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

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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-

tact Amanda at amanda@stfrancisgreensboro.org with their

name, where they are graduating from, and a brief description of

their future plans.

The Middle School Mission Trip will be June 17-20, due to Guilford County snow days.

This trip will focus on the needs of our local community, and is open to rising 6th-graduated

8th graders. We will stay at St. Mike's and shower at the YMCA. Cost for this trip is $120,

with a deposit of $50 due May 1! We will need chaperones, please contact Amanda at

amanda@stfrancisgreensboro.org to sign up for the trip as a student or as a chaperone.

Our High School Mission Trip will be June 28-July 4! This tr ip will be in par tnership with

the High School students from St. David's Episcopal Church in Austin, TX. This trip is open

to all rising 9th graders-graduated seniors. We will be going to Glory Ridge, NC and working

to repair and rebuild homes for those in need. **We especially need chaperones with

experience in roofing, construction, plumbing, etc. Cost for this trip is $250, with a deposit of

$75 due May 1! To sign up for this trip as either a student or a chaperone, please contact

Amanda at amanda@stfrancisgreensboro.org.

Mission Trips

Y O U T H N E W S

Check out one of our very own St.

Francis youth, Molly McCarthy!

Molly, a junior at Rockingham

County High School, is the new

Distinguished Young Women of

Rockingham County 2016

representative. She will go on to

compete at the state level in her

senior year! Congratulations Molly!

5

Our Middle School Sunday School class had a great time

this past Sunday making chicken pies and brownies for

our fellow Franciscans who might need a meal! Working

with Shepherd's Hands to determine the need, the Middle

Schoolers will deliver these meals to parishioners. Thank

you to all who donated supplies and who spent their

Sunday morning making these delicious meals! Great job

Middle Schoolers!

Y O U T H N E W S

6

F R O M R Y A N M A I L S

Greetings from the Sewanee! These past six months have meant great changes for me, and for my

family. We left our jobs, left Greensboro, left St. Francis, and headed up a Tennessee mountain to

start a new and very different life at seminary. And, just a few weeks ago, we brought home Eliza,

our newborn daughter!

Sewanee is a remarkable place. The passage of each day is marked by the bells and prayers in the

chapel. I am pressed by my professors to sit with questions that have challenged and unsettled me,

but that have also led me deeper into my faith. We are surrounded by the remarkably close commu-

nity of the seminarians and their families. And, just at the end of our street, I can find trail, then

leave it and walk through the woods of the cove all day -- the most magnificent place to pray I can

imagine. That is the rhythm of the place, and the rhythm of our life here.

At the very beginning, our Dean told us there was a way of looking at seminary as preparation for

the work we hoped to do, but that therein was a risk of missing the point. Seminary, really, he said,

was a place and an imperative to become ourselves, to come to know our identity in Christ and

how to stand in that. Its both fearful and joyful feel that happening.

As the spring semester progresses, I am beginning to look toward the summer, when I will spend

ten weeks in Knoxville at the University of Tennessee Medical Center working hands-on as a hos-

pital chaplain. A seminarian about to graduate recently described her own chaplaincy experience as

extraordinarily challenging, but also the time when she first began to understand herself as a priest.

I ask your prayers as I approach this myself.

It was a joy to be with you and to preach this past December. We are so deeply grateful for your

support, and the support of St Francis Church; it is both sustaining and enabling for us. Know that

you are in our prayers, and that I look forward to seeing you again.

In faith,

Ryan Mails

V E S T R Y H I G H L I G H T S

Vestry Highlights for February 2015

Capital projects - A Capital Update was distributed via Email Express with anticipated

construction schedule.

A welcoming function for Milton was discussed. The Vestry is working on the process of getting

Milton settled. He is expected here by March 18th in the office and March 22nd to preach.

Midge Sponge is heading up the revamping of the Welcoming/Membership team.

Lucky to have you Lunch, put on by the Day School is coming up March 15th. They also

reported 46 new registrants for next year

7

A T A L E O F Y O U R B O O K S A L E $ $ A T W O R K !

When the winter storm was announced last week, the IRC, a downtown day center for the

homeless, created an emergency overnight shelter open 24 hours to provide a warm and safe place

during the colder winter nights. St. Francis received information about their needs, was able

through the Outreach Committee to respond immediately by taking an email vote and sending a

gift of $1,000 in support of this important community service. This is one of the many examples

of how your hard work on the Book Sale and your donation of books allows St. Francis to

participate in the community in a vital way, providing funds for urgent needs. If you’d like to

know more about the IRC, list below is how their funding works:

$200 = one night operational supplies (storage bags, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc.)

$150 = one morning simple breakfast for 100 people

$50 = one morning/night coffee & creamer for volunteers, staff & guests

$25 = care packet for one person: lip balm, hand warmers, ear plugs, hat, gloves,

blanket

If you’d like to help further, here is a list of their current needs: Adult size gloves, hats, and large

coats; lip balm, washcloths, non-perishable breakfast items, coffee & creamer. For more

information or volunteer opportunities, please check out http://gsodaycenter.org/.

C H A P T E R S I N O U R L I V E S

DEATHS:

Mary, aunt of Sandy Pittman

Nancy Cook, mother of Doris Bradley

The Day School cordially invites you to our annual St. Patrick's

themed luncheon and basket raffle on Sunday, March 15th. Join us

in the parish hall immediately following the 10:30 service. Five

fabulous baskets worth hundreds of dollars will be raffled off for $5

per ticket or 5 for $20. You do not have to be present to win!

For those that are present, we will have a baked potato bar, soups

and sweet treats! There is no cost for the lunch and reservations are

not necessary. Door prizes will be given and we will also have silent

auction items. Good luck!

L U C K Y T O H A V E Y O U !

L U N C H A N D B A S K E T R A F F L E

8

This year-end report to the parish is to provide you with the financial results of 2014 for St. Francis

Episcopal Church and an overview of our budget for 2015.

For our Operating Account, we received $651,930 in Revenues, $7,230 over budget, and we ex-

pended $625,054 operating the church, which was under budget by $30,254. That yielded a posi-

tive margin of $26,877. The margin will be transferred to the New Capital Account, which has

been set up to handle the Capital Campaign and related Capital Projects. As of year-end, this new

capital account had $515,000 deposited representing the CAPITAL gifts that had been received in

2014. From this amount we spent $5,000 for Architects fees.

As we have done in the past we calculated the amount of debt that we have been managing inter-

nally, over the past 2 years and at year-end the total amount of debt in the operating fund was

$165,000. This debt will be paid off starting in January, 2015 by transferring $25,000 per quarter,

from the Capital Account until the debt is fully paid. This debt does not include the Endowment

Fund which had a balance of nearly $49,000 at year-end up from $36,000 at the end of 2013.

At year-End the Day School has completed the first 6 months of their school year and they had

revenues of $88,568 and expenses of $84,935, which provided a positive margin of $3,633. They

have 67 students.

(Continued on page 9)

T R E A S U R E R ’ S Y E A R - E N D R E P O R T

A few months ago the Safety Committee, under the direction of chairman Paul

Kilmartin, saw the need for new, improved and attractive diagrams to help peo-

ple know where they are on campus and how to exit the buildings in the event

of an emergency. Facility Manager Ken Cressman obtained accurate and up-to-

date plans of all the buildings. Working from a sample design by Communica-

tions coordinator Bonnie Thyer, Ken then produced full color exit diagrams of

every room in every building, showing primary and secondary exits, as well as

all fire extinguishers, first aid kits and emergency defibrillators.

Our volunteer Roustabouts then hung attractive acrylic document frames for the

diagrams in every room in the Day School, the Administrative Offices, Parish Hall and St. Mike's

House. Each diagram includes the exact address of the church as well as the name of every building

and each individual room so we can convey this information to emergency personnel. As you have

occasion to use the various rooms around campus, make sure to take a look at these diagrams and

familiarize yourself with the locations of exit routes and emergency equipment.

E M E R G E N C Y E V A C U A T I O N S I G N S

9

OPERATING BUDGET 2015

The following is a summary of the 2015 operating budget for St. Francis. A more detailed version

of the operating budget can be found on-line through the Church Website at:

http://www.stfrancisgreensboro.org/documents/St.Francis-2015-Budget.pdf

2015 Operating Budget Summary

2015 Revenue Budget is $661,500

Pledges $601,500 90.9%

Non-Pledge Contributions 48,000 7.3%

Loose Offerings 9,500 1.4%

Other 2,500 0.4%

Total $661,500 100%

2015 Expense Budget is $662,150

Service (Diocesan Support) $77,256 11.7%

SWEEP (includes Worship, Education and Pastoral Care) 15,780 2.4%

Clergy Salary 127,383 19.2%

Contract Services 43,500 6.6%

Support Staff (music, admin./program, facilities) 148,081 22.4%

Other Personnel Expense 111,044 16.7%

Occupancy (utilities, cleaning, maintenance, grounds) 77,391 11.7%

General Expense (insurance, audit, telephone, etc.) 61,715 9.3%

Totals $662,150 100%

(Continued from page 8)

T R E A S U R E R ’ S Y E A R - E N D R E P O R T

The above is a lot of

information to consume.

Therefore, if you need

clarification or have

questions about anything

financial, I’m ready to help

answer them. Please call me

or send me an e-mail and I

promise to respond.

Dennis Barry, Treasurer

Barryde1@triad.rr.com / 336

-545-6946

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A R O U N D S T . F R A N C I S

OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCHIPLESHIP

Nursery Care (Ages 0-3) is available beginning at 9:00 and runs through the 10:30 Service.

Sundays during the 10:30 Service Children: (PreK-5th Grade) Classroom #9,10/12 . The children will join the congregation at

the Peace before Communion.

Sundays 9:15-10:15 am Children's Chapel: (PreK-5th Grade) Sanctuary

Middle School Class: St. Mike’s

Coffee Talk: (High School) Classroom #3

Women’s Bible Study: Delicious Bakery

Adult Forum: Parish Hall

March 8th

Come for Fellowship & Learning! led by Amanda Harmon

March 15th

The Forum topic is about transition in general--what it is and isn't and we'll talk

about the targeted search process as well as questions and answers.

led by The Rev. Canon Michael B. Hunn and Catherine Massey

Sermon at the 10:30 Service March 8th The Rev. Dr. Paul L. Crowell

March 15th The Rev. Canon Michael B. Hunn, Canon to the Ordinary

March 22nd The Rev. Milton C. Williams, Jr., Interim Rector

Sundays during the 10:30 Service Sunday School: (PreK-5th Grade)

Classroom #9, 10/12. The children will join the congregation at the Peace before Communion.

Sunday Afternoons Confirmation: (8th-12th Grade)

St. Mike’s from 12:00 – 1:30pm

Confirm not Conform Led by Amanda Harmon

WELCOME FATHER MILTON WITH A SOUTHERN BBQ PARISH LUNCH!

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend a BBQ Lunch welcoming Father Milton on his

first Sunday, March 22nd. The lunch will follow the 10:30 service. A donation of $5.00 or

more per person to defray the cost of the meal would be greatly appreciated. No donation is

necessary for young children.

What an exciting time for St. Francis Church to welcome our Interim

Priest! Your attendance will mean a lot to Father Milton!

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A R O U N D S T . F R A N C I S

2015 Lenten Offerings

Wednesday Lenten Worship

7:00 pm Evening Prayer in the Church

March 4th Bruce Lyon

March 11th Allen Rushing

March 18th The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Cook, Jr.

March 25th The Rev. Dr. Robert B. Cook, Jr.

Holy Week:

Palm Sunday: March 29th 8:00 am Holy Eucharist

10:30 am Procession with Palms, Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday: April 2nd

7:00 pm Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar

Good Friday: April 3rd

12:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy

Easter Sunday: April 5th

9:15 am Holy Eucharist with Flowering of the Cross

11:15 am Holy Eucharist

COMMUNITY GARDEN

If you're interested in a plot in the Community

Garden, please let Linda Allgood know

(lindaa@stfrancisgreensboro.org). $15 will hold

you a plot. You may drop your check or cash in

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

Linda Allgood, Parish Administrator

Amanda Harmon, Director of Children's and

Youth Ministry

Rae Augustin, Day School Director

Sam Doyle, Choir Director

Pat Copley, Organist

Jane Woody, Junior Choir Director

Bonnie Thyer, Communications Coordinator

Linda Lambe, Bookkeeper

Ken Cressman, Facilities Manager

Rigoberto Bautista, Custodian

On the web at: www.stfrancisgreensboro.org

Phone: 336-288-4721 Fax: 336-288-4760

St. Francis Day School: 336-288-4740