Meet the Staff & VestryWe invite you to read about the hardworking members of the Staff & Vestry of St. Francis. These are the people who do the behind-the-scenes work of our church. Feel free to contact a Staff or Vestry member with questions or concerns!
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The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church |
The Rt. Rev. José A. McLoughlin
Bishop of Western North Carolina |
The Rev. Toni Belhu
Rector for St. Francis |
Kathryn McGowan
Parish Administrator I have been a member of St. Francis for 43 years. I love this parish and I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up in such a loving and caring environment. I have been the Parish Administrator for 11 years and look forward to continuing this privilege in the years to come. My husband Terry and I have 5 children and 1 grandson.
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Blue Pittman
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Stephanie Williams
Junior Warden My name is Stephanie Williams and I have been at St. Francis Church for almost 25 years. I was baptized as an adult at St. Francis one week before my marriage to Richard in August of 1995. Richard and I have been blessed to live right across the street from this beautiful church the past 20 years while raising our children, Darby and Brett. Over the years I have helped in many different facets of the church serving on various committees and Vestry. It would be an honor to serve on the Vestry of St. Francis Church.
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Linc McDaniel
Vestry Member I am a native of Rutherford County and started attending St. Francis at the age of 11. I brought my high school sweet heart to St. Francis when I was 16 and a few years later, we were married by Fr. Murphy. We both attended UNC Asheville and graduate school at Clemson University, and after a few jobs, settled down and returned to Rutherford County. My husband Rob and I have three children: Mayden age 19, Macy age 17, and Owen age 14. I am a Sunday school teacher for the Middle school and High school youth, better known as EPIC. Serving on the vestry at St. Francis offers a unique opportunity to give back to a church that has given me so much. As a Sunday school teacher, my core of instruction is based on the phrase: "they will know we are Christians by our love.” I want to be able to apply this same phrase during my time on the vestry.
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Anita Quinley
Vestry Member My name is Anita Quinley. I was born and raised in Liverpool England. I am married to Charles (Bud). We have two children Andrew and Johanna, and three grandchildren. I have been a member of St Francis for 27 years. I have had the honor to serve on the vestry filling out a unexpired term of a vestry member, and then elected to serve a three year term. I have served on a search committee. I am member of the altar guild and prayer shawl ministry. I am the president of WNC Daughters of the King. I serve as a Eucharistic minister and as an usher. It is my honor and a privilege to serve St Francis with my fellow vestry members.
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Margie Roberts
Vestry Member After retiring from social services my husband John and I moved back to North Carolina in 2015 and have been a part of the St Francis parish since that time. I was raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, but spent all of my adult years serving in the Methodist and Holiness traditions. Our early years of marriage were spent in Durham working at N.C. Memorial in Chapel Hill. In 1984 we made our home in Kingsport Tn where we resided until moving to Rutherfordton. We have one son and daughter in law who live in Raleigh raising our three wonderful, amazing, and beautiful grandchildren! As a newbie to the Episcopal church tradition and to vestry, I’m continuing to learn about the workings of our parish and opportunities in the community at large to provide help to any in need. My fellow vestry members are kind, committed and faithful in doing the work at hand with the love of Christ in their heart. I am blessed to join with them in this effort!
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Steve Ross
Vestry Member I entered the US Naval Academy from Adrian, Michigan, graduating in 1979 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and served thirty one years in the submarine service including command of USS Boise (SSN 764) and command of Joint Maritime Facility Cornwall England. After retiring from the Navy, I was the Director of Operations for a specialty bakery in Norfolk Virginia before moving to Rutherfordton, North Carolina. I currently am a NJROTC instructor at McDowell High in Marion, North Carolina. I am married to Allison Ross and we have two sons, James who resides in Georgia with his wife Amanda and their son Liam, and Patrick who resides in Virginia with his wife Laura Marie and their daughters Adelle and MacKenzie and sons Beau and Brooks.
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Elaine Sprouse
Vestry Member My name is Elaine Sprouse and I have been a member of St. Francis since September 1974. Scott and I have been married for thirty-one years. We have two grown children Michael and Amanda. We have four grandchildren Tony Pillsbury, Tabitha Sprouse, Sara Peacock and Dorothy Sprouse. I have been an acolyte for about a year at St. Francis. I love St. Francis because when I used to come alone, I never felt alone here. I feel as if I am enveloped with love each and every time I walk through her doors. Even when I was going to church somewhere else for a while, I would come by St. Francis at random to pray as her doors were always open. I have raised my grandson here with the help of the people of St. Francis. I am honored that I have been chosen to serve on the Vestry here at St. Francis.
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Rob McDaniel
Treasurer I am a native of Rutherford County and started attending St. Francis with my high school sweetheart when I was 17, and a few years later, we were married by Fr. Murphy. We both attended UNC Asheville and graduate school at Clemson University, and after a few jobs, settled down and returned to Rutherford County. My wife Linc and I have three children: Mayden age 19, Macy age 17, and Owen age 14. I am looking forward to working with the vestry.
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What is the Vestry?
The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church's mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances. |
Vestry Positions Explained
The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. |