FIELDNOTES
January 2023

 The Monthly Newsletter of 
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
Malvern, Pennsylvania
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.
Free Poinsettias!

After the 10 am church service on Sunday, January 1, please take a poinsettia or two home with you, give to a shut-in, or give to a neighbor. All poinsettias need to find a home!

Enjoy!!
Are You Born Again?
 
I’m a big believer in New Year’s Resolutions. I know some people hate them, and most of us mock them (even the ones who like them!). But actually, I like resolutions in general. I like new beginnings. I like resolve and determination, no matter when they’re made. Sure, I may only be about 15% effective in life at most of my resolutions, but hey, as someone once said, I would rather have 15% of 100 than 98% of 2. New Year’s Resolutions, scientifically speaking (see NPR’s, The Hidden Brain), can have a positive impact when handled properly. In a real way, they can help be “born again”.
 
“Born again” is a phrase that comes with a lot of baggage. Often, in fact, it comes with an unspoken kind of judgment, meant to distinguish one “class” of human beings from another. That said, there is still power in the metaphor. To be “born again” in terms of the Christian faith has to do with old life and new life; with freshness, and growth, and the excitement of maturity. It means something new has happened to us, and God has been involved.
 
The thing is, being “born again” - in the biblical sense - has nothing to do with resolve. Even the first time we’re born, we don’t have much say in the matter. And for it to happen again, even metaphorically, shouldn’t imply any difference. Otherwise Jesus would be better advised to use popular American words like “determination” and “commitment” to describe the process of salvation.
 
Instead of active words like that, Jesus chose images like “birth” and “crucifixion” (as in, “take up your cross and follow”) to describe salvation in terms of dying and living again. As opposite as these images are in so many ways, their similarities hold a lot of truth. Birth and crucifixion both involve powerlessness. Both involve shock, confusion, and pain. And both - well, to put it kindly - both are rather messy.
 
And that brings me back to New Year’s Resolutions, and things like faith and spirituality. Because as we journey over the next few months from Christ’s birth (Christmas) to his crucifixion (Good Friday), we may find ourselves a.) “Going through the motions”. That is, paying little attention to our spiritual lives with no real determination or commitment to growth and maturity, or b.) “Self-abasing” (for lack of a better term). That is, measuring ourselves against some unrealistic religious standard and making determination and commitment the “end-all, be-all” of Christian discipleship.
 
But if anything, like most New Year’s Resolutions - and like birth and crucifixion - the spiritual journey is messy. The road from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, symbolically speaking, is not a straight line. And unlike resolutions, that journey is not something we undertake in our own power. To be “born again” is to be willing to receive from God - forgiveness, mercy, grace, love - and let that be our starting point. And our end point. And all points in between.
 
So let me encourage you - as we start this New Year of 2023 on a Sunday, the day of resurrection - to let yourself be “born again”. Acknowledge God’s welcome of you, God’s favor towards you, to be complete, and whole, with nothing lacking. And let the messiness of discipleship and spiritual growth be just that. If we start our year in the one (God’s favor), the other will come along. After all, for things that are born in this creation, growth happens. No resolution required.
 
May God bless us all in 2023,
 
Fr. Kevin+
Important Upcoming Dates

  • January 8 - The Book of Revelation, 9 to 9:30am (study begins)
  • January 29 - Annual Parish Meeting & Brunch, 11am
  • February 7 - Brown Bag Lunch
  • February 11 - Absalom Jones Celebration @ Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
  • February 21 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
  • February 22 - Ash Wednesday
  • February 26 - First Sunday in Lent
  • March 1 - Lenten Study Begins: The Difficult Words of Jesus
  • April 2 - Palm Sunday (Holy Week Begins)
  • April 9 - Easter Sunday
  • May 22 to September 4 - Fr. Kevin on Sabbatical
 *Event Times TBA
New Year’s Services

The first Sunday after Christmas Day, January 1, the Feast of the Holy Name, will be celebrated with Holy Eucharist, Lessons and Carols, at 10am only.

Our two-service schedule of 8am and 10am returns on Sunday, January 8.
Calendar
 
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
Dear Friends
 
Thank you for all the donations for Thistle Hills House in Coatesville. Mother Sherry and residents really appreciate all we donate. Please don't forget that this is an ongoing collection! Delivery will be made once a month!
 
Thank you very much! High School Youth Group
January 6: Open House at the Dellarias

The Dellarias will be hosting a “come-and-go” open house event at their home on Friday, Jan. 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, from 5pm to 9pm in the Weatherstone townhome community. You may park in empty spaces, or along Weatherstone Drive.
January 7: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 7th, at 9:00am, at the West Chester Diner (1147 West Chester Pike). This is BYOB (“Bring Your Own Bucks”).

We will be planning for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper coming up on February 21st. All men of St. Francis are welcome to attend.
January 8: The Book of Revelation

Beginning 9 to 9:30am, from January to May. With its vivid descriptions and colorful characters, the Revelation to St. John has long been a source of misunderstanding, confusion, and fear. But in reality, Revelation presents an encouraging and hopeful message to followers of Jesus Christ, especially for those living in difficult times. Join with Fr. Kevin as we peel away the mystery of this last book of the Bible, uncovering its background and interpretation as we learn to apply its meaning to our lives. This study will be both in-person, and streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
Book Group

The Radium Girls, by Kate Moore

During the First World War, radium makes headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community. The popular new element shines bright. Meanwhile, hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill. And, until they begin to come forward.

As the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights that will echo for centuries to come. From: Barnes and Noble
 
Friday, February 20, 7:00 pm (Note the time change)
Video night, Just Mercy

A powerful true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his battle for justice as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence.
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, January 25 at 5:30 pm. If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, please contact Sue Lenkaitis. 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, please contact Sue and we will add them to our list. We want to ensure we're reaching those who need it most. 
Brown Bag Lunch Ministry

Chester County Hospital - Summary of 12/6/22 BBL
We wrapped up 2022 with a very powerful presentation by Tracy Behringer on “Mental Health 101”. This was such a great presentation that we wish we had extended the invitation to local churches/ retirement communities. Going forward, The BBL Ministry will ensure this happen. Below are a few highlights from her presentation.

Did you know that “more than 50% of people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their Lifetime?

Mental Health = Health and affects how we think, feel and act. Our mental health also determines how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide; according to the National Council of Behavioral Health, half of all mental health conditions develop by age 14 and according to National Council of Behavioral Health, three Quarters conditions develop by age 24.

Chester County is one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S and has a wealth of mental health programs available to its residents. If you or someone else you know is in a mental health crisis, there is free help available any time by calling 988.  The 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline provides an immediate response to individuals in crisis, and offers a connection to local resources and services. Please know you are NOT ALONE.

If you would like to review a copy of Tracy’s presentation, I will be happy to share it with you.

PLEASE NOTE: we will not have a BBL in January, but will resume on February 7 when Barbara Rivers and her husband, Greg Kopia, will share photos and talk about their trip to Kenya last August. They visited conservancies where rescued animals are nurtured, and safari parks, where the animals are protected and able to thrive in their natural environment.

Over the years when we have parishioners present on trip like the one Barbara and Greg went on, the attendance rate was always high. So, please save Tuesday, February 7 on your calendars and we look forward to seeing you.

The Committee is looking for speakers for 2023 so if you have an educational topic, a favorite hobby, or a vacation trip, etc., you would like to share, please contact Shirley Warren , Meridith Ridington or Esther Underhill.
 
 Thanks again to our BBL volunteers. We appreciate all you do!
Diocese Combating Gun Violence
 
The Diocesan “Call to Action to End Gun Violence” focuses on three areas, one of which is legislative change. One thing we can do to help is “Sign up to receive alerts from the Episcopal Public Policy Network, which coordinates efforts to contact members of Congress and urge them to pass legislation addressing the crisis of gun violence and other issues.” If you aren’t interested in more email, you can check the web site for what is going on at the Federal or State level. There are also suggestions for how best to communicate with your legislator as well as who your current legislator is.
 
In December St. Francis hosted two activities the Diocese of Pennsylvania suggested as helping to prevent gun violence. One was a Red Cross Blood Drive. If you couldn’t make that date or are eligible to donate again, check the Red Cross web site (https://www.redcrossblood.org/) for a time and location that will work for you. The other was a Brown Bag presentation on mental health. As we enter the new year let’s remember: Every kind act is suicide prevention.
Annual Meeting and Nominees for Office

The Annual Parish Meeting of St. Francis will take place on Sunday, January 29th at 11:00am. The meeting will be held both in-person and on Zoom. For those attending in-person, brunch will be provided by the Vestry. As per our custom, this meeting will include the election of new Vestry Members and Convention Delegates, an update on the finances of the parish, and reports from select committees. Note: All written reports from Committees are due to the parish office by COB on January 16th.

Here is the slate of nominees for Vestry. Suzanne Steinberg and Sherri Lewis will serve another term on Vestry.
Susan Nangle is a “cradle Episcopalian” raised in St. Andrews church in Madison CT where she grew up. She attended Brown University in Providence RI and left New England for the Philadelphia area after college. She worked in interior design and sales before she had a family. Her favorite job was teaching Art which she retired from 5 years ago.

Before joining St. Francis in the Fields in 1993, she attended The Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia. At Saint Francis Susan has taught middle school, assisted in confirmation class, served on stewardship committee, helped lead youth group and started the annual mission trips. Susan also served on the capital campaign committee.

Most importantly, Susan served on the search committee that called Father Kevin to St. Francis.
Hello there. My official name is Katherine Schilling. I have been a member of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church for approximately seven years. Previously my husband Charlie and I, having been born on Long Island, NY, spent our lives as trusty Long Island Catholics. A change came about me long before Charlie but we were so happy to have found a home for us both at St. Francis.

My career was as an elementary and high school teacher. I was able to initiate various learning programs for the children, and was ultimately president of our Teachers’ Union for seven years.

Charlie passed away in 2021 after a long and valiant struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Although he was unable to participate in “extra- curricular” activities, I have been grateful to be part of the St. Francis choir, Wednesday Bible study, volunteering at Church Farm School, baking for Cookie Walk day, starting and finishing the Enneagram Study, and participating a bit with our refugee efforts.
 
My hope is to continue to be of service to our community in any way possible.
Brandywine Deanery Delegate & Diocesan Convention Delegate

My name is Mike Lenkaitis. I have been a member of St Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Malvern, PA for roughly 15 years after attending St David's Episcopal Church in Wayne for a number of years as well. In recent years my wife and I have become much more active in St Francis. She is part of our vestry team and I participate in our Invite & Welcome Committee typically as an Usher/Greeter along with assisting the team on future planning in this aspect of the church services. I also have participated with other committees including speaking on behalf of our stewardship campaign. My hope is to continue to expand my involvement in helping the church to grow and thrive in the coming years as well as help folks in our local community any way possible. 

My professional career is in Sales/Consulting for a marketing company called AutoPoint and I have been working with them for roughly (10) years. My wife Sue and I have (3) sons who are all currently attending college in and around the Philadelphia area and (1) daughter who graduated and now lives in Winston Salem, NC.
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.

The form for dedicating Altar Flowers can be found on our parish website, www.stfrancisfields.com.
Baptisms

Baptism is the rite of the Church initiating a new member into the Body of Christ. As declared in the Baptismal Covenant, Baptism comes with expectations and responsibilities for the Baptized, their sponsors (i.e., parents & Godparents), and the Congregation as a whole.

Additionally, according to The Book of Common Prayer (pg. 312), there are four Sundays on the liturgical calendar (the “Church Year”) when Baptisms are most appropriate: The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (1st Sunday after the Epiphany), the Great Vigil of Easter, Pentecost, and All Saint’s Day (or the Sunday after). A fifth option includes any service of Holy Eucharist over which the Bishop presides.

Beginning this liturgical year, St. Francis will follow this schedule for Baptisms (to include Easter Sunday). Baptisms should be scheduled with the Rector a minimum of six weeks in advance, and time should be set aside by the candidate and/or their sponsors for education on the meaning of Baptism. Scheduled dates for Baptisms at St. Francis in 2023 are April 9 (Easter Sunday), May 28 (Pentecost), and November 5 (All Saints Sunday).

Please contact Fr. Kevin for more information.

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
The Rev. Diane E. Faison, Deacon & Parish Administrator
Mr. Joe Perry, Music Director
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

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.