FIELDNOTES

March 2024

 The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Easter Voices

One of the great blessings of the Episcopal Church is the determination we’ve made to welcome a variety of voices. It wasn’t always this way, in the Episcopal Church or elsewhere. While the history of the western Church at large has witnessed some variation, up until very recently that was more the exception than the rule. And while we may still struggle with some practical elements of diversity, the intention is there. We may mock them, but good intentions have value.

And that brings me to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and the cast of characters that are woven throughout the story. A man from the countryside - Simon of Cyrene - bears the burden to calvary. Two thieves hang in testimony to the work-a-day violence of Rome. A mixed crowd mocks and jeers. Soldiers hammer nails and stand watch. The women - Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Jesus, and Salome - stumble upon the empty tomb. Each of the Gospels has a different way of telling the story, yet each of them capture the drama of the moment. No two characters offer the same perspective, but all of them - even the disciples who betray, or deny, or flee altogether - cannot escape the moment. Jesus is lifted up, and everyone is being drawn to him.

As we move deep into Lent, and head on toward Holy Week, it does us good to remember that the sufferings of Christ and the joys of Easter are not just for us, meaning the Church. The Scriptures don’t say that Christ died for the religious, or the spiritual, or the respectable. In fact, they don’t even say he died for the Church. Rather, the Apostle Paul wrote that Christ died the Un-godly (Romans 5:6). For those, that is, without God.

Maybe, then, it’s those without God we need to hear the most. Those for whom the message of Jesus is still a fresh, unheard word. Those for whom the Cross is a new encounter; for whom the empty tomb is still a mystery.

Easter still speaks in countless, untold ways that we don’t understand, and in countless, unknown persons who encounter Jesus in ways we may not imagine. If we celebrate anything at this year’s feast, I hope we can celebrate that God’s reach goes far beyond us, that Easter Voices have never stopped growing. When God gathers a cast of characters around - Saints or Sinners - God means to save them all.

Lenten Blessings,

Fr. Kevin+

Expanding Our Online Community:

Follow, Like, and Share for a Stronger Connection!

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of communication, we invite the St. Francis community to participate in our social media journey. You can find us on Instagram and Facebook, where we share the latest happenings, spiritual insights, and heartwarming moments from our church life.

In the vast world of social media, your engagement is key to expanding our digital outreach. By following us on Instagram (@st_francis_in_the_fields) and Facebook (/St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church), you not only stay in the loop with our events but also become part of a thriving online community that celebrates faith, love, and fellowship. Your clicks matter – every 'like', 'share' and ‘follow’ helps amplify the message of hope that we, as a church family, hold dear.

We believe in the power of community, both within our physical walls and in the digital realm. Your active participation on social media enables us to reach hearts far and wide, sharing the love of Christ with an even broader audience. Furthermore, the weekly 10 a.m. Sunday service is available on Facebook Live and our YouTube Channel.

If your ministry has a message to share, please contact Cindy Claffey or Noel Dutton with details and pictures if possible.

Let's connect, engage, and make a positive impact together! Your support is invaluable in helping us spread the Good News and foster a sense of unity among our parish and the broader community.

Join us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube today, and be a part of something greater. Together, let's strengthen our bonds, inspire one another, and shine the light of God's love through the screens of those who need it most. Show your love by loving us online

Follow us:

Instagram: @st_francis_in_the_fields

Facebook: /St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church

YouTube: St Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church Media

Services of Holy Week and Easter

Please mark your calendars now to participate in the events of Holy Week:

Palm Sunday             March 24        Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist:

8am/10am

Maundy Thursday      March 28        Agape Feast & Stripping of the Altar: 7pm

Good Friday               March 29        Solemn Vigil: 12pm

Holy Saturday            March 30        Great Vigil of Easter: 7pm

Easter Sunday            March 31        Holy Eucharist: 8am/10am

Calendar

For the full calendar of events, please click the link below to the website. More information on many events at St. Francis can be found in this newsletter.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 

Selected Upcoming Events:

Saturday, March 2 - Men's Breakfast Fellowship (9 am, West Chester Diner)

Wednesday, March 6 - Lent Study, 10 am

Wednesday, March 6 - Lent Study with light dinner, 6-8 pm, St. Francis

Sunday, March 10 - Outreach meeting, 11:15 am

Tuesday, March 12 - Vestry Meeting, 7 pm

Wednesday, March 13 - Lent Study, 10 am

Wednesday, March 13 - Lent Study with light dinner, 6-8 pm, St. Peter's

Friday, March 15 - Book Group, 7:30 pm

Sunday, March 17 - Church School, 10 am

Wednesday, March 20 - Lent Study, 10 am

Wednesday, March 20 - Lent Study with light dinner, 6-8 pm, St. Francis

Tuesday, March 26 - Brown Bag Lunch, 11:45 am

Wednesday, March 27 - Circle of Friends, 5:30 pm

Sunday mornings at 9 am: Practicing Theological Reflection

On March 3, John Groch, an active parishioner and member of the St. Francis Vestry, will begin leading a three-Sunday series on Theological Reflection and medical ethics.

John Groch taught bioethics at Villanova University as an adjunct professor for 40 years and at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School for 20 years. He served on Riddle Hospital’s medical ethics committee for five years. In addition to serving as a volunteer for Lankenau Hospital’s Hospice program, he has spoken at area churches on medical ethics issues and arranged presentations in cooperation with the Gift of Life organ transplantation organization

March 2: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 9:00am, at the West Chester Diner (1147 West Chester Pike). This is BYOB (“Bring Your Own Bucks”).

All men of St. Francis are welcome to attend.

Study: Just War Theory

In 2003, the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church called on its members to study and understand the ancient Christian understanding of "Just War Theory". But what is Just War Theory? And what does it mean for followers of Jesus Christ?

This series continues on Wednesday, March 6, at 6pm. A light supper will be served.

March 6 - St. Francis

March 13 - St. Peter’s

March 20 - St. Francis

Visit our website for details. Click Here

March 10 - Daylight Savings Time Begins!!

Don't forget to set your clocks Saturday, March 9 before you go to bed!

Remember to Spring Forward One Hour!!

March 10 – Outreach Meeting

There will be an Outreach Meeting on Sunday, March 10 following the 10 am service in the library. 

All are welcome to attend! Grab a cup of coffee and a snack from Coffee Hour and join us!

March 10 – Fellowship Meeting

The Fellowship Committee is looking for volunteers to plan this year’s events.

Please join us for a planning meeting in the church school area after the 10:00 service on March 10!

Book Group

Friday, March 15, 7:30 pm (Library)

The Book Group selection for March 15 is Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath by Bill Browder.  

Browder recounts how he became Putin’s number one enemy by exposing Putin’s campaign to steal and launder hundreds of billions of dollars and kill anyone who stands in his way.

When Browder’s Russian lawyer was beaten to death in a Moscow jail, Browder made it his mission to go after his killers and bring them to justice.

BROWN BAG LUNCH – MARCH 26, 2024

Lisa Eckenrode (Main Line Health - Paoli Hospital and Regional Trauma Center) will present on the topic of Fall Prevention. Attendees will learn how to identify controllable risks, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, add a few basic exercises to their daily routines that support flexibility, and set goals for increasing activity.

Lisa has been an emergency department nurse and paramedic for over 30 years. She is Paoli Hospital’s Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator and has been with Main Line Health since 2010.

Small group study in April/May

You are invited to join with John & Nina Whitnah and Meridith & Tom Ridington as they journey through the Lord's Prayer. "Lord, teach us to Pray: a Study of the Lord's Prayer" will take place on six successive Monday evenings from April 15 until May 20. 

We will meet at 7-8:30 pm at the Ridingtons' home in Malvern. Space is limited to 16 participants. 

Please reach out to Tom Ridington or John Whitnah to register your interest in attending.  

National Anthem at the

Reading Fightin' Phils!



Once again, St. Francis has been invited to sing the National Anthem at “Baseball Town” in Reading. Our date is Saturday, June 15; 6:45 pm start.

Mark your calendars and plan to have a great time. Tickets will go on sale later in the year. You do NOT have to sing in order to attend . . . but it is a lot of fun!

Episcopal Visit: September 15, 2024

The Bishop is coming! The Bishop is coming! Our first in-person Episcopal visit in over six years is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024. Over the coming months, we will be gathering a list of people who are seeking Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation.

A Confirmation class for adults and for youth will be made available later in the year. If you seek any of these rites of the Church, please contact Fr. Kevin or Deacon Diane.

Pre-Marital and Marital Coaching

Fr. Kevin is now a certified Facilitator for the Prepare/Enrich pre-marital and marriage assessment program.

For over 35 years, the Prepare/Enrich assessment tool has been used by Facilitators to help couples strengthen and enrich their relationships.

If your relationship or that of someone you know could benefit from a short-term program of assessment and conversation, please reach out to Fr. Kevin for more details.

Coffee Hour



Coffee Hour hosts are needed for 2024! Please consider hosting a Sunday or two.

Contact Sue Kelly by email or sign up in the Narthex.

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, in the library, on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 pm. If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, packets can be prepared for pickup or delivery as needed.

Additionally, if you know someone who would benefit from a note of encouragement, well wishes or any other message from our ministry, we will add them to our list. We want to ensure we're reaching those who need it most. 

Immigration Ministry

To do more for refugees, please visit nscphila.org where you'll find many opportunities to donate your services or contribute goods to persons in need. 

Sign up for NSC's newsletter to get periodic updates on what you can do to help. 

For future furniture pickups, send photos to John Groch.

Altar Flowers

Please sign up for altar flowers in the book in the back of the church. The donation for the flowers is $50. 

Thanks. If you have questions contact Pam Hudson.