Clergy

The Rev'd Kathryn (Kai) McCrossen Ryan

Rector

Kai has served as Rector at Ascension since 1999. Prior to that she served for six years at St. Luke's, Mobile, Alabama, and before that at All Saints in Austin, Texas.  Kai is a lifelong Episcopalian. She was born and raised in Albuquerque. She attended the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and after completing a degree in Philosophy attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the South West in Austin, Texas. Kai is married to Tim. They have two children, Ned and Eleanor. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

A Welcome message from Mother Kai.

The Rev'd Andrew Van Kirk

Associate Rector

Andrew joined the staff at Ascension in July of 2010, after spending a year at All Saints' Church in Princeton, NJ as the Director of Christian Education. As Curate, Andrew assists with many different areas of ministry at Ascension, including regular preaching, Christian formation, and pastoral care. Born and raised in Dallas, Andrew attended Duke University where he double-majored in History and Computer Science. After a brief career as a software developer for Amazon.com, Andrew left for for Princeton Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2007 and a Master of Theology, with a focus in New Testament Studies, in 2008. Andrew and his wife Stephanie have a little boy, Henry, and a baby girl, Adelaide. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Rev'd Trudie Smither

Assisting Priest

Trudie Smither joined the staff of Ascension in 2007. From 1997-2007 she served on the staff of St. Christopher’s, Dallas, including two years as interim rector. She is the Bishop’s Missioner for Hospital Chaplaincy--a program of volunteer visiting and education--for the Diocese of Dallas and serves on the national church’s Standing Commission on Health. A lifelong Episcopalian, Trudie has a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.Div. from the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Her husband Bob has been deceased since 1997. She has four grown children and three grandchildren, Kate, Stephen, and Cole. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Rev'd Deacon Sue Ross

Deacon

Sue Ross has been a member of Episcopal Church of the Ascension since 1987. She received her Licentiate in Ministry from The Anglican School of Theology and was ordained to the diaconate in June of 2000. She worked for many years as an Information Technology project manager. In 2003 she accepted a position on the bishop's staff as Executive Director of Cathedral Gardens, a non-profit independent living complex for seniors located across from the Diocesan Office. She and her husband Lanny are native Dallasites and are blessed with 5 grown children, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Rev'd Ernie McAfee

Assisting Priest

Father Ernie is on long term assignment with Christ Church, Oak Cliff.