Name: Penelope (Penny) M. Bridges
Religious organization’s name: St. Francis Episcopal Church.
Organization’s address: 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066.
Phone number: 703-759-2082.
E-mail address/Web site: rector@stfrancisgreatfalls.org.
Employment: Rector of St. Francis, April 2003-present;
associate rector of Grace, Alexandria, 1997-2003;
computer programmer, 1980-1994.
Education: Cambridge University, UK, 1979 B.A. honors in music; Yale Divinity School, 1997 master of divinity.
Town: Great Falls.
Number of years in that town: One.
Community activities/ties: Great Falls Ecumenical Council; FYI Network; McLean Orchestra; Langley High School football and band parent.
One thing about your community as a whole that you enjoy that you don't think most people know about, or something important for a newcomer to know: Sooner or later everyone comes to Gilette's Coffee Shop. Best pastries in the area!
Something special about your religious organization: A very warm and welcoming community to all kinds of people
Favorite religious activities or events: Anything with music. Really good Gospel choirs. A grand sung High Mass with splendid vestments, incense and ceremony (never done at St. Francis!).
Favorite personal activities: Playing viola, singing, reading historical novels.
Other favorite things (e.g., favorite place to take a walk, favorite place to see the sunset): Favorite walk: around my neighborhood. Favorite spot to sit outdoors: on my living room balcony, listening to the stream nearby.
A book, movie, vacation or other experience that you enjoyed: A weeklong string quartet camp for adult amateurs in Pennsylvania this spring.
Words to live by: Love God with all your heart, soul and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.
Send profile nominations to Joy Allen, assistant editor, by calling 703-917-6432, via e-mail at mclean@connectionnewspapers.com or via fax at 703-917-0991.