Eliza was born in Colorado, raised in Indiana, and has finally settled in Ohio. Recently married to Stephen Smith, Organist and Director of Sacred Music at Saint Joan of Arc, she is excited to start reviving the youth program as we work through these anomalous times.
Eliza grew up in youth ministry with her father as the Director of Christian Education and mother as Youth Music Director at their home church in Indiana. She then went on to study Music Education and Psychology at Concordia University, Nebraska. Since then, Eliza has worked as a Direct Service Professional for a developmental services agency, counselor and media specialist at Lakeview Ministries, Assistant Music Director for her home church, and manager and mixologist for a small craft distillery. Through this variety of careers, Eliza learned how to effectively lead people of all ages and abilities from one-on-one activities to large group programming.
While Eliza was raised in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, she is now a practicing Roman Catholic. Her active conversion began in Fall 2018. After working through a giant pile of books and Church documents, lots of questions, and deep conversations with close friends, Eliza joined the Church in February 2020, right before the COVID lockdown began. Eliza possesses a unique experience she feels has equipped her not only to be a better Catholic, but also an effective leader for young people in the Church who are likely facing similar questions and dilemmas in their faith journey. In her free time, Eliza reads, makes rosaries and veils for her small business, and enjoys spending time in nature.