Church of the Ascension

Clergy

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Associate Rector:
We are presently looking for an Associate Rector. To view the job description, please click here.

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.

LITURGICAL ASSISTANT The Rev. Grant LeMarquand, Th.D.

Grant has been a professor of Biblical Studies and Mission at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania since 1998, and is currently also serving as Academic Dean. Dr. LeMarquand has written and edited numerous articles and books, including Why Haven’t You Left? Letters from the Sudan and A Comparative Study of the Story of the Bleeding Woman in North Atlantic and African Contexts . He is international editor of the journal Anglican and Episcopal History and Liturgical Assistant at Church of the Ascension. Dr. LeMarquand holds the M.A. from McGill University and the Th.D. from Wycliffe College/Toronto School of Theology , and was a missionary in Kenya from 1987-89. He is married to Wendy, a physician, and they have two grown children, David and Chara. If you would like to contact Grant, please click HERE.

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.

DEACON The Rev. Bill Starke

Bill joined Ascension’s staff team as a non-stipendiary deacon in the fall of 2007. He was ordained to the priesthood in December of 2007. Bill works full time at Trinity School for Ministry where he is the registrar. His time serving with us is limited primarily to Sundays. Prior to coming to seminary at Trinity, Bill was a Business Analyst at MCI/Worldcom in Virginia. Bill and his wife, Jan, have three children – Joe, Michelle and Sara. They live in Leet Township in the Sewickley area. You may contact Bill at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

[ Back ]