I currently serve on Vestry in a one-year term and have two administrative roles at Washington Memorial Chapel: have been planning the Lay Rota each month for almost two years and I have been editing the service bulletins for over a year. In addition, I have been a Lay Eucharistic Minister at all four regular Masses, an Usher at all three regular weekend Masses, and have had several occasional roles in other services. I have recently become the Treasurer for Washington Memorial Heritage.

At two other Episcopal churches, I have been a Warden and Vestry member, an Usher, and a Choir member. I was Accounting Warden and Rector’s Warden at one of them, Treasurer and then Financial Administrator at the other. I taught the Catechism and I mentored Education for Ministries students a long time ago. I chaired a Discernment Committee (for recommending a new Rector) and served on several Ordination Discernment Committees.

I appreciate the reverence and orthodoxy of our worship, as a remnant of God’s people in an increasingly secular world. And I appreciate honoring our country’s founding and perhaps the greatest man in the world during the last millennium.

I would like to support the direction of Washington Memorial Chapel set by Father Tommy and Vestry, and would like to help from my experience, especially regarding governance processes.

I am retired from a career as a Human Resources executive. I’m husband to Donna, father of two adult children, and guardian of two canines.

Julia and I joined in March 2020. Since joining I have become a Board Member of the Washington Memorial Heritage and am Co-Chair of the “One Heart & One Mind” Capital Campaign. I also Volunteered at the summer Carillon series.

At my former parish, St Peter's, I was involved in grounds up-keep and the scheduling of Bible study groups.

The Gospel is the road map to living your life. There is no greater message than that of the Gospel.

I most appreciate the worship at Washington Memorial Chapel. When I leave a service, my heart is full of joy and peace. The people at the Chapel make it an even more special place. And I appreciate the history of why Father Burk founded the Chapel and its motto - "God and Country".

I agreed to serve on Vestry because I believe in what the Church stands for and want nothing more than to be involved with the progress of the Chapel.

I am a Financial Advisor with Creative Financial Group.

Lori and I officially joined Washington Memorial Chapel in June 2011. Shortly after joining, I became involved in many committees, including the celebration of the French Alliance, serving as an Usher, helping with the Men's Service Guild (now the Men’s Ministry). Additionally, I am a member of the Property Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Washington Memorial Chapel’s Heritage.

In June 2013, I was nominated to serve on the Vestry, and served until 2016. In January 2019, I was asked to serve as the Rector’s Warden, serving until March 2021.

Since 1995, I have been very active in the Patriotic Order Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.), serving as Pennsylvania State President, National President, and currently as a National Trustee.

I retired in June 2023 after working for 18 years as Purchasing Department Supervisor for the County of Montgomery. Prior to that, I worked for 32 years for the United States Postal Service, most recently as the Postmaster of the Sassamansville Post Office. I try to help around the Chapel when needed and when time permits.

My wife and I are blessed to have three wonderful children (all who live in the local area) and six fantastic grandchildren.

Washington Memorial Chapel holds a place in American History as a monument to George Washington and the Troops who helped to save this Country.

I was honored to be asked to join the Vestry again. I look forward to working with Father Tommy Thompson and the Vestry to restore the campus and continue Rev. Burk's dream for Washington Memorial Chapel as the Nation’s Chapel.

I began attending Washington Memorial Chapel in September 2021 after I moved home from living in England. On a walk around Valley Forge National Park, I was drawn to the building; the Chapel reminded me so much of England! When I realized it was also very much a vibrant, gospel-centered church, I came on a Sunday for Mass and have been attending ever since. I cherish the Chapel’s emphasis on Christ and the Eucharist, the liturgy, and the care for history and the community. Over the years, I have participated in women’s ministry events and various adult education opportunities. 

 I have been involved in a number of churches throughout my life, but my faith really became my own when I was studying abroad as an undergraduate student in Germany. Since then, I discovered the richness and beauty of the Anglican communion and tradition. What a gift it is to know and worship a God who reveals His Son and Spirit to us in so many creative and personal ways, ever drawing us into closer relationship with Him. In the past, I have enjoyed serving my church families through youth leadership, women’s ministry, Bible studies, and as a vestry member.

I am excited to be a part of vestry to serve and grow the community of the Chapel and its related missional opportunities. The Chapel occupies a unique space and place in Valley Forge Park and the greater Philadelphia area, and I look forward to participating in God’s work to grow and equip a community of disciples and helping to restore the Chapel’s physical campus. 

 Professionally I work in business operations and have had a lot of fun in various positions in the non-profit, business, and education sectors. I grew up in this area, and after being away for 20 years, I am pleased to be home with all my family. I enjoy reading, exploring nature, cooking, making spaces beautiful, and traveling.

I have been attending WMC for about two years now and have enjoyed the adult education classes on Sunday mornings and the C. S. Lewis class/ discussions held on Wednesday evenings. I have also joined the prayer ministry at the chapel and have attended the initial meeting. The thing that I love most about the chapel is the reverence for the Eucharist and the wonderful music. Lessons and Carols for me were the highlight of the Advent season. The priests are excellent.

I am a cradle Episcopalian and have been involved in many things over the years. They include Alter guild, choir, Sunday School teacher, youth ministry leader and weekly head usher. I have been on the vestry in a large parish overseeing the prayer ministry, the parish nurse ministry, and the DOK. I have been a driver for feeding the homeless in Philadelphia. I have completed EFM, Freedom in Christ, and Cursillo.

My hope for this vestry position is overseeing adult education where we could explore the Bible and how it relates to us and the world around us. I would enjoy men’s and women’s gatherings and am open to all ideas for spiritual growth. We are blessed here at the chapel with wonderful folks, a beautiful church, and spectacular grounds. My prayer is for us to grow in “love and service” towards one another and to share in the living Word.

I just retired last year after being a nurse for 50 years. I was an ICU nurse, pediatric/ adult homecare nurse and most recently wound healing and hyperbaric medicine. I have been blessed beyond belief working with patients and their families.

On the home front I am married to wonderful man, Terry. I have 4 sons, 3 daughters in laws, and 4 grand kids. I love them more than words can say!! I also have a naughty cat.

I ask for your prayers as we move forward in the next year.

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.

In May 2015 my mother-in-law, a member of the church for a short time, died. It was unexpected and we had made no arrangements. We went to the Chapel to arrange for a service. We were sad and out of our comfort zone talking with the Priest-in-charge. Arrangements were made. But something greater than that happened… he welcomed us as a gay couple to the Chapel. A kindness I will never forget. We became members of the Chapel that fall. Anne and I were blessed to be married at the chapel on August 13th, 2022.

I really felt I became a member of the Chapel when I joined the volunteers who do service for the Cabin Shop by baking, making Easter Egg candies, Christmas mints, breads, and laughter… lots of laughter.

I also have increased my service to the chapel by joining the Outreach committee, attending Rector’s forum, St Peter’s Saturday Breakfast crew and enjoying the Saturday 5:00 service. Outside the church I take classes at Barnes Foundation, Mainline School Night, and Immaculata. In addition, I am very involved in a 12-step support group. I really appreciate the support Father Tommy has shown for the weekly meetings that are held at the Chapel.

I was asked to consider becoming a member of the Vestry in November. After speaking to two previous members of the Vestry I decided this would be a good way to be of further service at the Chapel.

My involvement with the Chapel began the day of my husband’s burial in the churchyard, in June of 2000. Every day since then I have been uplifted being here. Virginia Kibler, one of our longest and most senior members, invited me to join her in worship and friendship. I then met Terri Stoltz and volunteered to help clean and polish the brass and woodwork, making this most sacred place my home. In 2010 I became a member, joined the Altar Guild, served on the Vestry from 2016-2019, supported the Cabin Shop by cooking soup and currently am honored to be one of your baker ladies.

In 2011, through Washington Memorial Chapel’s Outreach program, I started volunteering at St James School in the Allegheny West neighborhood of Philadelphia. Some of my weekly experiences have involved gardening, clean-up, moving chickens into their chicken coops, organizing closets, contributing to the community welcome table and being an assistant to the art teacher. I currently assist the nurse practitioner in the school’s health center. Most recently, this past November, I assisted in the Chapel hosting a field trip to our campus by St James 5th grade. It was so meaningful and exciting for the students to meet and experience Ned Hector, a black revolutionary war hero, impersonated by Noah Lewis.

The Gospel is my relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The time of Christ is now. His actions and words inspire us to be responsible for who we are, what we have, and what we do.

I value the sacred beauty of the Chapel, the Episcopal ritual, and our music. I value our historical significance and the story our stained-glass windows tell. I value the warmth of our community and their openness and respect for diverse ideas and people.

I am very interested in defining and supporting the Chapel’s mission, ensuring effective organization, and planning and managing our resources. I am very curious to continually learn what is important to the members of the chapel and to communicate that in our Vestry meetings.

I am a retired Speech Pathologist, who worked with young children in the field for 30 years. My son and daughter and their families live in the area. I am blessed to have two beautiful granddaughters, whom I see often. I enjoy birding, cooking, swimming and triking on our local trails.

Fellow members of Washington Memorial Chapel may know me from my regular attendance at 10 AM services on Sunday, singing in the alto section of the choir, participating in the docent tours program, volunteering for veterans’ cemetery events, or attending social events.

As a member of the Episcopal churches at Calvary - Conshohocken, Saint Dunstan’s - Blue Bell & Saint Thomas’ - Whitemarsh, I served as a nursery scheduler and volunteer, choir member & vestry member.

I value Washington Memorial Chapel’s Christ-centered focus on demonstrating faith in daily action. Washington Memorial Chapel gives us opportunities to serve and honor God, our beloved veterans, each other, and the surrounding community.

I agreed to serve on the Washington Memorial Chapel Vestry, to offer my skills developed from experience as a wife, mother, physicist, physician & department chair to promote our mission to glorify God in and through Jesus Christ, baptize, teach; & tell the story of the birth of our great nation.

Outside of my activities at Washington Memorial Chapel, I enjoy reading, hiking, weightlifting, kayaking & traveling to visit friends and family.

As a retired physician and emeritus chair of psychiatry, I volunteer my services to improve the holistic health of healthcare staff through the Proactive Support Team program that I founded at Abington Health System.

Joe and Chris were received by the Bishop at Washington Memorial Chapel in June of 2022, both being baptized in their infancy.  Joe is currently a lector and on the Alter Guild.  He believes that the chapel “Feels Like Home,” because of the people of the chapel.  The Lord saved our daughter when we were in our darkest time, and he wishes to continue to thank the Lord through service to his community and chapel.

 I believe the Gospel is how God has meant for us to live our lives and provides guidance on serving God and others.  I believe the others attend Mass as a result of bible based teachings through the homily and the works of the chapel.  It is not nor should ever be based on anything other than the Gospel.  The Chapels outreach includes the opportunities to speak to the hundreds of people that come to visit the Chapel and the grounds via the Valley Forge Park as well as outreach to the Veterans and others.

 Joseph Chew is married to Christine Chew for 22 years with two daughters ages 18 and 16, one which is special needs.  Joe has been involved in fire protection as an industrial firefighter as well as a volunteer firefighter for 36 and 42 years, respectively.  He was also an Emergency Medical Technician and a Hazardous Materials Technician for 34 years.  Joe is currently a fire protection consultant for heavy industry.   He has served as a fire chief, on the board of directors for a busy volunteer fire department outside of Camden NJ, is currently the Asst. Secretary for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and serves as the Hazardous Materials Specialist for the Philadelphia Board of Fire Safety and Prevention.