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:
The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein, Rector
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 and my Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min.) from The Virginia Theological Seminary. Other training includes Interim Ministry Specialist and a Cerfiticate in Pastoral Psychotherapy. I have been an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church for over almost 25 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 11 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 Murphy, Deacon & Director of Religious Education
About our Deacon and Director of Religious Education.......Terri is a native New Englander and single mother of three grown children: Adam of Winston-Salem, NC; Colleen of Silver Spring, MD and Leigh of No. Palm Beach, FL. She resides in Germantown, MD. Terri has had a few different career paths, including educational counselor/psychometrist, hospital chaplain and at-home mom. Terri also practices spiritual direction, having been trained with the Shalem Institute. Terri joined the staff of Ascension in 2009 and now serves as both Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education. She graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary with an MTS (Master of Theological Studies) and was ordained in September, 2012 in the first class of Vocational Deacons in the Diocese of Washington.
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Bailey Joy Myles, Director of Music Ministries (starting April 8th, 2018)
About our new Director of Music Ministries....Bailey is a cradle Episcopalian from Shawano, Wisconsin. She recently moved to the Washington, D.C. area and will be joining the staff of Ascension this Spring as she completes her Master of Music degree at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Bailey also holds 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. Bailey passionately believes in the transformative power of music ministry and she is very excited to continue her work at Ascension.
Vickie Timberlake, Administrative Assistant
Parish office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00AM - 1:00PM
