THE REV. DR. JOAN E. BEILSTEIN
Rector
I am a native Washingtonian and cradle Episcopalian. I earned my Masters in Divinity degree (M.Div.) from The General Theological Seminary in New York City and my Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) from The Virginia Theological Seminary. Other training includes Interim Ministry Specialist and a Certificate in Pastoral Psychotherapy. I have been an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church for over almost 30 years. During this time, I have served as a chaplain in hospitals, mental health facilities, and senior living centers; as an interim rector assisting churches to move through times of transition when there is change in leadership; and as a rector, with my tenure at Ascension being 15 years. In addition to parish ministry, I am a seasoned retreat and pilgrimage leader, spiritual director, counselor, and mentor. One of my loves is offering my gift of writing and poetry to the church. It is an honor and privilege to serve God's people, do ministry with them, and walk along side them no matter where our spiritual journeys lead us.
THE REV. TERRI M. MURPHY
Deacon and Director of Christian Education
The Rev. Terri M. Murphy serves as a deacon at Church of the Ascension. A former educational psychologist and Massachusetts native, Terri was ordained in 2012 and serves as Director of Christian Education. In this role, Terri teaches, leads retreats and pilgrimages and oversees sacramental preparation. In addition to serving in these roles at Ascension, Terri also leads a vigorous homeless ministry and is deeply involved in local interfaith ministries. Terri was one of a team that established a disaster chaplaincy team to work with local police, fire and emergency services agencies. She served as co-chair of the disaster chaplains for five years. Other involvements have included work with the State Department in their International Visitors Program, where groups from several countries would travel together and come to the U.S. to learn, among other things, new ways for diverse faiths to get along with each other. In terms of diocesan involvements, Terri is finishing up six years of service on the Commission on Ministry and is on the faculty of the Deacon School where she teaches and supervises internships. Terri has three grown children, Adam who lives with his wife Sammie Jo in North Carolina, Collen and her husband Matt who live in Maryland and Leigh and her husband Brandon, who live in Maine. Terri resides in Montgomery Village, MD.
BAILEY JOY MYERS
Director of Music Ministries
Bailey is a cradle Episcopalian from Shawano, Wisconsin who has been on staff at Ascension since 2018. She received her Master of Music degree at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Oberlin College and Conservatory of Music in Ohio. Prior to serving as Director of Music Ministries at Ascension, Bailey was the organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Shawano, WI and Magyar United Church of Christ in Elyria, OH. In her role at Ascension, Bailey directs the Chancel Choir and Youth Choir, provides organ and piano music for worship services, and plans and coordinates musical programming for the church. She also leads the technology team responsible for live-streaming church services. In addition to her work at Ascension, Bailey also performs as a freelance French horn player and serves on the board of the Brass of the Potomac. Bailey passionately believes in the transformative power of music ministry and strives to engage and inspire others through her leadership.
