as an artistic sensibility and perspective, to the Communications team. Makayla utilizes a range of communication tools, such as graphic design, managing the website, illustrating sermons and more, so people can stay informed about opportunities and news from Trinity English.
Contact: EAnderson@TrinityEnglish.org
A native of Duluth, Minnesota, Evan has had a passion for music all his life. Beginning music lessons at the age of six, he grew up listening to and playing music both in church and out. Evan served as organist in several churches in the Duluth area during highschool and most recently as a Minister of Music during college. He graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Church Music degree from St Olaf College in 2019. Evan enjoys a wide variety of music both sacred and secular. Evan’s responsibilities at Trinity English Lutheran include sharing the duties of the Director of Music with organ, adult, youth, children’s and bell choirs, and the E3 arts program.
Contact: EKircher@trinityenglish.org
Trinity English has added a Coordinator of Children's Ministry position, thanks to a generous gift from The Lutheran Foundation. As Coordinator of Children’s Ministry, Erin Kircher holds a strong belief that the well-being of children and families is key to building strong community. After earning her bachelors in Elementary Education from Concordia University Chicago she taught Elementary School. Six years into teaching Erin transitioned to directing children’s programming both in a church and nonprofit organizations. After almost 2 decades in Chicago, Erin has enjoyed returning to her hometown. Her husband Alex is an architect and they have one young daughter.
CONTACT: JShepperd@trinityenglish.org
Julie Shepperd joined the Trinity English Staff in June, 2018 as the Accounting Manager. Julie is a graduate of Indiana University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. She previously worked for Lincoln Financial, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, and Katz Sapper & Miller, as an accountant. She is originally from Decatur, then moved to Florida for a few years, and is now a resident of Fort Wayne. Julie has 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren and loves to spend time them, whenever she can.
CONTACT: KMoore@Trinityenglish.org
Karen grew up in Muncie, IN but moved to Fort Wayne in 1993. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1983 and an MBA in 1987. She passed the CPA exam in 1985. Karen joined TELC as Accounting Assistant on a part-time basis in October 2019. She was previously with Employers Administrative Services of Indiana. Karen loves traveling with her partner, Jim Wehrenberg, playing tennis, bicycling and reading.
CONTACT: LHoffman@Trinityenglish.org
Laura is the friendly greeter that you will see when you come into Trinity English. She is also a licensed hairstylist. On some of her spare time she enjoys decorating her home, and crafting. One of her favorite things to do is spending time with her husband designing woodworking projects, and chalk painting old furniture. She also really enjoys traveling, and visiting new places.
CONTACT: JKonow@trinityenglish.org
Julia grew up in Colorado and joined TELC when she moved to Fort Wayne in 1991. She is married to Dan and is a mother of three - Ryan works in IT In Columbus, OH; Rachel is an Art Therapist in Chicago, and Regan is a middle schooler who plays soccer, dives, and cheers. Julia loves to travel, read, and hike in the mountains. She is really excited to be a small part of the great ministries at Trinity.
CONTACT: rmcaninch@trinityenglish.org
Rachel grew up in Kendallville, but calls Auburn Indiana her home. She studied Interior Design at Ball State University and Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne. Ironically, she has always worked in Finance and Administration! Previous employers include WANE-TV and the Fort Wayne Zoological Society. She joined TELC in August 2019 as an Administrative Assistant. Rachel is married to her husband Mark and has 2 children, Katherine and Aidan. She loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, decorating and DIY. Huge hockey fans, they support the hometown team and are season ticket holders to the Fort Wayne Komets.