Lutheran Church of the Cross Staff

Pastor - Katherine Ehlert

Pastor Katherine Ehlert has been a lifelong Lutheran, being baptized, confirmed and married at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Park Ridge IL.  She graduated from Carthage College with an undergraduate degree in Psychology.  Over the next few decades, she took on various roles- Preschool teacher, Child Welfare Specialist for LSSI, Kid’s Academy Supervisor at Lifetime and lead teacher at the Kiddie Academy.  Above all, her favorite job- and most challenging position- is that of mom. 

Her family joined Lutheran Church of the Cross in 2006.  While here, Pastor Katherine has taught Sunday School, been the co-director of VBS, been a member of Worship Committee and served in the food pantry. Currently she is the co-director of the food pantry.

 In 2018, She began taking classes at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.  In 2020, she began serving the congregation as the SAM (Synodically Authorized Minister).   She graduated from LSTC in May of 2022 and was ordained in September of 2022.  She has served in the role of Pastor since her ordination.

Pastor Katherine has been blessed to be part of this community since 2006.  She states, “LCC has a heart to serve like no other church I have ever seen.”  It is this heart to serve that has been an inspiration to her over the years.  She believes strongly that Jesus calls us to embrace the full humanity of all the beloved creation. Jesus was constantly breaking down barriers and calls us to do the same.  She strives to create a safe space where all will feel welcome and affirmed.  LCC recently became a Reconciled in Christ Church to publicly embrace this proclamation.  Our goal at LCC is to Share Gods Love, because we were loved first.

 Wherever you are on your journey, Pastor Katherine is open to a conversation. We believe God is perfect, we are not.  You are welcome here.

Music Director - Wen Chin Liu

All the way from Malaysia, Wen Chin Liu’s music education began with piano at the age of seven. She graduated as a piano major from University College Sedaya International in 2008 with a bachelor’s in music (Hons) classical. In 2009, she came to the United States to pursue her master’s in choral conducting at Bowling Green State University, graduating in August 2011.

       Wen Chin is an active performer and musician. She has participated as a singer and instrumental player for shows and has been an active chorister since 2005 with several choirs, winning several international choir competitions. In the 2021-2022 season, Wen Chin served as the collaborative pianist with Downers Grove Choral Society.

        As a music educator, Wen Chin Liu started her teaching career in 2005 at the Young Choral Academy in Malaysia, as music director of musicals, choir director, pianist, and vocal tutor. Wen Chin also frequently served as jury for choral-singing competitions and lead choral workshops in Malaysia. For choral leadership, she recently served as the choir director at the Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City and graduate teaching assistant as The University of Iowa.

          Wen Chin is currently working on her D.M.A. in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy at The University of Iowa with Drs. Timothy Stalter and David Puderbaugh. She now lives in Chicago, serving as the artistic director at Heritage Chorale in Oak Park, the music coordinator at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Arlington Heights, the choir director of Take Note ensemble in Lisle, and music academy supervisor at Project 88 Music Academy in Berwyn.