We are a community led by laity and clergy (deacons, priests, and bishops) who are equal partners in our branch of the movement started by Jesus of Nazareth.
Our Clergy
The Rev. Jim Perra - Rector
Our rector serves as the organizational and spiritual leader of our community, supported and directed by our lay leaders. After attending Michigan State University and Seminary at Trinity College at the University of Toronto, he worked as a paramedic for the Baltimore County Fire Department before being ordained in the Diocese of Maryland. Father Jim arrived at Grace in the winter of 2020. He doesn't take enough time off but enjoys every minute spent with his wife Arianna, and their son Danny.
The Rev. Dr. Derek Quinn - Associate Rector
Fr. Derek coordinates our outreach ministries. This includes serving as the director of Jubilee House. He also serves St. Paul's in Elk Rapids as Priest-in-Charge. His M.Div. is from the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee) and his Pharm.D. is from Ferris State University. From Portage, MI, he practiced Pharmacy there for 13 years. He enjoys studying languages, reading Science Fiction and Fantasy books, playing role-playing and adventure videogames, and building computers.
The Rev. Canon Anne Hallmark - Regional Missioner
Anne is a seasoned parish priest and interim pastor, having served over thirty years in dioceses throughout the Southeast including Virginia and Chicago. She is a proven leader and teacher in areas of organizational change, prayer practice, capital campaigns, and more. She earned her Masters of Divinity from Seabury Western Theological Seminary in 1987. Anne and her husband, Steve, live in Traverse City. Northern congregations should contact Anne for assistance with congregational development, transitions, and conflict resolution.
Our Staff
Ellen Schrader, BA, AdN, MHSA – Parish Administrator
From travel agent to dude ranch, hospitals to ski bum, Ellen has enjoyed multiple jobs and locations. She has stories to tell about living in London, Germany, Colorado, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Michigan; and traveling all over the US and Europe. Over the years, Ellen earned degrees in History (BA), Nursing (ADN), and Public Health (Master’s, Health Services Administration), before landing a job at Munson Medical Center and settling in northern Michigan – a favorite family vacation spot. ‘I fell in love with Leelanau at age 10, and never got over it”, she says. A cradle Episcopalian, Ellen arrived at Grace in 1995 and has been active in many ministries over the years. A seasoned office volunteer, she was recruited out of retirement to the role of administrative assistant in 2017, and promoted to Parish Administrator in 2021. Ellen wears many hats and has been named ‘The Chaos Coordinator’. She welcomes questions about anything related to Grace Church. Ellen enjoys the incredible beauty of our area, singing in the Chancel Choir, reading, lunches with friends, and hanging out with her corgi, Cricket.
Hannah Wescott - Outreach and Maintenance
Hannah splits her time between staffing the Jubilee House and maintaining church grounds and facilities. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College with a degree in French, she taught English in France for two years. She is thrilled to be home now, serving the church community that raised her. She enjoys defying her allergist’s orders by playing with her cats and tending to her countless houseplants.
Kathryn Christian, MA - Director of Grace Harmony
Kathryn loves sharing music for worship, prayer and reflection. She writes sacred music based on scripture and women mystics of the church. Kathryn studied religion and music at Oberlin College and received her Master of Theology from Nee Brunswick Theological Seminary with emphasis in pastoral care and counseling. She loves to write music for meditation and for the people of at Grace church. Kathryn plays harp at the bedside and has served as staff chaplain at Munson Medical Center for over 20 years. She loves being a mom and sees it as a high calling. Nature is her playground.
Jason Hallowbard - Choir Director
Jason Hallowbard joined Grace Episcopal Church in August 2018. He also serves a Vice Provost of Academic and Artistic Education at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Prior to coming to Michigan, Jason served as Choirmaster at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jason also served as Associate Head of School at the Episcopal School of Baton Rouge, where responsibilities included the management of the PK3-12 arts and academic program, as well as the marketing, communications, development and technology areas of school life. He was the recipient of an E.E. Ford/NAIS Aspiring Heads Fellowship while maintaining an active artistic schedule. Jason has directed music in multiple productions on both the collegiate and secondary level. Most recently serving as music director in the LSU Swine Palace production of Mr. Burns- a Post-Electric Play. He has directed choirs, bands, and orchestras on the collegiate, secondary, and professional level and has sung professionally with the Santa Fe Desert Chorale.
Karin Willman, M.M. Organ, M.M. Music History - Organist/Accompanist
Our organist and accompanist is an integral part of our music team. Karin has a degree in Organ from Lawrence University (Appleton, WI) and masters degrees from Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH) in Organ and Music History. She has 42 years of experience playing organ full-time in churches in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. 15 of those have been at Grace Episcopal. Karin also studied in London, England, and was a member of the Royal College of Organists. When she is not making music at Grace you will find her boating, traveling, golfing, taking photos, or enjoying time with her daughter, Lauren, and her lovable golden retriever, Shadow.
Heather Adam - Nursery Care Worker
Heather was born and raised in the Lansing area. She is married and going on 5 years in November. She has 1 daughter (Sierra) whom has 3 of her grandchildren (Kannyon 6, Evelyn 2 and Benjamin 11 months). They reside in Tennessee and she gets to see them everyday by FaceTime. Heather holds an Associate degree in Health Information Technology, Registered Medical Assistant, and Certified Nursing Assistant. Heather has been in the health field since she was 18 years old. Currently Heather works full time for the Woman’s Resource Center as a Shelter Assistant. If Heather isn’t working or enjoying her time with her Husband, she is somewhere on the water Kayaking, tubing, or paddle boarding. Heather enjoys nature and caring for people.
Our Lay Leaders
Meghan K. Chenoweth - Senior Warden (Board Chair | '24)
Meghan leads the streaming ministry team and enjoys supporting our worship and pastoral care ministries. A "near" cradle Episcopalian, she joined the GEC community in 2017, after moving to Michigan from central Illinois. Meghan recently graduated from Central Michigan University with a Master of Business Administration degree. Her professional career includes 18 years in financial services including community banks and credit unions. In her free time, you can find Meghan outside no matter the season. She especially enjoys hiking, skiing, fishing and hunting.
Catherine S. Collins, CMA - Treasurer
A member of Grace Episcopal since birth, Catherine attended Grand Valley State University where she earned her BBA in Accounting. While in Grand Rapids Michigan she attended St. Marks Episcopal Church. After relocating back to Northern Michigan, Catherine raised her three children at Grace, has been active in many ways over the years and now serves as treasurer. Catherine has a career in management accounting where she is currently the CFO for an international cherry and apple cooperative. When not at work Catherine enjoys her role on the Board of Directors of Munson Medical Center, camping, skiing, hiking and working with her husband on their cattle farm in Leelanau County.
Our Vestry (Board of Directors)
The Vestry is the governing body of the church. Their primary job is to equip and support all of the ministries of the church.
Each year a nomination committee prayerfully selects and recruits members of the church to be offered for election at our Annual Meeting in January to serve a three year term.
The vestry meets each month to discuss the life and ministry of the church, and to approve resolutions, policies, and significant expenditures. Each vestry member is also a liaison to one of our six areas of ministry and expected to assist and be in dialogue with the leaders of ministries in their area.