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FIELDNOTES
June 2024
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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Congratulations to our Graduates!
On behalf of all the members of St. Francis, I want to thank and congratulate each one of the High School Seniors - and the College Graduate - you see below. These young women and men are not only top students, but they have been faithful in Christian service here at St. Francis for many years, and each reflects the character we hope to help form through our mission and ministry. Each of the graduates is thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent, and energetic, and in their own way they are going out into the world to make it a better, more loving place. On June 9th at 10am, we will gather to honor them during our service of worship, and send them forth to continue to be, "Instruments of Peace".
Fr. Kevin+
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Charlotte Ackerman
Will be graduating from West Chester, Henderson High School on June 6th. She is also graduating from The Octorara Homeland Security & Protective Services Academy on May 29th. She has completed both the Interior Fire Fighter program as well as the EMS program at the OHSPSA. Charlotte will be attending the University of New Haven in Connecticut to study Emergency Management and Fire Science.
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Kathryn (Katie) Ackerman
Graduated on May 11, 2024 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh earning a Bachelors degree in Nursing. She has accepted a job and will be living in Pittsburgh.
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Paige Dutton
Paige has grown up at St. Francis from her time in the Nursery, Church School, Youth Group, and being an Acolyte. She will be attending The Honors College at George Mason University, Virginia pursuing a degree in Atmospheric Sciences.
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Sarah Neely was baptized at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church in Bala Cynwyd, where she also enjoyed playing quietly in the "soft space" for kids near the altar during Sunday services. In 2010 she began attending St. Francis when the family moved to Malvern. At St. Francis she has attended Sunday School and has also taught it. She has been an acolyte since third grade, been confirmed by the Bishop, and has been a member of the youth group.
She wishes to thank all the members of St. Francis who have guided her in her growing faith throughout her life.
Sarah will be attending American University in the Fall.
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Gavin Dellaria will graduate from Great Valley High School on June 6, 2024. In high school, "Gav" has been involved in Stage Crew, TV studio, the Art and Spanish Honor Societies, and numerous other endeavors, including the Chester County Youth Leadership Program. At St. Francis, Gav has served as an Acolyte and a Church School teacher, and collaborated on outreach projects. Gav was the original "cameraman" when St. Francis began streaming its services. He currently serves as part of the Streaming Team and the Meadow Minders, and will be serving on the Children's Ministry Committee. Gav will be attending Temple University and studying Environmental Engineering, with an emphasis on clean water resources. | | |
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The Blessing of Change
This June marks some significant change in my family, and all the families of the graduates you see above. All of our kids will “shift” up this month, with one moving from high school to college, one from middle to high school, and one from elementary to the new 4th & 5th grade campus. In one way or another, over the last few months, all three of them have been slowly prepared for these changes: through meetings and orientations, personal visits, and the gentle instruction of teachers and counselors. And these changes are not just happening to our kids. These changes are happening for mom and dad as well, and we’re contemplating the shifts we’ll have to make to accommodate the differences when school begins in late August.
A Christian teacher I’ve followed through the years once told an audience he keeps a pile of coins on his desk as an everyday reminder that “change happens”. It’s an anecdote that always comes to my mind when I think about the pervasiveness and necessity of the adjustments and alterations (and sometimes, wholesale shifts!) that keep life from getting rutted and stuck. While I’m not always a proponent of change for “change’s sake,” I’m amazed at how often seemingly even unnecessary changes can generate a new perspective or shift my thinking. Simply cleaning my desk or rearranging a bookcase can open up entirely new worlds of ideas and creativity.
To say change is a “biblical” concept is really just to say that the Bible doesn’t skirt the basic truths of human existence. In fact, buried not-so-deeply in the Scriptures is story after story of fresh ideas, new paths, and exciting possibilities arising in the people of God because their faith in God pushed them into new epochs. Abram and Sarai are called from Ur to Palestine and become progenitors of a multitude. A young man named David is singled out from tending sheep to become a hero and a king. A young woman named Mary likely imagined a very different life ahead of her before the Holy Spirit came and offered a new plan that she willingly accepted. A grumpy zealot named Paul was knocked off his horse to become the world’s most well-traveled evangelist of the very group he most opposed. Most of what we learn about God through the Bible we learn from people in the midst of transition.
Why am I saying all this? To help us remember that change is a blessing. And I know, the first response to reading this may be, “What is Fr. Kevin talking about? Why is he talking about change? What’s changing?!” But really, I’m just reminding myself more than anyone else, in this fluid time in the life of my family, that “change happens.” And when it does, I want to be able to receive it as a gift, and wonder what great things God is up to.
Have a happy, joy-filled summer. Welcome change, and let God surprise you!
God Bless,
Fr. Kevin+
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ALL Meetings
PLEASE call (610-647-0130) or email (stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org) Diane Faison in the church office to schedule ANY meeting at the church!
Doing this helps prevent scheduling conflicts.
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Worship in the Garden (10am)
Outdoor services of Holy Eucharist will be held at 10am on the first Sunday of each month through October 6. Pets are welcome! For inclement weather, watch for emails, Facebook posts, etc., with information about moving the service indoors.
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June 1: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship
The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, June 1 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.
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Enneagram Growth Group
The Enneagram Growth Group meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Dellaria residence in Paoli. There is no meeting in June. The next meeting is July 2.
For more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria (donnadellaria@gmail.com)
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Francis and Friends Fellowship
Mark your calendars! The next Francis and Friends Fellowship event will be held at the home of Suzanne and Sheldon Steinberg on Friday, July 19 at 6 pm.
This is a BYOB and appetizer to share party.
Water and soft drinks will be provided.
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Vacation Bible School at St. Francis July 29th to August 1st
Contacts: Sherri Lewis and Jill Quinn. We are happy to announce the return of Vacaion Bible School this summer for children ages 4 thru 5th grade. We will meet from 9:00 am to 11:30 am Monday July 29th thru Thursday August 1st. The program is “I Wonder” from Grow Kids Curriculum. Registration forms are available in the Narthex or on the website.
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What makes you wonder? What sparks your curiosity? What makes you want to explore, discover, and experiment? Kids are naturally curious, but how can we harness their curiosity to help them wonder about the God who made them? When you’re curious about who God is, it’s easy to find ways to make your relationship with Jesus grow. That’s why, in this 4-part series for VBS, we’re going to engage kids’ imaginations! Kids will not only get curious about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — they’ll get curious about the God who created it all! They’ll hear from early church leaders like Paul, Peter, John, and Timothy, who helped the first Jesus-followers wonder what made their stories unique, what gifts God gave them (and how they could use those gifts to serve), what they could learn from others, and how they could spend time with God. | |
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Let’s play Pickleball!
Mondays beginning at 5 pm in the parking lot of St. Francis-in-the-Fields.
Please sign-up using this link! Sign-up!
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Flower Garden
If you enjoy our lovely gardens and are looking for a new way to get involved, please consider joining our Garden Team!
Over the warmer months, we need people to help with watering, weeding, and applying deer repellent. No green thumb required!
We also need a few people who have a bit more experience to take ownership of a few of our specific garden areas. This responsibility includes deciding what plants to purchase, installing them, mulching, and ensuring the area is well maintained; often with the help of team members.
If you are interested or for more information, please contact Jill Quinn.
Thank you!!
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Altar Guild Help Needed
We are looking to add some new team members to the Altar Guild. If you are interested, please contact Sherri Lewis.
Interested but not sure what we do?
1.Our current team members normally serve 2 to 3 weekends per quarter.
2.We prepare the altar and church for the Sunday service by removing the dust cover from the altar, roll out the kneelers, remove cross covers and set up for communion.
3.We change the frontal as needed to coincide with the church calendar.
4. After the service we clean up and put everything back in place.
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Church School Help Needed
Church school will resume again in September, and we will be implementing a new curriculum. If you are interested in helping to teach, please contact Sherri Lewis.
Church school will continue to meet one Sunday a month through December, at which time we will decide if we will increase church school to 2 times per month.
Volunteers can pick 1 or more Sundays based on your schedule - you do not have to commit to teaching on a regular basis.
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Walking With Friends
Anyone can do it. No power walking here - just a Monday morning at 10 am pleasure walk enjoying friends and East Goshen Park. No reservation needed.
Come as you're able and your schedule allows. We meet at the parking area on the north side of Paoli Pike at the traffic light. Hope to see you then
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Mark Your Calendars!
On Friday, September 13th, St. Francis is partnering with Read & Co. Bookstore in Phoenixville to host a forum with writer and NPR correspondent, Sarah McCammon, author of the recent New York Times Bestseller, The Exvangelicals. Having grown up in the evangelical movement, Sarah reflects on how evangelical Christian culture shaped her and her faith, and why she and many others are now choosing different paths, leaving the movement that defined a generation of Americans.
"An intimate window into the world of American evangelicalism. Fellow exvangelicals will find McCammon’s story both startlingly familiar and immensely clarifying, while those looking in from the outside can find no better introduction to the subculture that has shaped the hopes and fears of millions of Americans." —Kristin Kobes Du Mez, New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne.
Please make plans now to join us that evening at St. Francis for an engaging presentation and discussion! The event is free an open to the public.
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Episcopal Visit: September 15, 2024
Our next Episcopal visit is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024.
If you plan to seek Confirmation (for those un-Confirmed), Reception (for those Confirmed in another denomination), or Reaffirmation (for those who wish to renew their vows of Baptism and Confirmation), please notify the Parish Office.
A Confirmation/Episcopal 101 class is being planned. More information will be available soon.
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Summer Fellowship
Fellowship hosts are needed for the summer months of July and August! Please consider hosting a Sunday or two.
Contact Sue Kelly or sign up in the Narthex.
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BROWN BAG LUNCH IS TAKING A HIATUS
The Brown Bag Lunch Ministry is taking a hiatus through August.
We will be back on Tuesday, September 24 with a presentation by Chester County History Center “Many Nations”. Chester County celebrates 300 years of diversity through the lens of migration. From contact between the Lenape and the first European settlers in the 1600s, people from around the world have called Chester County home. Learn about the ways national and international events have led to such a diverse local population that continues to make a significant impact on our community.
The BBL Ministry is looking for new speakers or topics so if you know someone who would like to present to the congregation, please contact Shirley Warren, Esther Underhill, Meridith Ridington, and Cindy VanHefter.
Also, we are looking for volunteers so if you are interested, please contact Shirley Warren.
Thanks again for your continued support and see you on September 24th.
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Circle of Friends
The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, June 26 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.
Please contact Shelley Steel.
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Immigration Ministry
New opportunity to help refugees in West Chester. A Ukrainian family (grandmother, mother and two teens) from Kharkiv have moved to West Chester through the sponsorship of a local couple. They hope to move into an apartment, and the mother hopes to find employment as soon as possible. In the meantime, funds are being raised for rent and other living expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/. More information about the family is posted on this site.
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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.
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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 Very Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
Diane Faison, Parish Administrator & Deacon
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 | | | | |
