FIELDNOTES
February 2022
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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COVID Protocol Update
Thank you all for your patience as we endured another temporary tightening of COVID protocols due to the recent "Omicron" spike. Based on data demonstrating an ongoing reduction in infections, we are now able to loosen some of those restrictions. As of February 1st, the following changes will be implemented:
- Small groups may gather in-person at St. Francis, with masking protocols decided by the group.
- Adult Choir will reconvene, and will remain masked during practice and performance.
- Lay Readers may remove their masks while they read.
For now, masking is still required for all while attending worship. Coffee Hour will remain suspended for now, but we will re-assess mid-Month. It appears the recent spike is abating, so please continue to be safe and always be mindful of the health needs of others.
Thanks and God Bless,
Fr. Kevin and the COVID Safety Task Force
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Being Episcopalian
What does it mean to be Episcopalian? Who are we? What’s unique about our faith community? What is a “Nave” and a “Narthex”? What’s the Offertory, and why should we care? What’s the difference between a “Baptized Member,” a “Communicant,” and a “Communicant in Good Standing”? What happens if a Purificator falls into the Lavabo and no Sacristans are near the Credence Table? Do we still pour the Ablutions in the Piscina? (Yeah, that was a fun one to construct!)
It can seem like there are so many mysteries to being Episcopalian. It’s part of the challenge that comes from our mixed heritage: English and American, Catholic and Protestant, ChesCo and DelCo, etc. And, truth be told, there can be a lot of what I call “Episco-Speak” - terms and language (some liturgical, some not) that can be an unintended barrier to newcomers, and even remain unknown to life-long members.
Over the next few months, I want to address some of these mysteries in my monthly newsletter article. I’m going to begin in March by addressing the issue of “membership”. For instance: What does membership mean in an Episcopal Church? How does one become a member? What duties and responsibilities come with being a member? In answering these questions, I want to publish a clear and concise path to full participation that answers questions and builds up our community.
For articles in the following months, I want to hear from YOU. What questions do you have about being Episcopalian? What would you like to be explained or clarified? Send me an email or give me a phone call. I want to hear what YOU are interested in knowing more about, because if you have a question about being Episcopalian, chances are someone else does, too.
Next fall, I look forward to hosting a new “Inquirer’s Class,” and leading us toward a new round of Adult and Youth Confirmation. Between now and then, we can get a head start. So go ahead, ask your question, so that this year we can get to know our wonderful tradition a little bit better.
Fr. Kevin+
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Fr. Kevin is leading a multi-week introduction to the Gospel of Luke on Sunday mornings through February. The class is streaming on Facebook and YouTube each Sunday from 9am to 9:30am. Luke’s Gospel is the primary Gospel for Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary, which runs from Advent 2021 to Christ the King Sunday 2022. |
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Lenten Rector's Study: Braving the Wilderness
7-Weeks, beginning Sunday, March 6
(ending Easter week)
Do you ever feel isolated or alone? In one of the great ironies of our age, we are more connected than ever before, and yet the sense of disconnect and loneliness is pervasive and growing. Meanwhile, political rancor and cultural subdivisions have only worsened the problem. To find our way out, we need to find ourselves again, and learn how to truly and fully bring those selves into the practice of community. Throughout the season of Lent, Fr. Kevin will lead a two-part, weekly discussion of this topic using Social Scientist and Episcopalian Dr. Brenè Brown's (PhD, LMSW) book, Braving the Wilderness (2017).
From the cover: "[Brown] ... has sparked a global conversation about the experiences that bring meaning to our lives - experiences of courage, vulnerability, love, belonging, shame and empathy. In Braving the Wilderness, Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarisation. With her trademark mix of research, storytelling and honesty, Brown will again change the cultural conversation while mapping out a clear path to true belonging. Brown argues that what we're experiencing today is a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other.
Class will be held in two-parts: Part 1) On Sunday mornings, from 9:00 to 9:30, Fr. Kevin will offer an in-person and virtual ("hybrid") introduction to the chapter assigned for the week using biblical themes and illustrations. Part 2) Fr. Kevin will lead one or more 1-hour, virtual discussion groups, using questions and ideas from the chapter assigned for that week.
Pre-registration is not required to attend. However, Fr. Kevin needs to know how to construct the weekly discussion groups. So if you plan to be part of this Lenten study: #1.) Please order the book in advance. #2.) Please let Fr. Kevin know that you would like to participate by emailing or calling. Exact times for the virtual discussion sessions will be decided based on responses. For more information on Dr. Brown and her work, visit: brenebrown.com.
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Episcopal Relief & Development
The work of Episcopal Relief & Development with Anglican and Ecumenical partners creates sustainable, transformational change in close to 3 million lives around the world each year.
This year, the Lenten Meditations will focus on that transformation. These reflections are organized into Episcopal Relief & Development’s priorities: Women, Children and Climate, and include a focus on their Disaster Resilience & Response work. Episcopal Relief & Development invites you to read them throughout Lent and share with those close to you. As a part of their goal to become a carbon-neutral organization, Lenten Meditations are now delivered only via email and as downloadable PDFs. CLICK HERE
They hope that the 2022 Lenten Meditations will give you a glimpse into their meaningful work happening across the globe. May we continue to work together for lasting change in the lives of those most vulnerable.
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Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
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Oblation Bearers Needed!
What do Oblation Bearers do? They present the congregations gifts of bread and wine at the Altar during the Offertory. This is the first liturgical act of Holy Communion according the Book of Common Prayer (pg. 361). We invite everyone – old and young, new and long-time members alike – to serve as Oblation Bearers on a given Sunday. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex, along with printed instructions for you to take. When your Sunday comes, the Ushers will be glad to guide you in this quick, simple, but important moment in our worship service. Please consider signing up for an upcoming Sunday.
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Refugee & Immigration Ministry
St. Francis has established its first team to serve with Nationalities Service Center (NSC) in setting up a home for Afghan Refugee families in NE Philadelphia. More teams, and more opportunities, will arise in coming months. Additionally, St. Francis is developing a hands-on ministry option based out of St. John’s Episcopal in Norristown. If you are interested in our growing ministry of welcome toward refugees and immigrants, please let Fr. Kevin know so you can be placed on the distribution list.
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Book Group
Friday, February 18, 7:30
Friday, March 18, 7:30
February is usually our pizza and video night. If we can gather at church we will have a video, no pizza. If St. Francis is still Zoom only, we will discuss the following book.
The Indigo Girl, by Natasha Boyd
In 1739 Eliza Lucas is sixteen years old when her father leaves her in charge of their family’s three plantations in rural South Carolina. He then proceeds to bleed the estates dry in pursuit of his military ambitions. Her mother wants nothing more than for their South Carolina endeavor to fail so they can go back to England. They are in danger of losing everything.
When Eliza hears how much the French pay for indigo dye, she believes it’s the key to their salvation. Everyone tells her it’s impossible, and no one will share the secret to making it. Eliza’s only allies are an aging horticulturist and a slave with whom she strikes a dangerous deal: they will teach her the intricate thousand-year-old secret process of making indigo dye and in return—against the laws of the day—she will teach the slaves to read.
Based on historical documents, including Eliza’s letters, this is a historical fiction account of how a teenage girl produced indigo dye, which became one of the largest exports out of South Carolina. When she passed away in 1793, President George Washington served as a pallbearer at her funeral.
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Community Community Community!
As Father Kevin noted during the Annual Meeting, we know that so many of you are regularly out in the world doing God's work.
Whether or not your work is formally related to a particular St Francis ministry, your good work makes up part of who YOU are, and YOU make up a part of who WE are! Most importantly, WE make up part of the BODY OF CHRIST.
IWC would love to share your work on the St Francis Facebook and Instagram pages. Please consider allowing us to briefly interview you - or if you prefer, write a little summary yourself. We would love to accompany the post with a photo of you doing your stuff, but that is not necessary. Did you see the photo of 4 lasagnas posted before the snowstorm?
And please, don't forget to like, love and share liberally!
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Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends is a pastoral care ministry of note writing (birthday, get well, thank you, encouragement, etc.) Circle of Friends was scheduled to resume in person meetings on Wednesday,
Given our current COVID19 protocols, packets will be available for pick-up. If you would like to write cards this month, please email the church office so that we know how many packets to prepare.
We will let you know when "in person" meetings will resume.
Thank you, Sherri
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Letters for Rose
Letters for Rose is a volunteer opportunity to bring cheer to residents in retirement communities, and a special project of Sophia Schnackenberg, one of our St. Francis youth.
A collection box is near the Letters for Rose poster in the narthex and collections will continue through spring 2022.
Letters for Rose is not associated with Circle of Friends, the note-writing ministry of St. Francis.
More information can be found at lettersforrose.org.
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Lectionary Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meet on Wednesdays at 10 am to pray and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. LBS will be virtual until further notice. To join virtually, see the weekly email link.
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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.
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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 Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
The Rev. Diane E. Faison, Deacon & Parish Administrator
Mr. 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 |
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