MEET THE STAFF

SENIOR PASTOR 

My name is Jim Clark. I have been the pastor here at Grace UMC since January of 2023. I was ordained an elder in the Indiana United Methodist Church on May 31, 2014. I served churches in Royal Center, Kokomo, Dyer and Evansville prior to beginning my appointment at Grace UMC. I am a proud father of three adult daughters, Jamie, Josie and Jenna, and of two grandsons, William and Raulin. I am a lifelong Notre Dame fan so living in South Bend has been somewhat magical for me. But even more important is the joy of serving as the pastor of this loving and safe community of followers of Jesus. One of my favorite things about this community is the diversity in social and theological perspectives, coupled with our unique ability and desire to love our neighbors and one another. I am grateful and honored to be the pastor of this church.  

DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES

 & CONGREGATIONAL CARE,

OFFICE & FACILITIES MANAGER

My name is Melodie Ringer and I began attending Grace UMC in 1992 and started working here in 2014. I am the Director of Family Ministries, Director of Congregational Care and am also the Office and Facilities Manager. My favorite part of Grace UMC is our lawn service during the summer. There is nothing better than taking communion with the grass under your feet and the birds chirping.

MUSIC & CHOIR DIRECTOR

Siwon [see-one] Kim, a native of Seoul, South Korea, began studying piano at age of three and

started working as a church musician when she was seven, a career maintained ever since. As a

concert pianist, she actively performs in concert venues in North America, Europe, and Asia,

including Mariinsky II (Russia), Toppan Hall (Japan), Harbin Concert Hall (China), the Weill

Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Morris Arts Center, Hill Auditorium (USA), and Kumho Art Hall,

and Universal Arts Center (South Korea). She is praised for her “masterful musicality with the

distinct, unrestrained sound” (The Segye Times). On the stage, she is “commanding and decisive”

(South Bend Tribune.)

Besides appearing as a guest artist at numerous international music festivals, such as the Toradze

International Music Festival (Tbilisi, Georgia), Dr. Siwon also performed as a soloist with

orchestras worldwide, including the South Bend Symphony, The Mariinsky Orchestra, and the

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. She is also a versatile pianist who is in demand in chamber

music. She has worked internationally with the late pianist Alexander Toradze as his sole Piano

Duo Partner.

A graduate of Seoul National University, Dr. Siwon moved to the States, joined the esteemed

Toradze Piano Studio at IUSB, and received piano performance degrees (MM, AD.) She earned

her DMA degree at the University of Michigan, with her dissertation focused on Sergei

Prokofiev’s Last Piano Sonata, No. 9 in C Major, Op. 103. Currently, Dr. Siwon serves as a

faculty member at Bethel University. In her free time, she loves to spend time watching movies

and reading books, her favorites include ‘Citizen Kane’, ‘Singing in the Rain’, and ‘Demian’.

(www.SiwonKimPiano.com)

VISUAL & AUDIO TECH

My name is Jamie Clark and I am excited to be a member of the tech team at Grace UMC! I have been a member of Grace for two years. My favorite thing about our church is the way we all come together to support missions, especially our UMCOR packing projects! 

I have several years of experience in church communications, both professionally and on a volunteer basis. I love sharing the message, stories, and mission of the church with others through technology. For my “day job,” I work at the Nappanee Boys & Girls Club as the Program Manager. When I’m not working, I enjoy crocheting, reading, spending time with my family, and attending as many ND football games as possible!

VISUAL & AUDIO TECH

 My name is Suzette Schmok. I am a 3rd grade teacher at Kennedy, and am married with 5 children; 3 of them attend Purdue University (Adam Tiffany and Anthony,) 1 attends Riley High School and also works sound at Grace (Melissa,) and our Zachary has been in heaven since 2008. I’m thankful that Grace has had a youth group that my children were a part of, and had made lasting friendships. I like that Grace has folks with a great sense of humor like Bill White, Pastor Jim, and Chuck Moore. It’s a pleasure to be around these people, and the congregation in general for the past 9 years.

RAGGEDY ANN PRESCHOOL TEACHER  

 I am delighted to be joining the Raggedy Ann team this year for my first year teaching preschool. While my previous teaching experience has been at the elementary level, I have found my transition to the preschool setting to be very rewarding. It’s such a privilege to help establish the earliest foundation of education. There is no greater joy than seeing the world through the eyes of a child. I’m already loving my time here and feel so welcomed by the entire Grace family.