Grace Episcopal Church’s new Rector knows all about putting his best foot forward.

In fact, Rev. Tommy Dillon II was looking especially fresh at the Communion table this past Sunday as he sported a brand new mani-pedi for his first day on the job.

Dillon moved to the island to take over for the Rev. William Harper, who retired on April 26 after 20 years of service.

Two years ago, Dillon hadn’t even heard of Bainbridge Island or Grace Church. He was

happily leading worship at St. Aidan’s Episcopal in San Francisco, heading up the church’s ministry to the LGBT community and a neighborhood program for disaster preparedness.

While directing a retreat in Federal Way, however, Dillon was approached by a member of Bishop Gregory Rickel’s staff, who told him that the Rector of Grace would be retiring in two years and that Dillon might consider applying for the position.

“I was really, really happy where I was,” Dillon said. “But after reading the profile for the parish, I was intrigued. It had my name on it.”

Dillon submitted his application packet to the Diocese of Olympia and began praying and discerning.

Several months later, after a series of interviews, he learned he was one of three candidates, and the call committee invited him to Bainbridge for a final interview.

Still uncertain about leaving San Francisco, his home for the last nine years, Dillon decided to fly up early and explore the island on his own.

“In the pouring rain, dark as could be, I had a few mystical experiences,” Dillon said. “Near the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial, I heard a whisper in my ear that this was where I should be.”

Dillon was drawn to Grace’s core values – inclusion, service, discovery and gratitude – which he said resemble those of his church in San Francisco.

“St. Aidan’s has been at the forefront of social justice issues, equality and experimental worship,” Dillon said. “Grace feels like a larger version of that congregation. It’s more relaxed than other Episcopal churches I’ve visited.”

A Louisiana native, Dillon experienced a wide spectrum of religious offerings during his childhood. He attended Catholic school, a Baptist church in the mornings with his parents and an Episcopal church in the evenings with his grandparents.

But it wasn’t until Dillon got to the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University that he solidified his present perspective on faith.

“I used to be really, really, really conservative,” Dillon said. “I was sexist, racist, homophobic, everything you can imagine. But living in New Haven changed my life. In Connecticut, I came out as a gay man.”

When he returned to Louisiana, Dillon learned that because of his sexual orientation, he would not be ordained. However, his priest suggested that the next bishop might be more compassionate. While he waited, Dillon took an entry-level job with the Volunteers of America to pay off his seminary debt.

“That period really helped me become a better priest,” Dillon said. “It allowed me to get my hands dirty. Working with the most marginalized people in the world, I realized what the job of Christians is all about: being the hands and feet of God.”

Dillon worked his way up the organization, eventually becoming the Volunteers of America’s first Director of Prisoner Aftercare Services. He also served as lay vicar of a church in Baton Rouge on the side.

“I brought life to this small, dying church and I wasn’t even ordained,” Dillon said. “It was a big catalyst for me. Many conservatives who were trying to stop my ordination couldn’t deny the power of the work I was doing.”

Seven years after he graduated from seminary, Dillon became the first openly gay person to be ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

“Even though we disagreed on issues, we still came together,” Dillon said. “It’s a wonderful thing to be able to agree to disagree, and not have to condemn each other.”

The new Rector is excited to use his gifts of reconciliation at Grace Episcopal Church, but he promised he won’t make any changes for a while.

“Grace is such a healthy church,” Dillon said. “I have some ideas, but I want to sit and listen and become a part of the community first.”

It sounds like that won’t take him very long. Since moving to the island in May, Dillon has made a point to get to know locals.

“I love going over to peoples’ homes, spending time chatting, eating, drinking wine,” Dillon said. “It was really hard to do that in San Francisco.”