The Episcopal Diocese of New York is delighted to announce the appointment of the Rev. Lisa Saunders Ahuja as Regional Canon for East Hudson and Canon for Clergy Transitions across the diocese. Lisa will begin her ministry this fall, and we are filled with gratitude and joy that she has accepted this call. This call continues our re-structuring of the bishop’s staff to serve locally in every region of the Diocese of New York.
Lisa was ordained to the priesthood in 2007 at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square, in Washington, DC. Since then, her ministry has taken her to Washington, Wisconsin, Texas, and Australia, where she served four years as a chaplain in the Anglican Church. She is currently rector of St. Thomas’ Parish in Dupont Circle, a lively and growing congregation known for hospitality, solidarity, and outreach. With her leadership, St. Thomas created the Bishop Gene Robinson Endowment for Community Outreach, supporting social justice ministries and lifting up the LGBTQ+ community in Washington.
Lisa brings a deep commitment to forming communities rooted in belonging, justice, and spiritual depth. She has also served as a congregational coach in the Diocese of Washington and is fluent in English and Spanish. Lisa and her husband, Salil, are foster parents and share their home with their energetic chiweenie, Bruno. Together, they love traveling and building friendships across cultures.
We are grateful to Archdeacon Denise LaVetty for her faithful leadership in coordinating clergy transitions over the last eighteen months. She will continue her vital work with the Deacons’ Formation Program and expand outreach to raise up new deacons across our Diocese.
Lisa joins Canons Victor Conrado and Sam Owen in guiding pastoral care, clergy transitions, and congregational development across our regions, and will report to Canon to the Ordinary Alissa Newton. We are delighted to welcome Canon-Designate Ahuja as we continue, together, the renewal of the church for the healing for the world.