This Sunday, Rev. Ann Willms returns to lead the worship service Grace Church Red Hill.
Ann Willms was born and baptized in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her grandparents were especially important to her faith formation as an Episcopalian. Ann graduated from Brown University in 1982 with a degree in human biology. She received her M.D. from Jefferson Medical College in 1987, completed a radiology residency at the UT Health Science Center in Houston, and a fellowship in abdominal imaging at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she met her husband. Ann is married to Christopher, and they have twin daughters, Nina and Olivia. After ten years in academic and private practice radiology, Ann experienced a spiritual awakening that led her to discern a call to ordained ministry. Affirmed by her church family at Christ Church, New Bern, Ann and her family moved to Charlottesville in 2006 for her to attend Virginia Theological Seminary. She graduated with a master’s in divinity degree in 2009 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2010. Ann has served as associate rector at St. Paul’s Memorial Church, Charlottesville; Carpenter’s Kids mission chaplain in Tanzania with St. Paul’s, Ivy; short- and long-term supply priest at several Charlottesville area churches; and rector of St. Luke’s, Simeon. She most recently served as associate rector for pastoral care at Christ Church, Charlottesville. Her medical background informs her perspective as a priest, as both vocations affirm the sanctity of the body, the hope of healing, and the importance of relationship to the wellbeing of individuals and communities. Special interests include the Celtic Christian stream of spirituality and contemplative practices.