Our CONGREGATION

We are united.  At PLUC, we know what it takes to come together.

Portage Lake Untied Church is one congregation, the result of two historic local congregations merging. Today we maintain affiliation with our two parent denominations, the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ. Our congregation is even more ecumenical and has been served over the years by pastors of over five denominations. 

Since we opened the doors of our church building across the highway from Michigan Tech in 1976, we have been brining students, staff and faculty, and families and individuals from our community together. 

You are welcome here. PLUC is a place where everyone is welcome–and we mean it.

We value and celebrate all people a God has made us, so we made it official and became a More Light and Open and Affirming congregation. Our small congregation has members with many different denominational and religious backstories, and people of a variety of cultural, educational, and economic backgrounds. 

When you walk through our doors, you will be welcomed by a community that works to embody God’s love, and a worship service that expresses God’s welcome for all. 

OuR Pastor

Peter Norland has been pastor at Portage Lake United Church since July 2018.  He has served congregations in the Upper Peninsula, Vermont and South Dakota.  He was ordained by the Evangelical Covenant Church in 2009 and is credentialed by the Northwest Association of the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC and the Presbytery of the Mackinaw.

Peter is a First Responder with his local Volunteer Fire Department and enjoys spending time with his family, working on various projects on his homestead, good coffee and reading and discussing philosophy and theology.