Our staff and parish leadership are available to speak with you about Ascension Church
and learn more about your spiritual and pastoral needs.
Following is a listing of our contact information and little bit of information to help you get to know us:
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The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector
Phone: 301-587-3272, Email: revjeb@comcast.net
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About the 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 in 1993 and my Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) from The Virginia Theological Seminary in 2007. My life partner and I, Libbie Griffin, a native from England and Healthcare Professional, live in Silver Spring with our beloved animal companions, our dog (Mesi - who attends church on occasion) and our special needs cat (Emma). In my free time, I love to run (I have run in four marathons); and engage in creative writing (I have submissions published in two boooks, Women's Uncommon Prayers and Lifting Women's Voices, both Morehouse publications). I also love to cook and experiment with different cuisines, travel to new and exciting places, read (I especially like historical fiction and vampire stories), and to spend quality time with my family and friends. Reflecting on my ministry, I love being a priest. I wouldn't be doing anything else with my life. It is an honor and a privilege to serve God's people. I see myself as a sojourner with the people of God as we walk, pray, work, and serve together and be God's community of inclusive love in the world. This is what the church is called to be about and Ascension is living out this call faithfully and powerfully! I am blessed to be Ascension's rector! You will find Ascension a blessing too!
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Ed Bordley, Senior Warden
Phone: 301-585-7321 Email: ebordley@starpower.net
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David Cato, Minister of Music
Phone: 301-587-3272, Email: minmusic.dcato@gmail.com
About the Minister of Music......David Cato joined Church of the Ascension in July of 2008 as Minister of Music and Organist. With over 35 years experience in church music with various denominations across the country applying a strong expertise in choral music development, he enjoys the ministry of Ascension and the musical ministries it offers its parishioners. In his first year at Ascension, the chancel choir has increased in membership from 12 to 25. The Ascension Chorale, a newly formed group that sings more liturgical and madrigal style music premiered Christmas of 2009. Prior to joining Ascension, David was campus Minister of Music for Asbury Methodist Village, a 1600 resident retirement and health care facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland. There he led a 25 voice senior choir and was organist and pianist for the four services held each Sunday on campus. His ability to train and inspire singers and musicians brought much to the senior population where a need to continue musical skills was welcomed by all. He has also held positions as musical director and organist at various churches in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Washington, DC metro area. At Ascension, David conducts the Summer Music Symposium for all musicians who wish to learn to read music and sing. This program has enriched the music program and encouraged parishioners and guests to join the musical programs at the church. Under his leadership, the church has purchased an Allen, four manual, 80 rank organ, and has been the recipient of a Baldwin grand piano – both of which enrich the music of the church immensely. David holds a Bachelors of Business Administration and a Minor in Music Performance from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He began studying piano at age five, has traveled Asia and Europe singing and playing for choirs, and is a past member of the Washington Cathedral Choral Society. He teaches voice and piano at the church and is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, Potomac Chapter.
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Terri Murphy, Director of Religious Education
Phone: 301-587-3272,
Email: rainingshamrocks@aol.com
About the Director of Religious Education....Terri is a native New Englander, and the single mother of three grown children, Adam, Colleen and Leigh. She and Leigh now reside in Germantown, MD. Terri has had a few different career paths over the years, including educational counselor/psychometrist, at-home mom and most recently, hospital chaplain. Terri also practices Spiritual Direction, having trained with the Shalem Institute. She joins the staff of Ascension as Director of Religious Education and is in seminary part time, pursuing an MTS degree (Master of Theological Studies). Besides ministry and studies, she enjoys friends, movies, reading and hiking in Black Hills Park.
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Lisa Hoffman, Seminarian
Phone: 908-907-1264
Email: lhoffman@vts.edu
About our new seminarian......I was born and raised in central New Jersey. I am a cradle Episcopalian and have been blessed to call St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Freehold, New Jersey my family’s spiritual home for five generations. While at St. Peter’s I served as clerk of the Vestry, Christian Education Director, Sunday School teacher, Youth Ministry Chairperson, member of the Healing Ministry Prayer Team, Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Eucharistic Visitor. I am a currently a Middler working on my Master in Divinity degree at Virginia Theological Seminary. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education with a concentration in Aesthetic Education from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. While I am living in Alexandria working towards my ordination to the priesthood, my husband Jeff is living in our family home tending to our two sons, Joshua and Jeremy who are both attending college in New Jersey as well as our three cats: Ed, Bob and Spike. We also have a daughter, Lindsey, who was married in May. Lindsey and her husband Phil are college students as well. When I am not in class or studying, I enjoy drawing, watercolor painting, cross stitch and crocheting. I am excited to be serving God along side of the people of Ascension and feel very blessed that God has called me to this place.
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Meri Giordan, Parish Secretary
Phone: 301-587-3272
Email: info@ascensionsilverspring.org
Parish office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30am-1:30pm.
About the Parish Secretary....I’m an honorary native Washingtonian arriving here when I was six months old from Augusta, Georgia. I grew up in Arlington, VA and Laurel, MD. Washington, DC was my backyard and it was a wonderful place to grow up in – as I spent and still spend many hours in the Smithsonian museums, institutions, art galleries and biking. I too am a cradle Episcopalian. I studied Business Administration at the University of Maryland and later Paralegal Studies at University Maryland, University College. I moved back into DC proper in ’83 and still live here. In 1992, I “graduated” from EFM the four year theological program (Sewanee University of the South). I’ve been an active wildlife conservationist as well as a docent at our National Zoo for many years, mostly working with birds. I’ve fallen in love with Maine Coon Cats and have had two at a time for many years (Misti and Gadget). For many years, I’ve studied Watercolor painting – through the Smithsonian and The Art League School in Old Town. I truly love working in a theological and spiritual environment, enjoying our similarities, embracing our differences. I’ve been handling Ascension’s Administrative tasks since arriving at Ascension in December 2007.
