Clergy and Staff

(The Rev.) Susan S. MacDonald, rector 

Someone has remarked that as followers of Jesus, our journey forms and binds us together; just as their journey from Galilee to Jerusalem and beyond did for the original disciples.

Before I was ordained deacon and then priest by the Rt. Rev. Michie Klusmeyer in 2007, my ministry took place in the non-profit and legal sectors as an executive director and lawyer. I received my M.Div. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (Anglican courses at VTS); Master’s in Counseling from the George Washington University;  Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law/Penn State; & B.Mus. from Virginia Commonwealth University.  In God’s wisdom and grace, these experiences converged in January, 2014, when I was called to serve this loving congregation.

This is a special time in the life of the Episcopal Church, rich with opportunities to celebrate and live out the diversity with which God has gifted each one of us.  I invite you to come walk the way of love with us!  Our journey together with Jesus Christ continues!

Mary Mae Remsburg, pianist and choir director 

Mary Mae Remsburg has served as our pianist and choir director since 2016.  She graduated from Shepherd University in 2016 with a degree in Music Education.  During her time at Shepherd, Mary was part of the Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble, and performed with Composer Maria Schneider.  Mary has also performed at several Honors Recitals at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, both as a classical soloist and in the Jazz Combo. She accompanied the Women’s Camerata for several years, as well as Performance Forums and senior recitals.  Mary currently teaches through her private studio with over 30 private students and is the accompanist for Hagerstown Choral Arts.  She frequently plays for musical productions, recordings, recitals, private events, and concerts.

Mary was part of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir for 9 years, which gave her the opportunity to perform at numerous venues, including Carnegie Hall and the White House.  She also had the opportunity to sing with the choir for Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President Jimmy Carter.

Mary is married to Chase Remsburg, another graduate of Shepherd University and a music teacher in Maryland.

Vestry

A Brief History

St. Paul’s on-the-Hill was established in 1967 as a mission congregation of Christ Episcopal Church, Winchester by the Rt. Rev. John Baden when he served as rector.  St. Paul’s was served in the early years by clergy from Christ Church. In 1996, St. Paul’s obtained parish status as a self-supporting congregation.  The tenures of the Revs. Michael Mohn (1980-1997); Ed Dunlap (1997-2000) and Hilary Smith (2003-2012) preceded that of the present rector, Susan MacDonald, 2014-present.