FIELDNOTES
November 2021
The Monthly Newsletter of
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Malvern, Pennsylvania
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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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Thank You...
For making your 2022 pledge to
St. Francis-in-the-Fields!
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The Saints of All Hallow’s Eve
I’ve long found it fascinating that the goofy, often raucous celebration we call “Halloween” is actually the “eve” - “All Hallow’s Eve” - of one of the major holy days of the Christian year; a “Principal Feasts” identified by Book of Common Prayer (pg. 15). After all, these two days seem so disconnected. Unlike Christmas “Eve”, and Easter “Eve” (The Great Vigil), there are no liturgical celebrations on the “eve” of All Saints’ Day, no blessing of the costumes, and no prayers for the collection of candy.
All true historical connections aside, however - and those are certainly real - I believe there is a profound theological connection between these two very distinct days (including the oft-forgotten “Feast of All Souls”, properly celebrated on November 2nd). After all, on what other day of the year can you find a Witch, a Rabbit, a Dinosaur, Spider-Man, and Cruela de Vil (see footnote) all marching together in line, from neighbor to neighbor, sharing together joyously in freely-given food? On what other days do entire neighborhoods appear, in person, to publicly and happily engage in a shared, communal ritual? (You might say “Election Day”, but remember I said, “happily”). On what other days do we exhibit to one another some of our deepest, most primal fears, only with the intention to laugh together and make fun of the things that truly terrify us?
Truth be told, perhaps we should start looking to Halloween as a model for renewing our Christian rituals, rather than looking at our Christian rituals as a model for “redeeming” Halloween (as some well-meaning Christians have suggested). Halloween, after all, has so many of the elements that we claim to cherish as followers of Jesus: innocence and joy; diversity and inclusion; celebration and feasting. Halloween, it seems, is a holiday in which the very intent is to remove the boundaries between us. Our masks and costumes may appear on the surface to separate us, but in the end they pull us together in one crazy, collective liturgy.
Which brings me back to All Saints’, and All Souls, and the meaning and importance of these “High Holy Days” for the Christian Church. If we come to these rightfully holy days and do no more than somberly remember those who have gone before us - the “Saints” - we’ve missed the point. Life in Christ is a call to rich and joyful party; a vast banquet spread out before us, and open to every people, and nation, and tribe, and tongue. And that means that All Saints’ and All Souls, just like Halloween, are feast days for rejoicing. These are days of recognition for the breadth and depth of life and goodness that God shares with us through the families we are born into, the friends we share, and all the souls we encounter in our travels in this blessed universe.
There’s a crazy, wacky world full of humans out there, appearing in every costume imaginable. Each one of them is a beloved child of God. And each and every one is invited to the party.
¹These are the top 5 costumes of 2021, per Google’s “FrightGeist”. https://frightgeist.withgoogle.com/
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Fall Back One Hour
Change your clocks on November 7 - Fall back one hour.
Set your clocks Saturday evening, 11/6, before you go to bed!
Get that extra hour of sleep!!
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Ingathering Brunch
To celebrate the end of our annual stewardship campaign on November 7, we plan to resume holding our Ingathering Brunch. While this brunch will be held inside, please know that we will take every precaution to ensure COVID safety protocols are followed.
The event will feature catered food, servers will wear masks and gloves, we will call up tables one at a time, and ensure tables are spaced apart. Weather permitting, we may also open windows and doors or you may take your food outside.
If you are comfortable with this setting, please use the Sign-Up Genius to let us know you are attending.
And as a reminder, please return your pledge cards by Sunday, November 7, if you have not done so already, and thank you if you have!!
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Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
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All Saints’ Cemetery Service of Remembrance
A service of prayer and remembrance for our friends and loved ones buried in the St. Francis Churchyard Cemetery will be held on Monday, November 1 at 12 pm (Noon).
The short prayer service will take place at the outside Altar, near the Cross. In inclement weather, the service will move into the Church to the front of the Nave.
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All Souls Remembrances
The Feast of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) will be observed this year on Sunday, November 7.
The Parish Office is collecting names of family members and friends who have died over the last two years to be read from the Altar at Eucharist. To submit a name, please email the office: stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org.
In addition, members are encouraged to bring photographs of any loved one who has died to be placed on the Altar during the service that Sunday morning. These can be dropped off in advance of that Sunday (preferred), or brought to the service that day.
All pictures will be returned.
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November 14: Harvest Home
Our annual Harvest Home collection for the West Chester Food Cupboard is coming up!
West Chester Food Cupboard has expressed a need for: Canned Fruit, Personal Care Items, Canned Meat and Fish, Canned Beef Stew.
Thank you for your generous donations for people in need!
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Rescue for Refugees
A call to action! As the opening article in the latest "Fieldnotes" reminded us, peace coupled with action is at the heart of our beloved "Prayer to St. Francis". With that in mind, the Holy Spirit has been prompting some in our parish to establish a parish outreach ministry devoted to supporting current and future immigrants and issues related to immigration.
To learn how we can be most effective with our time, talent, and treasure, we have established a relationship with Episcopal Migration Ministries, which has assisted over 97,000 people to resettle in the United States.
If assisting the needs of immigrants, persons who are displaced, or those seeking refuge or asylum in the U.S. is of interest to you, please join us for an initial informational and organization ministry meeting on Sunday, November 21st, at 11:15am.
During that meeting, we will share what we've learned so far and begin to discuss how we can move forward. Thank you.
Contact: Kathy Schilling
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Children's Room
If you have not yet had a chance, take a peek into the newly redecorated Children's Room, which is the former library. Laura Petersen and Sue Nangle did an outstanding job making the space colorful and cheery through their hard work and creativity. The Noah's Ark composite was actually hand-painted by Sue. Laura scouted out a used rocker in excellent condition at a bargain price. Together, they repainted furniture and shopped for cute accents to make the room perfect for our youngest members and guests.
Additionally, have you checked out the newly repurposed restroom? The Chester county landscape photographs are Ed Damereau originals. Rich Richards, advised us on layout and arranged for framing.
The fresh decor in both of these rooms is a much needed improvement! A huge thank you goes out to Laura, Sue, Ed, and Rich!
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Adult Discipleship
Sunday Mornings with Fr. Kevin
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Fr. Kevin is leading an introduction to the Bible from 9:00 to 9:30 each Sunday morning for several weeks.
“Bible 101” will be held in-person, and also streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Class will take place in the Classroom section of the Undercroft.
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Book Group
Friday, November 19, 7:30
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
This historical novel is set in East Prussia near the end of World War II. It is inspired by the real-life tragedy of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the greatest maritime disaster in history. Thousands of refugees, among them Joana, Emilia, and Florian are on a desperate trek toward freedom. The three find strength, courage, and trust in each other as they come closer to safety.
But, just as freedom seems within reach, tragedy strikes. All ten thousand people aboard the ship, adults and children alike, must fight for survival.
The author unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.
Friday, January 21, 2022, 7:30
I'll Mature When I'm Dead by Dave Barry
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St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale
It’s time again for the St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale! All the proceeds from this annual fundraiser go to community outreach projects.
Order forms are available in the Narthex or on the home page of the church website. Please return your order form with payment by Friday, November 12. If paying by check, make checks payable to “St. Francis-in-the-Fields” with the notation “flower sale” on the memo line. 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.
Orders will be available for pick up on December 4 from 9 – 10:30 am. Like last year, there will be a drive-through pickup of orders - no need to park! Pull up to the sidewalk at the back of the Parish Hall, and your order will be brought out to your car. Thanks for your support!
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The Great DIOPA Bluejeans Drive
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Your generosity is overwhelming. We collected 5 FULL bins of jeans, 100 jeans, for those in need! The Diocese, Deacons, and myself thank you very much for all the donations!!
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Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends is a pastoral care ministry of note writing (birthday, get well, thank you, encouragement, etc.) Our next “Circle” will be Wednesday, November 24 @ 6:30 pm in the Narthex. Everyone is invited to attend.
Circle of Friends will meet in the Narthex the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. 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. Please join us.
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Letters for Rose
Letters for Rose is a volunteer opportunity to bring cheer to residents in retirement communities, and a special project of Sophia Schnackenberg, one of our St. Francis youth.
A collection box is near the Letters for Rose poster in the narthex and collections will continue through spring 2022.
Letters for Rose is not associated with Circle of Friends, the note-writing ministry of St. Francis.
More information can be found at lettersforrose.org.
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Lectionary Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meets at St. Francis on Wednesdays at 10 am to pray and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. LBS is currently using “hybrid” format (in-person and virtual), with Holy Eucharist to follow.
To join virtually, see the weekly email link.
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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.
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St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
689 Sugartown Road
Malvern, PA 19355
610-647-0130
stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org
stfrancisfields.org
The Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
The Rev. Diane E. Faison, Deacon
Mr. Joe Perry, Music Director
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Want to know more about us?
St. Francis-in-the-Fields is an active parish, even during COVID-19. For more information about our worship, outreach, and other ministries, visit our parish website, www.stfrancisfields.org. Our monthly parish newsletter, Fieldnotes, may be found by clicking HERE. Stay current on events by following our parish on Facebook.
Our Global Communion
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St. Francis-in-the-Fields | 610-647-0130 | 689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355 |
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