The Rev. Carleton B. Bakkum
The Rev. Carleton Bakkum has been rector of Grace Church a long time -- 22 years! Originally from Dalton, Georgia, his B.A. is from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, his M.Div. is from Princeton Theological Seminary and he has a Certificate in Anglican Studies from General Seminary in New York City. Carleton believes the Episcopal Church is a "best kept secret" and works to encourage others in living abundant Christian lives -- connected to Grace Church. He has a particular and lifelong interest in music and art and loves camping, hiking and kayaking. He is married to Elsa Bakkum who is Assistant Director of Education for Ministry (EfM, out of the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN). They have three sons, Brownlee, who works in New York City, Ben, who is a second-year student at the University of Virginia, and Carter, a Junior at York High School.
The Rev. Connie Jones
After a first career teaching American History in the Virginia Community College System, the Rev. Connie Jones attended Union Presbyterian Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary, and was ordained deacon and then priest in the Episcopal Church in 2003. As associate rector, Connie shares in a variety of ministries at Grace Church, with particular responsibility in the areas of Christian Formation for adults and lay pastoral ministries. She serves on the Board of Examining Chaplains for the Diocese of Southern Virginia, and was first alternate deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2009.
