One of the things you might notice right away about Fran is that she’s got a few tattoos. Each one speaks to something that’s true about Fran and the faith that grounds her life. You should definitely ask her about them. What Fran loves most about being the Rector at St. Thomas is that it’s a church grounded in friendship lived out in Christian community.

From the moment she first interviewed at St. Thomas, Fran recognized that this was a church where she felt called to serve. She’s been here for more than five years and continues to delight in the ministry she shares with everyone here. Fran’s ministry is grounded in the belief that it is our baptism (and the promises we make or that are made for us) that give each of us ministry. Fran’s passions are outreach, evangelism, stewardship, and education for all ages. And Jesus. Fran is passionate about Jesus.

Fran shares her life with her spouse (The Rev. Dr.) David Smith, a retired pastor. They met on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2010. Each of them believes that their marriage is one of the greatest gifts God has given them, and they thank God every day. Together they love to cook and travel. Over dinner, they have nerdy conversations about the Bible, theology, and the Roman empire. Their poodle is named Jasper. Jasper wants you to know that he is a very good boy.

A proud alumna of Mount Holyoke College and Virginia Theological Seminary, Fran has been a priest for 17 years, serving in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Northern New Hampshire (including serving as a member of Bishop Gene Robinson’s staff), the Bay Area of California, and the northern Shenandoah Valley before coming to St. Thomas in early 2018.