Clergy
Connie Clark, Vicar
A native of Alexandria and a lifelong Episcopalian, the Rev. Connie Clark came to Buck Mountain in March, 2008 from Evanston, Wyoming, where she had served as chaplain of the Wyoming State Hospital, a public psychiatric facility.
Connie began her professional ministry as chaplain at a northern Virginia psychiatric hospital in 1998. She was ordained a Priest in the Diocese of Wyoming on April 1, 2006, having attended St. Stephen’s College, Edmonton, Alberta, a seminary of the United Church of Canada.
Prior to her service in psychiatric hospital ministry, Connie was a writer and communications consultant for nonprofit organizations. She attended college at the University of Chicago, where she met her husband-to-be, Guy Lushin. Guy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who sees clients at the Greene CARE Clinic (Stanardsville), Chrysalis (Madison), and the Blue Ridge School (Dyke). He serves Buck Mountain as a musician and in other roles. Connie and Guy will celebrate their 39th anniversary this year. They are devoted dog-lovers and currently enjoy the company of a Jack Russell terrier mix (Buddy) and a border collie, Kiko, who both came from rescue organizations.
Connie serves on the Committee on Race and Reconciliation of the Diocese of Virginia. She is a pianist and helps accompany Buck Mountain’s choir. You may see her in the pool at ACAC, where she is an enthusiastic participant in water aerobics.
Jane Piver, Priest Associate
Jane has been a priest for over 20 years. After graduation from seminary, she has served in several different settings, from church planter, assistant in an historic church, and Vicar of Grace Episcopal church in Stanardsville, Virginia. After “retiring” from Grace, Jane embarked on the next chapter of her ministry. She engaged in transitional ministry (Interim Ministry). As an interim minister, she has served at Calvary, Front Royal; Christ Church, Winchester; and Church of the Incarnation, Mineral.
Jane proudly served in the United States Navy Nurse Corps for 20 years. She was stationed in Naval Hospitals from New London, Connecticut, Bethesda, Maryland, MCAS Cherry Point, Fleet Hospital 5, Saudi Arabia to Keflavik, Iceland. Her two daughters, Michele and Dawn, are also proud to have served our country as “Navy Brats.” Jane also has four perfect grandchildren.
Staff
Diane Shelden, Administrative Assistant
Diane has enjoyed working with Buck Mountain Episcopal Church as their Administrative Assistant since 2009. She lives in Palmyra, Virginia.
Diane enjoys singing, reading, and baking, and she occasionally sells homemade truffles for special events and holidays.
Vestry
The vestry is a group of lay people elected by the parish to work with the rector to oversee the temporal health of the congregation. A new group of vestry members is elected at each annual congregational meeting (in January), and all communicants of Buck Mountain are eligible to vote.
Buck Mountain is blessed with an active, working vestry made up of parishioners who give generously of their time and talents. Our vestry includes people with a variety of skills and backgrounds, ages, and length of time as parishioners at Buck Mountain. Some are lifelong Episcopalians. Others are relatively new to the Episcopal Church.