FIELDNOTES
September 2019 
 
The Monthly Newsletter of 
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
 
689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355
The Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
610-647-0130
stfrancisfields@verizon.net
stfrancisfields.com
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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.


Welcome Back Sunday

Save the date! A very special, welcome back ice cream social will be on
Sunday, September 8, immediately following the 10 o'clock service. Good and important news about our parish will be shared. You don't want to miss it!

Sunday Worship: It Takes a Village 
 
Sunday Worship is the easiest way to get involved at St. Francis. It's also the easiest way to meet new people, make new friends, and enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes from participation and leadership. There are many roles that come together to celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sundays, enough so that just about everyone can be involved in the ministry of worship on a regular basis. As I list and briefly describe these ministries below, prayerful consider how you might put your life in service in our parish. You do not need to have any "special" status in the parish to be involved in any of these ministries.
 
Acolytes - A crucial part of our Sunday ministry team, Acolytes lead our processions, carrying the Three Great Lights (Cross, Gospel, Flame of the Spirit) in the service. Ranging in age from (roughly) 3rd through 12th grade, Acolytes also assist the Priest at the Altar and share in the proclamation of the Scriptures. Contact: Harold Vanasse, Everett Warren, David Brooks
Altar Guild - Open to both women and men, the Altar Guild works "behind the scenes," preparing the Altar for services. The AG manages the bread and wine we use at Eucharist, change hangings and coverings, care for the linens and other implements of worship, and shapes the character of our worship space, especially at Christmas and Easter. Contact: Sue Vanasse
Chalicists - Chalicists assist the Priest in administering Eucharist by offering the chalice of wine to those receiving Communion. Sometimes, Chalicists also double as Readers (see below). Contact: Ed Damerau
Choir -  Fancy robes. Great seats. First up for Communion. What more could you want? Music? Oh yeah, they've got that, too! Our amazing choir, led by the indefatigable Joe Perry, Music Director & Organist, are the backbone of our 10 am service. A fun group to be part of! Practices are Thursdays at 7 pm, and Sunday mornings between services. Contact: Joe Perry
Church School Teachers - Our teachers guide our children in the faith on Sunday mornings from 10:00 until the announcements, when our kids come into worship. Our teachers rotate among lessons so that no one person spends more than 2 or 3 weeks away from the worship service at a time. Resources and guidance are provided. We always need two adults in Church School at all times. Contact: Tom Neely 
Coffee Hour - Refreshments and drinks provided upstairs between services, and downstairs after the 10 am service. Simple and easy. Contact Sue Kelly
Greeters - Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." And our Greeters are there every Sunday to let him in! The task of our Greeters is to welcome everyone who steps into our parish on Sundays, to make every guest feel special, and to answer questions guests may have about St. Francis-in-the-Fields. Contact: John Stearns & Tony Fernandes
Intercessors - On Sunday, the Prayers of the People follow the recitation of the Nicene Creed. The prayers change seasonally, sometimes coming from the Book of Common Prayer, and other times being written by parishioners of St. Francis. Contact: Sandra Healey
Readers - Lessons from Scripture are read aloud each Sunday using the Revised Common Lectionary. Readers may double as Chalicists or Paten Bearers, but they may also just come up and read the lesson. Contact: Ed Damerau
Transportation - Picking up someone in need and bringing them to worship. That's it! Contact: Shirley Warren
Ushers - Like Greeters, Ushers are present to provide a sense of welcome to those attending the service. Unlike Greeters, however, Ushers attend primarily to the service itself - providing bulletins, finding seats for newcomers, counting attendance, and bringing up the eucharistic elements, among other things. Contact: Mke Quinn
 
Are there other ministries that impact Sunday morning? Absolutely! Practically every ministry we have at St. Francis has some direct connection to Sunday morning. But the roles listed above are easy to engage, require little training, and put you right in the "thick" of worship leadership at St. Francis.
 
If you would like more information about these or other ways to participate in ministry, pick up the handy "Welcome and Connect" brochure at our Greeters table, or the information table near the stairs. And thank you to everyone who shares in worship at St. Francis!
 
Fr. Kevin+

Garden Bounty for West Chester Food Cupboard

We have 6 raised beds in our garden and so far this spring and summer we have harvested 332.5 pounds of fresh produce and delivered to the West Chester Food Cupboard.  It has been a banner year so far.  And, we just planted beets, fall lettuces and cabbages to harvest this fall. 
 
In addition to the produce from our own raised beds we have a number of parishioners who grow and take food also.  One parishioner, Sharyn Huffman, worked with Farmer Bob Lange and donated 80 pounds of corn to Safe Harbor.  They were thrilled to get fresh corn.  Every little bit helps others.  The amount of other donations is 390 pounds.
 
Whether we call it hunger or food insecurity, people need our help and thank you all for helping so much.  Michelle Samet takes all the donations that you leave in the Narthex to the West Chester Food Cupboard on regular basis. 
 
Mahala J. Renkey


Grow Together in Faith and Hope... 
$500,000+ Capital Campaign Goal
                                               
 
Refresh              Renew           Rejoice
Our facilities                        Our Faith                           In God's plan  
                                                                                      for our future 

St. Francis Capital Campaign Update 
 
The Capital Campaign is grateful for the spirit of faith and generosity that parishioners have demonstrated with their Campaign pledges. The response and participation has been wonderful, and we look forward to sharing the good news on Welcome Back Sunday - September 8. If you have not yet pledged your support for the Capital Campaign's goals and objectives, there is still time get your pledge form in. Either mail it to the church office in the next couple of days - or bring the form to the Sunday, September 1 worship service. 
 
Thank you for all your pledges, gifts, and prayerful support!
 
The Capital Campaign Committee



Important Parish Dates in 2019
 
A list of some important upcoming dates for St. Francis, as currently scheduled.  Note that some events - like "Welcome Back Sunday" - have changed from their original date. Always check parish bulletins, etc., for updated information on service times and events.
 
Wed., Sept. 4            Circle of Friends - 6 pm in the Narthex
Thursday, Sept. 5     Choir Practice resumes - 7 pm in the Parish Hall
Sunday, Sept. 8      "Welcome Back Sunday": Holy Eucharist at 8 and 10 am
Sunday, Oct. 6         St. Francis Day & Blessings of the Animals
Wed., Oct. 9            Diocesan Pre-Convention meeting at St. Francis (6:30 - 8:00pm)
Sunday, Oct 20        Holy Eucharist and Baptism
Sunday, Oct 27        Annual Stewardship In-gathering Brunch
Friday, Nov. 1           All Saints Remembrance Service - 12 pm, Churchyard Cemetery
Saturday, Nov. 2       Diocesan Convention
Sunday, Nov. 3         Sunday of All Saints; Daylight Savings Time ends
Saturday, Nov. 9       Fellowship Dinner
Sunday, Nov. 17       Harvest Home Celebration
Sunday, Nov. 24       Holy Eucharist and Baptism
Sunday, Dec. 7        Cookie Walk for Domestic Violence Shelter
Sunday, Dec. 15      Las Posadas

Circle of Friends

You are invited to share in a new Pastoral Care initiative of St. Francis that we are calling Circle of Friends. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 6 pm, we will gather in the Narthex to write notes of encouragement, get well cards, thank you notes, "missing you" notes, and even birthday cards. Cards, pens, stamps, etc., will be provided. This will be a time of pastoral sharing and action - an easy way to get involved in the ministry of Pastoral Care. The evening will conclude with the service of Compline from the Book of Common Prayer.  
 
Circle of Friends will then repeat every 1st Wednesday of each month.
Church School Needs Teachers!
 
The Church School needs teachers. This year we will be telling the stories of the New Testament, beginning with John the Baptist. Please consider teaching a three week block some time during the school year. Curriculum materials will be provided. Sign up on the bulletin board in the undercroft or contact Tom Neely or Dan Goff.   Thanks, Tom Neely

Hello Church School Parents!
 
Just a note to say that the church school will begin regular lessons again, starting with John the Baptist, on Sunday, September 8 at 10AM.  
 
Some time before that I want to prepare the classroom area. If anyone would like to help out, I'll send an e-mail when I can figure out a time to do that.  
 
Also, we need volunteers to teach three-week lesson blocks during the year. There is a sign-up sheet in the usual spot in church. This year we will be using Rotation.org to supplement our lessons, so teaching will be even more fun and easy!
 
Thanks,
Tom Neely 

Christian Discipleship: "Not of this World"
 
Last spring, Fr. Kevin began a lecture series on what it means to be a Christian in the world today. On Sept. 15 & 22, Fr. Kevin will conclude that study with two lectures on Jesus statement in John 18:36: "My kingdom is not of this world". Then, on Sept. 29 and Oct. 13, Dr. Mike Burke will explore this theme in the modern context on Liberation Theology.    
Liberation is a major theme of Scripture, from the Exodus to the Lord's prayer.  In this two-part exploration Dr. Burke will present this controversial movement that was at once a theology, a social justice agenda, and an alternative vision of responsibility in God's Kingdom. Appointed Sundays in the Parish Hall, following the 10 am service.

Outreach

We are pleased to announce the following activities sponsored by the Outreach Committee this fall. We hope you will participate in whatever way you can - joining the committee, working at an event or helping spread the word! Thank you in advance for all that you do for others!
 
  • October 19 - Feeding Thousands. Help package dry food for the hungry, working in a team of 10-12 members from our parish at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Devon. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex September 8. This one hour morning event is suitable for adults and students of middle school age and beyond. The food is given to a local food bank for distribution. We need to know if we will have one or two teams from St Francis. The deadline for sign up is by September 25. More details to follow. Questions - Please contact Nancy Needhammer.
 
  • November 6 - A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Francis from 2-7 p.m. Generally, anyone age 16 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in good health, can donate blood. Sixteen year old donors require parental consent. An individual, who meets the Red Cross criteria, can donate every 56 days. Online registration is strongly suggested - the specific link will be provided in October. A laptop will also be available at church for sign up. Please consider giving blood and letting others in the community know of the drive. If you can't give blood, perhaps you can give some time to help the Red Cross to have a good experience at St. Francis. Check the Sunday bulletins in October for more information and sign up details. Questions - Please contact Anne Crowley.
                                                                                  
Outreach Service Directory
 
We would also like to start a directory to let parish members know the kinds of community services we each participate in outside of the parish. Perhaps there is something you do that another parish member would be interested in doing. This is a great opportunity to network with each other and to learn of all the good works being done by the St. Francis family. Please contact Janet Doyle to submit your information. Deadline is October 15 for the fall edition.

Brown Bag Lunch

The Importance of Smart911 Registration

The Brown Bag Lunch Committee will kick off its new season on Tuesday, October 1 (Noon-1PM) by welcoming Amy Kate Amer, Community Outreach Coordinator, with Chester County Department of Emergency Services.
 
Did you know that over 80% of calls made to 9-1-1 come from mobile phones? When you dial 9-1-1 from a mobile phone, the 9-1-1 call takers have very little information to help you - only your phone number and a very general sense of your location.
 
This is a serious problem in an emergency when seconds count, particular if you or your loved ones have medical conditions, or are unable to communicate.
Smart911 is a nationwide digital service that has been available to Chester County residents since 2017. The goal of the program is to make sure that the local 9-1-1 Center and First Responders automatically receive information that can help them get the right care to the right place quickly.
 
How Does Smart911 Works? The program allows citizens to provide additional details that 9-1-1 call takers may need in order to assist them during an emergency. Today, when you dial 9-1-1, the information receive by the Call Center can be limited based on the type of phone you are calling on. With Smart911, anytime you make an emergency call from a phone registered with your Safety Profile, the 9-1-1 systems recognize your phone number and automatically displays your profile on the screen of the call taker who receives your call.
At a time when you may be panicking, or unable to communicate, or it could be unsafe to speak, Smart911 ensures that the details you would need to tell the 9-1-1 call taker are immediately available in the event you cannot verbally provide them.
Please mark your calendars and join us on Tuesday, October 1 (Noon-1PM) to learn more about this life-saving program.
 
The Mission of the Department of Emergency Services is to promote and assist in providing safety and security to Chester County citizens so they can Work, Live, and Grow in a healthy and safe community


DIOPA Pre-Convention at St. Francis
October 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
 
We are honored this year to have been selected to serve as one of four parishes in our diocese who will host this year's pre-convention meeting. This important business meeting of the diocese examines the annual diocesan budget, mission emphases, and resolutions that will be brought up at the annual convention in November. The offering of our Parish Hall and facilities for this meeting is part of our ongoing work of strengthening our relationship with our diocese, and with The Episcopal Church as a whole.

Fellowship Dinner

Fellowship Dinner is a great way to get to know new and existing members of St. Francis, while having dinner in a small friendly setting at someone's home. 
This year the Fall Fellowship Dinner will be on Saturday, November 9.  You can sign up as a guest or a host for a dinner.  The Host will set the time, coordinate the dinner in their home and provide the main dish.  The other guests will bring a salad, side dish, dessert, or wine. The host can invite a guest or two to join them - a new member or anyone they would like to know better - however many the host would like.
A sign-up sheet will be in the Narthex at the end of September.   
If you need further information on the Fellowship Dinner, email Sharon Fernandes.


Online Resources for Discipleship
 
More of Fr. Kevin's teaching series are now available on our parish website. The may be streamed or downloaded and followed at your own pace. In his four-part series, Stages on the Journey: The Three-Fold Path and the Spiritual Life, Fr. Kevin Dellaria considers an ancient spiritual perspective on Christian growth.  In Introduction to the Bible , Fr. Kevin introduces basic ideas for encountering and engaging the Bible. In his most recent series, Made for this World , Fr. Kevin explores the creation and purpose of human beings. These are available on the St. Francis website under Education/The Rector's Study.


Calling all High Schoolers!

The St. Francis Youth Group exists to give our high school aged youth an opportunity to come together in a safe and relaxed setting so they can grow, connect with God, connect with each other and serve people in need.  
 
We welcome ALL High School Youth whether they belong to St. Francis or to another church.
 
From Sept through June, the Youth Group keeps busy, meeting every other Sunday. Meetings include lessons, discussion, activities, games and outings.
The 5w's of Youth Group
  • WHO:  All high school teenagers are welcome!
  • WHAT:  Meetings with dinner, lesson/discussion/game or team-building activity. Topics: World religions, Faith / Doubts, Self-image / Acceptance, Stress / Fears /Friends / Relationships, Social Media, Difficult People. Activities: Youth Group members help decide all activities.
  • WHERE:  The home of the Youth Group Leaders. Events are held at the Church and activities are held at various locations.
  • WHEN:  Every other Sunday evening, mid-September through early June.
  • WHY:  So we can come together in a safe, relaxed setting to learn about ourselves and each other. In addition share things in our lives we struggle with and find ways together to overcome them. We talk openly about our faith and help each other stay connected to God in our own way. Our goal is to become instruments of God's peace in the world.
 Some of our favorite activities and opportunities
  • Hayride/Flashlight Corn Maze
  • Shopping for Thanksgiving to serve the homeless
  • Christmas Caroling to our shut-ins
  • Wreath Making for new parish members
  • Super Bowl Bake Sale
  • Escape Room
  • St. Patty's Day Party with MS Youth
  • Laser Tag
  • Youth Led Service
  • Mission Trip
Any questions please contact Youth Group Leaders
Tom and Laura O'Brien
Dave and Noel Dutton

Get Out and Vote!

October 7 - Last day to register to vote before the General Election
October 29 - Last day to apply for absentee ballots
November 1 - Absentee ballots for election must be received by 5 p.m.
November 5 - General Election Day

Vestry Meeting 

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 7 p.m.


Book Club

Friday, September 20, 7:30 pm
 
Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult
 
Ruth Jefferson, a widow with a teenage son, is a labor and delivery nurse and the only African American in her department. When the infant son of two white supremacists, Turk and Brittany Baur, who have specifically asked that Ruth not handle their child, dies suddenly, Ruth is blamed for the child's death by both the hospital and the child's parents. Ruth loses her license, is dragged from her home by the police in the middle of the night, and, is charged with murder. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white female public defender, takes Ruth's case, but her refusal to bring up race in Ruth's defense doesn't sit right with Ruth, given that race is ingrained in the case's DNA.
 
Picoult's gripping tale is told from three points of view, that of Ruth, Kennedy, and Turk, and offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle.
 
This is a Chester County Library "Book Club in a bag" book. If you would like to borrow a book, please contact Elizabeth Pitt at 610-692-5766 or after church on Sunday morning.
 
Friday, October 25, 7:30 pm

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, Sherman Alexie
 
When his mother passed away at the age of 78, Sherman Alexie wrote 78 poems and 78 essays. In them, he shares raw, angry, funny, profane, tender memories of a childhood few can imagine-growing up dirt poor on an Indian reservation, one of four children raised by alcoholic parents. Throughout, a portrait emerges of his mother as a beautiful, mercurial, abusive, intelligent, complicated woman.

It's a Tea Party!

9/21, St. David's Episcopal Church, 763 South Valley Forge Rd, Wayne, PA 19087. 1 to 3 p.m. 
 
We are repeating last year's successful tea with more fun (and more food!) Join us for an afternoon of fellowship with women from the 134 churches across this diocese. Event tickets are $10 which includes a catered tea party. ALL proceeds go to the diocese's female veterans moral injury project.


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 rector@stalbansnewtownsquare.org to register or inquire with questions.  
 
Travel package costs are still being finalized.

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.
 


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!  
 
 
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.
 


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 wcfood@gmail.com.
 
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
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

Sunday Lessons  

If you would like to read the lessons for Sunday, click on the link below. 

Lectionary Page


Fieldnotes Deadline - October

The deadline for the October Fieldnotes is  
Monday, September 23, 2019!
Calendar

For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar