Meet the Staff at Saint Mark

The Rev. Dr. Roy Howard, Pastor

Psalm 126:2 (New International Version)

2: Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,"The LORD has done great things for them."

Roy has been the pastor of Saint Mark since 2001. Prior to coming to Saint Mark, he served as Associate Pastor of Second Presbyterian in Lexington, Kentucky and Pastor of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Staunton, Virginia.

His pastoral vision and congregational leadership leads to living the gospel in the community. In Staunton, he served a theater group reaching disadvantaged young people. In Lexington, he was a founding member of Canaan House, an ecumenical residence for mentally ill, homeless persons. He has served with Prisoner Visitation and Support, an ecumenical ministry of visiting prisoners in federal and military prisons. Roy’s preaching and worship leadership are shaped by a theology grounded in God’s grace that compels us to love our neighbors even when it takes us from our comfort zones. At Saint Mark, we call this the integration of Spirituality and Service. Belief and action combine to bring peace and joy to the congregation.

Over the years, Roy has led congregational mission trips to Ethiopia, Cameroon, Mexico, Jamaica, West Virginia, and most recently Haiti. At Saint Mark, a vibrant Jewish Christian dialogue group has been established, that resulted in an interfaith mission to Israel and the West Bank.

Prior to pastoral ministry, Roy was a social worker serving people with mental illnesses. In 1984, he was called to combine pastoral ministry with social work in congregational settings. He graduated from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta where he received his Master of Divinity (Magna Cum Laude) in 1987. In 2001, he completed his Doctorate in Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. His project was titled “Drop the Rock, Break the Bread: Conflict Transformation Skills for Congregational Leaders". His love for theology is reflected in his post-doctoral work with the Center of Theological Inquiry and his numerous writings.

He is married to Claudia Howard. They have two daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, and two cats, Jasmine and Zachary. When Roy is not working he is likely to be bicycling, running or hiking (if he not reading theology and poetry.)

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!

Email Jeff!

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.