About Our Minister

The Rev. Dr. Rock Schuler was appointed Vicar of St. Andrew-the-Fisherman in mid-2012. Prior to beginning this ministry, Rock served as the Interim Priest of St. Paul’s in Poplar Springs (Mt. Airy) and Chaplain to the Christian residents of Hebrew Home in Rockville. Rock has been an Episcopal priest for nearly 30 years, during which time he has been instrumental in Church growth and the development of a number of community-based initiatives. These latter have included a 24-month transitional housing program for men who were homeless and an outpatient drug-and-alcohol addiction treatment clinic. Involvement in such initiatives taught Rock that he was most passionate about serving the neediest members of our communities.
This passion led Rock to a mid-career shift, during which he joined the non-profit sector as a full-time fundraiser and program developer. Rock continues in this field as a full-time Development Director while serving St. Andrew’s on a part-time basis (20 hours per week).
Rock particularly enjoys the ability in parish ministry to remain connected with parishioners and their lives. “St. Andrew’s has more than fulfilled my expectations,” Rock maintains. “It is a high honor indeed to be associated with and to be able to support the wonderful people of this congregation who give so much of themselves. I have been moved by their deep care of one another and impressed by their efforts to serve the broader Mayo community.” At St. Andrew’s, Rock especially enjoys preaching, sacramental and pastoral ministry, teaching, and working with youth.
Rock’s objective as the Vicar is to develop deep relationships with and nurture the people of St. Andrew’s, empowering them to continue their growth in and service to Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Savior. Rock’s hope is that the parish will reach more and more people in the community as it deepens its roots in the Lord Jesus.
Rock graduated from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, earning an MDiv in 1990 and a DMin in Congregational Development in 2002.