Staff
The Rev. Richard A. Lord, Rector
Called as Rector of Holy Comforter in 1994, Fr. Rick Lord serves as chief liturgist, preacher, and pastor of the parish. His central responsibility is to work with elected Vestry leaders to promote congregational vitality around the central purpose and spiritual practices of the parish. As Rector, he directs the parish staff in sustaining essential ministries of worship, formation, congregational care, and outreach. Ordained in 1981, Fr. Lord is a graduate in music performance (classical guitar) from Catholic University. He holds a Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Masters of Sacred Theology from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. In addition, Fr. Lord studied at the Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University with a focus in Spiritual Direction. Fr. Lord served as Rector of parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Connecticut before returning to the Diocese of Virginia. He serves as Chair of the Liturgy and Church Music Commission for the Diocese of Virginia and serves on the Board of the Compass Rose Society, an International Organization which seeks to support the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion. Fr. Lord and his wife, Debbie, have three grown children and reside in Vienna Virginia. Click this link for "World of Your Making" where Fr. Lord writes about intentional faith and missional leadership for the Church today.
The Rev. Dr. Libby Gibson, Sr. Associate Rector
The Rev. Dr. Libby Gibson has been at Holy Comforter since July 2008. She is a 2008 graduate of Virginia Theological Seminary and previously lived in Charlottesville, VA, where her sponsoring parish was St. Paul's Ivy. At Holy Comforter, Libby works with ministry teams that focus on Adult Formation, Newcomer Integration, Pastoral care, and Peace & Justice. She also enjoys working with the Episcopal Church Women, the Pennywise Thrift Store, and the Senior Saints. Before attending seminary, Libby worked at the University of Virginia in a number of different areas. For seven years, she worked at the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, and taught bioethics courses in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Medicine, and the School of Nursing. Immediately prior to seminary, Libby worked in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies on a variety of projects. She earned an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia with a focus on religious ethics. Libby has been married to Miles Gibson for fifteen years, and together they (mostly) delight in their children and two Pembroke Welsh Corgis. Libby is an avid knitter, runner, reader, and novice gardener.
The Rev. Jody Burnett, Associate Rector
The Rev. Jody Burnett began on July 1, 2009 as the new Assistant Rector. Jody is primarily responsible for Student Ministries, Young Adults' Ministries, and Outreach Ministries. He also serves as a volunteer for the Community Chaplain Corps in Fairfax County. Jody received his M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary, he was ordained to the transitional diaconate on May 30, 2009 in the Diocese of Mississippi, and was ordained to the priesthood on December 6, 2009 in the Diocese of Virginia. While in Seminary, Jody served at Christ Church in Georgetown for his field-education work and in the summer of 2008, he was awarded a fellowship through the Beatitudes Society to work at Protestants for the Common Good, a non-profit, faith-based education and advocacy group in Chicago, IL. Prior to going to seminary, Jody received his B.A. in history and political science from the University of Southern Mississippi, he worked for a time in hotel management, and he also worked for several years as the program director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Trinity Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg, MS.
David Kelley, Minister of Music
David Kelley was appointed Minister of Music at Holy Comforter in May, 2011, where he serves as organist and director of the Adult Choir and Chorister Program. Currently a doctoral candidate in Organ Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, David holds a Master of Liturgical Music degree and a Master of Music degree from The Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Furman University. David also holds professional certificates from the American Guild of Organists at the Associate and Choirmaster levels. David has served as Dean of the Delaware Chapter AGO, as a member of the AGO’s Regional Nominating Committee for Region III, and on the faculties of the RSCM summer training course in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and the AGO’s Pipe Organ Encounter in Delaware. His compositions are included in The Crowning Glory and the Delaware Organ Book, and he has published articles in The American Organist and The Diapason.
Frances Stahlhut, Parish Administrator
Frankie Stahlhut has been on the staff since October of 2000 and currently holds the position of Parish Administrator. She received her BA in Religious Studies from Villanova University and her Master of Science in Administration from Notre Dame University. Ms. Stahlhut is originally from Indianapolis, IN.
Lisa Arthur, Director of Children Ministeries
Lisa Arthur has been a parishioner at Holy Comforter for thirteen years and has been involved with the children's programs throughout that time. She has worked in the Holy Comforter Preschool since 2002 and she has been the Director of Children's Ministries since 2009. After graduating from Madison High School, she earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Microbiology and her Masters of Science Degree in Genetic Engineering from Virginia Tech. She worked as a patent examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for eleven years from 1991 to 2002. She lives in Oakton with her husband Derek and their children Sarah and Caroline.
Elys A. McLean, Communications Designer
Elys Mclean joined the Holy Comforter staff in June, 2008. She attended Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia for her undergraduate studies and she began her communications career at USA TODAY where she worked for 15 years as an Illustrator and Informational Graphics Specialist. Additionally, she has designed and produced communications for several national magazines. At home in Annandale, Virginia, Elys enjoys life with her husband Chris and their two children.
Liz Bleich, Office Asssitant
Liz Bleich has worked in the office of Church of the Holy Comforter since 2001. She holds a BA from Virginia Tech. She currently resides in Reston, Virginia with her husband of twenty years, Larry, and their two children, Joseph and Laura.
Peggy Miller, Office Asssitant
Peggy Miller has been a parishioner at Holy Comforter for 27 years. She has been Holy Comforter's volunteer treasurer for 18 years. Peggy joined the church office staff in 2010. Prior to working at Holy Comforter, Peggy spent 33 years in banking. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Susan Gosline, Director of Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool
Preschool Director, Sue Gosline, has more than 34 years experience in early childhood education. Together with the preschool board, she has staffed the school with enthusiastic and loving teachers. All lead and assistant teachers receive continuing education in early childhood development.
Victor Hernandes, Sexton
Whitney Kirby, Seminarian
