CHAPEL VESTRY
PAT NOGAR, RECTOR’S WARDEN
A member of Washington Memorial Chapel since 2016, Pat Nogar has enjoyed a long career in communications, marketing/public relations, journalism and event planning. She has worked for a regional planning agency, a regional transit authority, political campaigns, a national civil rights organization and as a healthcare executive. She has also owned her own public relations firm and for five years, hosted a local cable television show.
Pat studied psychology at Maryville University, holds a B.S. in Business from the University of Phoenix, is a former Coro Fellow, a national fellowship in Public Affairs and a graduate of Leadership Main Line. She is a Penn State Master Gardener, a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an invitation-only international organization of women leaders in food, fine beverages and hospitality and she is a commissioned Kentucky Colonel.
Pat lives in suburban Philadelphia with her husband David, where she spends her spare time gardening and running “The Sophia Group” an online networking group for women in their prime that she founded five years ago.
HOLLY A. HIGHAM, ACCOUNTING WARDEN
Holly has worshiped at Washington Memorial for over ten years. She served on the Vestry as secretary for three years. Holly also sings in the choir, works in the cabin shop and serves as sexton for weddings and funerals. She is an acolyte and on the altar guild and volunteered in the bookstore for many years. Holly has an Associates degree in Accounting and has worked in that field for forty years.
JOHN WALLCE, PROPERTY
Having been raised in the Lutheran Church (ELCA), John joined Washington Memorial Chapel in 2015, having effectively converted to Anglicanism in college. Since that time, he has served the Chapel in a variety of capacities, from chorister to acolyte to docent, and between 2017 and 2020 as a member of the Parish Vestry. During this past year, through both the transition and COVID-19, he has served as recording secretary of the Vestry.
John is honored to serve the Chapel once more as a member of the Chapel Vestry, especially as we look towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and we deepen our relationship with our new Rector. “The harvest, indeed, is plenteous!”
KENNETH DAUSCHER, CEMETERY LIASON
Ken was an active worshiper at Trinity Gulph Mills for 52 years. He and his wife, Judy, joined the Chapel in 2017, finding its clergy and parishioners warm and welcoming at a time they needed their spiritual needs met more effectively. Since coming to the Chapel, he has been a lector, served on the rector search committee, has been volunteering in the Cabin Shop, and has been serving as a docent.
Ken brings to the vestry experience and education in mental health, post-secondary education, social research, and management. He has three wonderful daughters who live in Collegeville.
GARDINER PEARSON, ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Gardiner and his wife Laura have been members of the Chapel since 2007. Gardiner has served on the Vestry and and as Rector’s Warden for one term under Fr. Almquist. He has been on the board of the Washington Memorial Heritage since 2008 and was President of the Board from 2013 through 2018. Last year Gardiner was on the Discernment Committee that called Fr. Thompson to be our current Rector. And, as those of you who have been watching the Chapel’s LiveStream services are aware, he has been participating in both the 8 am and 10 am services as a reader and recently as an acolyte.
ADELE SCHNEIDER, WORSHIP & MUSIC
Adele and her husband Tom have been members of the Chapel since 2009. Adele has previously served on the Vestry; and, under Fr. Almquist was appointed as the first female Rector’s Warden in the Chapel’s history. In this capacity, Adele was a member of most Chapel committees and appreciated serving alongside the many dedicated volunteers. Together with her husband, Adele enjoys singing in the choir, serving on the New Year’s Eve committee, and for many years serving with Joe and Laura Mager on the flea market committee. The Chapel and the dear friends she has made there, hold a special place in her life.
Adele and her husband Tom live in Chester County and have been married for almost 40 years; their daughter, Ashley and her husband Kyle have two daughters who were both baptized at the Chapel; and their son, T.J. and his wife Brooke were married at the Chapel. Outside of the Chapel, Adele enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and riding her horse Lilly.
DICK SCHMIDT, CABIN SHOP & BOOKSTORE
Dick was raised in Cincinnati and went to Memphis to attend Christian Brothers University. After graduating he remained in Memphis for the next 28 years before transferring with FedEx to King of Prussia in 1996. He retired as Eastern Region HR Manager in 2007. His daughter and son-in-law live in Reno along with his granddaughter and grandson.
He and Carlo Muia found Washington Memorial Chapel nine years ago and became members in June 2013. They were immediately drawn to the warm and open spirit of the congregation and are regular Saturday service attendees. Seven years ago they were honored and blessed to have the right to marry at the Chapel on the tenth anniversary of their meeting. Being former Catholics they truly appreciate the opportunity the Chapel has afforded them to fully enjoy their spiritual and communal lives.
Dick has been serving as a Lector and Cabin Shop volunteer for several years. He and Carlo have been volunteers at the St Peter’s Breakfasts, St James School, grilling at the Carillon Concerts, and serving on various committees.
Dick is pleased to be serving his second term on the Washington Memorial Chapel Vestry.
JOHANNA RECK, PARISH LIFE
Recognition for Johanna
“Thank you for being such an enthusiastic member of the Chapel!”
“As a Southerner, I appreciate that you brought Chicken & Waffles to Coffee Hour. They were delicious!”
“I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your help. I could not have pulled off this event without you and P. We make a pretty awesome team!”
Johanna’s Bio:
Johanna became a member of Washington Memorial Chapel in 2019.
Since joining the chapel she has served by planning events on Parish life committee, regularly hosting Coffee Hour, participating in Advent Lessons and Carol annual event and livestreaming worship services during COVID.
Prior to joining, her family has been part of the wider Chapel community since the 90s. Her older sister, Lauren, was married at the Chapel in 2010 and frequently stopped in at the Cabin Shop after walking in the park.
Many parishioners are drawn to the chapel for its warm and welcoming spirit, and we should continue to build and strengthen our community outside weekly worship service.
Professionally, Johanna works in the Fashion industry in Product Development, Global Sourcing and Raw Material Development with teams around the world to execute the Designers’ and Merchants’ vision. She holds a B.S. cum laude in Fashion Design and Merchandising from Drexel University. In her free time she enjoys reading, learning ballroom dancing, and is training her rescue puppy, Kimi.
JANET RAMBO, WELCOME COMMITTEE
Janet is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia suburbs, and attended local schools including Gettysburg College. Janet’s early career was being a stay at home mom and later her later career was caring for her grandchildren. She also became an aerobics instructor and co-owned a fitness business. Janet’s love for fitness continues today in the form of hiking, walking and yoga. Janet’s other interests include reading and travel.
Janet has been a member of the Chapel for 10 years serving on the Welcome Committee and helping to organize many events. She is honored to serve on the Vestry and looking forward to working with our new Rector, Fr. Tommy.
LAURA MAGER, OUTREACH
Laura has been a member of Washington Memorial Chapel for about twenty years and she cherishes the special place we are privileged to worship in. Over the years, she has made many friends and had many experiences that have allowed her to grow stronger in my faith. Laura and her husband Joe helped to start the bookstore and for many years organized a flea market held on Chapel grounds. Last year, they organized the Justice Bell Send Off celebration in remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment.
Outside of the Chapel Laura and Joe live in Valley Forge. Laura is a dietitian at Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia. She is working on a grant that delivers nutrition education to preschools, elementary students and adults eligible for SNAP.
Laura previously served on the Vestry and other Chapel committees. She is honored to be able to help the Chapel to continue to grow and flourish.