Meet the Staff at Saint Mark

The Rev. Dr. Roy Howard, Pastor

Roy attended Florida State University where he received BA and master of Social Work degrees. He worked as a social worker and consultant. Then, in 1984, he was selected as a Woodruff Fellow and attended Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta where he received his Master of Divinity (Magna Cum Laude) in 1987. During this time he also worked for Amnesty International and for the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and served as Interim Outreach Minister of First Presbyterian, all in Atlanta.

In 1987, he became Associate Pastor of Second Presbyterian in Lexington, Kentucky, a church of more than 1000 members with a staff of six, working with youth and families and particularly with community ministry. In 1993 he accepted a call as Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Staunton, Virginia.

Throughout Roy's career, his service has extended beyond his congregation. In Staunton, he was on the boards of a theater group reaching young people and Habitat for Humanity. He has volunteered, with his wife Claudia, as co-coordinator of an elementary school volunteer reading program and as guest creative writing instructor at the high school. In Lexington, he served on the steering committee of Campaign for the Homeless and was a founding member of Canaan House, an ecumenical residence for mentally ill, homeless persons. For the past 20 years, he has served as a trainer and consultant for Prisoner Visitation and Support, an ecumenical ministry visiting isolated prisoners in federal and military prisons.

In the Presbytery of Shenandoah, he served on the Committee on Ministry. He was a mentor and facilitator for congregational leadership programs in spirituality and conflict transformation and retreat leader. He was a Spiritual Director for the Shenandoah Presbyterian Pilgrimage Community.

Roy believes in lifelong education. He has participated in many conferences, retreats and seminar programs, including one this Spring at Westminster College, Oxford. Hecompleted his Doctorate in Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary last spring. His project was creating and facilitating seminars for congregational leaders, pastors and laypersons, on the subject: "Spiritual Disciplines and Conflict Transformation Skills for Congregational Leaders".

The Rev. LeAnn Hodges, Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Family Ministries

LeAnn began her career as an engineer, with a BS in Electrical Engineering and MS in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from the University of Kentucky. After practicing as an engineer in industry and working as an engineering consultant for a non-profit organization, she discerned a call to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). LeAnn attended Lexington Theological Seminary, a Disciples of Christ seminary with an ecumenical emphasis. During that time she served as the Synod-designated Presbyterian Campus Minister for the University of Kentucky and the Seminary Intern for Youth and Educational Ministry at Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, KY. Additionally, she completed a unit of CPE with Hospice of the Bluegrass as part of her studies.

In September of 2001, LeAnn was ordained and began her ministry as the Associate Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Annapolis, MD. During her time in Annapolis, LeAnn shared in the worship, administrative, and programmatic leadership, as well as the pastoral care for the congregation. When she is not engaged in lively discussions on obscure Bible texts, honing her contemplative prayer practices, or figuring out the best air mattress to take on the youth mission trip, LeAnn enjoys telling knock-knock jokes with her 4-year-old, taking short hikes in the woods behind her house, reading, working Sudoku puzzles, and playing games with friends.

Susan Victor, Church Administrator

Our Administrator, Susan Victor comes to us from Rockville United Church where she served as the Administrator and where she is a member. She worked closely with the pastor, stewardship elder and membership\outreach elder, coordinated congregational care, served as the newsletter editor, and coordinated the website. Prior to working in a non-profit environment, Susan contributed as corporate software trainer, training manager, computer systems development & training consultant, and a national account manager.

She gets her spark in life from being involved with the community through volunteer activities. Susan moved to this area in 2001 from Ewing, New Jersey, where she served as the President of the Board of Deacons for the First Presbyterian Church of Ewing. She especially likes being with and connecting with people of all ages and stages of life. Susan enjoys cycling, traveling, gourmet cooking and entertaining, hiking, beaching, reading, and west coast down hill skiing (although she confesses that she has not skied in awhile). She is excited to serve God through the ministry here at Saint Mark. She enjoys growing and sharing in community with her sisters and brothers in Christ of Saint Mark Presbyterian Church!

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Jeffrey J. Doenges, Music Director

Jeff has a Master of Music in Church Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, New Jersey. His professional experience has included work as Music Director and Organist at churches in Wisconsin, New Jersey and locally. He has impressive experience as a teacher of organ, piano and voice, and as a performer in major halls in New York City such as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center. He has received many awards for his outstanding organ and singing abilities.