FIELDNOTES
October 2021
The Monthly Newsletter of
St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355
The Rev. Kevin Dellaria, Rector
The Rev. Diane E. Faison, Deacon
Mr. Joe Perry, Music Director
610-647-0130
stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org
stfrancisfields.org
|
|
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.
|
|
“Where There is . . . Let Me!”
This coming Sunday - the first Sunday in October - we celebrate our Patron Saint, Francis of Assissi, with the annual Blessing of the Animals. It’s an important day for our faith community, but not just because our animal friends join us for worship and receive a blessing. It’s a day when we step out into creation and reinforce the spirit of life that infuses and permeates our parish. On this special day, the prayer that we say each and every Sunday has a special ring to it:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Like many of you I imagine, when I say or hear that prayer, my mind focuses first on that last word in the opening sentence: “Peace”. Each and every time I hear that prayer, a sense of peace washes over me, whether it’s a recitation, a Choir anthem, or that beautiful rendition covered years ago by Sarah McLachlan. When we think of St. Francis, we invariably think of “peace”.
But the rest of the prayer doesn’t always lend itself to our kind of peace. At the risk of “harshing our vibe”, in fact, the rest of that first section is a call to action, even a call to disruption. In a world where hatred, injury, discord, doubt, despair, darkness, and sadness often rule, we are inviting God to change us. We are asking God to make us “gadflies” of divine grace and love. Only when these are brought to bear on the wounds of this world does the possibility of true, lasting “peace” emerge”.
So although we say this prayer every week, I urge you not to let its words pass you by. There is more to the Prayer of St. Francis than a soothing, gentle tone. The prayer to be an instrument of peace is a call to action. When we are willing, God’s Spirit moves through our time, our talent, our treasure - to bless the world. So when we pray, may we open up and say these with all our heart:
“Lord . . . where there is . . . let me!”
|
|
Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
|
|
Memorial Service for Bill Murdoch
There will be a memorial service for The Rev. Bill Murdoch, second Rector of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, New Castle, Maine on October 30, 2021.
|
|
October 3: St. Francis’ Day with Blessing of the Animals
The Feast of St. Francis will be celebrated Sunday, October 3, with indoor Eucharist at 8:00am, and OUTDOOR Eucharist with the Blessing of the Animals at 10:00am (weather permitting).
Bring your pets to worship with you: dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, tarantulas (in a cage, please…). Invite your friends and their pets, too!
Don't forget donations to the Brandywine SPCA please!! A list was sent out early in the week and a reminder will go out again on Saturday!!
|
|
Adult Discipleship
Sunday Mornings with Fr. Kevin
|
Fr. Kevin is leading an introduction to the Bible from 9:00 to 9:30 each Sunday morning for several weeks.
“Bible 101” will be held in-person, and also streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Class will take place in the Classroom section of the Undercroft.
|
|
Book Group
Friday, October 15, 7:30
Murder in an English Village, by Jessica Ellicott
Edwina Davenport, who has lived comfortably in Walmsley Parva for 30 years, is in financial straits and forced to advertise for a lodger. When her long-lost school chum Beryl arrives, Edwina welcomes her old friend as her new roommate.
But, her idyllic home town has a hidden sinister side, and the two friends decide to set up shop as private inquiry agents, helping Edwina to make ends meet and satisfying Beryl’s thirst for adventure. They put their heads together to catch a killer, before this sleepy English village becomes their final resting place.
|
|
The Great DIOPA Bluejeans Drive
We are still collecting jeans! All sizes for men, women, and children, clearly labeled with size and gender.
The deadline for this collection is Thursday, October 21. There are bins in the Narthex for your donation.
Please contact Diane at the church office with any questions.
|
|
Calling All Men of St. Francis!
Our next Men's Fellowship Breakfast will be at 9:00am on Saturday, October 30th, at the West Chester Diner (1147 West Chester Pike). The gathering is BYOB ("Bring Your Own Bucks").
While we're eating, we will organize the Advent collection drive for The Bethesda Project's My Brother's House (a.k.a., "The Backpack Project"). For over 25 years, St. Francis has supported this outreach program for adults experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia.
This year, we invite our men to work as a team in planning and implementing this incredible ministry.
Hope to see you there!
|
|
Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends is a pastoral care ministry of note writing (birthday, get well, thank you, encouragement, etc.) Our next “Circle” will be Wednesday, October 27 @ 6:30 pm in the Narthex. Everyone is invited to attend.
Circle of Friends will meet in the Narthex the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Cards, pens, stamps, etc., will be provided. This will be a time of pastoral sharing and action - an easy way to get involved in the ministry of Pastoral Care. Please join us.
|
|
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.
|
|
Pickleball
Pickleball is Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 through October, weather permitting, in the parking lot at St. Francis.
Eight spots are available. Sign up HERE to reserve your spot!
|
|
Lectionary Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meets at St. Francis on Wednesdays at 10 am to pray and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. LBS is in a trial “hybrid” format (in-person and virtual) with Holy Eucharist to follow. To join virtually, see the weekly email link.
All are welcome.
|
|
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.
|
|
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 | 610-647-0130 | 689 Sugartown Road, Malvern, PA 19355 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
