For general inquiries, please contact the church office at 540.373.4133 or email us.
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. 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. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He is an alum of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (1992), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A. Philosophy 1996), and Virginia Theological Seminary (MDiv. 2007).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 committed to dismantling all forms of oppression which keep people from flourishing as the beloved ones God made them to be. In community, he is striving toward his own transformation and healing.
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 convenes a monthly gathering of interfaith leaders in Fredericksburg. He loves exploring the community and climbing trees. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @revjoehensley
The Rev. Areeta D. Bridgemohan
Associate Rector
(she / her / hers)
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 Toronto School of Theology (University of Toronto) and was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Michigan. 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 Adult, Children and Youth formation ministries as well as World Mission ministries at St. George’s. She is also currently enrolled in the Spiritual Guidance program at the Shalem Institute, learning about the ministry of spiritual direction. In her leisure time, she loves going for hikes and spending time outside with her husband, baby and fur baby, traveling, practicing yoga and spending time with friends.
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. Will Dickinson
Curate
he / him / his
A Fredericksburg native, Fr. Will was ordained a priest by Bishop Susan Goff in September and is a 2020 graduate of Yale Divinity School. Before seminary, he served Buck Mountain Episcopal Church in Earlysville, VA after graduating from the University of Virginia. While in Charlottesville, he studied theology and music and continues to perform as a bass vocalist and conductor.
Besides Jesus, his passions include history, film, justice, and bringing back wide-brim hats. Recent hobbies include adding even more books to the already perilously tall stacks in his home and irrationally insisting that, yes, it does sound better on vinyl.
As Curate, he serves all ministries of St George’s, especially Grace in Action, Online Evangelism, and Reconciliation. Eager to get to know the whole Fredericksburg community, Will is always up for a good cup of socially distant coffee or a music recommendation. Really. Any excuse for a macchiato.
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. You can be in touch with Ethan here.
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 Chamber Music Series.
John lives in Fredericksburg with his wife, Mary, who is also an active participant in St. George’s music program. When he isn’t practicing, he enjoys, cooking, gardening and cycling around Fredericksburg.
Achim Loch
Assistant Director of Music Ministries
he / him / his
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.
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.
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 an 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
she / her / hers
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.
Jan Meredith
Director of Newcomers, Fellowship and Membership
Jan Meredith joined the staff as a non-stipendiary staff member in 2002. Her first assignment was working on a pictorial directory. From there she began working in the office an afternoon a week, which quickly turned into several afternoons, which turned into almost a full time staff member. She is the Director of Fellowship, (hosting many events in Sydnor Hall), Director of Newcomers (welcoming our newest members and orientating them to St. George’s), Director of Membership (Keeping records up to date, requesting and sending letters of transfer.) Contact her for updates on contact information and membership changes. You will most often find Jan in the Sydnor kitchen preparing for a reception or baking cookies and other goodies for Sunday morning Coffee Hour. She is referred to as Momma Jan or Granjan to many of our parishioners.
Jan lives in Fredericksburg with her husband Tom, who is also very active at St. George’s.
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.
PRESCHOOL
Danielle Davis
Preschool Director
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
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.
Riley Mullen
Facilities Manager
Riley Mullen joined our staff in 2018 as a part-time 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.