The Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence has served as Transitional Co-Leader/Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan since September of 2018.  Prior to that time, she had served  as the stated clerk of Lake Michigan since 2013.  Fran loves the challenges and intricacies of mid council work and is grateful for all the opportunities to build relationships that serving Christ’s church in mid councils brings.

Fran has served churches in Charleroi, PA, Shadyside, OH, Niles, MI.  She also served as an executive director of a faith-based community center, Laughlin Memorial Chapel in Wheeling, WV.  She is currently serving on the PCUSA General Assembly Special Committee on Racism Truth and Reconciliation, and is a former moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly Committee on Theological Education.  Fran also serves as an officer on the Board of Trustees for Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary.

Her education includes a B.A. in English and Liberal Studies, focused on Religion Studies, Women’s Studies and Communication from the University of Louisville.  Fran earned an M. Div from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she is currently enrolled studying for a D. Min.  The focus of her study is on helping congregations engage more deeply with their communities.  She is convinced that congregational vitality is intricately connected to their engagement and participation in the communities surrounding them.

Fran grew up in Louisville, KY and currently lives in Niles, MI.  She is married to the Rev. David Lawrence who serves a Presbyterian church in Auburn, IN.  Fran has five children,

Phillip Gardner (Tarra), Jonathan Gardner (Tina),  Donna Taylor (Brandon), Sallie Greco (Victor) and Ross Lawrence.  Ross is currently in the Army and is stationed in Hawaii.  She has twin grandchildren, Carson Allen and Grace Frances, who bring more joy than she could ever imagine.  She walks about seven miles a day, loves, kayaking, hiking and gardening.  Fran is an avid fan of the University of Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Team and the Pittsburgh Steelers.