Staff Contacts

Pastor Sharon Huff
I grew up in Midland, Michigan where I attended Trinity Lutheran Church, the church where I was baptized, confirmed, married, and ordained. I obtained my B.A. from Hope College and my Master of Divinity Degree from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. I was ordained on January 5, 1992. I have served congregations in Mass City, Michigan, Three Lakes Wisconsin, and am currently in Howell, where I have served as senior co-pastor since 2003.
I enjoy dogs, painting, gardening, reading, and doing things with my family.

Pastor Tom Huff
As the son of a pastor, I grew up in the Midwest, in Evansville Indiana, Midland, MI, Ann Arbor, MI, and Janesville Wisconsin. After receiving my BA in history from University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, I attended Trinity Lutheran Seminary. I was ordained in 1988 and served in Centerburg, Ohio, Mass City, Michigan, Three Lakes Wisconsin and now Howell. I enjoy motorcycles, muscle cars, target shooting, and time with my family.
revhuff@sbcglobal.net

My birth place was Plainfield, New Jersey. I have one younger brother. My mother was an elementary public school teacher and my father worked for a New York City Federal Reserve Bank.

I attended a number of public schools due to family home locations in New Jersey. After I graduated from high school in North Plainfield, New Jersey, I attended Defiance College , Defiance, Ohio for one year. I had a strong teaching interest so I decided to transfer to a school that specialized in teaching. I spent the next 4 years attending Spring Arbor College, Spring Arbor, Michigan. In 1968, I graduated from Spring Arbor with a BA degree in Elementary Education with a minor in biology.

After graduation, I married Richard Bender who was on active duty at the time in the United States Air Force. We had a variety of location changes while Rich was on active duty. We went from Fayetteville, North Carolina to Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

After spending one year at Otis AFB, MA, Rich was assigned to Alaska for one year and I went back to my home in New Jersey to wait for our next assignment after Alaska. Our next assignment took us to Grand Forks, North Dakota.

During our military duty years, our two boys and two daughters arrived. All of our children have successfully accomplished training in their chosen careers and are all married. Rich and I are blessed with 9 plus grandchildren.

As soon as Rich and I were married, I began my teaching career as an elementary school teacher for two years in Fayetteville, North Carolina. After an interval of ten years while we were starting our family, I returned to the teaching career field as a preschool teacher in Canal Winchester, Ohio. Preschool became my primary interest and enjoyment. The preschool child is very challenging, inquisitive, and has a high interest in wanting to learn.

After the family moved to Michigan, I was hired in 1980 part time by Grace Lutheran Early Learning Center as a preschool teacher. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, I also taught at the Howell Presbyterian Children’s Care Center part time. The Early Learning Center changed its program to a full time 5 day program. Therefore, I terminated my Children’s Care Center preschool position at the Presbyterian church so I could accept a full time position as the 4 year old teacher at the Grace Early Learning Center.

I have watched Grace Lutheran Church grow in its ministry, building and membership. Of course, the Early Learning Center is a great mission project for the church and community. My employment with the Early Learning Center has definitely matured my teaching skills. With God’s continued blessings and the Early Learning Center’s support, I will move forward to the days ahead as I work with the young children in the Grace Lutheran community.

I have worked at Grace Lutheran as Youth & Family Ministry Director for about five years. I have a degree in Elementary Education—Early Childhood major from the University of Michigan. My other work experience has been working with children at daycares, preschools, and public schools for about 25 years. I currently sub at First Presbyterian Children’s Care Center.

I have been married to John for 30 years. We have four adult children: Michael, a hotel manager in Boone, NC, Karl who teaches English in Hiroshima, Japan, Ann, who is an Elementary Education—Early Childhood major at Western Michigan University, and Eric, who is a Computer Software Engineering major at Michigan Technological University.

I like to walk outdoors, read, listen to music, and catch up with old and new friends on the computer.

For a snapshot of my background, I grew up in Okemos and attended Michigan State University for both my undergraduate degree in Chemistry, with a minor in Mathematics and Secondary Education, and my Masters degree in Teaching and Curriculum.

My husband, Greg, and I met at Michigan State and still enjoy watching our Spartans play football, basketball and hockey. We hope that our daughters, Maddie (8) and Ashleigh (5) will attend MSU just like their parents, but we will be happy if they pick a college that is the best for their endeavors as well.

I taught Chemistry and middle school Mathematics for ten years between the Maple Valley School District (2 years) and Fowlerville Community Schools (8 years).

Upon the birth of our second child I “retired” and became a stay at home mom and have thoroughly enjoyed the time that I have had to spend with our children.

In 2006 our family became members of Grace Lutheran Church. In the time I’ve been with the church I’ve taught Sunday School, participated in Vacation Bible School, and am now the Sunday School Superintendent.

I am now looking forward to this new chapter in my life and enjoying the position that will help develop the love of learning for children in the program.

Email Michelle at graceelc@att.net

I am a life-long resident of Howell, and when not at work I enjoy spending time with my son and family, reading, cooking, watching T.V. (guilty pleasure) and playing on the computer.

Contact Lisa at grace312@sbcglobal.net

I have my degree in Early Childhood Development and have taught preschool for over 12 years. My experience includes teaching both 3 year olds and 4 year olds as well
as facilitating Playgroups for 2 year olds.

Prior to being a lead teacher I worked as an assistant in kindergarten. I brought Playgroup to the Early Learning Center after facilitating playgroups for the Early-On Program at LESA, (Livingston Educational Services). I have a passion for children’s play, nature, and creativity and I shape my classroom and curriculum around these interests while enhancing children’s natural desire to learn so that they will have the necessary foundation for more formal learning in the years ahead.

I am the mother of three grown children and live north of Howell with my husband, Lynn. Each year the Three year old classes take a fall and spring trip to our home to explore the nature trail that my husband and I have designed.

Besides teaching preschool and being outdoors I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy gardening, hiking, wildlife viewing and antiquing.