The Monthly Newsletter of 

Nothing worthwhile happens in the work of Christian community by happenstance. Built into the word “discipleship”, as we well know, is that challenging and sometimes scary word, “discipline”. Discipline, as a concept, implies intentionality. We have to set our mind to things in order for them to happen. I could give examples that all of us probably know - examples of successful school students, perhaps, or prosperous business leaders. But perhaps the best example of the intentionality of discipleship comes from one, short passage in the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, as we are introduced to Andrew and Peter. “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:18; NAS)

In our day and age - and ours is no more unique or special in this way than any other - there are many nets. We are “caught up” in many things. Friends, family, and fun; sports, clubs, and entertainment; vacations and weekend getaways; television, the internet - each of those has its place, and each can be a gift and a blessing. But at some point, if we want to be Disciples of Jesus Christ, we have to do so with intentionality. It will not happen by accident, wedged in between the other demands of life. While the Spirit may dwell in us through baptism, to be shaped in the image of Christ, we must lay down our nets and follow him.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 

A.k.a., “Episcopal 101”. A broad look at the history, practices, and polity of the Episcopal Church, and why the Episcopal approach to Christianity has something valuable to offer to the world. Newcomers to the Episcopal Church and/or St. Francis are strongly encouraged to attend. This class will meet the requirements for adults seeking Confirmation or Reception in the Episcopal Church at the next Episcopal visitation (TBD). This program will be presented in a hybrid and recorded format.

The Enneagram Journey: Sundays, 11:30am to 1:30pm, Nov. 6 – Feb. 12

(12 Sundays) Lunch provided. The Enneagram is a powerful tool with ancient roots that offers insight into personality, spiritual struggles, temptations and motivations, and most of all, relationships with others. This is a great course for couples and individuals alike. For more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria. Cost is $50. Class limited to15.

From January to May, join Fr. Kevin for background and interpretation of the last book in the Bible. A source of confusion for some, misuse and abuse by others, the Revelation to St. John is instead the most logical conclusion to the canon of Scripture, with a beautiful, hopeful, but challening message for followers of Jesus Christ living in difficult times. Revelation is also an excellent book for learning and honing Bible reading and study skills useful to any Disciple.

v West Chester Food Cupboard is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff

v Provides a variety of fresh and nonperishable healthy food items to those in need

v Serve approximately 900 households a month (1,800 registered)

v Provide approximately 2 weeks’ worth of groceries free of charge each month

v Total food provided to all clients in a year is 1.5 million pounds

v Rely on the support of the local community – we provide the labor and the community provides the means with cash and food donations

The Food Cupboard is offering a tour of their facility to our parishioners on either Wednesday, November 16 (11:00AM to Noon) or Thursday, November 17 (Noon to 1PM). If you are interested, please contact Shirley Warren with a preferred date.  Please note: we will go with the date and time the majority selects.

Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, November 1 at noon when our guest speaker will be Terri Potrako, Executive Directive of Volunteer English Program (VEP).

On Tuesday, December 6, Tracy Behringer, Chester County Hospital will speak about mental health. These will be in-person sessions with a Zoom option for those who are unable to attend in person.

We would like everyone to join us Friday, November 4 from 6pm to 8pm for a Fellowship event in the undercroft. Please bring an appetizer to share and your own beverage. Water and soft drinks will be provided.

The Festive Christmas Party will be December 9. Put this on your calendar so you don't miss this wonderful event!

The next Men’s Fellowship will meet at the West Chester Diner (1147 W. Chester Pike) on Saturday, November 5, at 9am.

The Feast of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day) will be observed this year on Sunday, November 6. 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.

Caleb’s Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks

Bethia Mayfield is a restless and curious young woman growing up in Martha's Vineyard in the 1660s amid a small band of pioneering English Puritans. At age twelve, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond that draws each into the alien world of the other. Bethia's father is a Calvinist minister who seeks to convert the native Wampanoag, and Caleb becomes a prize in the contest between old ways and new, eventually becoming the first Native American graduate of Harvard College. Inspired by a true story and narrated by the irresistible Bethia, Caleb’s Crossing brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave, openhearted spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of superstition and

The Radium Girls, by Kate Moore

Your purchase will be available for pickup on December 3 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 your order form with payment by November 20. Checks should be made payable to St. Francis with the notation “St. Clares Flower Sale” on the memo line.

We are closing the Pickleball season at St. Francis with a Fellowship event on Monday, November 28 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Please bring an appetizer to share and a beverage of your choice. 

Calling all bakers! St. Francis' annual Cookie Walk will be held Saturday, December 3 alongside the St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale pickup. You can help in two ways: We need

1.) As many people as possible to bake cookies of all kinds.

Please bring them BAGGED and LABELED to St. Francis BEFORE December 3^th;

2.) Help putting out signs. This is one of our best fundraisers of the year, and draws many people to St. Francis.

All proceeds will be donated to the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County. There will be a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

Contact: Michelle Samet.

Register for the Blood Drive at St. Francis on December 12! St. Francis will host our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday, December 12 from 2-7 pm. 

Please consider donating blood to help patients in need in our community. If you are healthy and eligible, roll up your sleeve, book your appointment

at www.redcrossblood.org (search St. Francis Malvern) and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross!

Questions, contact Sue Lenkaitis.

As mentioned in the October Fieldnotes, St. Francis Church applied for and received a Clergy Renewal Grant in August. Our church was one of six in Pennsylvania to receive a grant for which we are very grateful.

Please click the link below to read the full announcement, which the Committee will share with our Diocese, National Church and Episcopal Seminary in Austin, TX.

Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Sabbatical Planning Committee listed below, if you have any questions. Thanks again for your support.

Sabbatical Planning Committee Members: Jane Brooks, Don Jenkins, Fr. Kevin, Nancy Needhammer, Joe Perry, Jill Quinn, John Woodcock (Pastoral Consultant) and Shirley Warren (Chair).

On October 18, Mahala took 15.5 pounds of golden beets, white salad turnips, parsley, scallions and romaine lettuce to the West Chester Food Cupboard. This is the final yield for 2022 from the garden. The 2022 total is 201.6 pounds. The 2021 total was 460 pounds. 

Dressers, beds (not mattresses), tables and chairs, lamps, sofas and upholstered chairs in good condition are top priority items.

Please email or text photos of furniture to John Groch.

Thank you!

Circle of Friends is a pastoral care ministry of note writing (birthday, get well, thank you, encouragement, etc.)

The Circle of Friends will meet in person on Wednesday, November 30 at 5:30 pm. We hope you will join us!

For more information please contact Susan Lenkaitis.

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, www.stfrancisfields.com.

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.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields is a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, a member of The Episcopal Church, and part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.