March 2015 Dear Franciscans, In Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, he writes, " Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Our church has entered into a time of transition, first as we await an Interim Rector to guide us as we move forward, and then as we await our new Rector to come later. Transitions like these are often accompanied by fear, anxiety, and worry about what the future might hold. Praise be to God, it is clear that our Franciscan future looks very promising! In particular, our children's and youth programs are thriv- ing and growing, and it gives me great joy to share these successes with all of you. Our youth Confirmation class has seventeen students, all of whom are deeply engaged with the material, thinking critically about their spiritual journey, and who are com- mitted to learning more about this faith and this church. For example, we spent nearly an hour in our first class together discussing the existence of God, the nature of God, and the existence of evil in the world. Their insights, ideas, and reflections were nothing short of inspiring, and each class has reminded and assured me of these students' wisdom beyond their years. This is a unique and wonderful group of students, and it is a privilege to be on their journeys alongside them. I want to remind you, Franciscan friends, that our future is bright. These confirmands, as well as the many other children and youth involved here at St. Francis, ARE the future of this par- ish and of our faith as a whole. Though this transitional time may bring feelings of fear or anxiety, remember the apostle Paul's words: bring your needs to our God, and may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guide our hearts and minds as we move forward into a future filled with faithful and capable children and youth. Blessings, Amanda Harmon AMANDA HARMON DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH MINISTRY
St. Francis Church, Greensboro - Franciscan Newsletter
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March 2015
Dear Franciscans,
In Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, he writes, "Do not worry
about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Our church has entered into a
time of transition, first as we await an Interim Rector to guide us as
we move forward, and then as we await our new Rector to come
later. Transitions like these are often accompanied by fear, anxiety,
and worry about what the future might hold.
Praise be to God, it is clear that our Franciscan future looks very
promising! In particular, our children's and youth programs are thriv-
ing and growing, and it gives me great joy to share these successes
with all of you. Our youth Confirmation class has seventeen students, all of whom are deeply
engaged with the material, thinking critically about their spiritual journey, and who are com-
mitted to learning more about this faith and this church. For example, we spent nearly an
hour in our first class together discussing the existence of God, the nature of God, and the
existence of evil in the world. Their insights, ideas, and reflections were nothing short of
inspiring, and each class has reminded and assured me of these students' wisdom beyond
their years. This is a unique and wonderful group of students, and it is a privilege to be on
their journeys alongside them.
I want to remind you, Franciscan friends, that our future is bright. These confirmands, as well
as the many other children and youth involved here at St. Francis, ARE the future of this par-
ish and of our faith as a whole. Though this transitional time may bring feelings of fear or
anxiety, remember the apostle Paul's words: bring your needs to our God, and may the peace
of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guide our hearts and minds as we move forward
into a future filled with faithful and capable children and youth.
Blessings,
Amanda Harmon
AMANDA HARMON DIRECTOR OF
CHILDREN'S AND
YOUTH MINISTRY
2
On February 27th, the Capital Projects Committee met with the architects of Freeman and
Kennett. Sam Doyle was asked to be present to represent the choir and Paul Kilmartin was invited
to discuss campus security and accessibility issues.
The Capital Projects account has a current balance of $535,272.00 with the only expense to date
being an architect's fee of $7500.00.
The Committee has been working with our architects to phase construction, minimize potential
inconveniences to the congregation, Day School, and our annual Book Sale. We are attempting to
complete the projects outlined in our successful Capital Campaign and address the security and
accessibility concerns outlined by Paul Kilmartin and his committee.
Our ultimate goal is to create a St. Francis we can all be proud of and that addresses the needs and
safety of our congregation. Below is a proposed project schedule. The goal of our committee is to
communicate regularly with the congregation as we move forward with this exciting time for our
church.
The Capital Projects Committee
Linda Allgood, Dennis Barry, Kris Cooke,
John Kennett- Architect, Robert McDowell, Jim Tanner
C A P I T A L P R O J E C T S U P D A T E
Proposed Project Schedule
Professional Design Services 12/17/14
Design Contract/Agreement. 01/09/15
Field Measurements/Existing Conditions. 01/19/15
Project Review Meeting/Schematic Design. 02/27/15
Design Development. 03/27/15
Construction Documents Completed. 05/22/15
Construction Documents sent to Greensboro. 06/19/15
Changes Required by Code Review. 06/26/15
Bid Packages Out to Contractors. 07/24/15
Bids/pricing Due. 07/27/15
Construction Contract/Agreement. 08/03/15
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS (10-12 months). 08/10/15
3
P A R I S H U P D A T E
It is with extreme pleasure that the Vestry announces that the Reverend Milton C. Williams has
accepted our call to be the Interim Rector at St. Francis. He has served as Interim Rector in
Washington and Chicago. He was also Priest Associate at Trinity Church, New York. Each
diocese and parish spoke extremely highly of him.
His first Sunday with us will be March 22nd. A more complete bio is below for your review. I
know each of you will want to give him a warm St. Francis welcome.
Blessings,
Jim Cox, Senior Warden
The Reverend Milton C. Williams, Jr. comes to St Francis after serving as Inter-
im Dean of Saint James Cathedral in Chicago. Prior to this he was the Interim
Rector of The Church of the Ascension in Chicago. He has served in many ca-
pacities and in several locations during his career, the most recent are:
Priest in Charge - Saint Monica and Saint James, Washington, DC
Interim Rector - Saint Timothy's, Washington, DC
Priest Associate of Pastoral Care and Outreach Ministries - Trinity Church,
New York, NY
Associate Priest - Pohick Episcopal Church, Fairfax, VA
He is very involved in Outreach and has accumulated extensive experiences at
his previous parishes including:
Administrative Supervisor - Saint Paul's shelter for Men and John Heuss
House drop-in Shelter for Adults
Coordinator for Youth Ministries, Mission, Outreach, Music and Liturgy - Pohick Episcopal
Church
Board Member - Beth Israel Medical Center, New York
Board Member - Bailey House, New York Bailey House is New York's largest non-profit
provider of housing for singles and families living with HIV/AIDS.
Mission Trip leader to Panama, Cuba, South Korea, South Dakota, and New Orleans
Executive Board Member - Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry
Volunteer Chaplain - Hospice of Northern Virginia
Served as Missionary in Fairbanks, Alaska and South Brazil
Father Williams holds a diploma in Anglican Studies from Virginia Theological Seminary, a Mas-
ter of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science degree
from Virginia State University. He has served on Diocesan Council for the Diocese of Washington
and now serves on the Council for the Diocese of Chicago. Father Williams was born in Suffolk,
Virginia where his parents continue to reside. He is the eldest of three children.
THE REV. MILTON C.
WILLIAMS, JR.
4
Youth Sunday will be May 17th! If you have a senior graduating
from high school or college, we would love to acknowledge their
accomplishments during the 10:30 worship service. Please con-
the offering plate or return it to the Church office.
Please be sure to designate it for the Community
Garden. If you're a returning gardener from
2014, please give us your plot number as well.
The garden is resting and absorbing nutrients at
the moment, but it should be ready to plant
around mid-March. Complete details will arrive
as soon as we have them in hand, but in the meantime the Greensboro Beautiful website has
free gardening classes and the Guilford County Extension Center's website has great tips.
Looking forward to seeing you in the garden!
P A R I S H S T A F F
S T . F R A N C I S E P I S C O P A L C H U R C H A Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Bishop
The Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple, Bishop Suffragan
ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH 3506 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27408
ST. FRANCIS VESTRY: Jim Cox: Senior Warden, Michelle Koehler: Junior Warden, Dennis Barry: Treasurer, Geoff Wehe: Clerk, Jim Tanner, Kris Cooke, Robert McDowell, Susan Tysinger, Patrick Marshall, Brian
MacKenzie, Grant Haviland, Cindy Patterson, Pat Russell