Pastor Connie Bongard

Reverend Connie Bongard is a "seasoned pastor"!  (She says she's older)

      Before being the pastor at Clare Congregational Church she taught in junior high, high school, and at Kirkland Community College.  While teaching, she followed her call to ministry and pastored at Leaton United Methodist church.  An opportunity allowed her to quit teaching and minister full time at the United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant for 3 years.  Leaving Mt. Pleasant, she spent 10 1/2 years serving Faith United Methodist Church in Edmore.  Her last appointment in the United Methodist Church allowed her to minister in Farwell for 10 years.

      Reverend Connie is married to Frank Bongard Jr. who worked a the Clare Do It Best hardware and presently works for McClaren at the hospital in Mt. Pleasant.  She has three adult children: Jason, Aaron, and Sarah and three young grandchildren; Ryleigh, Micah and Zoe.

      Reverend Connie sits on the board of the Clare County Baby Pantry.  She has a passion for helping those in need of encouragement, food and clothes.  The volunteers at the Baby Pantry fill that need for many.

      Being able to be the minister at the Clare Congregational Church has been a blessed opportunity.  The congregation has been supportive in new ideas and outreaches.  They have also been supportive of the Pioneer School, Clare County Baby Pantry, New Hope Girls Home, and local needs.

      Reverend Connie attended her first two years of college at Western Michigan University and graduated from Central Michigan University with a BA where she continued her master's work.  Her ministerial education was done through Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.

      She enjoys quilting, scrap-booking, cooking and baking.  Her greatest pleasure is spending time with family and friends.  Her sense of humor keeps providing opportunities to share joy.  Her favorite Scripture is "With God All things are possible".  The verse fits well with the congregation's additional name for their church -- they are; 

                              The Miracle on 5th Street Church.

                                     Miracles still do happen!