The Monthly Newsletter of 

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.

If you’re from another Christian tradition, or maybe you’re new to the church entirely, an Episcopal Church can seem like a mystery. Like any other church, our parishes are a mixture of long-standing denominational tradition, regional custom, and local preference. Because of the nature of our origin in both Protestant and Catholic histories, even Episcopal language can be strange (Where is the Narthex? What’s a lavabo?). Truth is, we may use strange words and employ ancient customs, but none of these are meant to be a barrier for anyone to to find their place of belonging and their ministry in our churches, and they are certainly not intended as a barrier to relationship with God.

Nevertheless, it can still be a challenge for newcomers, or even long-time members, to understand how to get involved and get the most out of participation in a new congregation. Some people are naturally more reticent about getting involved or trying something new. If you’re like me, you may be less inclined to “put yourself out there,” for fear that you may not be welcomed or “have what it takes”. Others just don’t know where to begin, or who to ask to get involved. That’s why some of the most important work in the church is helping people discover their place, make friends, and find ways that their gifts and talents can help in the work of our community.

The truth is, there are no “mysteries” here, or at least, there aren’t meant to be (except for the Eucharist, but that’s last month’s article). There are no secret handshakes or special privileges for certain people or vessels that, if touched wrong, will turn you into a toad. The church is just people, “warts and all” as we say, trying to figure out how they fit in God’s plan. And our hope for all members of St. Francis is that they find deep and fulfilling connections in our congregation and are able to serve God to the fullest of their abilities. Whether it’s greeting someone as an Usher, or participating in our Wednesday Bible Study, or setting up for a service as a member of the Altar Guild, or serving on a committee, or just making coffee, all of our ministries present an opportunity to match calling to community: matching your calling, that is, to our larger community.

So, if you’re reading this and you feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to put your life into deeper service here at St. Francis, listen to those nudges. Because there’s a place for you here; a way God is inviting you to serve. Almost every ministry in our parish has room for more willing souls, and getting involved is a great way to build connections with other people and be employed in Gospel ministry. All of us are part of a bigger whole, as we were created to be from the beginning. That is no mystery, but a wonderful truth waiting to be discovered.

and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Sarah Dutton, daughter of David and Noel Dutton, will graduate from Rustin High School and will be attending Millersville University Honors College in the fall.

She received the Presidential Scholarship and the Undergraduate Scholarship.

Her major is Secondary History Education.

The Feast of Pentecost is one of the Principal Feasts of the Christian calendar. It is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit, sometimes referred to as the "Birthday of the Church". Mark your calendars to join us this Pentecost for a very special Sunday indeed! That day will include:

Youth Led Worship & Senior Sermon

Acolyte Recognition

Holy Baptism

This is going to be fun one! So watch for more information in the days ahead. Hope to see you there!

St. Francis has been invited to march in the upcoming parade in Malvern. For all who can, please come and take part, and help make St. Francis known in our community as a place of love, healing, and peace!

We will be carrying our banner and tossing candy to the crowd. Fr. Kevin has been asked to give the invocation at the closing ceremonies.

Parade lineup begins at 1pm, and the parade begins at 1:30, with the route going down King, Warren, and Monument before ending up at the Paoli Battleground.

All who march with us get a FREE St. Francis t-shirt (while supplies last!) which we ask you to wear in the parade.

For more information, watch for an email this week.

On Monday June 6th, we are holding our second annual Jeff Quinn Memorial Golf Outing, benefitting HEADstrong Foundation.  The outing is at Penn Oaks Golf Club in West Chester.  

Golf is for ladies only with lunch at 11 am and tee off at 12:30 pm, but everyone is welcome to join in the post golf festivities at 5:30 pm. Dinner tickets are $65 and include appetizers, buffet and soft drinks (cash bar for beer and wine.)  We have several St. Francis ladies golfing, and have room for more at $185 (includes lunch, golf fees, and dinner.)

CLICK HERE to register. The sponsor code is "St Francis Malvern” so you will always be able to find the drive(s) online.

St. Francis is beginning a Narrative Budgeting process for 2023 and beyond. This work allows us to discuss and strategically plan the ministries and events of our parish in advance of the pledging and budgeting process.

Over the next several weeks, meetings will be held to consider seven important areas of parish life: Worship, Invite-Welcome-Connect, Fellowship, Christian Discipleship (all ages), Pastoral Care, Outreach, and Exterior Landscaping.

If you are interested in being a part of any of these discussions, please contact Fr. Kevin or Jill Quinn, Rector’s Warden. Your interest and participation does not obligate you to be part of a committee, but does allow you to share in the planning process.

Please consider taking part in these important discussions, based on your interest.

Outreach will have their meeting on Thursday, June 9 at 7 pm in the parish hall at St. Francis-in-the-Fields.  If you are interested in being a part of this discussion, please contact Diane Faison in the church office, 610-647-0130 or email at stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org.

Your interest and participation does not obligate you to be part of a committee, but does allow you to share in the planning process.

Please consider taking part in this important discussion.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Blessings, Diane

The Narrative Budget planning session for Exterior Landscaping is Wednesday, June 15, at 6pm. We would plan to limit the meeting to 1 1/2 hours at the very most. Please contact Fr. Kevin if you plan to attend this meeting.

Fellowship will have their meeting on Tuesday, June 21 from 4-5 pm. Please contact Suzanne Steinberg if you will be attending this meeting.

Welcome Back Ice Cream Social immediately following the 10 am service

Fellowship Happy Hour 6:00 to 8:00 pm. BYOB and BYOA

Christmas Cocktail Party, time TBA

Pickleball will be MONDAYS at 5 pm, weather permitting.

CLICK HERE to sign up!

The sabbatical application was received by the Lilly Foundation in April and we will be notified by end of August of the results.

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

THANK YOU!! Your generosity is overwhelming! Mother Sherry and the residents of Thistle Hills greatly appreciate your donations.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 

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. 

Contact Eileen Jenkins at (610) 639-8721 or eileenjenk@gmail with any questions.

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, June 22 at 5:30 pm. We hope you will join us!

For more information please contact Sherri Lewis.

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.