I was born and raised in Topeka, KS, and my Christian faith was nurtured in the Presbyterian tradition at First Presbyterian-Topeka, but my journey has taken me to all sorts of unexpected places. As an undergraduate at Duke University, I was actively involved in the Presbyterian Campus Ministry and sang in the Duke Chapel Choir. Both the informal ministry setting of campus ministry and the splendor of high church worship at Duke Chapel further kindled my love for the church. However, my passion for health care and problem solving prompted me to work for the Advisory Board Company, a health care research firm in Washington, DC for several years after college. Finally responding to God's call to ministry in a formal sense, I attended Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. During seminary, I served both as a pastoral intern at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church and as a chaplain intern at the Central Outreach and Advocacy Center at Central Presbyterian working with the homeless. In God's great humor and great timing, I was called back to Duke University in 2011 as the Presbyterian Campus Minister where I served for six years. During that time, I grew the campus ministry into a worshipping community, built a connection to the LGBT center, served on the interfaith council, and drank way, way too much coffee. In 2017, my husband completed his pediatric oncology fellowship at Duke and joined the faculty at Emory-CHOA, moving our family to Atlanta. Upon returning to Atlanta, I served as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries at Covenant Presbyterian Church. In May 2020, I became the Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Morningside Presbyterian Church.
My husband, Wait, works as a pediatric oncologist at Children's Hospital of Atlanta. We are the proud parents of two children--Mollie Grace and Jack--who bring abundant joy to our days. Alongside the adventures of parenting, I love baking cookies, reading, running, cheering on the Duke basketball team, and quality Netflix binge watching.
My husband, Wait, works as a pediatric oncologist at Children's Hospital of Atlanta. We are the proud parents of two children--Mollie Grace and Jack--who bring abundant joy to our days. Alongside the adventures of parenting, I love baking cookies, reading, running, cheering on the Duke basketball team, and quality Netflix binge watching.
Education
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA May 2011
Masters of Divinity
Duke University, Durham, NC May 2006
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Public Policy; Minor: Religion; Health Policy Certificate
Honors and Awards
Zick Preaching Scholar
Columbia Scholarship
Harvard A. Anderson Graduate Fellowship
William P. Wood Graduate Fellowship
David H.C. Read Preacher/Scholar Finalist
Wilds Book Prize
Presbyterian Women Preaching Award
William J. Griffith University Service Award, Duke University
Ministry Experience
Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (May 2020-Present)
Senior Pastor and Head of Staff
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (September 2017-May 2020)
Associate Pastor for Family Ministries
Duke Presbyterian Campus Ministry, Durham, NC (July 2011-July 2017)
Presbyterian Campus Minister and Executive Director
Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (September 2009-May 2011)
Pastoral Intern (2009-2010), Preaching Intern (2010-2011)
Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO (June-August 2010)
Chaplain Intern. Clinical Pastoral Education (1 unit).
Central Presbyterian Church-Outreach and Advocacy Center, Atlanta, GA (June-August 2009)
Chaplain Intern.
Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, MO (Summer 2004)
Leadership and Management Intern.
Teaching Experience
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Adjunct Instructor, Presbyterian Polity (Fall 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, 2021, 2022) Guest Lecturer, Presbyterian Polity. (Spring 2015, 2016)
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Worship. (Fall 2010)
Teaching Assistant, Scripture Reading Practicum.(Fall 2009)
Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC
Adjunct Instructor, Presbyterian History and Polity (Spring 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2015, Fall 2016)
Adjunct Instructor, MACP Directed Study in Presbyterian Theology and Polity (Summer 2013)
Presentations and Workshops
Montreat Youth Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Vocational Discernment Small Group Leader Guide. (Summer 2018, Summer 2019)
Liturgy Writer. (Summer 2016)
Jeremiah Project Leader. (Summer 2016, 2015, 2012)
Keynoter. (Summer 2014)
Presbyterian Association of Musicians: Montreat Music and Worship Conference, Montreat, NC (June 2014)
Conference Liturgist. Wrote and led conference liturgy for six worship services for 1000+ participants.
Workshop Leader. Vocational Discernment for Young Adults.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC
Retreat Leader. Women’s Retreat: Sabbath (March 2015)
NC Women’s Preaching Festival, Durham, NC
Breakout Session Leader. Women’s Preaching in Non-Traditional Contexts. (October 2013)
West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC
Adult Sunday School Instructor. Reformed Worship. (July 2013)
The Church in Purple, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Workshop Leader. Collaborative Worship Planning. (October 2013)
The Blaze: Youth Leaders Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Workshop Leader. Beyond Youth Sunday. (Jan 2013)
NEXT Church, Regional Conference in Durham, NC
Workshop Leader. Radical Hospitality: Young Adults and Campus Ministry (August 2012)
Montreat College Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Discussion Group Leader. (January 2012)
Service to the Greater Church
Ukirk Board, PC(USA) Campus Ministry Network, Louisville, KY
Member (July 2016-Present)
Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Member (January 2019-December 2021)
UkirkAtlanta Board, PC(USA) Campus Ministry at Agnes Scott, Emory, and Georgia State
Board Chair (March 2018-Present)
Pentecost Project Visioning Committee. Presbytery of New Hope, Raleigh, NC
Co-chair An 18-month Presbytery-wide visioning task-force appointed by the Coordinating Body in consultation with Design Group International Consulting. Re-envisioned and implemented new Presbytery mission structure. (2012-2014)
Council/Coordinating Body, Presbytery of New Hope, Raleigh, NC
Clerk and Member (July 2014-Present)
Duke University Interfaith Council, Durham, NC
Mainline Protestant Christian Representative (2012-2016)
PC(USA) Theological Education Fund, Seminary Support Network. Louisville, KY
Seminary Representative (2010-2011)
Publications
Connections: A Lectionary Commentary Series. Westminster John Knox Press
Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, and the Arts. Office of Theology and Worship of the PC(USA)
Feasting on the Gospels: Luke. Westminster John Knox Press
@This Point: Theological Investigations in Church and Culture. Columbia Theological Seminary.
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA May 2011
Masters of Divinity
Duke University, Durham, NC May 2006
Bachelor of Arts, Major: Public Policy; Minor: Religion; Health Policy Certificate
Honors and Awards
Zick Preaching Scholar
Columbia Scholarship
Harvard A. Anderson Graduate Fellowship
William P. Wood Graduate Fellowship
David H.C. Read Preacher/Scholar Finalist
Wilds Book Prize
Presbyterian Women Preaching Award
William J. Griffith University Service Award, Duke University
Ministry Experience
Morningside Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (May 2020-Present)
Senior Pastor and Head of Staff
Covenant Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (September 2017-May 2020)
Associate Pastor for Family Ministries
Duke Presbyterian Campus Ministry, Durham, NC (July 2011-July 2017)
Presbyterian Campus Minister and Executive Director
Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA (September 2009-May 2011)
Pastoral Intern (2009-2010), Preaching Intern (2010-2011)
Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO (June-August 2010)
Chaplain Intern. Clinical Pastoral Education (1 unit).
Central Presbyterian Church-Outreach and Advocacy Center, Atlanta, GA (June-August 2009)
Chaplain Intern.
Stephen Ministries, St. Louis, MO (Summer 2004)
Leadership and Management Intern.
Teaching Experience
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA
Adjunct Instructor, Presbyterian Polity (Fall 2017, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, 2021, 2022) Guest Lecturer, Presbyterian Polity. (Spring 2015, 2016)
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Worship. (Fall 2010)
Teaching Assistant, Scripture Reading Practicum.(Fall 2009)
Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC
Adjunct Instructor, Presbyterian History and Polity (Spring 2012, Fall 2013, Spring 2015, Fall 2016)
Adjunct Instructor, MACP Directed Study in Presbyterian Theology and Polity (Summer 2013)
Presentations and Workshops
Montreat Youth Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Vocational Discernment Small Group Leader Guide. (Summer 2018, Summer 2019)
Liturgy Writer. (Summer 2016)
Jeremiah Project Leader. (Summer 2016, 2015, 2012)
Keynoter. (Summer 2014)
Presbyterian Association of Musicians: Montreat Music and Worship Conference, Montreat, NC (June 2014)
Conference Liturgist. Wrote and led conference liturgy for six worship services for 1000+ participants.
Workshop Leader. Vocational Discernment for Young Adults.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Durham, NC
Retreat Leader. Women’s Retreat: Sabbath (March 2015)
NC Women’s Preaching Festival, Durham, NC
Breakout Session Leader. Women’s Preaching in Non-Traditional Contexts. (October 2013)
West Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC
Adult Sunday School Instructor. Reformed Worship. (July 2013)
The Church in Purple, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Workshop Leader. Collaborative Worship Planning. (October 2013)
The Blaze: Youth Leaders Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Workshop Leader. Beyond Youth Sunday. (Jan 2013)
NEXT Church, Regional Conference in Durham, NC
Workshop Leader. Radical Hospitality: Young Adults and Campus Ministry (August 2012)
Montreat College Conference, Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC
Discussion Group Leader. (January 2012)
Service to the Greater Church
Ukirk Board, PC(USA) Campus Ministry Network, Louisville, KY
Member (July 2016-Present)
Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta
Member (January 2019-December 2021)
UkirkAtlanta Board, PC(USA) Campus Ministry at Agnes Scott, Emory, and Georgia State
Board Chair (March 2018-Present)
Pentecost Project Visioning Committee. Presbytery of New Hope, Raleigh, NC
Co-chair An 18-month Presbytery-wide visioning task-force appointed by the Coordinating Body in consultation with Design Group International Consulting. Re-envisioned and implemented new Presbytery mission structure. (2012-2014)
Council/Coordinating Body, Presbytery of New Hope, Raleigh, NC
Clerk and Member (July 2014-Present)
Duke University Interfaith Council, Durham, NC
Mainline Protestant Christian Representative (2012-2016)
PC(USA) Theological Education Fund, Seminary Support Network. Louisville, KY
Seminary Representative (2010-2011)
Publications
Connections: A Lectionary Commentary Series. Westminster John Knox Press
- Connecting the Reading with the World Commentary Author for Galatians 4:4-7
- Connecting the Reading with the World Commentary Author for Ephesians 1:3-14
Call to Worship: Liturgy, Music, and the Arts. Office of Theology and Worship of the PC(USA)
- Book Review of Marney Wasserman's Companions: Accompanying Newcomers into Church Life and Faith
Feasting on the Gospels: Luke. Westminster John Knox Press
- Homiletics Commentary Author for Luke 17:1-10
- Homiletics Commentary Author for Luke 17:11-19
@This Point: Theological Investigations in Church and Culture. Columbia Theological Seminary.
- Faith and Facebook: Adult Christian Education Series
Pastoring on a College Campus
Katie served as Presbyterian campus minister at Duke University from 2011-2017. Alongside leading a worshipping community, Katie worked directly with undergraduate students. In 2016, senior Grace Oathoat published her capstone photo project on women's leadership by featuring women in male-dominated roles at Duke. To see Grace's work and listen to her video interviews with Katie, check out her website. Photo credits by Grace Oathoat. |
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