St. John's Clergy 

The Rev. Robert E. (Rob) Stevens, Jr., Rector

The Rev. Robert E. Stevens, Jr., attended The Florida State University and graduated with a B.A. in Psychology in 1991. Rob was awarded an M.Div. from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in June of 2001 and ordained to the diaconate by the Rt. Rev. Robert H. Johnson (Diocese of Western North Carolina) in Asheville, N.C., on June 4, 2001.  He was ordained to the priesthood on December 21, 2001, at Calvary, Pittsburgh. Rob served as curate, then associate rector at Calvary from 2001–’05. He was called to be rector of St. John’s, Portsmouth, N.H., in the summer of 2005.

Rob’s experience varies widely from being a sales representative for an advertising company to managing an aquatics facility. He has also served as a full-time youth minister in the Episcopal Church. His passion is and has always been connecting people to the creative power of God in community, wherever that community may be.

St. John’s seeks to participate in God’s mission in the world. One specific way that St. John’s does this is by seeking to be a welcoming place for all. This spirit of hospitality is particularly important in the midst of much polarization in our culture. It has been through radical welcoming that Rob has been most encouraged by the grace of God that breaks through even the most hardened of hearts. St. John’s is a community of people who not only worship and pray together but have fun together as well. Rob believes the most important needs of the Church today are strong effective leadership and a good sense of humor, especially concerning oneself.

Rob is married to Jennifer and they are the parents of Hannah (’96) and Jack (’99).

Rob enjoys spending time with his family, reading, running, playing golf, surfing, fishing, and just about anything that involves being outside.

Contact: rector@stjohnsnh.org or (603) 436-8283 x111

The Reverend Jeffrey Douglas Stoller (Jeff) Thornberg, Associate Rector

Jeff has served at St. John’s since June 1, 2008.  He was ordained to the diaconate on June 3, 2008 at Good Shepherd in Nashua, New Hampshire, and then ordained to the priesthood on December 12, 2008.

In his lifetime, Jeff has lived across the country.  He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent most of his childhood in Nashua, New Hampshire.  He moved to Hudson, Ohio and then to Allen, Texas while in high school.  He received his Bachelor of Arts with Honors at the University of Texas at Austin in the field of Biology, and his Masters of Divinity from The General Theological Seminary in New York City. 

Jeff was married to his wife Annie on May 23^rd, 2009 on the outer banks of North Carolina, where she grew up.  Annie is an ordained priest and serves as the Curate at Christ Church in Exeter, New Hampshire.  Both Jeff and his wife love to travel, both for Mission and for recreation.  Jeff has been on numerous domestic mission trips, as well as a trip to rural Honduras and then to Tanzania in seminary.  He is a life long ice hockey player, and still plays in local adult leagues.  He also enjoys biking, running, hiking, and skiing.

At St. John's, Jeff preaches, leads liturgy, teaches, makes pastoral visits, and assists the rector in the visioning and leadership of the parish.  He is also the staff point for the  Welcoming Team, the Journey to Adulthood program, our young adult group (SALT), and the winter "Come as you are" service.

Before coming to St. John’s, Jeff served as associate chaplain to the NYU Episcopal Center, served as the founding intern to a program serving the North Country of the Diocese of New Hampshire, and served as a seminarian intern at Christ & St. Stephen’s in New York City, and at Church of the Incarnation in Jersey City.

Jeff's call to ministry is centered in his baptismal vow to seek and serve Christ in all persons.  Jeff feels blessed to have been given the opportunity to fall in love with God in community, and works to enable that for others.  Whether it be across the country, internationally, or within the community of St. John's, Jeff finds that serving others affords him the opportunity to fall deeper in love with God, and follow Jesus on the way.

Contact: associaterector@stjohnsnh.org or (603) 436-8283 x113

The Reverend G. Richard (Dick) Siener, D.D., Assisting Priest

Graduate of the University of Bridgeport and the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale with a Master of Sacred Theology degree and a Doctor in Divinity degree (honoris causa). Retired in November 1997 after serving twenty three years as Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, Exeter. Presently serving as a part time Assisting Priest at St. John’s, Portsmouth, NH.

Formerly serving on the Board of Directors of Seacoast Hospice.
Formerly on the Board of Directors of New Outlook Teen Center, Exeter Health Resources and the Board of Directors of RiverWoods Retirement Community of Exeter.

Resident of Exeter for thirty-five years. My ministry at St. John’s focuses in leading a Centering Prayer Group, visiting parishioners particularly the elderly, teaching in the Adult Formation Ministry, and sharing in the Sunday Worship.

Contact: grsiener@myfairpoint.net or (603) 436-8283 x112