Staff & Council

Pastor: The Rev. Denise M. Grant
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Pastor Denise Grant began her ministry as pastor of Saint James in February 2015. Pastor Grant is a graduate of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg Pennsylvania, was ordained in 1991, and has served congregations in North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana and Texas.
Throughout her ministry, Pastor Grant has been grounded in a ministry of Word and Sacrament wherein three prominent themes have emerged in her preaching and leadership. The first is the message of grace, which comes through Christ and the cross. Grace brings hope, healing, inclusion, and joy. The second theme is the centrality of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). It is the Lord who welcomes us to the sacred table where we are fed and forgiven, then sent into the world to serve. Finally, Pastor Grant believes that faithful ministry is organic (living, active) and occasional (speaking to the context or occasion) and thus the Church must always be asking, ‘What is God calling us to in this time and place?’
Pastor Grant, who was born in Michigan, married Dr. Ken A. Grant, a historian who teaches at University of Detroit Mercy, in 1990. Together they enjoy travel, food, and live music. They have two children: Gregory, a student at the University of Chicago, and Madeleine, a sophomore at Grosse Pointe South High School.

Minister of Music: Kurt Heyer
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Administrative Assistant: Ruth Richardson
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Ruth joined the staff of St. James in December 1998, during a time of pastoral transition. At the time of her hiring the church council indicated they were looking for someone who would serve in the position for a minimum of five years. Ruth is still here, grateful for serving the warm community that is St. James and for the many friendships formed over the years. Primary responsibilities include administrative support for the Pastor, running the church office, and database input and maintenance.

Housekeeper & Parish Chef: Stella Carr
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Stella Carr was born in Ireland in a town called Mullingar. She spent three years in convent, aged 15-18 years, and worked in Hospital in Dublin. She went to London City and Guilds Catering Colleges where she became a qualified chef. Stella moved to Grosse Pointe Farms in 1987, where she was a nanny and became a US citizen. She came to work at Saint James as Parish Chef and Housekeeper in 2003, and enjoys working with the staff and interacting with the members.