New Perspectives on the Way of the Cross | February 21 to March 20

Leadership

Pastoral Staff

Rector

Rev. Joe Pierjok

Missioner for Hispanic Ministry

Rev. Canon Jose Palma

Associate Rector

Rev. Collin Larimore

Bishop Provisional of the Diocese of West Missouri

The Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce

Parish Staff

Organist/ Choir Director

Peter Frost

Peter joined the staff of Grace Church in July of 2017. As organist and choirmaster, Peter programs liturgically appropriate hymnody, choral music, and organ voluntaries for regular services as well as an array of special services including Lessons and Carols and Evensong.

Notable performances include Guilmant Organ Concerto no 1 with the SEK Symphony, continuo for Messiah with MSSU combined choirs and orchestra, and choral evensong with PSU choirs at Gloucester Cathedral, England.

Peter holds a Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music in organ performance from Pittsburg State University.

Secretary

Sally Clapper

Sexton

Jack Slates

Gift Shop Manager

Ruth Hartman

Nursery Attendants

Miao Miao Nelson

Nursery Attendants

Svitlana Mize

Vestry Members

Senior Warden

Zelma Watts

Junior Warden

Austin Rhymer

Treasurer

Larry McGuire

Cindy Chilton

Mark Sponaugle

Mike Robertson

Jeanie Slates

Elaine Wurst

Andy Lynch

Chuck Edds

Gloria Gubser

Ben Blair

Alyssa Hess

2024 Diocesan Convention Delegates

Becky Edds

Chuck Edds

Ruth Hartman

Debby Orr

Spencer Orr

Jennifer Rhymer

Mark Sponaugle

Zelma Watts

Elisa White

2024 Diocesan Convention Delegate Alternates

Alyssa Hess

Shirley Gollhoffer

Mark Jones

Our Leadership Structure

The Book of Common Prayer says that the “ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.”

Lay People

Those who are baptized are welcomed into God’s family, the church, for the purpose of doing good works using the gifts God has freely given. They are called to “carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.” The baptized are the body of Christ in the world and without them, there is no church.

Bishops

That funny word ‘Episcopal’ comes from the Greek word for bishop. One of our distinctives is that we are a Protestant church that still has bishops. Bishops serve as the chief priest and pastor of a diocese (a group of churches in a geographic area), builds up the church, guards the faith, unity and discipline of the Church and ordains others to continue Christ’s ministry.

Priests

Priests are called to provide leadership to local parishes, serve as pastor to the people, administer the sacraments, share with the Bishop in overseeing the Church and speak blessings and pardon in the name of God.

Deacons

Deacons are ordained to serve those in need and organize the people of God to repair the injustices and indignities of our world. Deacons serve at the intersection of the church and the world. In our worship, they assist bishops and priests in proclaiming the Gospel and administering the sacraments.