Staff | St. Luke's Lutheran Church

Pastor Robyn Kistemaker

Pastor Robyn was called as pastor for St. Luke's on July 15, 2015. Before she came to St. Luke's she was serving at a two-point parish in southern Indiana. She graduated from Wittenberg University and from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Pastor Robyn loves serving with the people of St. Luke's. The energy and heart for Christ that the people have inspires her in her ministry. You will often find her working with the youth and families of the congregation. She is drawn to anything creative and especially loves using theater to share the Gospel.

When not at church she is busy at home trying to keep up with her two children, Lucas and Noelle. Lucas is eight years old in first grade and Noelle is two. Her husband, David Hively, serves as pastor at Christ Lutheran in Monroe, MI. Being a part of a two pastor household keeps their schedule quite busy but they wouldn't have it any other way! When not chasing her littles Robyn enjoys reading, writing, and listening to a wide variety of music. She enjoys cooking and spending time with friends.

You can reach Pastor Robyn by calling the church office or by email: robyn.kistemaker@stlukeschurch.net

Photo Credit Natalie Diver

Erin Beard - Office Administrator

Erin Beard has been a dedicated Office Administrator of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church since June of 2015 and continues to contribute her skills and talents to the day-to-day functions of Church Life. Her responsibilities extend from being an assistant to the Pastors, office administrative needs, book keeping duties, planning and preparation of worship materials, managing the prayer email threads and updates to social media platforms and creator/editor of the monthly newsletter “The Tower”.

Erin has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Lourdes University, Sylvania OH, is fluent in German, is well versed in SAP, Powerpoint, Excel, Publisher and Word. She has a background in customer-service, has participated in numerous outreach events, assists with the Fellowship Committee, and contributes her time to helping those in and beyond her community.

Her joys take her outside, camping, canoeing, adventuring new paths, old paths, with her family, her husband of 18 years and her young sons and devoted dog. She enjoys cooking, quiet journaling (daily), the occasional excuse to watch STAR WARS, and hugs.

When you call the church, you will find Erin available and ready to assist.

You can reach Erin in the office at 734-847-8275 or also through her email at erin.beard@stlukeschurch.net

Abby Holmblad - Facility Coordinator

Abby was baptized as an infant and 41 years later she, her husband and their children are still active in the life of St. Luke's! For many years Abby served as our Sunday School superintendent.

Abby began serving as our facility coordinator in the Fall of 2020. She is our dedicated volunteer who keeps track of who is using our building and helps people with any questions they might have about it.

Abby is married to Carl and together they have six children. Abby works as a Staging Design Professional and Master Color Consultant; owns her own business: Vinyl Weedlings (Customized vinyl, heat transfer vinyl and sublimation applications for various types of creations) and a fitness instructor. She teaches cardio drumming classes at the church two nights a week.

When she is not wearing one of her many work hats she and Carl enjoy taking Krav Maga classes together.

If you would like to reach out about using our facility you can reach Abby at:

facilitycoordinator@stlukeschurch.net

Sophie Ressler - Kids Bible Adventure (Sunday School) Superintendent

Sophie Ressler has been dedicated to the church nursery and Sunday School program since September 2014. As of August 2019, she became the superintendent of Kid's Bible Adventures (Sunday School). She has also volunteered almost every year for the Vacation Bible School program since 2013. She has 9 years of childcare experience through a combination of daycares and private families.

Sophie loves working with the youth of St. Luke's. She especially enjoys bringing the Bible stories to life and teaching the children of God's never-ending love.

During the week Sophie can be found caring for the Pastors' children, cleaning for members of the church, or helping her grandmother with her little cousin Audrey. In her spare time she enjoys reading, writing, painting, dancing, listening to music, and helping struggling teens.

You can reach her by calling the church office or by email at: sundayschool@stlukeschurch.net

Abbigale Rose - GiG Stumbling Up Praise Band Leader

Abbigale Rose was called into worship from childhood--her parents led worship at a small church in Ohio, Robert's Chapel, and her grandfather led worship at a small baptist church. As a third generation worship leader and professional musician, self-taught multi-instrumentalist, and award winning vocalist, she joined St. Luke's in late 2015 as percussionist in Growing In Grace contemporary service. Abbigale became interim Worship Leader in late 2017 and officially brought on in leadership in early 2018. As a self-taught musician, Abbigale can play guitar, bass, drums, and some piano.

Abbigale has always found her heart in music, and the same is true today as she leads the GiG service on Sunday mornings. Her approach to praise and worship is always focused on drawing people into a space to open their hearts to God. Among her responsibilities on Worship Life committee, planning worship each week, and rehearsal, Abbigale has also built a team of people to help lead worship through instruments and voices of all ages and experience levels. She also helps with music needed during special services and social events with St. Luke's, and gives music lessons to congregate members who express interest.

When not in church or performing across the region in her award winning solo acoustic act, you can find Abbigale home with her two children, Wren and Hudson, and their two rescue dogs, rescue cat, and bearded dragon. As a single mother and professional musician, her life is always full, as is her schedule, but her first priority is her children. Whether they are building bonfires outside in the yard or snuggling up for a family movie and game night, her joy is with her family.

You can reach Abbigale by emailing stumbling.up@stlukeschurch.net or leaving a message with Erin Beard in the church office.

Richard Napierala - Choir and Bell Choir Director

Rick joined St. Luke's as our choir director in the fall of 2018. He took on the mantle of bell choir director, as well, in 2020.

Rick is an incredibly gifted musician and we are so glad to have him as part of our staff.

If you are interested in knowing more about our choir programs you can reach Rick at choir.director@stlukeschurch.net