Jeffery Gramza
Senior Pastor
revgramza@tlcmidland.org
Rev. Dr. Jeffery George Gramza grew up in South Bend, Indiana. He was baptized in the Swedish Covenant Church (a close relative of the Lutheran Church). He earned a Bachelor's of Science (BS) in Biology and Chemistry at Valparaiso University, a Master's of Divinity (M.Div.) at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, and a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min,) at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH.
He was ordained in 1998. He interned at St. John Lutheran Church in Wilson, Texas and has served Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Castle, Indiana, and St. John Lutheran Church (The Purple Door Church) in Celina, OH. He joined Trinity, Midland, in 2023.
Pastor Jeff’s ministry is sustained through the loving support of his wife Elizabeth. She is his best friend and partner in ministry. Together, they have four children—Molly, Lilly, Nathaniel George, and Grace. They gain new perspectives on life through their two grandchildren--Bridgette and August.
When Pastor Jeff accepted his call to ministry, he knew he was setting out on an impossible venture. What gives him the ability to do daily ministry is the knowledge that God goes with him. Where his faith or strength or courage or skills may fail or fall short, God is there guiding him, renewing his faith and strengthening him for ministry. Through every aspect of his ministry, Pastor Jeff remains open to the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jeff firmly believes the Word of God is relevant for life. God's Word has transformational power in his life and he believes God calls him to do "relevant ministry." He works very hard to keep others connected to God in meaningful and relevant ways. He wants others to experience the power of the living Word and the blessings of Almighty God as much as he has.
He is honored and joyful to have the honor of serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, MI. He is thankful to be a part of this community of people, living, laughing, worshiping, serving, struggling and growing together.
He was ordained in 1998. He interned at St. John Lutheran Church in Wilson, Texas and has served Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New Castle, Indiana, and St. John Lutheran Church (The Purple Door Church) in Celina, OH. He joined Trinity, Midland, in 2023.
Pastor Jeff’s ministry is sustained through the loving support of his wife Elizabeth. She is his best friend and partner in ministry. Together, they have four children—Molly, Lilly, Nathaniel George, and Grace. They gain new perspectives on life through their two grandchildren--Bridgette and August.
When Pastor Jeff accepted his call to ministry, he knew he was setting out on an impossible venture. What gives him the ability to do daily ministry is the knowledge that God goes with him. Where his faith or strength or courage or skills may fail or fall short, God is there guiding him, renewing his faith and strengthening him for ministry. Through every aspect of his ministry, Pastor Jeff remains open to the blessings and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Jeff firmly believes the Word of God is relevant for life. God's Word has transformational power in his life and he believes God calls him to do "relevant ministry." He works very hard to keep others connected to God in meaningful and relevant ways. He wants others to experience the power of the living Word and the blessings of Almighty God as much as he has.
He is honored and joyful to have the honor of serving Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland, MI. He is thankful to be a part of this community of people, living, laughing, worshiping, serving, struggling and growing together.
Danielle Shealy
Associate Pastor
dshealy@tlcmidland.org
Baptized February 6, 1972 at Trinity English in Fort Wayne Indiana and given the name child of God, Pastor Danielle grew up attending Lutheran churches in Indiana, Illinois and North Carolina. She confirmed her faith In October 26, 1986 at Atonement Lutheran in Barrington, Illinois. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was active in Lutheran Campus Ministry. She received a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and taught in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro school system for 7 years. Hearing a call from God, she then entered seminary in Columbia, SC and graduated in 2005 from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Ordained November 19, 2006, her first call was to University Lutheran in Clemson, South Carolina where she served as a youth pastor for almost 10 years. In 2016, God called her to serve at Trinity! She loves being part of the Trinity family.
Pastor Danielle and Ben have been married for 20 years and have 4 children: Zachariah, Abigail, Caroline and Isaac. In addition to spending time with her family and going to children’s events, she loves to be outside and explore God’s world, paint and create and travel.
Pastor Danielle lives each day thanking God for the people God provides to join her on her journey. Her goal is that every person will know and believe that they are a beautiful child of God! Her favorite Bible verse is always changing but often returns to “ God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”, which is found many times throughout the Old Testament. Her favorite hymn is Rise up O Saints of God. She loves ministering to and serving with all the saints!
Pastor Danielle and Ben have been married for 20 years and have 4 children: Zachariah, Abigail, Caroline and Isaac. In addition to spending time with her family and going to children’s events, she loves to be outside and explore God’s world, paint and create and travel.
Pastor Danielle lives each day thanking God for the people God provides to join her on her journey. Her goal is that every person will know and believe that they are a beautiful child of God! Her favorite Bible verse is always changing but often returns to “ God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”, which is found many times throughout the Old Testament. Her favorite hymn is Rise up O Saints of God. She loves ministering to and serving with all the saints!
Tim Jordan
Intern Pastor
VicarTim@tlcmidland.org
Intern Pastor—or “Vicar”—Tim Jordan comes to TLC Midland from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Vicar Tim’s home congregation is St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Newark, Ohio. His parents, brother, sister-in-law, and two youngest nephews still live in Newark. His sister and oldest nephew live near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Vicar Tim began his internship at Trinity, Midland in August 2024, and he will be with the congregation through approximately May 2026, when he will complete his M.Div. and begin his first call.
Vicar Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Religion, with a Music minor, from Muskingum University (2003) in New Concord, Ohio. He continued his English studies with a master’s degree from Indiana State University (2006) in Terre Haute, Indiana and a doctorate from Kent State University (2012) in Kent, Ohio, concentrating in medieval literature. In addition to 20 years of teaching college English courses, Vicar Tim was an interpreter and site manager from 2013-2022 at the Licking County, Ohio indigenous historic sites known as the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge.
Vicar Tim’s call into ordained ministry is a deepening of his lifelong vocation to connect people to one another and the past through language. Jesus is the Word, and Jesus’ calling to us redefines and reshapes us. Among the lessons seminary has gifted to Vicar Tim is an ever-growing appreciation of how the Holy Spirit supports us in all we do, breathing life into us and enriching open, honest, and earnest conversations. Looking back at his life, Vicar Tim is awed to see the Spirit’s presence in guiding him from one phase of his journey to the next—all the way into the ministry that he gets to share today with the good people of Trinity Lutheran Church here in Midland.
Vicar Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in English and Religion, with a Music minor, from Muskingum University (2003) in New Concord, Ohio. He continued his English studies with a master’s degree from Indiana State University (2006) in Terre Haute, Indiana and a doctorate from Kent State University (2012) in Kent, Ohio, concentrating in medieval literature. In addition to 20 years of teaching college English courses, Vicar Tim was an interpreter and site manager from 2013-2022 at the Licking County, Ohio indigenous historic sites known as the Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge.
Vicar Tim’s call into ordained ministry is a deepening of his lifelong vocation to connect people to one another and the past through language. Jesus is the Word, and Jesus’ calling to us redefines and reshapes us. Among the lessons seminary has gifted to Vicar Tim is an ever-growing appreciation of how the Holy Spirit supports us in all we do, breathing life into us and enriching open, honest, and earnest conversations. Looking back at his life, Vicar Tim is awed to see the Spirit’s presence in guiding him from one phase of his journey to the next—all the way into the ministry that he gets to share today with the good people of Trinity Lutheran Church here in Midland.
Jonathan Lonsway
Music Director
jlonsway@tlcmidland.org
Jonathan is a native Michigander raised in the church and involved in church music from a very young age. He studied piano and vocal performance at Moody Bible Institute in Chicaco, IL and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 2008. He has served many churches in the Grand Rapids, MI area, including St. Luke’s Lutheran, St. Paul Lutheran and Faith Lutheran. Some of the highlights of his musical career include singing with the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and performing opera with the Grand Rapids Opera Chorus in such operas as Carmen, Rigoletto and The Magic Flute.
In 2023 Jonathan answered the call to serve as the Director of Music Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church. He is joined by his wife Melanie and three children who are getting to know a new city and a new school system. Jonathan is very grateful for the support of his family to make this exciting move!
Jonathan enjoys helping people achieve their musical potential and inspiring them to make music well as an ensemble member or soloist. He is privileged to direct the Chancel Choir and the JuBELLation handbell ensemble, as well as lead the Worship Band. He invites you to join the music ministry as we all worship God together!
In 2023 Jonathan answered the call to serve as the Director of Music Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church. He is joined by his wife Melanie and three children who are getting to know a new city and a new school system. Jonathan is very grateful for the support of his family to make this exciting move!
Jonathan enjoys helping people achieve their musical potential and inspiring them to make music well as an ensemble member or soloist. He is privileged to direct the Chancel Choir and the JuBELLation handbell ensemble, as well as lead the Worship Band. He invites you to join the music ministry as we all worship God together!
Stacey Thurston
Administrative Assistant
sthurston@tlcmidland.org
Stacey accepted the administrative assistant role at Trinity in May of 2021. She retired from Northwood University after 20+ years. She missed working and serving others, so she chose to come out of retirement. She has two grown sons’; Ryan is in WA and Logan is in Midland, and her husband, Gary, retired from the Department of Defense and also from the Army after 28 years of service. In her spare time, she enjoys family and her two dogs; Zena and Luna, playing pickleball with family and friends, camping, and traveling.
SANDY SCHLESINGER
Parish Administrator
sandyschlesinger@gmail.com
In summer of 2024, Sandy joined the staff as Parish Administrator after 40 years of employment with Dow. In this part-time volunteer role, Sandy assists the Congregation Council, the Pastoral team and the staff in carrying out Trinity’s vision by providing administrative leadership, management, and support. Key areas of focus include human resource management (job descriptions, hiring & onboarding, compensation & benefits, background checks, State/Federal compliance, contractor management, employee departures, etc.); maintaining the Trinity Lutheran Employee Handbook; management of insurance, contracts, and vendor issues, implementation and oversight of personnel and organizational policies & procedures, and maintaining employee and general office and other operational files.
A member of Trinity since 1984, Sandy is currently active in the Chancel Choir, and she periodically serves as an Assistant Minister / Cantor. Past activities included serving multiple terms on the Congregation Council (as President, Vice President, Secretary, and as a member-at-large), teaching 6th grade Confirmation and participating as an Adult Leader on multiple high school mission trips. Beyond Trinity, after 6 years as a member of the ELCA Church Council, Sandy is currently serving as Vice President of the N/W Lower MI Synod where she chairs the Synod Council.
A member of Trinity since 1984, Sandy is currently active in the Chancel Choir, and she periodically serves as an Assistant Minister / Cantor. Past activities included serving multiple terms on the Congregation Council (as President, Vice President, Secretary, and as a member-at-large), teaching 6th grade Confirmation and participating as an Adult Leader on multiple high school mission trips. Beyond Trinity, after 6 years as a member of the ELCA Church Council, Sandy is currently serving as Vice President of the N/W Lower MI Synod where she chairs the Synod Council.
Kathryn Putzig
Bookkeeper/Accountant
finance@tlcmidland.org
After obtaining a Bachelors in Business Administration from Northwood University, Katie joined the staff as Bookkeeper / Accountant in July 2024. In this part-time role, Katie enables day-to-day operations including daily posting of financial transactions (accounts payable and receivable), maintaining balance sheets, preparing monthly financial reports, reconciliation of bank and credit card statements and bookkeeping ledgers, maintaining an organized filing system, and ensuring salaries, wages, reimbursements, bills and taxes are paid on time with proper documentation in accordance with established procedures.
A life-long member of Trinity, Katie was involved in the wide variety of educational and youth activities at Trinity throughout high school. In her spare time, Katie enjoys taking care of pets, baking, watching movies, playing video games and spending time with family.
A life-long member of Trinity, Katie was involved in the wide variety of educational and youth activities at Trinity throughout high school. In her spare time, Katie enjoys taking care of pets, baking, watching movies, playing video games and spending time with family.
Cathy Bloomfield
Administrative Assistant
cbloomfield@tlcmidland.org
Cathy has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 67 years. She worked at Eastlawn Elementary School for 20 years. After retiring from the school, she became a volunteer in the church office. She enjoyed the work and the people so, when offered a paid position, she gladly went back to work. She finds technology fascinating and is always willing to learn something new. She has three daughters and four grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys sewing, needlecrafts, traveling and reading.
Jeri Lynne Koenig
Administrative Assistant
jkoenig@tlcmidland.org
Jeri Lynne Koenig has been part of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1978. She's been working at the church since June 2014, mainly at the front desk where she meets many people every day. Jeri Lynne loves helping others with a caring heart. She's thankful for the supportive staff and enjoys her job. Working at the church has also helped her grow in her faith and follow God on their faith journey together.
Gary Warren
Facilities Coordinator
gwarren@tlcmidland.org
In fall of 2021, Gary accepted the role of being a volunteer for Facility Coordination. This role has developed into a key touch point for issues of routine cleaning, event set-up/ take down, addressing immediate Maintenance requirements and identifying longer term capital plans. Each and every week is a balance to get the top priority items completed. He works with other Trinity volunteers, contactors, and suppliers. And he would like to express a strong and loud THANK YOU to all the Trinity Volunteers which help support Trinity Lutheran Church ministries.