For general inquiries, please contact the church office at 540-373-4133 or email us.
CLERGY
The Rev. Joseph H. Hensley, Jr., Rector
The Rev. Joe Hensley came to St. George’s in early 2015. He previously served as assistant rector at St. Luke’s in Durham, NC after his ordination in 2007. Joe grew up in Greensboro, N.C. and was active at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He graduated high school from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (1992), earned his B.A. in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1996), and earned his MDiv from Virginia Theological Seminary (2004).
Before ordination, Joe worked for a community dispute resolution center as a mediator, facilitator, and trainer. He also served as a professional lay minister with youth at Holy Trinity, Greensboro. Over the years, Joe has had occasional work as a professional musician, Outward Bound instructor, retreat leader, and performing clown.
Joe is married to Sarah White and they have had four children (Lucy, born 2002, Alice, born and died 2005, Stella, born 2007, and Owen, born 2011). Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Human Kindness Foundation and has served on the board of Glory Ridge Camp Ministries, Durham Congregations In Action, and the Diocesan Council of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.
He hopes his ministry is a blend of tradition and innovation, reverence and playfulness, joyful expression and contemplative silence. Follow him on twitter: @revjoehensley
The Rev. Areeta D. Bridgemohan, Associate Rector
The Rev. Areeta Bridgemohan was born in Guyana and grew up in Italy. She moved to Canada as a young adult, to go to college in Montreal. She earned her Masters of Divinity degree from Trinity College at the Toronot School of Theology (University of Toronto) and was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Michigan in December 2015. Previously, she served as Curate at Christ Church Grosse Pointe in Michigan. Areeta began serving at St. George’s in September 2018. In addition to her liturgical and pastoral responsibilities as a priest, Areeta is the staff liaison for the Grace in Action ministries as well as Children and Youth Formation at St. George’s. She is also currently enrolled in the Spiritual Guidance program at the Shalem Institure, learning about the ministry of spiritual direction.
Prior to attending seminary, Areeta received a Master of Public Health, Health Behavior, and Health Education from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a Bachelor of Arts, International Development Studies and Psychology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada).
The Rev. Robert M. Miller, Priest Associate
The Rev. Bob Miller joined us in 2017 and leads our Adult Christian Education program and our World Mission programs.
The Rev. David P. Casey, O.P., Young Adult Missioner
The Rev. David P. Casey, O.P. is the Young Adult Missioner for St. George’s, Trinity Episcopal Church, and Christ Church Lutheran, a new position sponsored by the three churches and the Diocese of Virginia. He also serves as the Chaplain for the Episcopal Lutheran Campus Ministries at University of Mary Washington. David is a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary and was ordained as a priest in June 2018. He is also a novice in Anglican Dominicans (Order of Preachers), a religious order in The Episcopal Church devoted to teaching, preaching, daily prayer, and community. Prior to entering Seminary, he lived in Key West, Florida, where he managed a Ghost Tour. David enjoys motorcycle rides, spending time at the gym, and learning new ways to cook. He and his spouse, Jeff, will often enjoy their time off taking a day trip. In his early years, David lived in Fredericksburg while he was a toddler, so in a sense, his first call after Seminary feels like coming home.
MUSIC
John H. Vreeland, Director of Music Ministries
John Vreeland joined St. George’s in 2005 as Director of Music Ministries. John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY and a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Buffalo.
He serves as parish organist, arranges and composes music for choir and instrumental ensembles, and directs the Choir of St. George’s, Jazz Ensemble Choir, St. George Voices, Chamber Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. He also provides support for the Adult and Children’s Hand Bell program, Celtic Ensemble and children’s music program, and serves as artistic director of St. George’s First Friday Concert Series and Sunday Chamber Music Series.
John lives in Fredericksburg with his wife, Mary, who is also an active participant in St. George’s music program.
Achim Loch, Assistant Director of Music Ministries
Achim Loch joined the St. George’s community as Assistant Director of Music Ministries in 2016. Achim is originally from the Saarland, Germany, where he studied organ and piano performance, liturgy, hymnology, and music history as part of a certification program. For twenty years, he worked for the Lutheran congregations in Friedrichsthal, Fischbach, and Kölln. In addition to his organ studies and certification, Achim completed a Master’s in American Studies with Minors in Theology and English Linguistics from Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany. He lives in Fredericksburg and works for the Global Education Office at George Mason University.
Robin Roberson, Director of Children’s Music
Robin Roberson joined the St. George’s community in November 2011, coming to us from St. Stephen the Martyr Episcopal Church in Edina, Minnesota where she spent several years as assistant director of the preschool/elementary choir and VBS Music Director. At St. George’s, Robin directs two children’s choirs, and serves as Musical Director of our Christmas pageant, Children’s Liturgy of the Light, and Summer Musical Theater Camp. She is also choral and Celtic Ensemble librarian and handles musician scheduling.
Robin and her husband, Dwight, live just over the bridge in Falmouth; they have six amazing (and very different) children, a spoiled dog, and a queen cat.
Lisa Bogardus, Hand Bell Choir Director
Lisa Bogardus joined us as Hand Bell Choir Director in 2003. An accomplished musician, she plays clarinet and saxophone with the St. George Jazz Ensemble and clarinet with the Chamber Ensemble, also singing alto with the Choir of St. George’s. Lisa also serves as non-stipendiary Music Administrator for St. George’s music programs, where her duties include music library maintenance, instrumental arranging and choral conducting.
Lisa, who is also clarinet section leader for the Fredericksburg Community Concert Band, lives in Fredericksburg with her husband Hurley.
Trystan Bennett, Compline Choir Director
Trystan Bennett has directed the Compline Choir since spring of 2013. He holds an honors degree in Musicology specializing in early performance practice from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where his major instrument was organ. Prior to his studies at McGill, he studied organ and harpsichord at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore where he was active in the Early Music Ensemble and Peabody Singers.He has served as organist and choir master of All Saints Episcopal, Meriden, Connecticut, and as an Organ Scholar at St. Mathias, Westmount. As a tenor, he has sung with the Orpheus Singers of Montreal, and the choirs of Grace and St. Peter’s, Baltimore and St. John the Evangelist, Montreal. He sang tenor with the Choir of St. George’s, and has appeared as a harpsichordist with the St. George’s Chamber Orchestra, Washington’s Camerata and Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. Trystan, who currently serves as Director of Music at Aquia Episcopal Church, lives in Fredericksburg with his wife Caitlin.
OFFICE STAFF
Ben Hicks, Business Manager
Ben Hicks joined our staff in 2007. His primary areas of ministry are Finance, HR, Insurance, Contracts and Facilities Infrastructure. Contact Ben for any financial inquiries, including changing your pledge or payment requests.
Born in Fredericksburg, Ben received a BA at Davidson College in History and a MAE at Wake Forest. After his education, he spent 6 years as a teacher in Winchester City Schools and then 22 years at the National Bank of Fredericksburg in credit, loan review, compliance and network administration.
Laurel E. Loch, Parish Administrator
Laurel Loch joined the staff at St. George’s in February 2018. Laurel has a background in technical writing, communications, and publicity management. Laurel has had numerous articles published by the national press, written technical articles presented at national conferences, and edited company e-newsletters and a technical blog. Additionally, Laurel has numerous experience working for non-profit organizations, managing their public relations, serving as a grant writer, and administering day-to-day office procedures.
As parish administrator, Laurel manages all print and digital publications at St. George’s, handles facility reservations, and is responsible for the general administration of the parish office. Contact her for room reservations, announcement submissions, and questions about the website or Sunday bulletins/announcements.
Laurel and her husband Achim joined St. George’s in 2014. She is a member of the choir and active in Education for Ministry (EfM).
Jan Meredith, Director of Newcomers, Fellowship and Membership
Jan Meredith has worked as a non-stipendiary staff member since 2002. Contact her for contact information updates and membership changes.
Barbara Miller-Richards, Parish Secretary
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.
Emily Hoell, Youth Ministry Assistant
Emily Hoell joined our staff as our part-time Youth Ministry Assistant in 2017. She earned her degree in English from George Mason University, and went on to work all manner of jobs, ranging from debt management to being an insurance adjuster for workers’ compensation and later auto damage and liability. Her favorite job, though, was being a stay at home mom to her two children. She lives with her husband, two children, and a rotation of animals.
Emily loves all things dogs, is an avid reader, and collects musty old books.
Katie Wendt, The Table Administrator
Katie Wendt joined the St. George’s staff in July 2018 as Table Administrator. She is responsible for a variety of tasks relating to The Table and will
work closely with the volunteer leadership to continue this wonderful ministry.
Prior to joining St. George’s, Katie worked with a financial advisor in downtown Fredericksburg. She also spent a few years as a stay at home mom and was in the Navy for six years prior to starting her family. Katie has a degree in Finance with a minor in Spanish from Auburn University.
Katie and her two daughters, Leona and Sybil, live in Fredericksburg.
PRESCHOOL
Danielle Davis, Preschool Director
Danielle Davis joined the staff at St. George’s as Preschool Director in the Fall of 2015. The Davises have attended St. George’s since 2013, and Danielle found plenty of ways to be involved, including volunteering at The Table and in the parish office, helping with the parish retreat at Shrine Mont, and as a catechist for 3 to 5 year olds on Sunday mornings. Her daughter, Sandi, attended St. George’s Episcopal Preschool for two years, and when the previous director was looking to retire, she asked if Danielle would be interested in the position. As far as Danielle is concerned, it is a perfect fit!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 is currently pursuing 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.
Danielle lives in Fredericksburg with her husband Brian, daughter Sandi, and puppy A.J.
FACILITIES
Nicholas Perron, Facilities Manager
Nicholas Perron joined our staff in January 2014 as our part-time Facilities Manager. He handles all light maintenance requests, which are coordinated through the office. He also provides audio-visual support for church services and events.