Pastor Susan arrived at LCUMC in July, 2026. She’s a MI native and currently lives in East Lansing. She holds multiple degrees including her newly acquired DMin. Her doctoral research focused on helping pastors incorporate neurodivergent people into the church. She’s served churches all over MI for 10 years now. But, before her ordination, she taught finance. We’re so grateful to have an MBA leading us! 

Pastor Susan and her husband Randy celebrate their 
25th anniversary this year (2026). Yeah for them! Together
they share 6 adult children and 2 dogs.They all love pantooning together. 

America’s Revolutionary War Era fascinates Pastor Susan, and she’s 
a proud member of the DAR. 

When Rev. Bill speaks up in a staff meeting, we all pay special attention. He has so much wisdom. That happens after serving 57 years as a Methodist minister. He put the “P” in “Pastoral Ministry.” Our church family is so grateful for his many hospital visits and prayers on our behalf. He and his lovely wife of 57+ years Cathy served at Grand Ledge from 1993 to 2003 before joining our staff in 2004. 

Bill calls himself “retired” now. But we don’t believe that for a second. Bill is passionate about serving on the MI Council on Alcohol Problems. He’s a lifelong learner who is always reading something or writing haiku poetry.  He also thinks trees are some of God’s most beautiful creations. Cherry is his wood of choice in his workshop where he’s created some beautiful tables and revolving trays/turntables that made him proud. He and Cathy love traveling, visiting antique shops and estate sales, and working on crossword puzzles together. 

It’s a gross understatement to say that Noah is an accomplished musician. 
He made his public debut at age 6 playing alongside renowned jazz drummer Bernie Dresel. He taught himself to play the organ at age 13 and is now pursuing a Performance Diploma in Organ with Dr. Jang at MSU (2025-present). The Harlem String Quartet and the Grand Rapids Youth
Symphony have played his compositions. As if all that weren’t enough,
Noah is also an acclaimed marimbist and was featured on WQXR’s (NY) Young Artist Showcase in 2018. How good is God that we get to listen to Noah play our pipe organ nearly every Sunday morning! It’s truly amazing to watch his feet fly. (If you want to experience him playing, visit us some Sunday. Or, check out his website: https://noahmallettmusic.com.)

We love Noah’s music. But we love Noah more because he’s genuinely a stellar human. He’s kind to the core and humble. Plus he loves to solve sudokus and learn languages. And, yes, he speaks Russian. 

Zach Everly brought his beautiful tenor voice to LCUMC when he became our section leader in 2023.  Next he served as an Assistant Choir Director before assuming his current role as Choir Director in June, 2026. We’re so proud of Zach for his other job, too. For the past 7 years, he’s been teaching high school music and currently serves as the Director of Choirs and Musical Theatre at Grand Ledge High School. He even pours into his students over the summer by leading vocal workshops at his alma mater Alma College. He's the Secretary on the Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s Board of Directors and the Music Director of the Delta Community Choir. Zach performs with the Lange Choral Ensemble also. His idea of a great vacation includes catching a few shows in Chicago. When he's not making music or enjoying it, you can find him cooking or kayaking new spots around Michigan. "I love to explore bodies of water!"

Tina, or Miss Tina as Xanthapee calls her, came to work at CUMC in May, 2026. Before that, she spent her 25+ year career working in Bible translation with her beloved Marty. They raised their 2 adult children in West Africa. When she wasn’t teaching new missionaries to can chickens, she wrote blog articles for Pioneer Bible Translators as Iya, which means “Mom” in their favorite African language. Or, you might have found her in an African market (her happy place) digging through piles of used clothing. 

Tina loves gardening. Back home, her parents gave up gardening when she left for college because she wasn’t there to help. Currently, her red raspberries and hibiscus bushes are doing exceptionally well. But her asparagus, not so much this year (2026). She enjoys playing Uno with their kids which usually includes throwing cards at her son-in-law Lee. She enjoys dogsitting for her granddog Fig Newson, though he snores terribly. (He’s an English bulldog.) She’s also still writing. In fact, she’s writing this. 

Jacob has worked at CUMC since October 2025. He loves how God’s work is being done in this sacred space. His favorite parable is the Good Samaritan. He’s made it his ambition to serve others selflessly from his youth in 4H and Key Club. He’s passionate about feeding those who are hungry. You can often find him distributing food left by rental caterers to unhoused folks near us. 

On a personal note, Jacob is an animal person. But he definitely prefers cats to dogs. He spent time in China and speaks Mandarin conversationally. He also loves house plants that “do something”  like having medicinal properties. He says  NASA even endorsed snake plants for their air cleaning properties. It’s amazing what the man knows! 

Nancy O'Shea

Susan Hicks

Dr. Susan Grettenberger

Steve Hicks