Our Staff
Pastor Chris Thomas
Pastor Chris Thomas is a northern Illinois native who was called to serve Grace in 2023. He and his wife Katie, along with their mini-menagerie of 2 cats (Viola and Willow) and 1 dog (Mario) are excited to join the Grafton community and to be a part of this next chapter in Grace’s story.
In his 15 years of serving churches around the country, he’s served congregations of all different shapes and sizes. Beginning with his time as a youth director on a large church staff, to his studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and onto serving congregations in southern Illinois and south central Pennsylvania. He has a heart for walking with congregations and striving to be authentic communities that strive to love and serve our neighbors. Youth ministry is one of his great passions and he firmly believes it is an essential part of the life of the church, especially in how we welcome and guide the next generation of disciples. Pastor Chris feels most spiritually charged when he can connect to God in the beauty of creation. He loves to hike and wander taking in all of this beautiful world we live in. His other hobbies include games (no matter if it’s on a tabletop, a field, or on a console), drinking a great cup of coffee, and his continued joy since childhood, LEGO.
In his 15 years of serving churches around the country, he’s served congregations of all different shapes and sizes. Beginning with his time as a youth director on a large church staff, to his studies at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and onto serving congregations in southern Illinois and south central Pennsylvania. He has a heart for walking with congregations and striving to be authentic communities that strive to love and serve our neighbors. Youth ministry is one of his great passions and he firmly believes it is an essential part of the life of the church, especially in how we welcome and guide the next generation of disciples. Pastor Chris feels most spiritually charged when he can connect to God in the beauty of creation. He loves to hike and wander taking in all of this beautiful world we live in. His other hobbies include games (no matter if it’s on a tabletop, a field, or on a console), drinking a great cup of coffee, and his continued joy since childhood, LEGO.
Jean Fugate
Hi! I’m Jean Fugate. My husband Tom is a “charter member” here at Grace (I think he was 2 years old when he joined). I’ve been a member since 1991. Tom and I live in Grafton with our 2-year-old dog Sergeant Murphy (named after a favorite character in the Richard Scarry books). Our oldest son Rob lives in Chicago, working remotely in the software industry. Joe lives in Madison. He also works remotely for an online apartment rental company.
Tom and I love visiting both Rob and Joe, spending time with Murphy, good food and time with one another. We are happy our extended family lives close to us. I enjoy cooking, arts and crafts, antiques and a good binge on Netflix or Prime.
Tom and I love visiting both Rob and Joe, spending time with Murphy, good food and time with one another. We are happy our extended family lives close to us. I enjoy cooking, arts and crafts, antiques and a good binge on Netflix or Prime.
Erica Dimmett
I am the Youth Ministries Coordinator at Grace. I enjoy working with our Grace youth throughout their middle school and high school years. I love watching our youth grow as people of faith and find strength and light from that faith. The way they lean on God and each other in their faith journey, to help them through both good and bad experiences, is inspirational and I am blessed to be part of that journey.
Our youth groups include KFC (Kids for Christ) for children in 3rd-5th Grade, JYG (Junior Youth Group) for our 6th-8th grade youth and HYPE which is for our High School youth. I also assist with our Confirmation program.
When I am not spending time with our Grace youth, my husband and I, along with our 4 children (and two dogs), love to camp in our beautiful 1998 Winnebago Adventurer, travel, hang out at home and attend the ongoing variety of our children’s sporting events, concerts and activities.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey with our Grace Family.
Our youth groups include KFC (Kids for Christ) for children in 3rd-5th Grade, JYG (Junior Youth Group) for our 6th-8th grade youth and HYPE which is for our High School youth. I also assist with our Confirmation program.
When I am not spending time with our Grace youth, my husband and I, along with our 4 children (and two dogs), love to camp in our beautiful 1998 Winnebago Adventurer, travel, hang out at home and attend the ongoing variety of our children’s sporting events, concerts and activities.
Working with the youth at Grace has been such a blessing in my life and look forward to continuing this journey with our Grace Family.
Maria Haischer
I recently moved back to my hometown of Port Washington with my husband and our son. Though we live in Port Washington, Grafton has always had a special place in my heart as it is where my husband grew up. People are my passion. Previously I worked for a hospice company where I was able to assist the staff and hospice families as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant. I also hold a license in Cosmetology. When I am not working you can find me with my family enjoying an outing at Wisconsin sporting events or enjoying the slopes in the winter! Family is everything to me and I am so excited to be joining the Grace family as the Administrative Office Assistant at this point in my life!
Cali Schwalbach
My name is Cali Schwalbach, I grew up in the Appleton area but now live in Greenfield. I just finished my Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy this past Spring! I have worked full time for a specialty pharmacy for a little over two years fixing all the problems with insurances, billing, doctors' offices, etc. Although I work full time elsewhere, I am very happy to be working here at Grace as the Children and Family Ministry Coordinator. I always volunteered at my church back home with my four younger siblings so I’m excited to help Grace youth grow in their faith as well.
Eryn Durlam
Eryn Durlam is the Director of Music at Grace. In this role, she oversees music planning and participation in worship. She is also the 8:00 service musician and co-directs and accompanies the Jubilation Choir. Eryn has been teaching music at Jackson Elementary since 2016, where she teaches Kindergarten through fourth grade general music and the fourth-grade choir. Prior to returning to her home state of Wisconsin, Eryn taught K-8 elementary music and choir in Fresno, California, and several districts in Iowa. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Luther College and has done additional course work through Iowa State University and VanderCook College of Music. Mrs. Durlam is also an accomplished collaborative pianist, having recently played for the NC/C-ACDA TTBB Choir and the Psalm Festivals at Mt. Carmel Church in Wauwatosa, and will be the pianist for the Wisconsin Junior Festivals of Music tour to Hawaii in 2024.
Sharon Hatch
Sharon Hatch is our Music and Worship Team Leader.
Arcelia Magana
Arcelia is the Financial Administrator.
