- Wardens and vestry
- Senior Warden
- Junior Warden
- Vestry Members
- Clergy and staff
- Rector
- Curate
- Associates
- Organist
- Choirmaster
- Parish Administrator
The Church "has necessarily its priesthood to carry out the Divine service, the principal act of which is the Eucharistic Sacrifice, the figure and renewal of that of Calvary. This priesthood has two degrees: the first, total and complete, the second an incomplete participation of the first. The first belongs to the bishop. The bishop is truly a priest (sacerdos), and even a high-priest; he has chief control of the Divine worship (sacrorum antistes), is the president of liturgical meetings; he has the fullness of the priesthood, and administers all the sacraments. The second degree belongs to the priest (presbyter), who is also a sacerdos, but of the second rank ("secundi sacerdotes" Innocent I ad Eugub.); by his priestly ordination he receives the power to offer sacrifice (i.e. to celebrate the Eucharist), to forgive sins, to bless, to preach, to sanctify, and in a word to fulfil the non-reserved liturgical duties or priestly functions. In the exercise of these functions, however, he is subject to the authority of the bishop to whom he has promised canonical obedience . . . ."
Clergy and Staff
The Rev. Lane John Davenport
Rector
Fr.
Lane, who became rector of Ascension and S. Agnes in 1997, grew up in
the Washington, D.C., area. While completing a B.A. in history at the University of
California, Berkeley, he became interested in Christianity. After
graduation, he worked on Capitol Hill, an experience that led to
his baptism in 1988. Two and a half years later, he began seminary at
St. Stphen's House, a Church of England theological college, and earned
a B.A./M.A. at Oxford University. He received a call from Ascension and
St. Agnes to serve as curate in 1993. The following year, he became
priest-in-charge. Fr. Lane married Amy Wilkins. They have one son,
Tyler, and live in the rectory adjacent to the church
The Rev. Samuel Lee Wood
Curate
Fr. Sam Wood has an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, and completed a one-year program of Anglican Studies at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. He and his wife Renée are the parents of Ellie Grace and Patrick, and they live in an apartment nearby. Fr. Sam was ordained Deacon in the Diocese of Massachusetts. On behalf of the Bishop of Massachusetts, he was ordained priest at Ascension and Saint Agnes on December 8, 2007, by the Rt. Rev. James Winchester Montgomery.
The Rev. Dr. Ronald Parks Conner
Priest Associate
Fr. Conner was was born in Washington, D.C., in 1945. He studied at the University of the South, receiving his B.A., magna cum laude, in 1967. He received his S.T.B, cum laude, and S.T.M from General Theological Seminary in 1970 and 1971, respectively. He received the degree of Th. M. from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1980, the D. Min. from Drew University in 1982, and the Th. D. from Boston University in 2003. Fr. Conner was ordained deacon and priest in 1970 and has served in parishes in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Islad. He is currently priest associate at Ascension and St. Agnes and at Christ Church, Georgetown. He serves on the clergy team at S. Stephen and the Incarnation and as cathedral chaplain at Washington Cathedral. He holds a Phi Beta Kappa key.
The Rt. Rev. James Winchester Montgomery
Retired Bishop of Chicago
Honorary Associate
During World War II, Bishop Montgomery served in the United
States Navy. In 1946 he entered General Theological Seminary, where he
received his S.T.B in 1949. In that year he was ordined deacon and
priest by the Rt. Rev. Wallace E. Conkling, Bishop of Chicago. He
served as curate of the St. Luke's Church, Evanston, from 1949 to 1950,
whcn eh becamse rector of the Church of St. John the Evangelist,
Flossmoor. In 1962, he became Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of
Chicago, and in 1965, Bishop Coadjutor. He because Diocesan Bishop of
Chicago in 1971. Bishop Montgomery is a member of numerous civic and
eccleseastical boards and commissions. He received the degrees of
Doctor of Sacred Theology, Honoris Causa, from General Theological Seminary and Doctor of Divinity, Honoris Causa,
from Nashota House and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He holds a
Phi Beta Kappa key and is a member of Delta Upsilon. We are grateful
for his association with our parish.
The Rev. Fr. John E. Owens, Jr.
Honorary Associate
Fr. Owens served durng World
War II and was decorated for distinguished service and valor. Subsequently, he entered the General Theological Seminary. In
1948 he was ordained deacon, and in 1949 he was ordained priest by the
Bishop of Maryland. Fr. Owens served as rector of All Saints Church,
Sunderland, Maryland, from 1950 through 1955, when he became headmaster
of St. James School, St. James, Maryland, where he had earlier served
as chaplain. He was headmaster of the school until 1984. Fr. Owens, who
received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology from General
Theological Seminary in 1970, is a member of the Fellowship of
Contemplative Prayer, the Guild of All Souls, and the Society of Mary.
Haig Mardirosian, organist and choirmaster, is professor of music and Dean for Academic Affairs at American University. He is an expert in liturgical and polyphonic music, as well as a composer and concert organist of international repute. The American Record Guide says, "Mardirosian's playing is bold, clear, and energetic. He displays an impressive range of expression and color."
Mr. Gary B. Seighman
Choirmaster
Gary B. Seighman leads a choir of both paid professional musicians and qualified volunteers, with a cantor, all of whom must meet high standards of musicianship. He holds music degrees from Westminster Choir College, University of Oklahoma, and is currently a doctoral candidate in choral conducting at the University of Maryland where he has directed several of the ensembles and taught courses in conducting. Mr. Seighman has presented research at music conventions throughout the country and has published a number of articles. He serves on the board of the MD/DC Choral Directors Association and choirs under his direction have been invited to perform at venues including the United Nations and three times at Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Michael Vreeland
Parish Administrator
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa mollit laborum. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt....
