Three Upper Peninsula pastors were ordained as elders in the United Methodist Church. They are (from left) the Reverends Paul J. Gruenberg, pastor at Pickford, Saundra J. Clark, pastor at Newberry and Engadine, and Eric D. Kieb, pastor at Negaunee. (Photograph courtesy of Marquette District, United Methodist Church) Three Upper Peninsula pastors were ordained as elders Sunday, May 21, by the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Adrian. The three are Saundra J. Clark, pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Newberry and Engadine, Paul J. Gruenberg, pastor of the Pickford United Methodist Church, and Eric D. Kieb, pastor of Negaunee Mitchell United Methodist Church.

Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton presided over the service of ordination and was assisted by the Reverend Grant Lobb, superintendent of the Marquette District, which includes 60 Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula churches.

Ordination is the culmination of an intensive process that includes post-graduate studies at an accredited seminary, followed by a minimum of three years of full time pastoral service that is punctuated by a series of formal examinations and inquiry.

Rev. Clark is a graduate of Northern Michigan University (NMU) and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. A resident of Marquette from 1985 to 2000, she began preparing for full time ministry while a member of Marquette's First United Methodist Church, where she served as a Stephen Minister, worship committee chair, and choir member and accompanist. She also served as vice president and church relations coordinator of Marquette County Habitat for Humanity.

Rev. Clark was appointed as pastor of the Newberry and Engadine churches in July 2003. She and her husband, Michael, who served NMU as director of communications and marketing, have two daughters, Shari Phillips of Schuyler, Nebraska, and Julie Clark of Powers, and four grandchildren.

A graduate of Central Michigan University and Asbury Theological Seminary, Rev. Gruenberg worked as a system analyst with Ford Motor Credit Company before becoming a candidate for full time ministry. He served on the administrative board of the Clarenceville United Methodist Church in Livonia, for which he also served as a praise band member and as adult youth leader.

Since being appointed as pastor of the Pickford United Methodist Church in July 2003, Rev. Gruenberg has been active in community affairs and currently volunteers his time as assistant coach of the Pickford High School track team.

He and his wife, Lynt, have three children, Breanna, 15, Luke, 14, and Seth, 12. Rev. Gruenberg's mother and stepfather, Caroline and Dick Wirtz, reside in Freeland.

Before coming to Negaunee in July 2003, Rev. Kieb served as associate pastor of Owosso First United Methodist Church. He began his pastoral candidacy with the backing of his home congregation at Plymouth First United Methodist Church, where he was a youth group sponsor. He also served on the staff of the Detroit Area Youth for Christ. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University and Asbury Theological Seminary, he worked as a cellular communications account manager before entering ministry.

Rev. Kieb serves his current community as spiritual director of the Superiorland Emmaus and as a member of the pastoral care advisory board of Marquette Regional Medical Center.

His wife, Lisa, is an adoption specialist with Bethany Christian Services in Traverse City. The Kiebs have two children, Brennan, 4, and Calvin, 2. His parents, Wayne and Mary Ellen Kieb, live in Brighton.