Bill Barns - Class of 2024 - Secretary

My wife, Joan, and I have worshipped at St. Thomas since 2018 and moving permanently to St.
Petersburg. I served in the U.S. Navy as a career Surface Warfare Officer both at sea and
ashore in progressively challenging assignments, including six years in shipboard command.
We moved often during those years and were once stationed at U.S. Central Command in
Tampa, FL. I enjoyed a private sector second career in Virginia Beach, VA as a company officer
in an employee-owned firm providing subject matter expertise to the Navy and the Joint
Force. I now work part-time as an adjunct professor for the U.S. Naval War College.
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I was received into the Episcopal Church in 1982 and have been a member of multiple
parishes throughout our Navy moves. These opportunities allowed me to serve in various
ministries including Vestry, Combat Veteran prayer support, Stephen Ministry, and youth
mentor. At St. Thomas, I am a regular volunteer at Benison Farm, co-facilitator in Sacred
Ground Circles, men’s’ Bible Study participant, and a justice proponent as a member of Faith
and Action for Strength Together (FAST) in Pinellas County.