Church of the Ascension
​Staff

The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector

Jill LaRoche Wikel (rhymes with Michael) began her ministry at Church of the Ascension in September 2019. Before her call to Ascension, Jill served as part time Associate Rector at Saint John's Church (Glen Mills) for almost seven years; Youth Ministry, Vacation Bible School, and Women's Ministry were focus areas of her ministry at St. John's. Jill is excited to walk the way of love with the people of Ascension, Parkesburg, preaching and teaching, and preparing us for the in-breaking of God's Kingdom found in the midst of our day to day lives. 

Jill, her husband Glenn, and their three daughters (Rachel, Sarah, and Claire) live in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. A 2002 graduate of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jill earned a BA from Boston University in 1997. Jill loves the outdoors and is an avid camper; she follows several sports teams, reads as much as she can, and shares a love of craft beer with her husband. 

Melissa Kennedy,
Organist & Music Director

Melissa Kennedy came to Ascension as a child in 1962. In addition to being our organist and music director, she also teaches piano lessons. She is married to Jay and lives in Oxford, Pennsylvania. They have four children and four grandchildren. 

Adrienne Walburn,
​Coordinator of Communication

Adrienne has been a parishioner of Ascension for over 20 years, previously attending St. John's Compass. She has been a member of the St. Mary's Guild, teacher of the Church School, as well as being an youth acolyte many years ago. She began her position as Coordinator of Communication in April of 2018. Some of her job duties include organizing & sending out the weekly informational update, managing the website & Facebook pages, preparing service bulletins, amongst other tasks. Adrienne continues to attend Ascension with her husband, Evan and two young daughters, Naomi & Winnie. They live in the nearby town of Gap, Pennsylvania.