Staff
Parish Staff
The Rev. Richard A. Lord, Rector
Called as Rector of Holy Comforter in 1994, Father Rick Lord serves as chief teacher, preacher and pastor of the parish. His central responsibility is to work with the elected Vestry of the parish to set priorities for its direction and work, and then to build and work with the parish staff to help parishioners carry out their ministries. Ordained in 1981, Fr. Lord is a graduate in music (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. Fr. Lord and his wife, Debbie, have three children and reside in Vienna Virginia. Click for Fr. Rick's personal Weblog, World of Your Making. Father Rick's Personal Web blog
The Rev. Louis J. Mattia, Associate Rector for Mission & Evangelism
A native Washingtonian, Father Lou Mattia received a BSE from Purdue University in 1974 and an M. Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1988. Before attending seminary he worked for eleven years as a civil engineer throughout the Eastern United States. He has served as Assistant Rector at St. James in Leesburg, Vicar of Christ Church, Lucketts, Interim Rector at St. Margaret’s Woodbridge, and Co-Rector with his wife, the Reverend Joan P. Mattia, at St. Michael’s, Gainesville, Florida. He served three years as an appointed missionary for the Episcopal Church in East Africa. Father Mattia joined Church of the Holy Comforter in 2003 as Associate Rector for Mission and Evangelism.
The Rev. Susan Fawcett , Assistant Rector for Student Ministries (Extension 21)
Rev. Fawcett joined the staff of Holy Comforter in July 2006. She holds a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary. Susan has extensive experience working with young people in diocesan youth programs, college ministry, and Shrine Mont camps. She has also served on the Nomination Committee for the diocesan bishop search in 2006-2007, and as a staff writer for the diocesan newspaper at General Convention, The Center Aisle. In addition to the normal liturgical and pastoral duties of the clergy, Susan will focus on supporting and empowering the ministry of the young people of Holy Comforter.
Michael Painter, Minister of Music (Extension 19 )
A native of Southwestern PA, Michael received his Bachelor of Music from Seton Hill University in 2001 and a Master of Music from Indiana University Bloomington in 2003; both degrees concentrated on Sacred Music and Organ Performance. He served as Cantor and Interim Music Director for the Pittsburgh Compline Choir which offered the canonical office of Compline on Sunday nights throughout the academic year) from 2003-2005. He also served as Director of Music at Christ, Prince of Peace, a Roman Catholic parish located NE of Pittsburgh.
Sue Davy, Pastoral Care Director (Extension 25 )
Sue Davy began her position as Pastoral Care Director in January of 2003. Prior to Holy Comforter, Ms. Davy spent eight years working in retreat ministry and spiritual companioning in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. She is currently completing a degree in Theology and Holistic Spirituality. Ms. Davy has also leads Holy Comforter’s Contemplative Prayer group.
Frances Stahlhut, Parish Administrator (Extension 12 )
Frankie Stahlhut assumed the position of Administrative Assistant to the Rector at Holy Comforter in October of 2000. She holds a BA in Religious Studies from Villanova University and a Master of Science in Administration from Notre Dame University. Ms. Stahlhut is originally from Indianapolis, IN.
Liz Bleich, Office Assistant (Extension 13 )
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.
Katherine Hutt, Director of Children's Ministries (Extension 16 )
As a long-time parishioner, Katherine has been involved for many years as a volunteer in nearly every aspect of Children's Ministries at Holy Comforter, and she joined the staff in 2006. She has spent her career as a professional communicator and program planner, specializing in health, safety and education issues, with a particular focus on children's issues. She is also a Girl Scout leader, PTA volunteer and community leader. Her favorite job is mother to two busy children, Billy and Katie, who are active volunteers at Holy Comforter and at Pennywise.
Sue Gosline, Director of Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool ( Phone:703-938-3704)
Sue is completing her 10th year as the director of Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool. She grew up in Darien, Connecticut and graduated from Wheelock College in Boston with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. She taught pre-kindergarten for 15 years in Falls Church, Virginia. Mrs. Gosline currently resides in Landsdowne with her husband, Scott. They have two children: a son, Michael, who lives in Charlottesville with his wife Lindsey, and a daughter, Melissa, who lives in Fairfax and is attending graduate school to become a vet.
Previous page: Contact
Church Office
703-938-6521
Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool
703-938-3704
