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FIELDNOTES
The Monthly Newsletter of
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355
The Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
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Our Vision:
We aspire to be a growing community, worshiping together, celebrating our diversity & lay ministries, and offering God's healing love to all people.
Our Mission:
We seek to foster spiritual growth & renewal while spreading God's message of love, healing and peace.
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The Episcopal Church
Welcomes You!
Do you recognize the slogan above? That phrase - "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" - has been a slogan for our denomination - and a mission statement - for many years now. It sums up who we, as servants of Christ, want to be: hospitable, inclusive, friendly, joyous. At St. Francis, we strive to live into the ideals of this single, simple phrase.
But the verb "welcome" isn't the only thing directed to the "you" in that sentence. We welcome people to something; we welcome them into something. That something is the distinctive way of worship, discipleship and service we embody in The Episcopal Church.
What do you know about this label ("Episcopal") we use? What does it mean? How is it different from Baptist, or Catholic, or non-denominational (all fine branches of the Christian Church)? Why do we care what label is on the church?
If you've ever wondered about any of these questions, or just wanted to know more about The Episcopal Church, I want to invite you to our upcoming adult education class. Led by myself (Fr. Kevin), the class will meet every Sunday from November 3rd to December 8th, following the 10 am service of Holy Eucharist. The class will cover the history, structure, theology and liturgy of our tradition, among other things, and we'll also go over terms and phrases that may seem unusual (like, "narthex"). For adults desiring to be Confirmed in The Episcopal Church, this will serve as your instruction for Confirmation. (Don't know what Confirmation is? Join the class!)
A tentative syllabus is below. If you would like to attend, but you can't on Sundays, please let me know, and perhaps we can offer it again during another time of the week. Hope to see you in class!
- Fr. Kevin+
The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
(a.k.a., "Episcopal 101")
Nov. 3 - "Hither We've Come": A Quick History of The Episcopal Church
Nov. 10 - "People of the Book(s)": Worship, Liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer
Nov. 17 - "Wash Up and Come to Dinner": Sacraments and Sacramental Living
Nov. 24 - "Chairs, Stools, and Believer's Bottoms" - Thinking Theologically as Episcopalians
Dec. 1 - "Making Divine Sausage": Episcopal Polity and the Structure of the Church
Dec. 8 - "From Naves to Narthexes": Understanding Episco-speak (and Other Quirks)
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Important Parish Dates in 2019
A list of some important upcoming dates for St. Francis, as currently scheduled.
Always check parish bulletins, etc., for updated information on service times and events.
Friday, Nov. 1 All Saints' Remembrance Service - 12 pm,
Sun., Nov. 3 All Saints' Sunday; Intro. to the Episcopal Church begins
Tues., Nov. 5 Brown Bag Lunch, Noon
Wed., Nov. 6 Blood Drive, Parish Hall, 2-7 pm
Wed., Nov. 6 Circle of Friends, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 9 Fellowship Dinners
Sun., Nov. 17 Harvest Home
Sunday, Nov. 24 Holy Eucharist and Baptism
Wed., Dec. 4 Circle of Friends, 6 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 7 Wreath Sale and Cookie Walk
Sun., Dec. 15 Las Posadas
Tues., Dec. 24 Christmas Eve services at 5 pm and 10 pm
Wed., Dec. 25 Christmas Day service at 10 am
Sun., Dec. 29 One Service @ 10 am: Christmas Lessons & Carols
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 Prayers for the Diocese of Pennsylvania
Diocesan Convention will be held at the Cathedral in Philadelphia
Nov. 1-2, as delegates and clergy gather to work on the mission of the Episcopal Church in SE Pennsylvania. Our delegates this year are James Watson, Tony Fernandes, and Nancy Needhammer (alternate). Please pray for our Diocese throughout the month of October, especially the Standing Committee, Diocesan Council, and our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Daniel Gutierrez. The Episcopal Church is
one vine, with
many branches. Pray that we will be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all our work and mission.
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Get Out and Vote!
November 1
- Absentee ballots for election must be received by 5 p.m.
November 5
- General Election Day
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 St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale
It's time again for the St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale! Order forms are available in the Narthex or on the home page of the website.
Your purchase will be available for pickup on
December 7 from 9 - 10:30 am in the Parish Hall. Orders can be mailed to the church, placed in the St. Clares folder outside the church office, or given to Carolyn Grillo or Susan Callahan.
Please return order form with payment by
November 3. All the proceeds from the fundraiser go to parish needs or community outreach projects.
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 Brown Bag Lunch
Holy Land pilgrimage through Israel and Palestine, with Nancy and Earl Needhammer
Nancy and Earl will join us on Tuesday, November 5 (Noon-1PM) for a presentation on their trip to the Holy Land. They joined Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez on a pilgrimage through Israel and Palestine, retracing the footsteps of Jesus. Highlights of their trip include prayerful encounters in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, the Galilee, Nablus, and Emmaus with several intimate Eucharists at key holy sites.
They look forward to sharing their experiences with you so please join us on November 5.
Shirley Warren, BBL Ministry Chair
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 Red Cross Blood Drive
There is still time to participate in the Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday,
November 6 from 2 to 7 pm. The event is being held in the Undercroft at Church.The public is invited to donate, so tell your friends and neighbors. There is a critical need for blood and blood products. Individuals over the age of 17 who meet the
Red Cross criteria for participation may donate blood every 56 days. The blood collected from this drive will be used at area hospitals.
Pre-event registration is strongly encouraged. Please use either of these links:
- https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=stfrancis%20malvern
2. Go to www.redcrossblood.org and type in the specific sponsor code, StFrancis Malvern |
Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends meet
every 1st Wednesday of each month. "The Circle" is a pastoral ministry of card-writing and encouragement. All supplies are provided. Anyone is invited to participate.
Next meeting is
November 6, 6 to 7:30 pm.
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Vestry Meeting
Tuesday,
November 12, 2019 at 7 p.m.
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 Book Club
Friday, November 15, 7:30
Who Let the Dog Out?, David Rosenfelt
This is an Andy Carpenter Mystery. Andy and his friend Willie Miller run a dog rescue organization, the Tara Foundation. When a rescued dog, named Cheyenne is stolen, they find her in downtown Paterson, New Jersey, next to a recently murdered man. Andy takes Cheyenne back to the foundation building, but then begins to wonder if the theft and murder might be connected. Andy, a lawyer, takes the man accused by the police, as a client and things begin to get ever more interesting, and terrifying.
There is no Book Discussion in December
Friday, January 17, 7:30 pm
The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, Jon Meacham
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 Harvest Home
West Chester Food Cupboard are in particular need of personal products: toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant and feminine products. On the food side - they always need cereal, particularly name brands. Snacks are also welcome. The Food Cupboard never buys snacks so folks are especially appreciative if they are donated.
Everyone is asked to bring a bag or two of these items on November 17 and place them in front of the Altar.
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Cookie Walk
Calling all bakers! St. Francis's annual Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, December 7 alongside the St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale in the Parish Hall. Please look for the sign up sheet in the Narthex soon.
Thanks to your generosity last year, we were able to donate an astounding $1,600 to the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County! We hope to make a similar impact this year, as well.
Please contact Michelle Samet with any questions.
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Acolyte Training
Acolyte training for all new and current acolytes will take place in the church right after the 10:00 AM service on all Sundays
through December 8, 2019; there will be no training on December 1, 2019. Training will last for about 45 minutes each Sunday. Training is a not just for new acolytes. We want current acolytes of all ages and experience to attend training sessions to brush up on their skills, take on new duties and to help train the new and younger acolytes. This is another opportunity to serve!
Mrs. Donna Dellaria
Dr. David Brooks
Mr. Harold Vanasse
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Backpack Project Gifts Needed for
Our Brother's Place 
Members of the St. Francis parish family are again being asked to remember the homeless people who seek shelter and a way to improve their lives at
Our Brother's Place, a unit of the
Bethesda Project in Philadelphia, as you do your Christmas shopping. St. Francis has supported this very important outreach program for over 25 years, and the needs of those who are helped are as great as they have ever been.
Personal articles most needed include: backpacks or duffel bags, winter jackets and rain ponchos
(all size Large or Extra-large), flannel shirts, sweaters, sweat pants and sweat shirts, underwear (especiallylong-johns), warm socks, knitcaps, scarves, gloves or mittens, and sneakers
(size 9 to 12). Also needed are towels, deodorant, anti-bacterial soap, canned coffee and sugar packets, as well as cleaning supplies such as liquid dishwashing detergent, Pine Sol with lemon, bleach and liquid toilet bowl cleaner.
PLEASE DO NOT WRAP GIFTS! A collection bin will be placed in the Narthex beginning Sunday, November 17th. The
deadline for bringing your Backpack Project gifts to the Church is Sunday, December 15th. If you would like more information regarding this very meaningful Christmas outreach project, please contact Jim Borum.
Many thanks!
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Las Posadas Celebration
On the evening of
December 15, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., St. Francis will retell the story of Mary and Joseph's journey through Bethlehem in the fun, interactive, family celebration of
Las Posadas ("The Inns").
An
old, Latin American tradition,
Las Posadas
follows Mary and Joseph on a musical journey through the streets of the city looking for a place suitable for Jesus' birth. Rejected three times, the wandering couple is finally welcomed and those gathered on the journey celebrate with feasting and fellowship!
It's going to be a fun evening, and a new way for many to experience this wonderful story. Everyone gets to play a part!
The journey begins outside, weather permitting, and ends with the party in the parish hall, so dress warmly! For questions and volunteering, contact our Fellowship chairs, Tricia Stewart and Jill Quinn.
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Christmas Services of Holy Eucharist
@ St. Francis-in-the-Fields
December 24 - Christmas Eve
5:00 PM and 10:00 PM
December 25 - Christmas Day
10:00 AM
December 29 - The First Sunday of Christmas
ONE SERVICE ONLY
10:00 AM - Holy Eucharist with Lessons and Carols
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Volunteers Needed
The Transportation Ministry recently added a parishioner who lives at
Arbour Square at West Chester to its pickup list and is looking for
two additional drivers. The address for
Arbour Square at West Chester is listed below with a viewing map. The current team picks up parishioners from Bellingham and the commitment is approximately once per month. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Shirley Warren, Chair of the Transportation Ministry.
Thank you in advance.
1201 Ward Avenue
West Chester, PA 19380
View Map
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Holy Land Pilgrimage
March 12-25, 2020
Save the date for this Bishop-led pilgrimage. Interested people should email The Rev. Matthew Dayton-Welch at [email protected] to register or inquire with questions.
Travel package costs are still being finalized.
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Welcome to Amazon Smile!
Do you love to shop on Amazon? If so, please consider selecting the St. Francis smile account before you begin your shopping.
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the parish. The Vestry approved designating this money for Outreach during the coming year.
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Wear your name tag for a chance to win a mug!
Get in on the fun on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. by wearing your name tag during the service and coffee hour and placing it in one of the small buckets at each door on your way out. Diane will draw a name on Monday and announce the winner in the Friday Parish News!
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Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10 am to pray and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. Holy Eucharist follows the study. Anyone is invited to attend.
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Donate Your Time and Talent
Want to get personally involved? If you are over the age of 18 and want to donate your time and talent to the 100% volunteer team at the West Chester Food Cupboard, please email Charlotte Cain at [email protected].
Money and food is welcome too, because no one should go hungry.
Thank you!
610-344-3175
431 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19382
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 Altar Flowers
Did you know that you can dedicate the Sunday Altar Flowers in honor of a friend or family member, in remembrance of a loved one, or for some other special recognition? Altar Flower dedications are just $50.00, and helps provide a fresh arrangement each week. The form for dedicating Altar Flowers can be found on our parish website at:
https://stfrancisfields.com/wp-content/uploads/Altar-Flowers-Dedication-form.jpg
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Fieldnotes Deadline - December
The deadline for the December Fieldnotes is
Monday, November 25, 2019!
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Calendar 
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