FIELDNOTES
July 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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Happy Summer!
I'm (mostly) taking my traditional July break from writing a Fieldnotes article. But I hope you'll read everything below, watch the Sunday bulletins, and keep aware of the many ways our community of St. Francis is staying active and engaged. There's so much "Gospel energy" in the air as we pray and talk and plan for the work ahead of us. I'm thankful to God for every member of our parish, and for the love and devotion you live out every day. Enjoy your summer! And when you're not away at the beach, or travelling somewhere beautiful, remember that St. Francis is open, every Sunday, helping us all spread God's message of love, healing, and peace to a hurting world. Be blessed! - Fr. Kevin
News of the Family
The Rev. John William Symonds, 54, Rector of St. James Episcopal Church in Downingtown, passed away on Father’s Day, June 19, 2022, at his home with his family in Elverson, PA. He endured a brief battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer, being diagnosed in December 2021. Fr. John and Fr. Kevin were classmates for one year at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Tx. Fr. John and his family were benefactors of the 2022 Jeff Quinn Memorial Headstrong Foundation fundraiser recently held in West Chester. The full obituary for Fr. John may be found at https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/25157888/rev-john-w-symonds/downingtown/pennsylvania/james-j-terry-funeral-home-inc
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Oblation Bearers Needed!
The role of Oblation Bearer is brief, simple, and important: they bring the offerings of wine and bread to the Altar before Eucharist.
A sign-up sheet to serve as OB is in the Narthex, along with printed instructions. When your Sunday comes, the Ushers will be glad to guide you in this quick, simple, but important moment in our worship service.
Please consider signing up for an upcoming Sunday.
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Pentecost at St. Francis
What happened on the Feast of Pentecost at St. Francis?
The Acolyte Breakfast Celebration
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Recognition of our Graduates |
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A Memorial Parade March through Malvern |
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Commission on Gun Violence
As you may know, Diane Faison, our Deacon, is a member of the Commission on Gun Violence through the Diocese. Please join her in writing to the Representatives in our government to address gun control and safety.
Below is a sample letter with suggested wording. Please feel free to use it. Links are also provided for:
Diocesan Video, Commission of Gun Violence - CLICK HERE
Diocesan Video, Cameron Scott, a member of St. George St. Barnabas Episcopal Church - CLICK HERE
If you would like information on Heeding God's Call, an organization that works with our Diocese and Gun Control and Safety please contact:
Heeding God’s Call, 8812 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118
If you would like more information on the Commission on Gun Violence or Heeding God's Call please contact Diane at coachfaison@hotmail.com. Your voice is very much needed!!
Sample Letter:
Dear ______
We, as a nation, have not addressed our gun safely and gun reform issue. I am urging you, as your constituent and an Episcopalian, to implement laws to decrease gun violence including but not limited to:
~Permits to carry concealed weapons and criminal background checks for every gun purchased including those made at gun shows.
~Except for the use of military and law enforcement agencies ban the sale, transfer, importation, and manufacture of military-style assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
~Tighten laws against gun trafficking and increase penalties for those engaged in “straw purchases” of firearms for others.
~Ban the manufacturer and importation of Full-Auto Conversion kits that convert guns into automatic weapons.
~Prohibit persons from purchasing guns without evidence of gun safety training.
~Promote funding for research into the prevention and cause of gun violence.
Thank you for you concern and care in addressing these urgent matters of gun violence. The safety of all of our people depend on taking care of this devastating problem.
Sincerely,
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Night at the Ballpark
On June 18th, St. Francis teamed up with St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley for a night of fun at the Reading Fightin' Phils.
It was a fun night of baseball (until the bullpen blew it!) followed by amazing post-game fireworks.
Click on the link below to see members of St. Francis and St. Peter's singing a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem before the first pitch!
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Narrative Budget Meetings
Our Narrative Budget planning meetings have been wonderful! So much energy and so many good ideas.
If you would like to help with any of these ministries – Worship, IWC, Fellowship, Pastoral Care, Outreach, Christian Education, or Landscaping – please call the office and let us know.
TBD: Christian Education Meetings
Two initial meetings will be held in July to discuss children, youth, and adult Christian discipleship.
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Outreach – Planning and Budgeting
The next Narrative Budget Meeting for Outreach will be July 6 at 6 pm in the Library.
All are welcome to attend.
Blessings, Diane
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Brown Bag Lunch Ministry
The Brown Bag Lunch Committee will be meeting in July to discuss reconvening this ministry. The current members of the Committee are Shirley Warren, Meridith Ridington and Esther Underhill.
The ministry was created in 2018 to allow members of the congregation or outside speakers to present on an educational topic, a favorite hobby, or a vacation trip, etc. These sessions were scheduled on the first Tuesday of each month from noon to 1 pm.
Prior to COVID, we hosted over 14 speakers from the congregation, local community, and the nonprofit sector. Not only were these sessions popular, but they gave us the opportunity to learn and share information while welcoming guests and visitors.
If you would like to learn more about this ministry or be part of the Committee, please contact Shirley Warren. We will provide more information after our call.
Thanks.
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Men's Fellowship Breakfast
Fr. Kevin is inviting the men of St. Francis to gather for a Men's Fellowship Breakfast at the West Chester Diner (1147 West Chester Pike) on Saturday, July 9th, at 9:00 am.
We will plan other breakfasts and brainstorm other ideas while we eat and "ketchup" (Get it! Yeah --- Dad joke).
This is BYOB ("Bring Your Own Bucks"!).
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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 July 10, August 7, 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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Summer Bible Study: The Letter to the Romans
Fr. Kevin will offer a short summer Bible Study on Paul’s letter to the Romans each Sunday morning, 9 to 9:30 am, from July 10 thru August 7.
Considered the pinnacle of Paul’s writings, and often called the “5th Gospel,” Romans presents some of the most clear and basic ideas of the Christian faith.
The study will be offered both in-person and via Facebook and YouTube.
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Upcoming Fellowship Dates
September 11, 2022
Welcome Back Ice Cream Social immediately following the 10 am service
November 4, 2022
Fellowship Happy Hour 6:00 to 8:00 pm. BYOB and BYOA
December 9, 2022
Christmas Cocktail Party, time TBA
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Pickleball!
Pickleball is MONDAYS at 5 pm, weather permitting
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West Chester Food Cupboard
Collections have resumed for the West Chester Food Cupboard.
Needed: Unexpired, Non-Perishable Food Items, Canned Meat, Canned Fish, Cereal, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Spaghetti Sauce (cans or plastic jars), Hearty Soups, Canned Fruit.
Personal Care Items, Soaps, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Diapers (Sizes 5 and 6), Baby Wipes, Feminine Products.
A collection bin is in the Narthex. Thank you!
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Youth Group
THANK YOU!! Your generosity is overwhelming!
Collections will continue because the need continues!
Please be as generous as you can to help the women who live in the house.
See the list below and any donation you can give will be greatly appreciated.
Blessings
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Youth Group
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Book Group
The book discussion group is taking a break and resume our discussions in September with Born A Crime, by Trevor Noah.
Enjoy your summer reading. Let us know if you read a book you would like to discuss with the group when we’re back in the fall
Friday, September 16, 7:30 pm
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.
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Facebook and Instagram!
DON'T BE SHY! Would you like to share something about yourself, a fun fact about our church or anything in between?
Please contact Noel Dutton to be featured on our church social media.
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, July 27 at 5:30 pm. We hope you will join us!
For more information please contact Sherri Lewis.
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Lectionary Bible Study
Our Wednesday Bible Study will be on summer break from July 6 through August 10.
The study will resume its hybrid format (in-person and via Zoom) on August 17.
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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 help 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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