Team Leader and Team Player

Frances Foltz is a person who’s a very focused leader, but also a compassionate colleague and friend. When serving at a growing, lively church alongside volunteers as well as staff (and attempting to keep everyone on track and happy), these two qualities are key. Both great attributes were on display this past week as she led the joyful community-building week of “PandaMania,” Good Shepherd’s Vacation Bible School.

Bringing together more than 165 students (PreK through Middle School) plus dozens of teachers, counselors and helpers for a week of music, games, praise, learning and faith development is a daunting task for any one person. Little do you realize how many months of planning and how many details go into Frances’ efforts to make the week run smoothly. Even with the help of the office staff, Youth Director David Shaffer and college interns Sara Mann and Julia Boudrye, Frances often ends up the daily VBS troubleshooter. But as Pastor Fritz and Faith Foltz once observed about their daughter, once Frances selects her goal she homes in on it “like a laser.”

As Ministry Developer on our program staff since 2007, Frances is the team leader for a wide-ranging ministry which includes Christian Education, Confirmation for Grades 6-8, Youth, and many more on-the-spot programs, events and outreach efforts which make our faith community a very happening place. She’s a good collaborator, and when a project needs some hand-holding or extra care, she knows where to apply a kind word, a pat on the back or a boost of encouragement for her teammates.

Of course, we should mention that Frances is the wife of our Senior Pastor Dave Sonnenberg. She and Pastor Dave arrived at Good Shepherd in 2001,

and since then Frances has always taken an active interest in growing our church. She and Dave met as students at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, and they’ve worked together in youth ministry as well as Lutheran camp ministry before coming to Gaithersburg.

Being hands-on in a faith community comes naturally to Frances, as she was raised as “pastor’s kid” in her father’s large church in Gettysburg, PA. If you ever want a good thumbnail sketch of what being a Lutheran is all about, see Frances. Although she’s a Cornell University-trained lawyer by craft, Frances can go toe to toe on theology with her father Pr. Fritz. Her parents recount some lively dinner table conversations, during which Frances was always an active voice.

In addition to her leadership duties at Good Shepherd, Frances takes her role as cheerleader for their three kids seriously. She’s on hand as much as possible cheering on Drew, 11, Becca, 13 and Rachel, 15, at swim meets, track meets and in school activities.

If those on staff were to point to a lighter moment in which Frances takes pride, we’d say her family’s travel to Rome for a New Year’s holiday in early 2011 was a shining achievement. She still speaks with fascination and awe about leading her kids around this Christian capital, sharing fun as well as insights into early church history with husband Dave and her parents. You can tell that future travel with her curious and talented children will surely be on a future agenda that she’ll home in on like a laser.

Thanks, Frances, for being an MVP on our team. We’re truly fortunate to have your enthusiasm and energy here at Good Shepherd. -- Good Shepherd’s Staff

Frances in Action at Good Shepherd

• With the Sonnenberg kids at Vacation Bible School
• Frances with the Good Shepherd youth in Washington, DC
• Family Vacation in Rome
• Helping out at a Youth Event
• Easter Skiing
• Is this a great family or what?