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.
Kristina Davis has been singing from a very early age and began piano study in grade 2. By the time she was in 7th grade, she and her sister were singing and playing duets in church. So began a lifelong journey serving the church through music. In high school she sang with the Chapel Choir at Monroe Street UMC under the direction of Mary Anderson. She attended The University of Toledo where she earned a Bachelor of Music Degree with a major in voice and a minor in piano. She studied voice with Barbara Rondelli, piano with Frances Renzi, harpsichord with Susan Kinkaid, and organ with Richard Palmquist. Kris became the Assistant in Music at MSUMC where she served in various roles until 2006. She has directed vocal and handbell choirs of all ages. In 1996 she began a vocal and handbell music program that included global music for Toledo Campus Ministry, continuing through 2012 when she cut back on her musical responsibilities to care for family needs. Kris continues to sing with and direct For Unity, a 5 voice treble ensemble born out of TCM . She also teaches private piano and voice students and been a substitute pianist for area churches. Kris says that though it was unexpected and not part of her plan, she is very happy to have returned to MSUMC. She thanks you all for the warm reception. It feels like the Spirit has brought her home.
Patricia “Pat” McCauley first attended the Monroe Street United Methodist Church in 1974 and joined the Wesleyan Chorus during the tenure of Dick Palmquist. Forrest “Frosty” England and his wife Lois invited her when they found out she was getting a degree in music from Bowling Green State University. Patricia subsequently graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Music Degree and holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Toledo in Educational Technology. She still enjoys singing and always looks forward to her next “gig.”
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.
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.
