Leadership

Clergy

The Very Reverend Canon Michael Bamberger

Michael Bamberger has served at the Church of the Ascension since 1985 and as Rector since 1986. Educated at the University of California, Santa Barbara and at Nashotah House, a seminary of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin, he previously served as a mission vicar based in Needles, California with congregations along the Colorado River. Married since 1979 to Debbie, he has two sons – Christopher and Matthew. The rector serves the Diocese of Deanery V, Los Angeles as chair of the Commission on Ministry, and as a trainer for making the church a safer place. He is a retired Battalion Chief with the Sierra Madre Volunteer Fire Department.

The Reverend Canon Deacon Ed Sniecienski

Ed Sniecienski has served as Deacon at Ascension since 2012. His professional career spans forty years of diverse experience in the fields of education, business, and non-profits. In 2001, he joined the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles as Chaplain to the Bishop. In 2005, he was ordained a Deacon and named Canon in 2007. In 2011, he launched Discern with Me, an interactive web site sharing personal journeys through the “in-between” places of our lives…from brokenness to wholeness. Ed is a motivational speaker, retreat leader, and spiritual director. He sits on the Boards of Hillsides and Holy Family Services. His ministry is deeply grounded in a desire to stand at the edge of his knowledge using all his capabilities to meet the broken and poor, never forgetting that he is one of them.

The Reverend Pastor Joshua McGuffie

Joshua McGuffie received a Masters in Divinity from the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 2006. He serves at Ascension through the Called to Common Mission agreement between The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Josh is currently a graduate student in the History Department at UCLA; his research focuses on 20th century atomic history and environmental history. In 2015, he received an MA from the School of History, Philosophy and Religion at Oregon State University in the history of science; he earned a BA in Geography, Magna Cum Laude, from UCLA in 2002.

Staff

Robert L. Williamson, Organist and Director of Music

Mr. Robert L. Williamson is our Organist & Choirmaster.
He is responsible for planning all aspects of the music program at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension.
Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he studied organ at Indiana University Southeast with Dr. Janet Hamilton
and has served the last 14 years as the Organist-Choirmaster at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in the
Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky.
He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists and serves on the executive committee of the Orange County chapter. He is also the Past Dean of the Louisville Kentucky Chapter, Sewanee Church Music Conference,
and the Association of Anglican Musicians.

Kim Lumino, Parish Administrator

Jobi Harrell, Minister to Young Persons

Jobi Harrell earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from the Hartt School, University of Hartford and a Masters of Music Performance, Oboe from the California State University. Ms. Harrell is passionate about music education being a critical aspect of the ‘whole child.’ She is the vocal music instructor at High Point Academy, and has served as the Minister to Young Persons at Ascension since 2012.

Jose Aguayo, Sexton

Additional Support:

Michael Beach, Verger
Kathy Calleton, Altar Guild
Nan Dougall, Funeral Coordinator
Lynne Holl, Altar Guild and Wedding Coordinator
Jean Rowe, Administrative Coordinator

Vestry

2020 Term 2021 Term        2022 Term
Gordon Tomaske (Senior Warden) Ray Smith (Junior Warden)   Dan Hanson
Marie Prentice Charlie Noecker Matt Gorman
Brian Williams           Maggie Outhouse Connie Keith