OUR LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
THE REVEREND JOHN C. SIMPSON, IV
Rector
John is married to Barbara (Hall) of Arden, and they have three children, Marshall (13), Virginia (9), and Jack (3).
After lay youth and parish ministry in Hendersonville NC, and Roanoke and Bristol VA, the family moved to Sewanee TN, where John attended seminary. His first cure was as Associate Rector at St. Mark's Gastonia, where he was ordained in 2021.
John holds a BS from UNC Charlotte and a Master's from NC State in Economics, and a Master of Divinity from the University of the South.
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John plays a little guitar, enjoys riding bikes, and is considering learning to sail - or fly. He enjoys playing his children in chess, where he holds an impressive win-loss record.
KATHY PETERS
Volunteer Pastoral Care Coordinator
Kathy Peters is a two-time graduate of Appalachian State University, earning a BS in Recreation and a MA in Special Education. In 2017, she retired after 38 years at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center.
She is a “big sister” with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and she is a trained spiritual director, having completed the Haden Institute’s rigorous spiritual direction training program. She is also a trained SoulCollage and Labyrinth facilitator. She works closely with Fr. Marshall to coordinate pastoral care and spiritual formation in the parish.
TRISH KEENE
Parish Administrator
Trish Keene and her husband Robert have been attending Grace Church since 2016 and became members in 2018. She graduated from Western Piedmont Community College in 2000 with an Associates in Arts degree. Originally from Michigan, Trish has called North Carolina home for thirty-one years. Together with her husband, she has 3 children, eight grandchildren, and 3 curious cats. Trish enjoys spending her free time making precious memories with her large family and hiking wherever the trail may lead her.
ALEX KNEEN
Formation Minister
Alex Kneen graduated with a master’s degree in theological studies from Nashotah House Theological Seminary in 2024. She has worked in ministry in paid and volunteer positions since 1999.
She enjoys reading theology and philosophy, writing music and poetry, and dabbles in other forms of art, such as woodworking and pottery pulled from the clay she digs out of the creek in her backyard.
Alex has been married to David for 23 years (and counting), and they have three children, Rowan, Esther, and Bastion.
CHELSEA LEDFORD
Financial Assistant
Chelsea was born and raised in West Jefferson, North Carolina. She graduated from Western Carolina University in 2011 with her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and in 2012 with her Master of Accountancy.
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She and her husband, Matthew, have lived in Morganton since 2013. They have two sons, Zeb and Zeke, and two dogs, Nora and Ryder. In her spare time, Chelsea loves to spend time with her family, play golf, and listen to true crime podcasts.
JUSTINA KEENE
Nursery Supervisor
Justina resides in Morganton with her husband and their 4 children, 2 cats, and a dog. She is from all over but has always felt most at home here in Morganton.
When she is not serving the children at Grace Church she is spending quality time with friends and family and drinking lots and lots of coffee.
SAVANNAH ANN
Nursery Supervisor
Savannah has the privilege of being the mother to 4 beautiful, kind, amazing boys. She has my degree in Early Childhood Education and has been working in the field for 14 years. She is also working towards a degree in Horticulture!
In her free-time she enjoys hiking and everything nature, reading books, and watching documentaries about every random thing imaginable.
She believes in the power of love, acceptance, inclusion, forgiveness, and kindness.
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH VESTRY
Caroline Avery (2027), Senior Warden
Patrick Bartholomew (2027), Junior Warden
Norma DeFago (2026), Parish Treasurer
Dakota Duncan (2027), Vestry Secretary
Dave Ferguson (2028)
Laurie Miller (2028)
Sheila Williamson (2026)
The Rev. John C. Simpson, IV, Rector, ex officio
The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings.
