Our Rector

The Reverend Melissa Roberts George

Reverend Melissa served as a chaplain in hospice, hospital, assisted living, and behavioral health settings before transitioning into parish ministry.

A graduate of Baker University in Baldwin City, KS and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, Reverend Melissa loves to learn about God by listening to and serving others. She is an avid hiker, contemplative, and fan of most everything English.

Reverend Melissa embraces the Benedictine motto “work and pray” to seek balance in self-care and ministry, and she loves pondering the glory of God in nature.

She and husband Mark hail from Parsons, a small town in southeast Kansas. Mark grew up visiting Colorado on vacation and encouraged Rev. Melissa to discern with the diocese. Tabby cat Tiberius and Pembroke Welsh corgi Roxy complete their family.

Our Vestry

The vestry is the governing board of the local church. They are charged with being the agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the parish to the clergy. They manage church finances, maintenance, outreach, and worship.

The vestry is composed of senior and junior wardens and other members. The clerk (secretary) and treasurer may or may not be voting members of the vestry. The rector (priest) or another member of the vestry designated by the rector leads the meetings.

Vestry members are elected at the Annual Parish Meeting with terms of three years. They may be re-elected for one additional term. The Ascension Vestry meets the second Sunday of each month. The meetings are generally open to all parishioners.

Interested in learning more? Call the church office at 719-207-4578.

Our Accompanist

Dr. Yufen Chou

Originally from Taipei, Taiwan, Yufen Chou was an active music educator and performer for past 16 years in Washington DC metro area from 2005 to 2021. She was an adjunct piano professor in Trinity Washington University and Prince George’s Community College and ran her own music studio teaching both piano and violin. Ms. Chou holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Accompanying from The Catholic University of America and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University. She is also a registered Suzuki violin and piano instructor with Suzuki Association of the Americas.

Since relocating to Salida, Colorado in summer 2021 with her family, Ms. Chou enjoys running a music studio offering private and small group lessons and sharing the joy of music with the local community. When she’s not busy teaching and making music, you’d often see her out and about with her family enjoy the beautiful scenery and all the fun activities around the town.