Fran McKendree is a virtuoso musician and composer. His theological insight, poetic gifts and musical originality are enhanced by a luminosity of soul.
Bennett J. Sims,
Bishop Emeritus, The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

I've had the blessing to work with Fran McKendree in different contexts--parish concerts, youth events, and parish worship in a small church. One of his best gifts is the ability to speak, via music and his own words, to inter-generational groups. The spirituality of his music is profound--and he sings not of cheap grace or simple praise, but a deep and abiding sense of awe and God's mercy and love in Jesus Christ. The best part is his ability to do that and have a great time and a great sense of humor about himself and our humanity. He's able to encourage the people (like me) who didn't used to enjoy different (I.e., non-Episcopal-hymnal) music to give it a try. Fran's faith that grounds his music is what sustains him and that's evident in everything he does.
The Rev. Mary Kate Schroeder, Vicar, St. Peter's in the Valley, Basalt,
Colorado

Fran McKendree will make your heart sing, your feet move, and your soul open. Through song, story, and life experience, Fran brings an authenticity that truly inspires every gathering.
Rev. Brian N. Prior
Rector, Church of the Resurrection Spokane, WA
Province VIII Youth Network Coordinator Executive Council, National Episcopal Church

Fran McKendree is wonderful! For years he has come to our Chapel to sing, but more importantly to teach and inspire. Watching him take a group of musicians who have never played before and molding them into a cohesive team is something else. While hearing Fran sing is powerful and moving, it is a small part of his ministry. His gift of patience combined with his ability to teach and inspire are his ministry, and in my opinion what makes this man so wonderful.
Wallace Marsh, Lay Chaplain at the University of the South

Fran McKendree made a profound impression on the seminary students at Earlham School of Religion. Even though most were unfamiliar with his music, they warmed to him immediately, joining in as they learned the songs and even trying their hand (or feet, actually) at a circle dance. Fran was a unanimous choice to provide music for an all-school retreat the following semester. Personally, I found getting to know Fran one of the highlights of my year. His wry humor, candor, and depth of spirit were a blessing.
Phil Baisley, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies
Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, IN

Fran McKendree is an outstanding conference leader. Fran has a way of weaving the theme of a conference with song, experiential activities, personal stories, Bible stories, humor and inviting others to share. He is
always listening to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the life of a conference and is ready to adapt his presentations to that prompting. Fran is a deeply spiritual person who invites others to explore and strengthen
their own spiritual lives. He is a gifted and humble man who always encourages others to join along. I am always inspired and uplifted after having attended a conference with Fran McKendree.
Coral Hamlin - Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

Fran McKendree's visit to St. Mark's, Durango was the perfect kick off to our new Saturday Evening service. Fran's liturgical sensitivity and knowledge helped create the perfect tone for a new, non traditional Eucharist model that is reaching out to new segments in the community and expand our family. His Celtic resources, various litanies and "call and response" songs as well as his familiarly with the New Zealand prayerbook really got us off on the right step. This is in addition to the music
(including various liturgical pieces) that was so appropriate for our "table fellowship" goal. He also had the perfect sensitivity to introduce a "Quaker" style sharing that had the 50 people who came sharing in a spirit of profound intimacy. Many of the folk who came commented to me about Fran's gentle and open leadership style has he led us into a deep experience
of worship. The fruit of his visit are lasting with us.
The Rev. Andrew Cooley, Rector, St. Mark's Durango, Colorado

Fran was a hit!! And the timing couldn't have been better. Folks were tired, and needing spiritual refreshment-and that's what flowed through Fran's words, music, movement. What a precious gift he is!! His ministry really spoke to our students, faculty, staff-the community. Fran interwove thoughts and reflections on community in a beautiful way. The most touching and beautiful moment, though, for me was his response to a student who has been writing songs and finding her ministry of music awakening in new ways. He gave her sincere encouragement that could not have come from any of us!!
Stephanie Ford

We had a wonderful weekend! The group worked on hearing each others' voices. The ages ranged from 7 years old (going on 40) through adult.Fran was teaching us a new song "If You Believe and I Believe" - after we sang it for a while Fran asked the rest of us to just ooh ooh the tune and he asked Peter - a 7 year old - to sing, which he did. Very powerful moment. Such a gift to be
able to include people of all ages and bring out the best in them.

The concert was great of course. Fran and I did the sermon together at 9 & 11 - some talking on my part and singing on his - words and music woven in themes of walking together and blessings about wholeness. He did the adult forum - talking about his own vocation.
The CAYA [Come As You Are] service was great - very eclectic bunch -people stood up and talked about blessings in disguise. I know several of us were in tears at the end of the service - tears of joy and sadness. Joy because this service is slowly evolving into the vision we've had for it. And sadness because we would be saying goodbye once again to Fran.
Rev. Gigi Conners, St. Peter¹s Cathedral, St. Petersburg, FL

Inviting Fran to work with our worship team was the best thing we could have done to kick-off the year. Fran has an encouraging and empowering style of leadership which both helped the team to jell and me to hone my own leadership skills. I encourage any church or diocese to make use of his gifts and talents to build the Body of Christ in worship and song.
Andrew O'Dell, The University of the South's Coordinator of Music at
Growing in Grace

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