Our Priest-In-Charge
Father Thomas P. Hansen has served in several capacities throughout his ministry in the Dioceses of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Indiana. While in Colorado, he served in youth ministry at St. Luke’s, Fort Collins, and led Diocesan Youth Camps and retreats for the Diocese. Hansen also served as Campus Chaplain at the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. Throughout his ministry, Father Hansen has served in rural and urban settings. He led the planting of an Episcopal Church in Papillion while serving as Canon Missioner for the Diocese of Nebraska where he and his family lived for 20 years before accepting a call to serve at Trinity Episcopal Church, Fort Wayne, in 2006. Father Hansen served there for ten years before retiring in 2016. Over his years in ministry, he held elected and appointed positions in the Dioceses where he served. Following retirement, Father Hansen and his wife remained in Fort Wayne.
When the Rector of Grace retired, the congregation called upon Father Hansen to provide Sunday Services while they entered a search process to locate and hire a priest. The pandemic derailed that process. Subsequently, Father Hansen was invited to serve Grace on a part-time basis. Together we have met the challenge of developing a hybrid worship experience as participatory rather than a spectator event. We have maintained the Hybrid format as the pandemic eased. While we worship in person at Grace, it is a blessing to welcome people to join us from distant locations or who are unable to attend.
Parish Administrator
Emily Thompson has been serving as parish administrator in the church office at Grace since 2021, where she coordinates all communications and supports the priest, vestry, and congregation in all the practical and liturgical workings of the church and its ministries. Her usual office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9-1, and she can be reached using the Contact form or calling the church office by phone at 260-432-9221.
Emily is also a professional violinist who teaches and performs in several area orchestras, including the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. She also has a thriving wedding and event music business. Her experience with classical and sacred music made her a natural fit to work for an Episcopal church, where she finds herself elbows-deep in the liturgy, prayers, and music of Christianity ancient and modern.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking, and traveling with her family.
Senior Warden
David Smith is the current senior warden of Grace Episcopal Church.