Grace Episcopal Church announced that it has called a new rector, the Rev. Tommy J. Dillon, II, currently rector of St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in San Francisco, CA; he will begin July 15, 2015. Grace’s outgoing priest, the Rev. William R. Harper, will retire on Sunday, April 26, 2015, after 30 years as an ordained minister of the Episcopal Church and 20 years as rector of Grace.
Dillon stood out from a list of strong candidates. He will be leaving his current post in San Francisco, where he has served as rector for the last nine years. Prior to that, Dillon was a part-time priest in his home state of Louisiana. Dillon has earned a reputation for creative, inclusive, and inspirational ministry, which is grounded in a powerful faith. The members of the Call Committee were impressed with his preaching, and also with unique and effective ways that his church has reached beyond its walls to serve those in the community.
Grace Episcopal Church was established on Bainbridge Island in 1992. Under the leadership of Grace’s retiring rector, Bill Harper, Grace has become a lively, inclusive congregation of more than 400 families. In its early days, Grace’s founders embraced four defining values: inclusion, service, discovery, and gratitude. Grace combines Episcopal traditions with modern language, creative liturgy, and diverse music. Parishioners come to Grace from all backgrounds, seeking community, a deeper knowledge of God, and a safe and welcoming place for their children and teens to grow into young adulthood. Sunday services are at 8:00 and 9:30 am.
