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. Ryan T. Lockwood - Associate Rector
Fr. Ryan joined Grace along with his Wife Aubrey in June 2025 as its new Curate—a three-year period of learning and ministering alongside Grace's staff and volunteers. In addition to assisting with the overall spiritual care of the parish, Fr. Ryan coordinates the liturgical, pastoral, and digital life of Grace. Fr. Ryan graduated with his M.Div from the School of theology at the University of the South (Sewanee), and holds a BA and MA in Theology from Lee University in Cleveland, TN. A runner, reader, and general church nerd, Fr. Ryan enjoys spending time outdoors, cooking, fantasy and sci-fi fiction, and playing tabletop role-playing games.
The Rev. Dr. Derek J. Quinn - Assistant Priest for Outreach
Fr. Derek coordinates Grace's Jubilee Outreach Ministries. This includes Jubilee House, the Food Pantry, the Community Meal, and the Afghan Migrant Ministry Project. He also serves as Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Elk Rapids. 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. An avid swimmer, he enjoys studying languages, reading Science Fiction and Fantasy books, playing role-playing and adventure videogames, and building computers.
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.
Don DeWalt - Parish Office Assistant
Don is a life-long Episcopalian who has been involved with the Church over the years in many ways. He has served as an Acolyte, a Vestry member, Convention Delegate, Convocation Council Representative, Seminary student, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden. So, in addition to keeping the office running smoothly, he is an invaluable and knowledgeable resource that helps to keep the whole church running smoothly. He and his wife, Desiree, were married in July 2023 and he then moved to the Elk Rapids area. He is a dog person with a 3-year old Boxer named Kaline, and a 6-year old Lab Mix named Remy. He enjoys The Blues, in all its forms, from classics to the modern; and, he is a film buff. Come into the office for a chat any time — he can talk about movies until he is blue in the face! And that goes double for the old Japanese monster films such as “Godzilla,” “Mothra,” and “Rodan.” He also loves to discuss the Church. He enjoys hearing opinions and having discussions about what we as Episcopalians are doing well and what we could stand to improve upon. He believes the most powerful statement he has ever heard is “if it’s not about love, it’s not about God (Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Michael Curry).”
Hannah Wescott - Jubilee House Director
Since 2024, Hannah serves as the Director of Jubilee House -- Traverse City's only dedicated day-shelter for those experiencing homelessness. In addition to overseeing the other Jubilee House staff and volunteers, Hannah also represents Grace's Jubilee Outreach Ministries at all meetings of the Traverse City Basic Needs Coalition and the Traverse City Quick Response Team. 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.
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.
Our Lay Leaders
Tony Nelson- Senior Warden (Board Chair)
Tony got to know Grace Episcopal Church in 2007 as a volunteer at Jubilee House and started attending Grace full time in 2010. He is very active in the worship services as an usher, lector, streaming tech, LEM, and a member of the Altar Guild. He is also involved in Centering Prayer, Community Meals, the Hygiene Pantry, Safe Harbor, and is a Delegate for this year’s convention. Tony attended Northern Michigan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He has recently retired as the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer at Love Thy Neighbor GT Region, a local Christian nonprofit, where he was instrumental in transforming the organization over the past 13 years to better serve people in need. Tony was blessed with 3 sons, Joshua (who passed away in 2006), Jacob, and Adam, along with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 3 kids, Ava, Bella, and Alex. He cherishes being with his family and friends in his free time, along with biking, swimming, and reading good books. Tony is an avid fan and shareholder of the Green Bay Packers and enjoys watching all kinds of sports.
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.
