The Staff
Pastor Larry Clark
Larry has been a United Methodist minister since 1979, pastoring churches in Toledo, Cincinnati, and Columbus. He also served as Executive Director of Toledo Area Ministries and has taught courses at the Methodist Theological School, the University of Toledo, and Bowling Green State University.
Larry graduated from BGSU in 1977 with a degree in social work and headed to the Methodist Theological School where he earned a Master of Divinity focusing his studies on the Bible, in particular the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He also received a Masters in Christian Education with a specialization in drama. Along the way, Larry went back to BGSU where he studied sociology and received a Ph.D.
Larry is married to Denise. Between them they have four children: Marcus, Monica, Mariah, and Sierra. He enjoys studying in Palestine, Greece, Turkey and Italy; work mission trips to Haiti and Mexico; traveling, camping, home remodeling, playing guitar, movies, and concerts.
Elizabeth Rand joined the pastoral staff at Monroe Street in July 2016. Elizabeth grew up in Oxford, Ohio and attended Miami University. She received her Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and went on to complete a Master’s degree in education at DePaul University. Elizabeth served as an ordained deacon for ten years, leading ministries that connected congregations in Cincinnati and Dayton with their communities. She has worked extensively with children and with youth, focusing on spiritual formation and arts ministries. She also helped launch a community organization that supported families living in poverty. After serving as the pastor of Calvary United Methodist Church for three years, Elizabeth was ordained as an elder in June 2016. She serves both Monroe Street UMC and the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center, helping to draw the two communities together into one greater kingdom community. Elizabeth is married to Tom Rand, who is also a United Methodist pastor. Elizabeth and Tom have two sons, Will and Alistair. The Rand family enjoys music, hiking, and traveling.
Clara L. Petty currently serves as Executive Director of the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center. She is a University of Toledo alum with a Masters degree in Public Administration, and currently holds an LSW license. She began her career in social services over 35 years ago and has worked at various agencies in Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio. She is the mother of two adult daughters, one currently attending the University of Toledo, and the proud grandmother of one.
Denise Mathias has served churches in Kentucky, Iowa, and Ohio, and joined the Monroe Street staff in October 2010 as Music Director and Organist. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Malone College, a Master of Church Music from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the Service Playing Certificate from the American Guild of Organists. In addition she is an adjudicator with the National Guild of Piano Teachers. Her teachers included Marie Kassouny, Ronald Boud, Boyd Jones, and Maurice Hinson. An active local musician, she performs in various venues as a soloist and collaborative keyboard player. Mrs. Mathias has teaching experience as a private instructor and in the public schools, and serves as the artistic director of Young Voices of Greater Toledo. She is married to Mark, and they have three grown daughters, two sons-in-law and a grandchild. In her spare time she likes to sew and garden, and visit her grandson.
Lanette Cornwell has been a member of Monroe Street since 1978, shortly after she moved to Toledo from Columbus. This is actually her second time around as a member of the staff here, having been one of two secretaries and also Voice editor in the early 1980s. After retiring from a long and varied career that included book editing, technical writing, and administrative positions, she answered the church’s call for a part-time secretary. When not keeping the office in order, she enjoys reading, exercising, cooking, and traveling to see her grandchildren (and children, of course) in Michigan, Delaware, and Alabama.
Toni Quinn is the Monroe Street Neighborhood Center's fitness coordinator and administrative assistant. Her professional development began at Owens Community College where she obtained an Associate of the Arts degree with an English Concentration, and continued at the University of Toledo where she acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree also with an English Concentration. Upon completion of her scholastic endeavors, her friends and family encouraged her to seek certification as a fitness professional. She has since held certifications as a Zumba, Zumba Gold, PiYo, POUND, and Silver Sneakers Yoga instructor.
