ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH Victoria Texas

The Rev. Faith Bledsoe, Rector, email: St. Francis Church

Following 15 years of work and ministry as a hospital speech pathologist in Portland, Oregon, Faith completed her theological studies at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in 2002 and was ordained to the priesthood in February, 2003. Faith’s ministries as rector, teacher, spiritual director and retreat leader might be described as sacramental hospitality, seated in the words of Jesus: “Love one another as I have loved you.” Faith has a great love of liturgy and has experience with a variety of worship styles. While she is committed to the Episcopal tradition, interfaith exploration and study have nourished a belief that all cultures, faiths and belief systems deserve respect and honor. In addition to Biblical studies, liturgy and worship, and pastoral care, Faith continues to have an active interest in medicine and bioethics. She is a quilter and musician and enjoys the arts, both as a participant and a spectator. She also enjoys kayaking and biking in the company of her Labrador retriever, Baruch. Faith served the parish of All Saints’, Corpus Christi as Associate Rector for three years before she joined the St. Francis community October 1, 2005.

Jeffrey Arnold, Music Director and organist, email: St. Francis Church

A native of Gatesville, Texas, Jeffrey Arnold began his piano studies in 1967.  The Morris Federation presented him in his first public recital the same year. He later continued his piano studies at the University of North Texas with Dr. Jack L. Roberts, and organ studies at Baylor University with Dr. Joyce Jones. He studied singing with Virginia Botkin, Pearl Shinn Wormhoudt, Martha Martin Deatherage, and accompanying with John Wustman, Harold Heiberg, and Sir Arthur Hammond (Covent Garden, London). He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Opera Association, Organ Historical Society, and a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists. In 2002, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Guild of Musicians and Singers (London Chapter – UK). Mr. Arnold resides in Victoria, Texas where he teaches privately. He also maintains a voice studio in the historic Chicago Fine Arts Building, and continues to present master classes and workshops throughout the country in voice, role and repertory coaching.

Leslie Laqua, Christian Education Director, e-mail: St. Francis Church

Christy Kubecka, Parish Secretary, e-mail: St. Francis Church

Patty McLeon, Bookkeeper, e-mail: St. Francis Church

Dan Ramirez, Sexton