Grace is a church that says “YES”! by actively looking for ways to do as Jesus taught: love God and love our neighbor. We live this out seven days a week in the most surprising ways guided by “holy experiments”. Grace strives to be a unified, thriving church that feeds souls and bellies while maintaining a consistent, visible presence and extending GRACE(IOUS) hospitality to the community of Alvin.
The Rev. Suzanne Smith came to Grace, Alvin, first as Deacon-in-Charge in July, 2018, after graduation from the Seminary of the Southwest with a Diploma in Anglican Studies in May, 2018. She was ordained to the Episcopal Priesthood in January, 2019, and since 2020, has been the Rector of Grace.
After earning her Bachelor of Science degree at A&M in Corpus Christi, she went to Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary, where she earned a Master of Divinity degree, and was ordained a minister in the Baptist Church. In the first decade of her ministry, Suzanne was a practicing Hospice Chaplain, where she learned how to provide pastoral care at bedsides of patients transitioning from this world to the next. Listening to their stories, and telling stories of her own, she realized the power of sharing the Gospel in story form. Passionate about liturgy, she weaves scripture and story to communicate the Gospel today.
Suzanne is the proud mother of Luke, Noah and Andrew. Together, they enjoy Cub and Boy Scouts, soccer and basketball.
Suzanne is a member of the 2024-2026 Cohort of the Trinity Wall Street (New York City) Leadership Fellows.
You can contact her at rev.suzanne@gracechurchalvin.org.
My way to the church came by way of a call to hospitality answered at an early age. My grandparents owned hotels in Guatemala and West Virginia. After they both graduated from Cornell University’s Hotel School, my parents returned to Guatemala hotel ownership, so that is where I grew up.
I followed in my family footsteps as I too studied hotel management, then for almost 30 years worked at some of the finest hotels in Texas.
One Sunday in 2011, the gospel reading was from Matthew 25:31-46. The reading and sermon that day brought about an epiphany for me. I felt a call to refocus my abounding enthusiasm for hospitality on those who don’t have the benefit of butlers, concierges, housekeepers, chefs, and door-men, for those who are overlooked, or unable to fend for themselves, for the invisible – the “least of these”.
Soon my path veered away from hotels, and I found myself in Galveston helping start a one of a kind marine and aquatic facility with programs where young people and people with disabilities would learn teamwork, leadership skills, confidence, maritime career path-ways and an independence of mind, body, and spirit.
Fast forward to the present day, and here I am as the Community Missioner/Planter at Grace. I bring 30 years spent in the hospitality industry to the church. Hospitality for me now extends to fostering community relationships and partnerships, and serving those living in some form of isolation or poverty in our area. For me, Grace is not the building, but what we extend as we open our arms outside its four walls to all of our neighbors, and especially those in need.
You can contact him at ed.carrette@gracechurchalvin.org.
Dear Grace Family,
I am beyond blessed to be your new Children’s Minister. I feel honored to share in the growth of each child’s faith journey. I wanted to take this time to share a little about myself. The past 8 years I have been working at Alvin ISD in the elementary Special Education department.
I have been happily married to my husband Tommy McDonald (aka Camera Guy) for 23+ years. We first walked through the red doors of Grace in October 2023 and found our forever church home. We both began finding ways to serve and help at Grace: Tommy with Audio/Visual and church photographer; I with serving at the Altar, assisting with the cameras, and behind the scenes with the Altar Guild.
Before Grace, I was the Children’s Director at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pearland from 2014 to 2022. I loved watching the children grow in their faith, prayer practice, and service to the Church and the community.
This included Children’s Worship, Sunday School class, First Communion classes, and VBS. Family events like Game night, Prayer Stations, Christmas Programs, Messy Church, and Egg Hunts. Community projects like filling Blessing Bags for children in need or the homeless, Pumpkin Patch unloadings, going to Senior Centers, and playing games or singing Christmas Carols. Engaging PreTeens in acts of service and worship time through PreTeen Camp by cleaning Parks, visiting Senior Centers, and my favorite was going to a Horse Therapy Ranch to assist with Special Needs children.
I believe children are our future for the growth of the church, and they are capable of so much. Thank you again for entrusting me with your young ones. I am looking forward to working with you all in growing their faith, prayer, and service.
Peace and blessings,
Heather
Paul Humphrey came to Grace in October, 2016 as Choir Master and Organist. He has been involved in music ministry for 40 years. Paul had served as pianist, organist, music minister, handbell choir director, and children’s choir director.
Paul first started his ministry in his home church in Dumas, Texas. After feeling the call to music ministry, he was accepted at Hardin Simmons University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Church Music in 1993. Three years later Paul went to Texas A & M University in Commerce, Texas and earned a degree in Music Education.
Paul taught Junior High and High School choir for 17 years, but always worked in music ministry part time in churches during his teaching career.
Paul is married to Bill Alexander. They are certified as a foster to adopt home. They pray that God will send them a beautiful addition to their family. Paul and Bill enjoy cycling and spending time with family and friends.
Hello Amazing Grace! We are Jim and Ginger Wolfe. I, Ginger, am a postulant at IONA School for Ministry, and I am entering the second of three years formation to be a bi-vocational priest. As an intern at Grace for the 25-26 school year, I am so excited by the vibrant ministries and family atmosphere of the congregation. I am a retired high school music educator, and Jim is a retired environmental engineer. Fun fact…we had our first date as Tropical Storm Allison made landfall in June 2001, and were married on the one-year anniversary of our first date. We come to Grace from St. Catherine of Sienna near our home in Missouri City, and we have two mini-Aussies, Dash and Zoom. We enjoy traveling together, Jim enjoys designing radio-controlled airplanes, volunteering at East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, and writing Christian fiction (he has two published books) and Ginger enjoys golf and crochet when she is not studying for IONA. We are thankful for the warm and generous welcome we have received at Grace and look forward to getting to know you all! Blessings!
