Resident Profile – Eric & Julie Miller

August 16, 2012 0 Comments

Eric, Julie and Jaden Miller

Eric and Julie Miller have been married since 2006 with their son Jaden recently born in August of 2011. Collectively Eric and Julie have lived in the cities of Chicago, Nashville, Philadelphia, and New York City. Eric is a graphic designer as well as being a licensed pastor serving as the co-pastor in leading the church. Julie received her Masters in Social Work from OSU and is employed by Communities in Schools, working with families who are at risk of becoming homeless.

In February of 2008 Eric and Julie Miller joined Larry and Sylvia Totzke (Italian Village residents) in starting Capital City Grace Church in the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods of Columbus. After months of praying, planning, and forming a core team of eight, monthly services began in September 2008 at the Downtown YMCA. Their mission is to glorify God by following Jesus, loving others, and serving the city. One of their passions is to serve their city. A simple way to do that was in helping some families at Christmas through Adopt-a-Family. They’ve also been able to partner with Grace Clinic in Franklinton and Grace in the City — Hardin Clinic in the Linden area. These free medical clinics serve people’s physical needs and volunteers are there for their spiritual needs as well.

HW: Where do you live in Harrison West? Do you own your house or rent?
E&J: We rent on Oregon Ave.

HW: What brought you to Harrison West and where did you live before?

Julie: Previously I lived in Philadelphia, PA for 4 years. We moved to Harrison West from Wooster, Ohio in February 2008.

Eric: Previously I’ve lived in Nashville, TN and downtown Chicago. With both of our backgrounds living in the downtown areas of major cities we were craving the return to the city. We moved to Columbus, because we loved visiting the Short North (before moving here) and we also moved here to start Capital City Grace Church in the downtown area.

HW: Where were you born and where did you grow up

Julie: I was born and raised in Wooster, OH until attending college in Indiana.

Eric: I, too, was born and raised in the Wooster, OH area until I attended a broadcasting school in Cleveland, moved to Nashville to get into the music industry, and then to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. That sounds like a weird journey when I type it out like that! 🙂

HW: What do you do for a living? How did you end up in that occupation?

Julie: I am a social worker and work for Communities In Schools of Central Ohio. I specifically work for the Stable Families Program which is a homelessness prevention program. I began teaching GED classes to teen moms in Philadelphia and was trying to decide between pursuing a masters degree in education or social work and eventually chose social work. After four years of going to school part-time, I graduated from OSU with a Masters of Social Work this June, 2012.

Eric: I have two jobs, one job is one of the two pastors at Capital City Grace, where I teach every other Sunday, lead music, and help provide overall leadership (along with fellow pastor Larry Totzke). The church meets in the Arena Grand Movie Theatre. My other job is as a freelance graphic designer mainly in the field of logo design and company branding. Before going into ministry I worked for four years as a graphic designer. So now I get to do both of my loves as two different jobs!

HW: What do you like to do for fun?

Julie: Mostly I chase around our 1 year old son, Jaden. When I have spare time I enjoy making stained glass mosaics, traveling, trying new restaurants and cooking.

Eric: I join Julie in chasing around our son! We also go on a lot of walks around the neighborhood, take Jaden to Harrison Park, try new restaurants, and eating Julie’s great cooking.

HW: What do you like about living in Harrison West?

We LOVE the location! We love that we live within walking distance of High St., but that our street is relatively quiet and low trafficked. We love being close to parks, restaurants and Target! 🙂 Harrison West offers the best of both worlds – proximity to the “action” but without some of the negatives of being closer to High Street.

HW: What are your favorite Harrison West businesses?

Julie: We love Katalina’s Cafe Corner and Caffe Apropos. I also get my hair cut by Allison at Aniara Salon on 3rd Ave.

Eric: Yes, love Katalina’s Cafe Corner – especially their breakfast tacos! I have also made Caffe Apropos into one of my work “offices” away from home. Apropos’ pizza and a pint is a great deal!