Staff – Leadership – Congregation
Staff
Pastor
Our Call Process for a new pastor has concluded. We celebrate that Pastor Pete Grana has accepted our call. Welcome Pastor Pete!
Pastor Pete Grana comes to Grace by the Sea as a son of the congregation. He was born in Newport News, VA and raised in Nags Head, NC.
Before his Call to the Office of Ministry, Pete was a career Fire Fighter/EMT with the Nags Head Fire Rescue Department. Pete received his BA from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2003 and his MDiv. from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN in 2008. Pete served as Vicar of Redeemer Bartlesville, OK and Pastor of Trinity Toccoa GA and Grace Clarkesville, GA from 2008 until 2012.
Pastor Pete comes to us from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Portsmouth where he served as Sole Pastor for over 9 years. Pete is husband to Christine and father to Christopher, Jennifer and Elizabeth.
Church Secretary
Position opening in April 2023!
Interested in making an application?
Music Director
Cathy Pescevich Kreplin
Cathy is a lifelong teaching musical artist – vocalist, flutist, pianist and music director.
She holds a double Bachelors of Science cum laude in Performance (voice/flute) and Music Technology (audio engineering) from New York University; her degree was earned through coursework at Yale University, N.Y.U., and the Institute of Audio Research. As well, Cathy has completed Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced courses in piano pedagogy and music theory pedagogy with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada; musicianship and jazz improvisation coursework with the Berklee School of Music, early childhood music certification with Musikgarten; and 14 years of private training. She was privileged to study privately with Anna Freund (NY. Met.), Alan Bowers (Cornelius Reed protege), John Kuhn (N.Y. Met) and Marianna Busching (Peabody), among others. Learn more at ncmusicteachers.com/our-team
Cathy is married to classical guitarist Gordon Kreplin. They have three daughters – Stefany, Jennifer, and Samantha – and five grandchildren – Marshall, Maribel, Madelyn, Amelia, and Maxwell.
Leadership
Board of Deacons
Deacons (previously called Elders) are the lay spiritual leaders in the congregation. Deacons are selected by the Pastor and voted into that position at the Congregational Voters Meeting in October. There are no term limits for a Deacon.
Deacons assist the Pastor and reach out to members who face challenges, physical, mental and spiritual. This may include home visits, phone calls and other ways of communication with the congregational members in need. Currently serving as deacons are Rob Lawson (head deacon), Bill Jolly, Heidi Francis, Wilson Shearin, and Richie Buscemi.
Council
Council members are those who chair specific missions at Grace. Church governance is the main purpose of the Council. Council positions carry a two year term.
Council members serving currently are: Gary Funaiok (President, and Property Chair); Rolf Schmid (Vice President); Cher Funaiok (Secretary); Jay Dunlap (Treasurer); Heidi Francis (Christian Youth); Susan Faudie (Stewardship); Denise Lyons (Fellowship); Rob Lawson (Deacons) and Alice Jaeger (Outreach and Evangelism).
Volunteers
These are individuals who have stepped up to fill a particular need or position of service at Grace Lutheran Church By-The-Sea. They are true team players who may be members of our Music Team, our Vacation Bible School Team, our Communications Team, our Christmas Pageant Team, our Gardening Team, our Food Pantry and Blanket Ministry and Angel Tree organizers, our Ladies Luncheon and Men’s Breakfast crews, our Room in the Inn volunteers, and much more. Learn how and where you might serve the community with us.
Congregation
The congregation of Grace Lutheran Church By-The-Sea are a family of faithful, dedicated, generous and fun-loving neighbors on the Outer Banks. We are old, and young and middle aged. We have many interests and many gifts to give. We come from various backgrounds, but we are united in our commitment to the message of Jesus Christ. If you are looking for a church home, we invite you to join us. Connect with us today.
Grace Lutheran Church By-The-Sea 