Meet Our Leaders
Our leaders help guide the life of the parish—shaping our worship, caring for our community, and inviting us to grow in faith together.
The Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Rector
Jenifer leads St. Peter’s with care and joy, helping the parish grow in faith and live into God’s call to love and serve the world. She is especially passionate about Christian formation and about helping people discover how their faith can take shape in everyday life.
Before coming to St. Peter’s, Jenifer served on the staff of the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, and previously as Associate Rector and Chaplain at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church and Day School in Washington, D.C. She is also the author of several books for children, youth, and adults in the Episcopal Church.
If you’re new, Jenifer would love to meet you.
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The Rev. Cory Michael Irwin, Associate Rector
Cory Michael leads congregational life and Christian formation at St. Peter’s, helping shape a community where people can grow in faith and connection. His preaching is thoughtful and grounded in Scripture, inviting curiosity and depth.
A Midwesterner at heart, he spent fifteen years in education before entering seminary and receiving his M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary. He brings a pastoral, teaching-focused approach to his work—and is known to share homemade muffins from time to time.
Most of all, Cory Michael will tell you this: Jesus is the source of all his hope.
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The Rev. Lauren Banks, Associate Rector
Lauren leads pastoral care and parent formation at St. Peter’s, walking alongside individuals and families with compassion and insight. Her preaching is invitational, helping us consider how faith can be lived out in everyday life.
Originally from Alabama, Lauren received her M.Div. from Virginia Theological Seminary and previously served at Christ Church Alexandria. She also serves as Executive Director of the National HIV/AIDS Housing Coalition, advocating for supportive housing for people living with HIV.
Lauren is the mother of two beloved children, shares life with a dog, and loves all things water—especially swimming.
Staff
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Sue Cromer, Dir. of Children, Youth, and Family Ministry
Sue comes to St. Peter’s with over 30 years of experience in Youth, Children’s, Campus & Young Adult Ministry in the Episcopal Church. Sue has a background in education and formation.
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Nikol Hoover, Director of Parish Operations
As the Director of Parish Operations, Nikol is the glue that holds us all together! She runs the office, produces parish communications, and keeps track of the calendar, activities and volunteers, and much much more. Nikol has been with the St. Peter's family since 2005.
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James Jillson Selway, Director of Music
Organist James Selway directs several choirs at St. Peter’s. A graduate of The Juilliard School and The Catholic University of America. Jim has performed at the Phillips Collection and the World Bank in Washington, D.C., Carnegie Recital Hall, and the United Nations. He is also a prolific composer.
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Claire Hardie, Bookkeeper
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Mateo Mangialetti, Assistant Director of Music
Mateo accompanies the Adult Choir in rehearsal, assists with music on Sunday mornings, and serves occasionally on the organ. He also joins Jim Selway for the St. Cecilia (children and youth) Choir at 9 AM each Sunday at the beginning of the Sunday morning Christian formation hour.
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Maggie Paul, Seminarian
Maggie is currently a third-year student at Virginia Theological Seminary in the Master of Divinity program. She is a Postulant for Holy Orders from the Diocese of North Carolina.
Shared Leadership
The life of Saint Peter’s is guided by clergy and lay leaders working together through commissions and committees.
These groups help shape our worship, care, formation, and outreach—and offer meaningful ways to take part in the life of the church.
Our 2026 Vestry
Clive Lowe (2026) Sr Warden
Tommy Avent (2026) Jr Warden
Barbara Mattox (2028) Register
Ginger Ackerman (2028)
Suzannah Carr (2026)
Julie Hutsell (2028)
Peter Johnson (2027)
Marchal Magee (2026)
Peter Mason (2028)
Patricia Montgomery (2027)
Richard Snyder (2027)
Lizzy Stell (2027)
Treasurer Roger von Elm
Choral Section Leaders
St. Peter’s has a long and rich history of superb choral music. Now, due to a generous grant, we are able to engage the services of four exceptional choral section leaders: Sophie Clarke, soprano; Marjorie Sheiman, mezzo-soprano; Jon DeHart, tenor; and David Maeng, baritone.
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Sophie Clarke
Sophie Clarke, soprano, is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory, with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. She has performed many roles in opera and musicals and is active musically in the DC area, most recently at the Kennedy Center and with the Peabody Opera Theater. Sophie is also a Vocal Mentor with the National Children’s Chorus, Washington, DC.
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Jon DeHart
Jon DeHart is in his ninth year teaching elementary school music in Montgomery County Public Schools. He graduated in 2016 from Westminster Choir College where he focused on vocal performance and music education. Jon enjoys leading youth choirs, composing choral music, teaching guitar and piano, and playing in rock n' roll bands! He lives in NW Washington D.C. with his girlfriend Kennedy, their two cats Tom and Andy, and their rabbit, Mr. Wiggles.
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Marjorie Sheiman
Marjorie Sheiman is a singer and arts administrator from the Pacific Northwest who strives to find a place for everyone in classical music. She is a recent double alumna from Johns Hopkins University, earning her MM in Voice Performance (Peabody) and MA in Nonprofit Management (Krieger). During her time at Peabody, Marjorie received 2nd place in the 2022 Art Song Competition (Graduate Division), was the Alto Soloist in both Mozart’s Requiem and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and starred as Maurya in Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea. Upon graduation, she was awarded the George Woodhead Prize in Voice.
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David Maeng
David Maeng serves as bass with the Saint Peter’s choir.