Rev. Maria Hartz-Clineburg (she/they)
Pastoral Leader
Originally from the suburbs of Albany, NY, Rev. Maria has called Rochester home since 2021. Her journey into ministry began through deeply formative experiences at the intersection of faith and service to those on the margins. These experiences led her to the non-profit world, working as a Volunteer Coordinator and Recruiter in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
It was during her time worshipping at Union Church in Berea, KY that Maria first saw a woman in a collar and stole preaching from the pulpit—an image that transformed her understanding of vocation and opened her heart to the possibility of ordained ministry.
While pursuing her Master of Divinity, Maria came across a job posting at St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Rochester. There, she discovered a spiritual home within the Episcopal tradition. After being received into the Church, Maria entered the discernment process for ordination in the Diocese of Rochester. She was ordained to the priesthood by St. Mark’s and St. John’s, where she continues to serve part-time with a focus on mission-driven programs.
In the fall of 2025, Maria answered the call to serve at St. George’s, bringing with her a deep passion for connecting faith with justice, mercy, and community outreach. Her heart for ministry centers around feeding the hungry, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and building strong relationships within and beyond the church. Maria also serves as Chair of the Creation Care Team for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
Maria lives with her wife, Kristen, along with their beloved dog and cats. Outside of church life, she enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time outdoors, and expressing creativity through writing, painting, and embroidery. A lifelong musical theater enthusiast, she often jokes that being raised on The Sound of Music was truly her first window into religious life.
Pastoral Leader
Originally from the suburbs of Albany, NY, Rev. Maria has called Rochester home since 2021. Her journey into ministry began through deeply formative experiences at the intersection of faith and service to those on the margins. These experiences led her to the non-profit world, working as a Volunteer Coordinator and Recruiter in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky.
It was during her time worshipping at Union Church in Berea, KY that Maria first saw a woman in a collar and stole preaching from the pulpit—an image that transformed her understanding of vocation and opened her heart to the possibility of ordained ministry.
While pursuing her Master of Divinity, Maria came across a job posting at St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Rochester. There, she discovered a spiritual home within the Episcopal tradition. After being received into the Church, Maria entered the discernment process for ordination in the Diocese of Rochester. She was ordained to the priesthood by St. Mark’s and St. John’s, where she continues to serve part-time with a focus on mission-driven programs.
In the fall of 2025, Maria answered the call to serve at St. George’s, bringing with her a deep passion for connecting faith with justice, mercy, and community outreach. Her heart for ministry centers around feeding the hungry, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and building strong relationships within and beyond the church. Maria also serves as Chair of the Creation Care Team for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester.
Maria lives with her wife, Kristen, along with their beloved dog and cats. Outside of church life, she enjoys gardening, cooking, spending time outdoors, and expressing creativity through writing, painting, and embroidery. A lifelong musical theater enthusiast, she often jokes that being raised on The Sound of Music was truly her first window into religious life.