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RECTOR: The Rev. Jonathan N. Millard ![]() Jonathan grew up outside Manchester, England. He was educated in Birmingham, London and Oxford, where he studied, Business, Law and Theology respectively. After working for 5 years as a Barrister in Manchester (1984-1989), Jonathan attended Wycliffe Hall Theological College, Oxford prior to his ordination in 1992. He has served parishes in England and the USA and used his gifts in all sorts of ways ranging from being the Chair of Governors of a Church of England Primary School in the UK, to serving as the Presiding Judge of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court in Pittsburgh. Jonathan has been the rector (senior pastor) of Ascension since January 2004. Over the past few years he has assembled a talented team of clergy and lay leaders in this dynamic community. Priorities have centered on discerning and developing a new vision and direction for the parish and on making Ascension a welcoming church family where people of many different backgrounds can come to belong. Father of three, a former barrister (Brit speak for trial lawyer), and experienced pastor, Jonathan is an energetic and engaging leader who delights to see God at work in the lives of the many people who make Ascension their spiritual home. When he is not leading a congregation Jonathan loves being with his family, playing with all things 'techie', reading the Economist, or socializing with friends. You can contact Jonathan at
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ASSOCIATE RECTOR: The Rev. Josh Miller ![]() Growing up, Josh split his time between Colorado and Philadelphia. He grew up going to Presbyterian and Mennonite Churches. During Jr. High and High School is when Josh developed a personal relationship with Jesus and was baptized his sophomore year of High School. In college Josh sensed a call to pastoral ministry and later a call to the Anglican Church. Josh is excited about the potential of the church and passionate about helping the church reach it's Spirit given potential. Before coming to Ascension Josh was the Director of Student Ministries and Curate at St. Mark’s Church in Geneva, Illinois. He enjoys sports, good movies, and hanging out with friends. Josh is a graduate of Hesston College, Wheaton College, and Regent College You can contact Josh at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
ASSISTING PRIEST: Ann Tefft ![]() Ann is originally from Columbus, OH but now considers herself a native Pittsburgher. After completing her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Northwestern University and marrying her husband, Forrest, She spend 17 years in industry primarily in financial analysis and new business development during which she also completed her MBA in the evenings at Case Western University . Upon the arrival of her daughter, Kimberly, Ann became a full-time mother and community volunteer. Soon after coming to Christ as an adult, she participated in the planting of a community church in Ohio during which she discovered a call to full-time ministry. She has now begun a third career having recently completed her Masters of Divinity at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge. Enjoying all aspects of ministry, Ann is currently focused on discipleship, pastoral care, and missions. Also among Ann's passions are gardening, skiing, traveling, reading, hiking, and the color pink. Her door is always open and she looks forward to getting to know you! You can contact Ann at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
CHURCH PLANTER: Jay Slocum ![]() Jay grew up in New York State where he spent his childhood building forts and riding BMX bikes. At thirteen, he came to Christ and began a journey that has lead him to a path of full time ministry. Jay received his B.A in Sociology (cum laude) at The King's College in 1991. After a career working as a disability advocate in New York and Washington DC, Jay and his wife, Catherine, journeyed to Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pa, where Jay earned an M-Div while working as a Youth Minister at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Hopewell, PA from 1999-2003. Jay graduated in 2003, was ordained a Deacon here in Pittsburgh, and a Priest in South Carolina (December, 2003). From June of 2003 until July of 2007, Jay used his gifts as a teacher-preacher, pastor, evangelist, and creative visionary to partner with The Church of the Cross in Bluffton, South Carolina, where he worked as a Church Planter Priest. He has recently responded to a call to begin the work of Church planting in the East End of Pittsburgh and is presently partnering with Church of the Ascension and the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Jay and Catherine have two daughters (Emma and Lydia) and a dog named Schaeffer. When Jay is not working to help others become followers of Christ, he enjoys reading, blogging, spending time with family, riding mountain and BMX bikes, and training his dog. You can contact Jay at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by cell phone at (412) 977-7751.
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF YOUTH: The Rev. Jack Gabig, Ph.D. ![]() Jack has been involved in children's, youth, and young adult ministries in the U.S. and U.K. for nearly 25 years. He is a graduate of Trinity School for Ministry in Pittsburgh (M.Div. 1995), and completed his Ph.D. research at King's College, London (2007), looking at the role of popular culture in the religious lives of American teenagers. In addition to serving at Ascension, he is a faculty member of both Trinity and Nashotah House Anglican Seminaries and is the Director of Young Anglicans Project , encouraging a rethinking of the nature of Christian Education in Anglican churches in America. Jack may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
LITURGICAL ASSISTANT: The Rev. Grant LeMarquand, Th.D. ![]() Grant has been a professor of Biblical Studies and LITURGICAL ASSISTANT: The Rev. Ann Paton, Ph.D. ![]() Ann hails from New Castle, Lawrence County. She graduated form Geneva College with a double major in math and English literature, but soon put away her abacus and focused on the lit. She has a Master's from Pitt and a Ph.D. in medieval literature from the University of Colorado. She has just retired (again) from a long career in the Dept. of English at Geneva, where she was also an architect of the Humanities required sequence (integrated English, music and visual arts). Ann was brought up Presbyterian, but in her mid-40's she found her spiritual home in Episcopal worship. While teaching full time, she took evenings courses at TESM, and much to her surprise, the Lord called her to priesthood. She was ordained by Bp. Alden Hathaway in 1991, then assisted at St. Thomas-in-the-Fields, Gibsonia, and also served the diocese as Deployment Officer and longtime member of the Commission on Ministry. Ann has been with us at the Ascension since 1998. Outside the parish, she has a ministry of spiritual direction. Ann loves to travel, especially to her ancestral homes, Scotland and Wales. She plays the piano pretty well and saws valiantly on her violin. She enjoys theatre, the PSO, mystery books and old movies. To get in touch with Ann e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or call her at (724) 843-7542.
LITURGICAL ASSISTANT The Rev. Paul Henry ![]() A life-long Episcopalian, Paul grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and New York; attending Syracuse University. After college, he worked at The Bishop Hare Home for Indian Boys; then at Sioux Vocational School for the Handicapped - both in South Dakota. After completing his M.Div at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry, Paul served at Calvary Cathedral, in the Diocese of South Dakota. He then went on to become Rector of The Church of the Epiphany, in the Diocese of Western Michigan. Finishing there, he served as Vicar of St. John's, in the Diocese of Eau Claire. Then, following a different path, Paul joined The Arch, a l'Arche Community in Iowa. Several year later, he worked at Dungarvin, in La Crosse, Wisconson. Both The Arch and Dungarvin provide residential services for the mentally disabled. Since 2002, he has been chaplain at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. Paul has a son and a married daughter. When the winds and weather cooperate, you will find him sailing Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park. At other times, you will find him bicycling. Paul's desire, in ministry, is to see those he is with, as well as for himself, "..grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ." (Eph 4:13) |
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