Staff Transition Announcement
May 2, 2023
Dear people of St. Francis,
I write to you with exciting albeit bittersweet news. As you know, this winter the Rev. Dr. Kristofer Lindh-Payne transitioned into a part-time temporary role as Mission Developer sent forth from St. Francis Episcopal Parish & Community Center. In this short time, Kristofer has continued to support the establishment of Cornerstone Franciscan Ministries as a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, launched a new initiative called the Ezra Collective that is working across Central Maryland to support congregations in discerning missional uses of their properties for affordable housing and community development, and worked with the leadership of St. Francis in support of congregational vitality. This exciting work has been made possible with God’s help, and with the investment of mission fund resources from St. Francis.
While he will continue to support these efforts, Kristofer has now been called to serve as Canon to the Ordinary for Congregational Vitality and Leadership in the Diocese of Maryland. It is an honor and privilege to be asked to serve in this role as key advisor to the Bishop and Bishop Coadjutor-Elect. I hope you will join me in congratulating Kristofer and celebrating this call. Accepting this call means changes for St. Francis, though. The role of Canon to the Ordinary is a full-time call. Kristofer will no longer be on staff at St Francis as of July 1.
I recognize that this is a big transition for Kristofer and his family, and for all of us here at St. Francis. As Kristofer moves toward this transition, here are some opportunities for you to greet Kristofer and wish him well:
Kristofer will preach at St. Francis on Sunday, May 14
He will worship with us on Pentecost, Sunday, May 28
Kristofer and his family’s last Sunday at St. Francis will be June 4. If you would like to participate in planning a festive fellowship hour after worship, please reach out to Senior Warden Gail Overcash at seniorwarden@stfrancismd.org
Kristofer will deliver his final report as Mission Developer for St. Francis to the Vestry at the June 25 meeting.
I share below a brief note from Kristofer. You will have a chance to hear more from him over the next two months. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Gail Overcash with any questions or concerns.
Christ’s Peace be with you,
The Rev. Dr. Amy Slaughter Myers, Rector
My dear siblings in Christ,
I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am to God for you and for the opportunities we’ve had to grow together as a community of faith. I have been changed by this Christ-filled love you share, and you have too. I am in awe of the way that the Holy Spirit is leading you - the people of St. Francis Episcopal Parish & Community Center - into a beautiful, powerful future. You are being transformed by the justice, kindness, and humility that calls you forward in mission. I delight in seeing this change unfold before my eyes in magnificent vision. As Jesus said, “you are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). Let that light shine brightly and brilliantly, as you glorify God for all that’s being done through you. It’s hard for me to say goodbye to you all and close the chapter on the ministry we’ve done together. However, I rejoice in being a part of the larger book in which all of our lives are being authored as we live in faithful witness to the resurrection. A special thank you to the Vestry of St. Francis and our Rector, Amy, for giving me the chance to work among you all in the vast vineyards and mission fields that reach beyond the parish and community center. I look forward to our time in worship and celebration over these next weeks and I’m so excited to see what God does next in our diocese.
Peace and all good to you.
Your brother in Christ,
Kristofer
Rev. Dr. Kristofer Lindh-Payne preaching at St. Francis on Holy Wednesday, April 5, 2023
