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Fr. Matthew Garrison

Rektor

Nachdem ich fast achtzehn Jahre mit Young Life (einem relationalen Dienst für Jugendliche) gearbeitet habe, sehe ich, dass der Dienst am effektivsten ist, wenn er in einer Beziehung durchgeführt wird. Ich bin dankbar, dass der heilige Franziskus mir erlaubt hat, nicht nur Pastor unserer Gemeinde, sondern auch Pastor der Gemeinde zu sein. Meine Familie war gesegnet, in unserer kurzen Zeit hier Beziehungen zu Familien in ganz Sanford aufzubauen.

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Unsere drei Kinder - Eli, Josiah und Gillian - halten uns bei Fußballspielen, Theaterproduktionen, Fußballspielen und gelegentlich beim Cook-Out-Milchshake-Lauf auf Trab. Wir bewegen uns in einem hektischen Tempo, aber meine Frau Trina hält uns auf dem Boden und ist der Klebstoff, der alles zusammenhält.

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Wenn ich nicht an einer Aktivität teilnehme, gehe ich gerne wandern, fliegenfischen, trainiere Fußball und lese gerne.

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Ich bin begeistert, ein Teil der Gemeinschaft des heiligen Franziskus zu sein und zu sehen, wohin der Herr uns führt.

Archdeacon Daniel W. Hardin was born in Dayton, Ohio. His education includes: Bachelor of Science, Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, Columbus, Ohio (1997); Master of Divinity, Ashland Theological Seminary (2001); and Master of Science, Community Counseling, Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia (2011). He is a priest serving with the Anglican Church in North America. Dan is a licensed marriage and family therapist. He entered active duty military service in 1987 as an armored crewman where he served four years with the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Polk, Louisiana. From 1991 to 2003, he served in the Ohio Army National Guard as a chaplain assistant, chaplain candidate, and battalion chaplain while pursuing military ministry credentials. In 2003 he returned to active duty as a chaplain. He deployed with 1-501 PIR to Iraq in 2006 where he served as the Forward Operating Base Chaplain of FOB Iskandariyah. He retired from active duty after 37 years of military service as a Colonel. His awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. Dan married Ann M. Herbert of Centerville, Ohio, in 1988. They have four children and five grandchildren.

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Fr. Dan Hardin
Assisting Priest

Audrey Hanna

Musikdirektor

Gordy Reese
Director of Communications

Ich bin derzeit an der Campbell University und verfolge einen Bachelor-Abschluss im Ministerium für Kirchenmusik. Joe und Leslie Hanna sind meine Eltern und meine Geschwister sind Meg, Jonathan, Emily und Cameron.

Wenn ich nicht Teilzeit in der Kirche arbeite und Vollzeitstudent bin, unterrichte ich Klavier, übe und schlafe, weil die Erschöpfung am College real ist.

Was ich an St. Francis liebe, ist, dass es immer eine so einladende Gemeinschaft war, die sich wirklich um mich kümmert, und ihre Mitglieder wollen mir so gut wie möglich dienen. Meine Zeit in der Führung hier war so ein Segen, dass ich immer noch genau lerne, wie ich der Gemeinde mit der Gabe der Musik dienen kann. Der heilige Franziskus war für mich immer ein sicherer Ort, um zu wachsen und mehr über meinen Beruf zu lernen und wie ich meine Gaben nutzen kann, um meiner Gemeinde zu dienen und Gott zu verherrlichen.

I am a graduate (as well as an annoying superfan) of Baylor University, where I received my undergraduate degree in religion. I also received an MA in Christian Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

I have a beautiful wife, Danielle, and daughter, Colleen, whom I love very much.


Along with serving the students of St. Francis, I volunteer with Young Life and teach at a classical co-op school in the area.

 
For fun, I love to watch college football, write music, and talk about Texas. 

Andrew Bass
Director of Student Ministries

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Bob Nelson
Treasurer

I am a charter member of St. Francis where I have served as treasurer as well as a lector and chalice bearer since our founding in 2015. 

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I am a former submariner with the United States Navy, a graduate of the University of Florida, and a retired CPA.

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My wife, Peggy, and I have lived in Sanford since 1974, raising our two daughters, Pam and Jennifer, here in Sanford.  We are now enjoying watching our grandchildren growing up close by--when we are not indulging our passion for travel.

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I am also a past president of the Sanford Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the Lions Club.  I served several years as the Lee County Fair manager.

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I am a Sanford native with a B.A. from Campbell University 

in music education. I have taught piano for over forty years and served as organist for Emmanuel Congregational Christian Church since 1977 and for St. Francis Anglican Parish since its inception in 2015.

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My family includes husband, Billy Parten, and son Jason. I enjoy gardening, working with special needs youth and adults each summer at Happy Day Camp (for five decades!) and shagging with the Sanford Area Society of Shaggers and at North Myrtle Beach.

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From the beginning, members of St. Francis have welcomed me--and all visitors--with open arms. It is a wonderful church family. Clearly the members love the Lord and He is very present in all they do. I encourage everyone who might be looking for a church home to "Come and see" if St. Francis might be just what they are looking for.

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Rosemary Parten
Organist

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EJ Oberkirsch
Bookkeeper

I am a born and raised North Carolinian from the Asheville area – moved to Hickory for college at Lenoir Rhyne, then to Raleigh to begin my career in administrative office management and broadcast communication. After meeting God's match for me and getting married (25 yrs ago as of 2023), Bill and I moved to Fuquay Varina and finally found our way to Sanford in Dec 2004.  In 2015 Isabella joined our family, and after that came our three fur-babies. We started at St. Thomas with Fr. Craig and were excited to join him on the journey that became St. Francis!  I have loved serving as a lector and being in the choir. I am very grateful to St. Francis for their support of American Heritage Girls (and Trail Life) as I have very much enjoyed my calling as the troop treasurer and a unit leader for the older girls.  I love the variety that St. Francis offers in way of giving back to the community and serving God. In addition to being the bookkeeper at SFAP, I also run my own business as a virtual assistant. Away from work, I enjoy reading (historical fiction – especially about Scotland) and anything about dolphins!  I enjoy playing Mahjong, Solitaire, and various word games/puzzles on my Kindle when I’m not running Isabella to theatre practice, volleyball or AHG.   (Just in case you are wondering, “EJ” was a nickname I got in college and comes from my maiden name - Elizabeth Jones.  I never liked Liz but EJ fitted me perfectly and stuck!) 

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