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The Rev. Lisa Saunders Ahuja was ordained to the priesthood in 2007 at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square after graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity.

She has served churches in Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, and Texas. Before moving to Washington D.C., she lived in Australia for four years, and served as a chaplain in Anglican schools there. In January of 2020 she returned to the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to serve here at St. Thomas’ Parish as the Priest in Charge. In October 2020 she accepted the call to serve as our rector. She and her husband Salil are delighted to be part of this vibrant community.

St. Thomas’ Parish is privileged to be the home church of Bishop Gene Robinson, retired bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Gene generously shares is wealth of experience and spiritual wisdom with our Parish, and frequently preaches at our 11am service.

Bishop Robinson is famous internationally as a champion for human rights, and as the first priest in an openly gay relationship to be consecrated a bishop in a major Christian denomination. He was elected bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire on June 7, 2003, having served as Canon to the Ordinary (assistant to the bishop) for nearly 18 years. He was consecrated a bishop on All Saints Sunday, November 2, 2003, and was invested as the Ninth Bishop of New Hampshire on March 7, 2004.