Each year, Archbishop Foley Beach presents the Bishop’s Cross Award to an individual in the diocese who provides exceptional service. The 2023 Bishop’s Cross Award recipient is Win Norris, who has provided years of unwavering, joyful service and five-star hospitality at her home church of Holy Cross Anglican Cathedral in Loganville, Georgia, and to the diocese.
“You can usually start a conversation with somebody that maybe doesn’t really want to talk with a cookie, a piece of cake, a glass of water, or a pat on the hand,” said Win Norris, recipient of the 2023 Bishop’s Cross Award. “That’s pretty much my philosophy.”
If you’ve ever attended an Anglican Diocese of the South Synod & Missions Conference or worship service at Holy Cross Anglican Cathedral in Loganville, Georgia, you’ve almost certainly encountered Mrs. Win, who has likely offered you a helping hand, a hug, a smile and a kind word, a tasty treat, or a hot cup of coffee.
Mrs. Win’s first day at Holy Cross Anglican Cathedral was December 7, 2009, when Archbishop Foley Beach served as rector. She knew instantly that Holy Cross was where she and her husband, Richard, belonged. She asked Archbishop Beach, “What do we have to do to join?” he replied, “Come back.” And they did. Just a few weeks later, Win and Richard served as ushers at Holy Cross’ Christmas Eve service. This was the start of Mrs. Win’s God-ordained legacy of service at Holy Cross and with ADOTS.
After discovering Holy Cross had a preschool, Mrs. Win asked if there was room for her to volunteer as a substitute teacher, and she was met with more than she expected – an offer to volunteer at the preschool as a teacher since a teaching position was recently made available. The year Mrs. Win volunteered at Holy Cross Academy Preschool was pivotal because her time at the preschool allowed her to familiarize herself with Holy Cross and discover its “marvelous kitchen.”
The marvelous kitchen at Holy Cross is where Mrs. Win’s service ministry truly took off. Under the guidance of Fr. Henry Baldwin, rector of Holy Cross following Archbishop Beach, Mrs. Win was eventually appointed head of hospitality after years of service as a volunteer. In addition to caring for Holy Cross’ hospitality needs every week, Mrs. Win and her team of volunteers joyfully care for the diocese, especially during the annual Synod & Missions Conference held at Holy Cross. “Synod is a really great event,” says Mrs. Win. “It’s so well-organized, and everybody seems so happy to see one another. That may be the only time some people see anyone else from the diocese, so it really is a good thing.” She truly loves meeting and catching up with Synod & Missions Conference attendees annually and has even developed longstanding friendships with priests across the diocese who have become great friends to the Norris family.
On the evening of Friday, November 3, 2023, during the Holy Communion service, Mrs. Win and her team of volunteers were working hard to prepare a Dinner Under the Stars for Synod & Missions Conference attendees. As Mrs. Win attempted to make her way to the tent where catering was beginning to set up, she was stopped numerous times and was told, “We’ve got a special service coming up. You won’t want to miss this.” And was gently ushered into the Nave.
Suddenly, Mrs. Win heard Archbishop Beach ask, “Is Win Norris in the building?” and Mrs. Win’s mind began to race. “I thought, ‘Oh no – they need water up front, but how am I going to get it? All the carts are in the tent!’ But he didn’t want water.” To her surprise, Archbishop Beach was calling Mrs. Win to the front of the Nave to present her with the 2023 Bishop’s Cross award. “I still get weepy thinking about it,” said Mrs. Win. “It’s unbelievable.”
“I love serving because it allows you to meet some of the nicest people,” said Mrs. Win. “They know to look for you because you kindly reached out with a glass of water or cup of coffee.” And you would be hard-pressed to find a parishioner at Holy Cross or a Synod & Missions Conference attendee who hasn’t experienced the heartfelt, genuine, selfless hospitality of Mrs. Win.
“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” – Romans 12:13