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From the Rector
Well, we did it. Our transition to our new temporary facility is complete, and from everything I have heard from a great number of our people it is a job well done. So many people were involved in making the transition that it’s impossible to name them all. I have publicly singled out our Senior and Junior Wardens for the time and effort they put into the planning and the execution of the move. But lots of our folks had their hands in this and the move would not have taken place without them. Thanks to every one of you who helped with the planning and execution of this move. Our worship and our activities continue uninterrupted. Even though there are a few kinks yet to be worked out and a few of our orders have yet to arrive, I think that everyone who had anything to do with this has a right to take a bow as well as a little break. That brings me to my next point.
Important Parish Meeting
As you know if you attended the last parish meeting on March 17, we have had a piece of land under what I call a study contract (that may not be technically correct) so that we could study the possibility of our purchase and development of the property. We have done so and it is time to make a decision on that property as our permanent home. On Sunday, June 2, after the 11:00 am service, we will have a parish meeting at which the Facilities Committee will propose the purchase of this land by the parish. Our by-laws require that both the Vestry and the congregation vote on the purchase, sale, or change of location by the parish.
The Vestry has voted to move forward and therefore the reason for the parish meeting. I encourage all of you to attend. Decisions of this magnitude will affect the life of the parish for years to come and each of you should have the opportunity to weigh in on this decision. I would ask especially that those who usually attend the 9:30 service to make an effort to attend the meeting. It obviously affects each member of the parish. Please make an effort to make your voice heard and to vote at the meeting on June 2.
Sunday School for our children and youth will be on vacation until September 8. I want to thank Rebecca Hoard for heading up our program this year and for all those who assisted her with our young children. I also want to thank Doug Cooper who led the older group. Without dedicated volunteers like these, parish life wouldn't be possible. Thanks to all of you who volunteer in any capacity.
In the last newsletter, I asked that those who have decided not to make the move with us to our current location and beyond to please let me know. So far I have not heard from very many of you. I realize that there are many reasons why people decide not to continue worshiping with a particular congregation. Some of those reasons are appropriate, others not. However, if you have registered at St. Francis and have decided not to continue being a member, I would ask that you would do me the courtesy of letting me know that you are moving on. Thank you
This is our last issue of the newsletter until September. We usually take the summer off. In fact, most things take a little break for the summer. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Vestry will also not meet until September. I’m stepping out on a limb here, with all that’s going on with property decisions and such. We will call a meeting if we need to. Have a wonderful summer
Fifth Sunday Activities
The last time St. Francis had a 5th Sunday Potluck Luncheon was Dec. 30, 2012. June 30 is the next 5th Sunday on the calendar. The Pentecost Feast provided the opportunity to experience one parish luncheon in the temporary space, so we can easily do another. One advantage to all the carpet and acoustic ceiling tile is that you can actually have a conversation with the people around your table without having to raise your voice. Plan to bring something good to eat and share with your other St. Francis friends after the 11:00 service on June 30.
Also on June 30, a small group of us will meet up at the Retirement and Nursing Center down Burnet Road a few miles at 3:30 for a time of singing, prayer, Bible reading and more singing. The staff and residents seem to enjoy us visiting -- it is always fun to glorify God with singing and they notice we enjoy praising God. Anyone is welcome to join us. 6909 Burnet Lane -- about 2 miles south of Anderson off of Burnet Road.
Fr. Peter Nganga
by Claire Carter
According to Father Peter Nganga, The Book of Common Prayer transcends all cultures, all geographic limits, and all language barriers. He has prayed its prayers in English, in Swahili, and Kikuyu, and he finds the prayers bubbling up inside of him in all languages, from "I don't know where". It takes him to another place, another time, another group of worshipers. Its continuity is not strange at all.
Father Peter is one of the best-kept secrets of our faith life at St. Francis. His cheerful, supportive and unassuming presence adds a peacefulness to the service that invokes the transcendence of the Holy Spirit and shores up the Anglican faith across continents. Father Peter and his wife, Anna, are natives of Kenya, as are their three daughters: Grace, Phyllis, and Jessica. Father Peter worked as an attorney in his native country, though he is the son of an Anglican priest in the diocese of Thika, which contains the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. The Senior Father Nganga acted as the secretary for the Diocese of Kenya. He was responsible for keeping all contacts for the Church of Kenya, and through his position, Fr. Peter met and entertained bishops and archbishops from England and the United States. He remembers knowing that his dad was involved in something bigger than their immediate family; bigger than the local diocese, something of significance. He came to the U.S. in 1999 to study theology at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. God had called him to the ministry and friends in Texas made his education possible. He hesitated to leave his family, but God told him: "This is my business. Go first and I will take care of it."
Within the year, he was joined by Anna and their daughters. When he finished his studies at the seminary, there was discord and conflict brewing in the Episcopal Church and he knew that the Bishop of his home diocese would not sponsor his placement in the Episcopal Church of the United States. He became affiliated with the Anglican Church and met Bp. Millsaps, who supported a ministry Fr. Peter was leading with the homeless. When Bp. Millsaps came to visit Fr. Peter at services he led at an assisted living facility, Fr. Peter said to himself; "This is my leader" and it is through that allegiance that Fr. Peter came to us at St. Francis.
Fr. Peter believes that the world needs more of what he observes at St. Francis: God at the very center of parish and everyday life. He believes that God will make ways where there are no ways. He has a heart for mission and he expects that he and Anna (a teacher at an Episcopal school) will return to Kenya at some point in their lives, although he acknowledges that his daughters don't know Kenya - they are Americans now with studies and jobs and college degrees. He believes that worship is what makes America great, and he believes that his people in Kenya can benefit from the worship he knows at St. Francis and sees at play in our American culture. "This is a great country, and it is God and his centrality that makes it great."
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