Clergy & Staff
Meet the dedicated clergy and staff of Saint Ann’s.
Rector
Rev. Dr. Benjamin Brenkert
EdD, LMSW, LICSW, SIFI & Vicar of Fire Island
Rev. Dr. Benjamin James Brenkert, EdD, LMSW, LICSW, SIFI, serves as Rector at Saint Ann's Episcopal Church and Cemetery Sayville as a Vicar of Fire Island Ministries, bringing enthusiasm, gratitude, and a deep commitment to the Gospel. A Valley Stream native, he lives in Bayport with his husband, Willian Hernandez Brenkert, and their birds. Inspired by the Good Samaritan ethic, he strives to "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10).
A tenured school social worker in Brooklyn, Adjunct Assistant Professor at St. John's University, St. Joseph’s University and author, Rev. Brenkert specializes in school social work and palliative care. He supervises graduate social work students and writes on Ignatian Pedagogy, character formation, teacher training, and ethics. A former Jesuit, he holds graduate degrees from Hofstra University, Saint Louis University, the General Theological Seminary, Boston College, CUNY Brooklyn College, and a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University.
An expert on the Newport Sex Scandal (1919-1921), he has been published in The Advocate, Out Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Daily News, and more. He is grateful for the love of his husband, Willian, his family, parish, and friends who have supported his journey to priesthood.
Associate Rector
Rev. Jae Wan Chung
Cemetery Operations and Outreach
Rev. Jae Wan Chung earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, served three years as an officer in the Korean Navy, and later attended Hanshin Theological Seminary before continuing his studies at Eden Theological Seminary in Missouri.
Ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2010, he served Korean-American congregations in Florida and Long Island before being ordained in the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island in 2024. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree at Virginia Theological Seminary, focusing on Emotionally Healthy Discipleship and its impact on personal and congregational life.
Jae Wan lives in Douglaston with his wife, Ala, and their three children. They enjoy camping, hiking, snowboarding, and spending time together as a family.
Saint Ann's Staff
Eileen Moran
The Correspondent Editor
I grew up in Nassau County and graduated from NYU. After working in New York City, I moved to Sayville and joined Saint Ann’s around 1988, where I became a member of the choir.
Ed and I were married at Saint Ann’s in 1989. We later moved to Bohemia to raise our two sons, both Eagle Scouts, while continuing to attend Saint Ann’s. I was active in Boy Scouts as a leader and helped coordinate troop camping and travel.
After staying home while our boys were young, I worked at Sayville Library and later for the Longwood and Patchogue-Medford School Districts before retiring in 2018. I eventually returned to the Saint Ann’s choir and later took over as editor of The Correspondent when the previous editor moved away.
Vestry Members
Wardens
Randy Schultz (2027)
Roma Busch (2028)
Class of 2027
Joseph Castelli
Rich Maddox
Carol Ann St. Lawrence
Class of 2028
Ray Busch
Laurin Clemens
Joan Siedlicki
Class of 2029
Don Hester
Laura Sanchez
Kaitlyn Crevoiserat