The Reverend louise “weezie”browner blanchard
Most recently, Weezie was Rector of St. Mary's in Richmond, where she also served as Associate Rector. Prior to St. Mary's, she was Associate Rector and Vicar of St. Stephen's in Richmond. Weezie loves parish ministry, the heart and soul of which for her is pastoral care. “It is how we tend to one another and what binds us together. It is an essential part of all that we do together: worship, stewardship, mission, fellowship, communication, and more. At its core, it is how we follow in Jesus's footsteps, the way of love.”
Weezie and her husband moved to Denver earlier this year when her husband, Buck, began his work as Missioner for Outreach and Mission in the Office of the Bishop in The Episcopal Church in Colorado. They have loved having the opportunity to explore Denver and Colorado, often with their eight-year old black lab Grace. Contact Weezie at rector@ascensiondenver.org.
Sue Richardson
Youth & CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS
Sue Richardson oversees our Youth and Children's programs. Sue has lived in Colorado since 1979. She has been at Ascension for five years. Sue has a long history of working with children: overseeing Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Children's Chapel programs over the years. She brings a wealth of experience and a deep love of children, teaching them by showing them God's love. For the past 31 years she has worked at Bayaud Enterprises, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities and other disadvantages to overcome barriers and find a vocational path. Contact Sue at youth@ascensiondenver.org.
TAMARA SCHMIEGE
DIRECTOR of music & Organist
Dr. Tamara Schmiege began her musical career as an organ student at the Interlochen Arts Academy. She earned the Bachelor of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music, the Master of Music Degree from Indiana University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Organ and Church Music from the University of Michigan. Her teachers included David Craighead, Robert Glasgow, Marilyn Mason, Russell Saunders, Larry Smith, and Christopher Young. Tamara has served as Director of Music and Organist for Lutheran and Episcopal parishes since 1993. Most recently, she was the Director of Music and Organist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Fort Collins. In 2013 she studied graphic arts and web design and is now a Web Producer for Interweave. Tamara also serves as Web Producer for the Association of Anglican Musicians and for the Tri-State Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Contact Tamara at musicdirector@ascensiondenver.org.
Celeste deLeon
Parish Administrator
Celeste has been at Church of the Ascension for ten plus years. She graduated from John F. Kennedy High School and attended Metro State College. She is a Denver native and currently lives in Park Hill. She has three children, ages 20, 16, and 7. She has a loving husband who supports everything she does. She enjoys, running, yoga, and generally being a mom. Contact Celeste at admin@ascensiondenver.org.
