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.
Mr. Clarence Smith has a long history of involvement in the cultural life of Toledo. During his long career, he has served as director of music for several area churches, worked on a variety of committees, commissions, and task forces on both the local and state levels for governmental and nonprofit cultural organizations. Mr. Smith has been musical director of many professional musical productions and dinner theater shows, guest conducted numerous groups, a high school choir director, and music consultant to various groups around the state. He is the director/founder of the acclaimed Clarence Smith Community Chorus. His degrees include a Bachelor of Music Education Degree (Miami University), Master of Music in Conducting Degree (Bowling Green State University), and a Specialist Degree in Administration (University of Toledo). Mr. Smith is a long-time educator having served as a high school principal and human resource director.
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.
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.
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.
