Leaders

Leadership at the Church of the Ascension is a collaboration of clergy, staff, and volunteers (known in the church world as lay ministers).

Clergy

Rev. Canon Dr. Osita Oluigbo
Rector

Email: ositaoluigbo@diohuron.org or rectorsdesk@gmail.com; Phone: 519-451-7780

Office hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays

I’ve said of myself that priesthood is the only life I’ve known, but that in addition to being the full-time husband to Jennifer and father of three young men. Born into an Anglican family in Southeastern Nigeria, and schooled at a Junior Seminary (an Anglican high school for boys), the traditions and formularies of the Anglican faith were a big part of my early formation.

After a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies and theological education, I was ordained in Nigeria in 1992. My dream was to return to the University for a Ph.D and life in the ivory tower, but instead, the university of parish life and ministry happened. It is said: Man proposes and God disposes. God definitely disposed differently. It has pleased Him to lead me in ministry across countries and continents, from Nigeria to South America, the U.S., and to Canada.

From Wisconsin, I was called to St. Andrew’s in Sidney in the Diocese of British Columbia in 2008 where I was Rector for over 8 years and in the final five of those years as the Regional Dean of Haro. We moved to Ontario and the Diocese of Huron in the summer of 2016. For 8½ years, I was the Rector at St. John’s in the beautiful town of Tillsonburg, serving also as the Territorial Archdeacon of Huron East in the final three years. Ascension is my second pastorate in Huron. Currently, my time is shared with St. Mark’s, the other Anglican parish in East London.

I hold a Doctor of Ministry from St. Stephen’s College, University of Alberta, researching the leadership of churches as they make the transition to become churches that focus on mission, including the Anglican Communion’s Five Marks of Mission.

I am a very, very passionate lover of “The Beautiful Game”, the real game of football (soccer), as a player and spectator.

Osita+

Rev. Jim Garey
Honourary Assistant

What’s a Lutheran doing on the clergy team at the Anglican Church of the Ascension? It’s really quite simple. The Full Communion agreement between the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada makes it possible. This accord, known as the Waterloo Declaration, was signed in Waterloo, Ontario.

I retired from full-time ministry in April 2011 after 39 years, the last 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church in London. Church policy required that I leave Trinity to clear the decks for a successor. After a couple months of “church shopping,” my wife and I visited Ascension, and there has been no looking back. Warmly welcomed, we felt right at home from the first Sunday. When then-rector Rev. June Hough asked me to serve as an honourary associate, it was, so to speak, the icing on the cake.

I was ordained in Ohio Synod in 1972. I served rural parishes in Ohio for nine years, before being called to the Eastern Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in 1981. I served northern Ontario parishes in Massey and Sault Ste. Marie, where I was involved in many joint Anglican-Lutheran projects. My parish, Zion Lutheran Church, and neighbouring St. Matthew’s Anglican Church were specifically appointed by our bishops to be pacesetter congregations in the on-going Anglican-Lutheran dialogue. That led to joint worship services, pulpit exchanges, and joint youth activities. I was named an ecumenical canon of the Diocese of Algoma in 1999. Hanging with Anglicans is nothing new to me.

I have a B.A. in Sociology from the Ohio State University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Wittenberg University. I am an active member of the Kiwanis service club, where I have been a Distinguished Lieutenant Governor. My wife Sue and myself were married in 1968. She is a retired French teacher.

It’s a joy to be able to continue in ministry in our church home at Ascension.

God bless,
Jim

Staff and Lay Leaders

Church Office

Our church office is staffed by the Parish Administrator, who works in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Voice mail (519-451-7780) and email (office@ascensionlondon.com) are available at other times. The office phone or email are good ways to contact the lay (volunteer) leaders of the church.

Executive Team

The Executive Team is composed of the Rector, Wardens and Deputy Wardens. One Warden and one Deputy Warden are elected by church members (the “vestry”) at the annual vestry meeting and one each is appointed by the Rector. The Executive Team meets monthly to handle a number of issues, including financial and legal matters.

2025 Wardens and Deputies

People’s Warden: Steve Holmes
Rector’s Warden: Russ Braley
Deputy People’s Warden: Phil Pentecost
Deputy Rector’s Warden: Deb Adams

Parish Council

Parish Council is composed of the Rector as chair, Wardens, Deputy Wardens, Lay Representatives to the Diocese of Huron Synod (which is like a parliament), and Substitute Lay Representatives elected by vestry members, and between four and twelve other lay people in the church, half elected by the members and half appointed by the Rector. Parish Council meets monthly from September to June to discuss and vote on issues, hear reports and implement ideas. These meetings are open to anyone.

2025 Parish Council