About Us
The Rev. James S. Maines, Pastor
Pastor Jim Maines (affectionately called PJ by his Grace parishioners) is a native Californian and loves the friendly atmosphere of Grace. This year he is celebrating 40 years of ministry — and 20 of those years have been at Grace!
PJ leads a Tuesday evening Bible Study Group in the Fireside Room. The Wednesday evening service provides a time of informal worship and creative ministry. Pastor Jim is available for pastoral counseling.
Call Pastor Jim to visit about your faith, how Grace can be of service in your journey of faith…and how we can work together as a loving community in Christ. (310) 559-1027 X 1
Email: graceculver@sbcglobal.net
Marina Tidwell – Church Administrator
Marina has been a member of Grace Church since 1995, and was hired as Volunteers Coordinator in 2008. She is currently the Church Administrator, and loves the job, but her not-so-secret passion is directing the annual summer camp musicals for children and youth.
As head of the Performing Arts Ministry, Marina stages concerts, skits and other entertainment for the community in order to raise awareness and money for Grace ministries such as Grace Diner, Habitat for Humanity builds, and Youth programs.
If you have questions about the use of the church buildings, Marina handles the scheduling and coordination between groups: 12-step programs, scout groups, Shenzhou Mission (Chinese church), El Shaddai (Eritrean church), Grace Diner, and several community groups.
There are 6 classrooms and a large \”cafetorium\” available to rent to non-profit groups. Occasionally the church facilities are used for film/television sites as well. Contact Marina in the church office for more info: GraceCulver@sbcglobal.net
Email: graceculver@sbcglobal.net
Lisa Skelley – Youth and Family Director
Lisa is the mainstay of Grace Diner (the church\’s weekly free meal for those in need), the touchstone for local families and children, and the maven of Art and Vacation Bible camps. Visit her and doggy Asta in the office Tuesday thru Thursday!
Email: nevadastateopera@aol.com
Mary Lou Basaraba – Director of Music Ministries
Mary Lou (AKA Marya) Basaraba is the Director of Music Ministries at Grace Lutheran Church, the Choir Director at Temple Akiba, and the Resident Chorus Maestra of the California Philharmonic and Golden State Pops Orchestra. This busy lady also has private voice studios in Pasadena and Culver City and works with professional singers and exceptional young people attending the LA County HS of the Arts and the Culver City HS AVPA.. Her students have gone on to study music and theater at UCLA, CSULB, CSUN, USC, Chapman, Indiana Univ, NYU, Yale, and the Boston and San Francisco Conservatories.
The Chancel Choir sings three Sundays a month at 10am (generally 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays). Choir rehearsals are Thursday evenings at 7:30pm, September through May — and ALL are welcome!
Email: graceculver@sbcglobal.net