(The burial service for The Rt. Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III will be 3/18 at 11 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5421 Germantown Avenue, PA. Clergy are asked to vest in albs and white stoles. Parking is available at their Coulter and Germantown Street parking lot, or throughout the neighborhood. Questions can be directed to stlukesgermantown@gmail.com.)
A husband, father, friend, bishop, and fellow sojourner moved from this life into everlasting life with our Lord. The Most Rev. Frank Griswold entered into the presence of Christ on March 5, 2023.
Frank was a true child of this diocese. Born in Bryn Mawr, he served at three parishes after seminary, including St. Andrew's Church in Yardley and St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Chestnut Hill. When he was elected presiding bishop, he carried part of our diocese with him. Upon retirement, he returned home to Philadelphia and worshipped at St. Luke's Church in Germantown with his beloved wife Phoebe. Frank and Phoebe served this diocese in numerous ways, and our gratitude is profound.
Frank served gently, quietly, and pastorally. You always felt at ease with his smile and laughter. I treasured his advice, wisdom, and friendship. He was deeply knowledgeable about the essence of The Episcopal Church and our rich global Anglican tradition. The most joyous times were our lunches in Radnor. I never knew when I would run into Frank. A few years back, I was in Jerusalem’s Old City and heard a voice, "Daniel, is that you?" Frank was leading a group of pilgrims from across The Episcopal Church.
Frank could have done anything he wanted with his life, and he chose to serve God and all of God's beloved. I pray we always remember his faithfulness and care. Frank was dedicated to the Church and deeply loved Phoebe and his daughters Eliza and Hannah. We journey with them as their diocesan family during this time. We will miss him, and with certain confidence, we know we will see him again. We join with the Church in that prayerful expression of hope, even in the midst of death: Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. Alleluia.
