For general inquiries, please contact the church office at 540.373.4133 or email us.
The church office is open Monday – Thursday from 9 am – 3 pm, Friday from 9 am – 12 pm, and by appointment. Please call or email the church office if you need to make an appointment.
If you have a pastoral emergency such as a hospitalization, serious illness, death, or other emergency where you need to speak with clergy immediately, please call or text: 540.361.8573.
CLERGY
The Rev. Joseph H. Hensley, Jr.
Rector
he / him / his
The Rev. Joseph H. Hensley, Jr. (“Joe,” he/him) grew up in Greensboro, NC at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and UNC Chapel Hill. A monastery experience at age 23 helped cement his commitment to Christ. He later worked as a professional youth minister and for a community mediation center. Preparing for priesthood, he served at St. Mark’s, Roxboro, NC, Goodwin House (Alexandria, VA) and Church of the Epiphany, Washington, D.C. and graduated (DMin) from Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained deacon and priest in 2007, he became assistant rector at St. Luke’s, Durham, NC, serving on the Diocesan Council in North Carolina from 2010-2014. Since 2015, he has been rector of St. George’s in Fredericksburg, VA.
Joe is committed to his own work toward justice and healing and dismantling all forms of oppression which inhibit our flourishing as God’s beloved children.
Joe and his spouse of 23 years, Sarah White, have three children, Lucy, Stella, and Owen. He currently chairs the Human Kindness Foundation Board of Directors and has had gigs as a musician, Outward Bound instructor, and performing clown (“Ashes”). He loves singing, playing outside, contemplative practices, and making holy mischief.
The Rev. Rock Higgins
Interim Associate Rector
he / him / his
Father Rock Higgins has served in a variety of contexts during his 38 years in professional ministry. He has been a Baptist pastor and church planter, an Episcopal school chaplain, and an Episcopal camp director (at our beloved Shrine Mont camps). For the past 12 years he has been an Episcopal priest and served in the Richmond area, most recently as Rector of St. James’ the Less in Ashland. In 2023, Rock was the recipient of the Meet Me in Galilee Award at our Diocesan Convention, which recognizes outstanding ministry in the field of racial justice and healing. In addition to his Master of Divinity degree, Rock also has a Master of Science in Organizational Learning from George Mason University. Rock and his wife of over 30 years, Stephanie, have two adult children.
The Rev. Ethan Lowery
Young Adult Missioner
he / him / his
The Rev. Ethan Lowery (he/him) is an Episcopal priest and a native of Richmond who is very grateful to be back in the land of humidity and thunderstorms, if you can believe it. Ethan is a recent graduate of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley California where he completed a Master of Divinity and also a Master of Arts degree in the area of sociology of religion. His ministry interests include youth and summer camp and multi-generational ministries, preaching, and community organizing. Ethan was involved in his own campus ministry program at the College of William & Mary including serving as the student Senior Warden; his interest in young adult ministry is rooted in being a young adult and having experienced himself the Church not always knowing what to do with 20- and 30-somethings. In his free time, you’ll find him sitting still, lying down, wasting time, poorly tending his plants, or replaying old Nintendo 64 games.
Clergy Associates
Our clergy associates (priests or deacons) are retired members of the congregation who occasionally will serve in worship, perform pastoral ministry, or assist in teaching and formation. To reach them, please contact the office who will relay messages to them.
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The Rev. Dr. Rosemary Beales |
The Rev. Dr. Lynn Collins |
MUSIC
Achim Loch
Acting Director of Music Ministries
he / him / his
Achim Loch is a German American organist, pianist, and choral conductor whose musical career bridges two continents. Originally from Saarland, Germany, he studied organ and piano performance, liturgy, hymnology, and music history as part of a Lutheran church music program and later earned a master’s degree in American studies with minors in Theology and English Linguistics from Saarland University. His musical training includes organ and choral conducting under Helmut Werz; piano studies with Azerbaijani Russian pianists Marina Gogelgans and Mark Belenki; organ improvisation workshops with Gustav Adolf Krieg and Matthias Nagel; and a masterclass with Bruce Chamberlain at the Westminster Conducting Institute under James Jordan and Charles Bruffy. For several decades, Achim served on the organ bench at numerous congregations. He is currently the Acting Director of Music Ministries at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, while also working for the Global Education Office at George Mason University.
Juliann Jones
Director of Children’s Music
she / her / hers
Juliann Jones, a Year 1 Graduate of the Choristers Guild Institute, has served as an educator in Fredericksburg for 13 years, working with Spotsylvania County Public Schools and Germanna Community College. Juliann earned a BA in History, a Teaching Certificate, and a Minor in Music Performance from the University of Mary Washington. Both as a student, and as a community member, Juliann performed with the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra and several UMW Choirs, including the Fredericksburg Singers. Juliann completed her MA in European History from George Mason University, during which she spent a semester studying abroad in Ireland. When Juliann is not teaching or spending time with her three children, Juliann can be found playing cello in the Rappahannock String Quartet or St. George’s Episcopal Chamber Ensemble.
OFFICE STAFF
Laurel E. Loch
Chief of Staff
she / her / hers
Laurel Loch joined the staff at St. George’s in February 2018. In 2022, she obtained a Master of Science in Church Management (MSCM) from Villanova University. She has previously worked as a technical writer, creative director, and has many years of non-profit leadership and administration experience.
As Chief of Staff, Laurel manages day to day operations, serves as creative director and webmaster, and works closely with the rector on pastoral strategic planning.
Kevin Carey
Parish Finance Manager
he / him / his
Kevin Carey joined the staff at St. George’s in 2023 after retiring from a long career as a CPA. His career in accounting included experience in colleges & university, government, public accounting and not-for-profit settings. He has master’s degrees in accounting and congregational leadership & administration.
As Parish Finance Manager Kevin is responsible for providing organizational support to the financial management of St. Georges including contributions, payables, budgeting and financial reporting. Please feel free to reach out to Kevin if you have any questions regarding your pledge or any other financial related questions.
Kevin and his wife Cheryl split their time between their home in Leesburg and a second home at Lake Anna. When not at work he enjoys being out on the lake, going to yard sales, and spending time with family and friends.
Jake DeNap
Director of Mission and Evangelism
he / him / his
As Director of Mission and Evangelism, Jake oversees the parish’s range of programs, commissions, and partnerships that strive for human dignity, justice, and peace through advocacy and service in the city and beyond. Specifically, he is the primary point of connection for our community partnerships, global charitable work, and initiatives to address food and housing insecurity. A trained ethicist, Jake has leadership experience in healthcare nonprofits, foundations, and in community organizing. He and his spouse live in Fredericksburg with their two children.
Barbara Miller-Richards
Parish Secretary
she / her / hers
Barbara Miller-Richards joined the St. George’s staff in March 2018 as parish secretary. Prior to joining the staff at St. George’s, Barbara was Vice President at an insurance trade association in Alexandria, Virginia. She has lived in Europe and worked for Ford Motor Company as well as taught for Central Texas College’s European Campus. Barbara has served on the Fredericksburg City School Board and currently serves on the CASA Board of Directors. She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC and lives in Fredericksburg, with her husband and two daughters.
Stephanie Dolezal
Ministry Assistant and Children’s Ministry Coordinator
she / her / hers
PRESCHOOL
Danielle Davis
Preschool Director
she / her / hers
Danielle Davis joined the staff at St. George’s as Preschool Director in the Fall of 2015. Danielle lives in Spotsylvania with her husband Brian, daughter Sandi, and puppy A.J. The Davises have attended St. George’s since 2013, and enjoy being involved in many different ministries in the parish. Working with the 3-5 year-olds is definitely her favorite.
Danielle’s educational background is quite eclectic, with each degree or certificate serving a unique facet in her current position. She earned a Bachelor’s of Mechanical Engineering from Gannon University, an Associate’s of Arts in Religious Education and Lay Ministry from Mercyhurst University, a Professional Business Certificate from the University of Mary Washington, and a Career Services Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Germanna Community College. She has also completed the Level I Training for The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
FACILITIES
Facilities Manager
Riley Mullen joined our staff in 2018 as Facilities Manager. He handles all light maintenance requests, which are coordinated through the office. He also handles most of the painting and touch up work in our building.