LEADERSHIP
The Rev. Jeffrey Samuel, Priest-in-Charge
My name is Jeffrey Samuel, and I am originally from Pakistan. My journey as an Anglican/Episcopal priest spans 16 years, a time I consider both amazing and blessed. My path to the priesthood began in the Diocese of Peshawar, Church of Pakistan. At 19, my life took a transformative turn when I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. While I didn't know then that I would become a priest, I was driven by a deep passion for serving God. This passion has guided me ever since.
I started my journey as an Episcopal priest in November 2018, starting at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (Diocese of Mississippi ) and then St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Diocese of West Tennessee). I also served as a supply priest in different churches. In 2023, God brought me to serve Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (Diocese of Long Island), where I feel at home.
I am excited about how God created an opportunity for St. Margaret’s and Holy Trinity Church to work together for the kingdom of God. It will be exciting to lead both churches. I am thrilled to be Priest-in-Charge at St. Margaret’s and am looking forward to meeting with all members. Helping and working with Deacon Jae Wan Chung during his curacy is also something I look forward to. I hope both congregations will grow spiritually and increase in numbers.
Last year, I began an Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi Pakistani Episcopal church at Holy Trinity in Hicksville. The entire congregation consisted of one mother and two children. One year later, we have five young families and 35 to 40 people. All credit goes to God because this is His Grace and blessing.
My academic journey has been crucial to my preparation for the priesthood. After completing my B.A. at Peshawar University, I dedicated three years to theological studies at Zarephath Bible Seminary in Pakistan, where I earned my Bachelor of Theology degree. I was ordained as a deacon in 2008 and as a full presbyter in 2009. In 2010, I furthered my theological education at the Seminary of Southwest in Austin, Texas, where I obtained a diploma in theological studies (DTS). I am in the process of getting a Master of Arts in Polemics & Apologetics to Islam (MAPI) from Veritas International University, California.
God has blessed me with my beautiful wife Rita and three children, Henry, Jemimah, and Ivan. I speak five languages: English, Hindi, Pashto, Punjabi and Urdu. My favorite Bible verse is John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
Jae Wan Chung, Deacon
I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. After graduating with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, I served as an officer of the Facility Construction Squad in the Korean Navy for three years. I attended Hanshin Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church of ROK), where I met and married my wife, Ala, a Christian Educator. In 2001, we moved together to the U.S. for further study at Eden Theological Seminary (St. Louis). I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 2010 while serving a Korean-American church in Panama City, Florida. I served there for seven years before being called in 2015 to be a pastor of a Korean church here on Long Island. Ala and I have three sons living on the West Coast. Sehyun is a software engineer in San Francisco; Joonha is enrolled in the Film Studies program at University of California at Santa Barbara); and Gunwoo is studying Business at UCLA.
After serving at churches with predominantly Korean Christian cultures, I found myself concerned about and questioning genuine Christian spirituality, especially through the pandemic period. I found a deepened spirituality in the Anglican tradition through the Episcopal liturgy and the practice of contemplative prayer through the Daily Office of the Book of Common Prayer. After a course of discernment and study, I was ordained as an Episcopal Deacon in February 2024. I look forward to being ordained as a Priest in September 2024. I will be the full-time Curate serving St. Margaret’s, working with Fr. Jeffrey Samuel, who will be Priest-in-Charge. Bishop Provenzano has asked me to pursue building a Korean-speaking congregation here in Nassau County. He is praying for a true living community for Korean-Americans seeking union with Christ within the Episcopal liturgy and spirituality.
Kingsley Matthew, Music Director
Kingsley Matthew joined us in January 2024. He is a multitalented musician whose love of music and the church is evident in all he does. We are so happy to welcome him to our congregation!
Debbie McGee, Cemetery Relationship Coordinator
Debbie McGee serves Wednesday-Friday as the part-time Cemetery Relationship Coordinator at St. Margaret’s Cemetery. Debbie's expertise is in helping families coordinate arrangements and order markers for their loved ones. Cemetery Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and Saturday by special appointment. Contact the office at
Mary Donohue, Cemetery Administrator
Mary Donohue serves Monday-Wednesday as the part-time Cemetery Relations Administrator at St. Margaret’s Cemetery. Mary's expertise is in helping families coordinate arrangements and order markers for their loved ones. Cemetery Office hours are Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., and Saturday by special appointment. Contact the office at
You can find St. Margaret's on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stmargaretepiscopal and we can be reached at .
