Our Leadership
Reverend Jeff Hooper
Jeff Hooper — Reverend Jeff to many, Father Jeff to others, or even just Jeff — is something of a computer whiz, amateur photographer, and (in his opinion) a better-than-average computer gamer.
Jeff is a presbyter and the incumbent of the Church of the Ascension. Being a “presbyter/priest” means that Jeff has been “ordained” — given a lifelong role of providing spiritual leadership to churches. Being our “incumbent” means that Jeff is actually fulfilling his role in an appointed position — at our church.
Jeff’s life experiences have entailed engaging in Christian-focussed work in rural Muskoka, Uganda, and the Sudbury crater. Jeff is passionate about families — parents, children, and youth — developing their Christian faith as a shared and organic part of daily family life. Jeff’s sermons often highlight that the basis of the Christian life is love for God and for others.
When Jeff and wife Michelle are not driving their three daughters to their many extracurricular activities, he enjoys meeting with people at a coffee shoppe to listen and chat. Jeff can be reached at ascension@vianet.ca
Archbishop Anne Germond
Archbishop Anne Germond’s life journey has brought her from her home country of South Africa to Northern Ontario, where she raised her two children and currently lives with her husband. Though Anne Germond is currently the Archbishop of Algoma and Moosonee, the Metropolitan of Ontario, and the interim Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada as of Autumn, 2024, the Church of the Ascension has a unique place in her heart as the congregation that she led for 14 years before becoming bishop.
As a bishop, Anne is entrusted with the spiritual direction of over 110 churches spread from Gravenhurst to Kasechewan, and from Thunder Bay to Mistissini in northwestern Quebec— including Church of the Ascension. Her other titles — Archbishop, Metropolitan, Primate — indicate that Anne is a bishop with additional responsibilities at the provincial and national levels.
Though Archbishop Anne’s work takes her far and wide, she knows that at anytime she can walk into the Church of the Ascension and find her home — an experience that she wishes for all searching to know God more.