FIELDNOTES
September 2022
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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Scripture, Reason, and Tradition:
The “Three-Legged Stool” of Anglicanism
Note: Fr. Kevin is writing a series of articles in 2022 on what it means to be Episcopalian. If you have a topic or question you would like discussed or answered, please email Fr. Kevin at frkevin@stfrancisfields.org.
From time to time, you may have heard The Episcopal Church referred to as a “thinking person’s church,” a term used to distance our church from a kind of blind religious devotion. Of course, used in the wrong way, that moniker can sound elitist and offensive, demeaning other Christian denominations even as it attempts to elevate our own. Nevertheless, that phrase - “a thinking person’s church” - does capture an important characteristic of Episcopal thought and practice that is steeped in our history as Anglicans.
In conversation, the phrase, “thinking person’s church” is often associated with the long-standing theological triumvirate of Scripture, Reason, and (Church) Tradition. Known affectionately as the “Three-Legged Stool” of Anglicanism, these three sources of church authority were articulated in the theological works of the Rev. Richard Hooker (d.1600), a foundational figure in English theological thought. Living as he did during a time of great religious upheaval and cultural change, Hooker’s work was as an important attempt to counter extremist ideas that were arising in his day. Plotting a cautious and thoughtful path between Catholicism and Protestantism, Hooker laid the groundwork for what would later be termed the via media, an approach that would itself become a cornerstone of Anglican theology and thought.
There is an argument to be made, however - and, I believe, a valid one - that Hooker never meant to give the impression of equal balance between the three sources of authority. What he suggested, rather, was the interpretation and application of Scripture in the Church as read in the light of Reason and Tradition. This arrangement retains Scripture’s first place in Christian life and practice, but in a way that recognizes the importance and value of both Reason (e.g., science, philosophy, psychology, etc.) and the received Tradition of the Church.
If you’re new to the Episcopal Church, depending on your prior religious background, this may look strange. In any given conversation at any level of the Episcopal Church, you may find individuals with many different educational backgrounds, experiences, and social or political viewpoints arguing over the meaning and application of the same faith in Christ. In Bible study, Episcopalians may wrestle at one moment with the latest developments in psychology, anthropology, or medicine, and immediately afterward consult an ancient writing of the Apostolic Mothers and Fathers. Hopefully, we do this with the respect and deference to one another that is expected of sisters and brothers in the faith. But as a whole, Episcopalians rejoice in our ability to explore the Scriptures just as we explore the world: with a sense of wonder, receptivity, and expectation.
After nearly five centuries of use in the Anglican church, Episcopalians continue to give the “three-legged stool” a valued place in our church, reminding ourselves that our faith and practice as Christians does not exist in a religious vacuum. We consider the Scriptures from a variety of angles, believing that the revelations of the Holy Spirit come to us in many ways, and through many people. In this way we keep ourselves open to the movement of God, remaining flexible and welcoming to the voice of the Divine in our midst.
Fr. Kevin+
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Discipleship Classes Coming in October!
Mark your calendars for two Christian Education offering that will begin in October
Get Your House in Order: Each Sunday evening in October, 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
Interrupted by the COVID shut-down in 2020, this 5-week class will present information on end-of-life preparation. From preparing Wills and POAs to planning the details of your funeral, this program is designed to answer questions and remove some of the stress of planning for dying and death. A light supper will be provided. This program will be in-person only.
Inquirer’s Class: Sunday mornings from 9 to 9:30, Oct. 9 – Dec. 12 (10 weeks)
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. Class limited:15.
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Brown Bag Lunch Ministry
After two years of hiatus, The Brown Bag Lunch (BBL) will resume in October with the following speakers:
Tuesday, 10/4 – West Chester Food Cupboard – Joseph Fratinardo
Tuesday, 11/1 – Volunteer English Program (VEP) – Terri Potrako
Tuesday, 12/6 – Chester County Hospital. (Presenter to be announced).
These will be in-person sessions with a Zoom option for those who are unable to attend in person. Attendees bring their own lunch/snack and beverages will be provided.
The Committee will re-assess the program after the December session for any COVID related concerns or internal changes that need to be made. If no changes or concerns, sessions will continue in February through June 2023.
The BBL ministry was created in 2018 to allow members of St. Francis or outside speakers to present on an educational topic, a favorite hobby, or a vacation trip, etc. These sessions are scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month from noon-1PM. Prior to COVID, we hosted 15 sessions with presenters from the congregation, local community, and the nonprofit sector.
We are looking for presenters for 2023, so if you are interested, please contact Shirley Warren , Meridith Ridington or Esther Underhill. We thank you and look forward to seeing you on October 4th.
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Did you know some of our parishioners’ volunteer work
goes beyond the 4 walls of our church?
There is a place right in our own backyard that provides a place for families to stay when they are receiving cancer treatments in the Greater Philadelphia region. Located in Swarthmore, it’s called Nick’s House and is one of the key services provided by HEADstrong Foundation. Jill Quinn, a longstanding member of our parish, began volunteering here at least once a week to honor the life of her son Jeffrey who passed away from cancer in 2016. Gardening, decorating, making up comfort kits, or even holding a patient’s hand and being there for them are just some of the things Jill does.
The idea for the HEADstrong Foundation came about when Nicholas “Head” Colleluori, a member of the lacrosse team at Hofstra University, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He and his family witnessed other families going through similar experiences, living out of the cars while going back and forth into the city for treatments. Unfortunately, Nicholas did not win his battle, but he had a vision to take the burden off of families who travel hundreds of miles just to receive treatments. “Our goal is to bring a sense of normalcy to patient’s lives, and keeping families together in the fight is a must.”
If you would like to learn more about HEADstrong Foundation and Nick’s House you can visit: headstrong.org and/or reach out to Jill who can help answer any questions.
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Worship in the Garden
St. Francis has beautiful grounds that are lovingly cared for, and a connection to the land we inhabit. We want to highlight and celebrate that connection in both worship and service.
So please mark your calendars and join us for outdoor worship at 10am on September 4, and October 2 (St. Francis Day).
These services will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
Helpers will be needed for both setup and cleanup. In the event of inclement weather, we will worship in the Nave.
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October 2: St. Francis Day
with Blessing of the Animals
The Feast of St. Francis will be celebrated Sunday, October 2, with indoor Eucharist at 8:00am, and OUTDOOR Eucharist with the Blessing of the Animals at 10:00am (weather permitting).
Bring your pets to worship with you: dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, tarantulas (in a cage, please…). Invite your friends and their pets, too!
We will once again be collecting donations for the Brandywine SPCA!!
Needs!
For the Pups
- Heavy duty dog toys
- Food puzzles
- No-pull harnesses: Freedom Harness, Balance Harness, EZ Walk (M/L/XL)
- Martingale collars: ¾ inch or 1 inch (M/L)
- Training clickers with wrist strap
- Travel pet carriers (S/M/L)
- Wet dog food
- Kongs (all sizes)
- E-collars
- Frisbees
- Carabiners
- Peanut butter (smooth, nothing with xylitol)
- Towels and blankets (Washed, gently used items are great, but no knitted or crocheted items, down comforters, used dog beds or pillows, please)
For Our Fosters
- KMR powder
- Pet nursing bottles
- Dry and wet kitten food (no color added)
- Heating pads (Snuggle Safes)
- X-Pens
- Pureed baby food (chicken and gravy only)
For the Kitties
- Cat scratchers from stretchandscratch.com
- Cat toys
- Food puzzles
- Laser pointers
- Cat litter (clumping and unscented) and standard size litter boxes
- Small throw blankets
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Welcome Back Sunday
Welcome Back Sunday is September 11.
We will be serving ice cream following the service and hope you’ll join us for a scoop or two!
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Welcome!
With Welcome Back Sunday coming up on September 11, let’s take some time to reflect on the opportunity this presents us. We will see parishioners who may be returning to in-person worship after being away on vacation, having COVID concerns, or for other personal reasons. We may also begin to see new faces sitting in our pews.
St. Francis has a fine reputation for being a warm and friendly community, but now more than ever, we cannot rest on our laurels! Here are some gentle reminders of ways we can ensure our ability to make others feel welcome remains top-notch:
DO wear your name tag! This is one way to learn “who’s who” among members or regular attendees and may help identify visitors.
DO scout out people who do not seem familiar to you and if possible, introduce yourself. Try to determine if they are new to St. Francis or just “new to you.”
DO plan to stay for Coffee Hour, even briefly when you can. After dismissal, ask someone who doesn’t seem familiar if they are going to Coffee Hour and if so, make an attempt to find them and continue your chat.
DO talk about upcoming Fellowship events, especially to newer members who may be hesitant. Those who have never been may not realize how fun and casual they are!
DON’T let someone who seems like a prospective member walk out the door with no contact. Introduce yourself, encourage them to stop at our visitors table, and mention Coffee Hour!
DON’T let anyone stand idle on the sidelines, especially if they are unknown to you. Make an effort to bring them into your conversation, making introductions as needed.
DON’T limit yourself to having conversations with only those you know best! At each Coffee Hour or Fellowship event, make an effort to talk with someone you don’t know as well as your close St. Francis friends.
While these reminders seem like common sense, especially for St. Francis, there are plenty of churches where visitors and new members get a lukewarm welcome at best. We must keep up our good work!!
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Blood Drive, September 15 - Mark Your Calendar!
Schedule your appointment today and join other St. Francis parishioners and members of our community to donate blood to help patients in need in our community. Mark your calendar and consider donating blood to help patients in need in our community.
Drive Details:
Site: St Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church
Address: 689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA, 19355
Room: The Undercroft
Date: Thursday Sep 15, 2022
Time: 2:00: PM - 7:00: PM
The need for blood is constant. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.
For information call Sue Lenkaitis.
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Pickleball!
Pickleball will be MONDAYS at 5 pm weather
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Book Group
Friday, September 16, 7:30pm
Born A Crime, by Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah’s unlikely path from apartheid South Africa to the desk of The Daily Show began with a criminal act: his birth. Trevor was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother at a time when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Living proof of his parents’ indiscretion, Trevor was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life, bound by the extreme and often absurd measures his mother took to hide him from a government that could, at any moment, steal him away.
Born a Crime is the story of a mischievous young boy who grows into a restless young man as he struggles to find himself in a world where he was never supposed to exist. It is also the story of that young man’s relationship with his fearless, rebellious, and fervently religious mother—a woman determined to save her son from the cycle of poverty, violence, and abuse that would ultimately threaten her own life.
Trevor illuminates his curious world with an incisive wit and unflinching honesty. His stories weave together to form a moving and searingly funny portrait of a boy making his way through a damaged world in a dangerous time, armed only with a keen sense of humor and a mother’s unconventional, unconditional love.
Friday, October 21, 7:30pm
State of Wonder, by Ann Patchett
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Facebook and Instagram!
SEND US YOUR STORIES! Would you like to share something about yourself, a fun fact about our church or anything in between?
This is a fun and easy way to connect our parish members!
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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.)
The Circle of Friends will meet in person on Wednesday, September 28 at 5:30 pm. We hope you will join us!
For more information please contact Sherri Lewis.
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Lectionary Bible Study
This weekly study group meets both in-person and on Zoom to discuss the readings for the upcoming Sunday. Those who attend in-person gather after for a brief service of Holy Eucharist. A weekly email link is sent out for those who desire to attend virtually. Everyone is invited to attend. This group is a great way to get to know other people in the parish.
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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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Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
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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 & Parish Administrator
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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