Joan Elizabeth Beilstein
Silver Spring,Maryland
Summary
Professional communicator and spiritual leader with strong experience in preaching, pastoral care, and community outreach. Proven track record of fostering meaningful connections, delivering impactful sermons, and guiding congregations through spiritual growth. Strong focus on collaborative efforts, adaptability, and achieving tangible results. Known for inspirational leadership, empathy, and effective counseling skills as well as known as a seasoned spiritual director, retreat and pilgrimage leader, and clergy coach.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Rector
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
Silver Spring, MD
01.2007 - 01.2026
- Guided lay leaders and parish staff in identifying gifts and launching new ministries across worship, formation, outreach, and stewardship.
- Facilitated strategic parish planning around membership, music, youth, adult formation, retreats, pilgrimages, and social groups.
- Led a capital campaign from 2015-2020 that raised approximately $600,000 for building and technological improvements.
- Supervised seminarians and deacon candidates through formation, mentoring future ordained clergy in practical ministry settings.
- Provided guidance and resources that helped parish members create and revitalize ministries serving local and global outreach needs.
- Supported stewardship and fundraising efforts by coordinating parish participation in finances, giving, and long-range ministry priorities.
- Promoted visionary thinking that positioned the parish to adapt its ministries for future growth and transition.
Interim Rector
ALL SOULS MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Washington, DC
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Coordinate ministry leaders weekly through parish transition planning and search preparation.
- Developed lay leadership training across Christian formation, fellowship, outreach, welcome ministry, and pastoral care.
- Strengthened ministries in six vital areas, extending participation both within and beyond the parish.
- Facilitated a D.Min. project thesis through practical ministry training and parish leadership development.
- Addressed rector-centric parish culture by equipping members to initiate and sustain ministries independently.
- Documented enduring ministry outcomes, with many initiatives remaining active in the parish today.
Rector
NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Camp Springs, MD
01.1999 - 01.2005
- Returned at the Bishop's request to lead Nativity Episcopal Church through a season of decline and transition.
- Assessed the congregation's future viability and clarified options for its next chapter.
- Partnered with diocesan leaders and a national church consultant to design a healthy church closure process.
- Worked collaboratively with lay leaders to align parish decisions with closure planning.
- Built a closure framework later used as a model within the Diocese of Washington.
Interim Rector
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Upper Marlboro, MD
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Guided members through unhealthy behavioral patterns and relationship repair during a pastoral dissolution.
- Developed new ministries and programs to support parish renewal during a time of transition.
- Helped the congregation move from grief toward a more hopeful future through steady interim leadership.
Interim Rector
NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Camp Springs, MD
01.1997 - 01.1998
- Led search-process support for a new rector while guiding lay leaders through parish viability assessment.
- Revitalized church ministries and helped members discern, develop, and exercise their spiritual gifts.
- Encouraged stronger stewardship of time, talent, and treasure among existing parish members.
Priest-in-Charge
ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Glenn Dale, MD
01.1997 - 1997
- Led worship services for the parish during the rector's sabbatical.
- Delivered pastoral care to parishioners and responded to spiritual needs across the congregation.
- Consulted with lay leadership on parish direction and day-to-day ministry needs.
- Established a ministry for hearing-impaired congregants to widen access to parish services.
- Supported parish operations during a transitional period with consistent liturgical and pastoral coverage.
Director of Pastoral Care and Chaplain
MANOR CARE HEALTH SERVICES
Fairfax, VA
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Created and implemented a pastoral care program for senior residents, families, staff, and caregivers.
- Developed seminars for staff and caregivers on aging, self-care, and bereavement.
- Provided crisis support through on-call ministry for deaths and urgent resident needs.
Chaplain and CPE Supervisor-in-Training
ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL
Washington, DC
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Co-created and implemented the Clinical Pastoral Education program as part of a team at the hospital.
- Led worship services, provided on-call ministry, and responded to crisis and death-related needs across the hospital.
- Facilitated support groups for patients while offering pastoral presence across the Acute Unit and Dual Diagnosis Unit.
- Participated in the weekly feeding program for homeless men and women through direct service and community care.
- Served patients in the John Howard Pavilion, Acute Unit, and Dual Diagnosis Unit with trauma-informed pastoral support.
Administrative Leader/Office Manager
BDM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Roslyn, Virginia
01.1985 - 01.1990
- Supervised administrative staff and assigned daily work across the satellite branch.
- Managed all office operations for a defense contractor branch serving the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, and other agencies.
- Prepared and administered a $600,000+ budget for branch operations and administrative needs.
- Coordinated administrative support to keep branch workflow organized and responsive.
- Maintained a stable branch environment for day-to-day operations in a high-visibility government services setting.
Personnel Assistant
HONEYWELL, INC.
Mclean, Virginia
01.1983 - 01.1985
- Supported the Chief Personnel Officer with administrative coordination, correspondence, and day-to-day office needs.
- Interviewed and hired administrative employees, contributing to staffing decisions across the personnel function.
- Trained and supervised temporary employees to maintain continuity in administrative operations.
- Collaborated with the Employee Assistance Counselor to support employee wellness initiatives.
- Managed administrative workflows for the personnel office while keeping hiring, training, and support tasks organized.
Education
Certificate - Transforming Community Program
Shalem Institute For Spiritual Formation
07.2026
Doctor of Ministry -
The Virginia Theological Seminary
05.2007
Certificate - Pastoral Psychotherapy
The Pastoral Care And Counseling Center of VA
05.1998
Certificate - Interim Ministry Training
Interim Ministry Network
05.1998
Master of Divinity -
The General Theological Seminary
05.1993
Bachelor of Arts -
The University of Maryland
05.1983
Affiliations
- Chaplain to the Retired Clergy of the Diocese of Washington - 2026 - Present
- Diocesan Dean - Southern Montgomery County Region - 2022- 2024
- Reader - General Ordination Exams, Episcopal Church - 2021 - 2023
- Member - The Standing Committee, Diocese of Washington - 2015-2018
- Chair - Transition Committee for the Bishop of Washington - 2010-2012
- President - Standing Committee, Diocese of Washington - 2008-2010
- President - Clerical Deputy - Washington Deputation - General Convention - 2009 & 2012
- Clerical Deputy - General Conventions - 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003
- Secretary & Member - Standing Committee, Diocese of Washington - 2004-2007
- President & Vice-President - The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association - 2005-2008
- Board Member - The Washington Episcopal Clergy Association - 2003-2005
- Chair - Diocesan Task Force on Just and Equitable Treatment, Diocese of Washington - 2006
- Board Member - National Committee on Community and Justice (NCCJ) - 2003-2006
- Board Member - The National Network of Episcopal Clergy Associations - 2000-2004
- Executive Committee Member - Diocesan Council, Diocese of Washington - 2000-2003
Timeline
Rector
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION
01.2007 - 01.2026
Interim Rector
ALL SOULS MEMORIAL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
01.2005 - 01.2007
Rector
NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
01.1999 - 01.2005
Interim Rector
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
01.1998 - 01.1999
Interim Rector
NATIVITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
01.1997 - 01.1998
Priest-in-Charge
ST. GEORGE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
01.1997 - 1997
Director of Pastoral Care and Chaplain
MANOR CARE HEALTH SERVICES
01.1995 - 01.1998
Chaplain and CPE Supervisor-in-Training
ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL
01.1993 - 01.1995
Administrative Leader/Office Manager
BDM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
01.1985 - 01.1990
Personnel Assistant
HONEYWELL, INC.
01.1983 - 01.1985
Certificate - Transforming Community Program
Shalem Institute For Spiritual Formation
Doctor of Ministry -
The Virginia Theological Seminary
Certificate - Pastoral Psychotherapy
The Pastoral Care And Counseling Center of VA
Certificate - Interim Ministry Training
Interim Ministry Network
Master of Divinity -
The General Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Arts -
The University of Maryland
SUPPLEMENTAL EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
- Spiritual Director, Retreat, Small Group, and Pilgrimage Leader - 1994-Present
- Chaplain’s Conference - Training to be a Chaplain to Retired Episcopal Clergy - The Church Pension Group - 2026
- Pilgrimage: Walking the Ramparts with Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross - Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation - 2025
- Pilgrimage: Walking the Camino - Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation - 2024
- The Holy Isles of Iona and Lindisfarne (Pilgrimage Leader) - 2023
- Ecuador Mission Trip, sponsored by Education Equals Hope - 2022
- Clergy Mentor’s Training - The Virginia Theological Seminary - 2023-2024
- Tending Our Soil Thriving Parish Initiative - Diocese of Washington - 2021-2024
- Holy Land Pilgrimage with St. John’s Norwood - 2018
- Desert Spirituality Pilgrimage (Pilgrimage Leader) - 2017
- Certified Field Education Supervisor - The Virginia Theological Seminary - 1999-2023
- Three Year Out Mentor - The Virginia Theological Seminary - 2011-2014
- Colloquy Mentor - The Virginal Theological Seminary - 2002-2003, 2009-2010, 2010-2011
- Youth Pilgrimage at Borderlands Retreat Center South Dakota - 2009
- Desert Spirituality Pilgrimage with the Shalem Institute of Spiritual Formation - 2008
- CREDO, Offered by The Church Pension Fund - 2006
- St. George’s College, Jerusalem (Course: The Palestine of Jesus) - 2005
- NNECA Conference on “Total Ministry” - Las Vegas, NV - 2004
- Diocesan Mission Trip to Honduras (Building a School) - 2000
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - St. Elizabeths Hospital, Washington DC - 1993-1995
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City - New Jersey - 1993
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC - 1991
PERSONAL
I am a native Washingtonian and lifelong Episcopalian. I am married to Elizabeth “Libbie” Griffin, a native of England, who is retired after a long career as a registered nurse, and Transplant Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente. Personal qualifications include a warm and engaging presence, excellent listening and communication skills, compassionate pastoral sensitivity, the desire and ability to work collaboratively and creatively with others, and the skill to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.