FIELDNOTES

January 2025

 The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Celebrating Change

Do you ever wonder what those first few days and weeks with Jesus were like? Considering the images we so often see of the peaceful baby Jesus lying in a manger, under the loving gazes of Mary and Joseph, we may unwittingly assume that the theological premise of “perfection” somehow applies to the biological needs surrounding Jesus’ infancy. But I imagine, if we give it much thought, that we’ll quickly conclude the unlikelihood of such a premise. “Sweet baby Jesus” needed feeding, and comfort, and the occasional new diaper. His parents likely struggled to meet all the demands a new baby brings. I imagine sleepless nights, frayed nerves, and periodic (if not ongoing) exhaustion. For Mary and Joseph, as it has been for countless generations of new parents, the birth of Jesus meant monumental change.

But of course, change is part of life. In fact, in some ways it may be a very definition of life. Every moment we are alive we are experiencing a new moment in time. Our bodies are growing or morphing constantly. Our minds are encountering new material, new stimuli, which we take in and process and add to our experience and identity. Even the objects around us change, with no input needed from us. Time and nature simply does its work and, in often imperceptible ways, things are different from one moment to the next.

As we enter 2025, I encourage us all to welcome the Blessing of Change. Not that every change is good or welcome, but change itself is such a regular and recurring part of life that it may very well be our most consistent and regular teacher. Learning to respond to change with wisdom and grace, to find our way with faith through unexpected or unimagined territory, strengthens our character and builds depth and resilience in our souls. Change - even just for the sake of change - can sometimes create new perspectives and insights that we wouldn’t otherwise have.

Now I know that some people will read this and think, “What is Fr. Kevin talking about? What’s going on? What’s he planning?!”. So please let me answer that by saying, there is no real “subtext” here. It’s true, there are changes before us. But then again, as I said above, there always are. Change is life. New Presidents are elected. New bulletin styles are created. And sometimes the Rector gets a whim and shaves his beard and sports just a mustache for the first time in his life (my kids are still ambivalent about that last one…).

All this is just to say: Change happens. By the time you read this, I imagine Joseph may have just learned that he can take Jesus out for a ride on the donkey for a couple of hours so Mary can get some sleep. The Holy Family had a lot to learn in these first few days. And just that same way, by God's grace, we can enter 2025 with an open spirit, wondering how we will embrace or respond to the challenges and changes that will come our way in the new year.

Happy 2025!

Fr. Kevin+

Pledge Drive Update

The 2025 Pledge Drive continues. Many thanks to the 100+ parishioners (families and individuals) who have pledged so far.

As of Monday morning, December 24, we are still $3,603 short of our goal – and we have not yet received pledges from a handful of parishioners. If you have not yet pledged, there’s still time. But please submit your pledge to the church office as soon as possible so that timely adjustments can be made to the 2025 budget.

Thank you all for your support – financial, time and talent – of St. Francis-in-the-Fields!

David Culver

2025 Pledge Drive Chair

A Special Note on 2025 Pledge Payments

Paypal and Venmo have provided supporters of St. Francis with a convenient way to give. These are especially useful for one-time gifts and special events. That said, these methods do come with small fees that can have big impacts on pledge payments over the course of a year. If you are paying your pledge, please consider using one of the more "traditional" methods - cash, check, or bank transfer - or, if possible, please cover the transaction fee. This will allow the full amount of pledges to be credited to St. Francis. Thanks! - Fr. Kevin

Vestry Notes



At its December meeting, Vestry members were informed by Accounting Warden, Nancy Needhammer, that the most recent financial report reflected a healthy financial position.  She also told the Vestry that Lisa Buono will be assuming the position of Accounting Warden after the Annual Meeting.

Fr. Kevin reported that a special gift of $5,000 had been pledged by an unnamed parishioner toward the development of a landscaping plan.  About twenty diseased trees have been removed over the past several years and  the new plan will recommend native trees and bushes to replace them.

After Fr. Kevin was excused from the meeting, Vestry focused on finalizing the 2025 budget.  Considering estimated 2025 pledges to date, Vestry set the following priorities: to offer a reasonable increase in staff salaries, to set a manageable total for the “Sacred Ssk,” (the contribution to the Diocese) and to establish a balanced budget. Vestry succeeded on all three points, with the understanding that higher than expected pledges may permit an increase in the sacred ask.

New ways to support St. Francis!

You can now make donations to St. Francis through PayPal, Venmo, and via debit/credit cards. Simply scan the code at the right and following the prompts. If you are making a payment on your pledge, please be sure and put “Pledge Payment” in the note line. (Please see the note above regarding Pledge pyaments.)

Thank you for your support!

ALL Meetings, Events, and Repairs



PLEASE call (610-647-0130) or email (stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org) Diane Faison in the church office to schedule ANY events at the church!

Doing this helps prevent scheduling conflicts.

January 4: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 4 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.

January 7: Enneagram Growth Group

The Enneagram Growth Group meets on the 1^st Tuesdays of each month, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Dellaria residence in Paoli. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 7.

For more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria (donnadellaria@gmail.com)

January 10: Open House at the Dellaria’s

Fr. Kevin & Donna Dellaria will be hosting their annual Epiphany Open House on Friday, January 10, from 6pm to 9pm. This is a come and go event and everyone is invited.

Please bring a dish or drinks to share. The address is 303 Weatherstone Drive in Paoli. Entering into the Weatherstone townhome community off of Devon Road, the house is in the first court to the right in the middle of the 300 unit. There is a statue of St. Francis next to the front door.

Park where you can.

January 17: Book Group

Book Group does not meet in December. Our next meting will be on January 17, 2025. 

We will be discussing The Local, a legal thriller by Joey Hartstone. 

A freewheeling small-town attorney takes on a national murder trial when an out-of-town client is accused of killing a federal judge in Texas.

Ecumenism (January 19 & 26)

John Woodcock will present on the larger ecumenical organizations and on the Episcopal Church's agreements with the Lutherans, Methodists and Moravians. 

Class will meet  in the library before the Sunday worship service from 8:45 - 9:30 am.

January 26: Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish Meeting of St. Francis will take place on Sunday, January 26^th at 11:00am. 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 and SHORT biographies from those nominated to office are due to the parish office by January 13 by email!

Beginning January 26: Beginning The Enneagram Journey

Sundays, 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Jan. 26 – Mar. 2 (6 Sundays). The Enneagram is a powerful tool that offers insight into your personality, communication style, spiritual struggles and gifts, motivations, and relationships. It opens up new pathways of compassion for ourselves and toward others. This course is an excellent self-development tool for leaders, individuals, and couples. Make 2025 your year for stepping out on your Enneagram Journey!

Cost: $60 ($100 for couples).

To register, or for more information, text or call Donna Dellaria @ 484-401-1260.

BROWN BAG LUNCH

BROWN BAG LUNCH – NEW SEASON BEGINS JANUARY 28th



Tuesday, January 28th. Deacon Diane will discuss “the road to becoming a deacon.” Diane will talk about her personal journey and what was involved in being ordained.

The schedule for the year's first half is listed below, so please mark your calendar. We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your continued support.

1. Tuesday, January 28: “The Road to Becoming a Deacon” – Deacon Diane

2. Tuesday, February 25: “Introduction to Enneagram” – Donna Dellaria

3. Tuesday, March 25: “Sharing Vacation Pictures” – Larry & Helen Schroepfer

4. Tuesday, April 22: “Church Farm School” – History of Church Farm School

5. Tuesday, May 27: “A Civil Rights Journey” – Stephen Godsall-Myers

Shirley Warren, Cindy VanHefter, and Sheila Rees – BBL Ministry Team.

Hidden Voices (February 2, 9, 16 & 23)

Tom Ridington will share with us the words and works of well-known and not-so-well known African-American Christians whose time spent in the Delaware Valley helped form their faith-inspired responses to social injustice. 

Featured voices include Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, Harriet Tubman, William Still, Leon Sullivan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Brenda Salter McNeil and Bryan Stevenson, among others. 

Class will meet  in the library before the Sunday worship service from 8:45 - 9:30 am.

Book Study

The Raft is not the Shore, by Daniel Berrigan and Thich Nhat Hanh, subtitled:

Conversations toward a Buddhist-Christian Awareness. 

Five, 75 minute sessions of reflection on an older work which is still timely, and reveals aspects of both faith traditions. 

This will be a zoom gathering, beginning the week of February 2^nd. Topics include Religion in the World, Exile, Government and Religion, and Economics and Religion; each has a chapter in the book. The group will decide on the topic for the 5^th session. 

While Thursday morning has been preferred, we’ll try to find a time which works best through the day on either Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Last session will be the week of March 2^nd. New and used copies are readily available.

Please contact John Woodcock by January 15^th if you are interested, and please indicate whether a 10 AM or 1:30 PM start works best for you, or a 1:30 or 2:30 PM start on Wednesday. If you’d like designate a 1^st and 2^nd choice. 

pastorsheepngoat@gmail.com

Thank You for Your Donations!

We wish to thank the many generous St. Francis donors who provided backpacks and other goods for Our Brothers' Place where they will be used to help the homeless.

We delivered nearly two dozen backpacks, several warm jackets, dozens of pairs of socks, and sundry toiletries.

These gifts were greatly appreciated and will find immediate use by those in need.

Church Farm School

Church Farm School requests the following items for Griffin's Closet:  



• black and brown belts: sizes 32, 34, 36 and 38
• Hats and gloves
• Personal care items ( body wash, deodorant, and socks)

Look for the bin in the narthex. Please contact Cindy VanHefter at cvanhefter@gmail.com for more information

Office of Government Relations

Mission

The Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. and helps to shape the discussion of political issues throughout the Church. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions.

Their web site has more details about what they do: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/

Special Worship Bulletin Note

On Sunday, January 12, St. Francis will begin a trial program toward a reusable, seasonal, Sunday bulletin, rather than a single-use bulletin printed weekly.

The intention for transitioning this type of bulletin is to be able provide the liturgical flexibility with which we are familiar, while also reducing unnecessary waste and environmental harm.

The new bulletin will include the primary liturgy for the seasons, with a supplemental insert for readings, hymns references, and announcements.

Please be patient as we work through the challenges of this new bulletin concept.

Did You Know? “Acts 2” Churches

Through our financial giving to the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania (DIOPA), St. Francis supports the work of six other Episcopal missions in the region.

These congregations and ministries are vital to their communities, but could not exist without the unified contributions and support of all the congregations across our Diocese.

Thank you for the continued support of DIOPA, and the collective ministry our congregations participate in throughout southeast Pennsylvania.

Circle of Friends

The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, January 22 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 at 610-299-3963 or shelleybsteel@gmail.com.

Ministry to Refugees

Nationalities Service Center is increasing its efforts to serve as many refugees as possible and is in need of sofas, upholstered chairs and kitchen tables and chairs. 

Please send photos to John Groch at 610-547-3583. 

NSC has many volunteer opportunities (nscphila.org).

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, pchudson715@gmail.com.

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