FIELDNOTES
September 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
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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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“New Doors, New Horizons”
Have you seen the new doors at St. Francis? From a distance, our main entrances don’t seem to be the “flashiest” part of our recent renovations. But if you go inside and look more closely, you’ll see something beautiful. A few weeks ago, I watched as two skillful painters turned our new metal doors into works of art. With just a few key colors and the right tools, what arrived as a dull, primer-grey was soon transformed into a gorgeous, faux wood-grain finish.
Being a church is like fashioning those doors. In the soul of every parish is a beauty waiting to emerge. All it takes are the gifts and attention of its people; a unity of vision and skill and work, built on the trust that God has a special purpose for each individual, and for the parish as whole. New horizons are ahead for St. Francis-in-the-Fields. Where darkness and death grip the world, the world needs God’s message of love, healing, and peace. That’s the mission of our parish - and your voice, your vision, your gifts, your participation, and your leadership are needed.
This September, I am inviting you to discern how God is leading you to serve in and through St. Francis. What does that mean? The answer is more simply that you think. It’s about who you are right at this moment, the way God created you. Why not begin by simply asking yourself a few questions:
What do you enjoy? What kind of work energizes and fulfills you?
What do you do well? What skills and talents do you have?
How would you like to be challenged, learn and grow?
What new thing(s) would you like to try?
What have you been doing that you would like to pass on to someone new?
A church isn’t just a place where we worship and learn about God. It’s a family of faith in which every member is called to put their life in service. We are all priests together in God’s redeeming work. Our lives are our offering.
If two painters can use some yucky yellow paint to turn an ugly, gray door into a work of art, Almighty God can use all of us to help mend this broken world. At St. Francis, we want to help you develop and grow into all God created you to be. As we step through the doorway into the future, it is you that will guide us to our new horizons.
Fr. Kevin+
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COVID Update for September 2021
The St. Francis COVID Safety Task Force (CSTF) met on August 23, 2021, to review current guidelines and protocols. The CSTF continues to monitor the rise of positivity rates in our area, particularly in relation to the “Delta” variant. No significant changes to the current parish protocols are being made at this time. However, the following points were affirmed:
● Masking is strongly encouraged for everyone gathering for worship indoors at St. Francis. Masking is required for non-vaccinated individuals, including children.
● Vaccinations are strongly encouraged for all eligible members of our parish. Vaccinations are required for anyone serving in a ministry capacity during Sunday morning worship, including Choir Members, Lay Readers, Intercessors, Acolytes, Ushers, Greeters, Altar Guild, and the Audio/Visual Team.
● The return of indoor, post-service Coffee Hour and in-person Lectionary Bible Study will be delayed until regular, indoor gatherings are deemed reasonably safe.
● DIOPA protocols for the return of Church School (for children) and Youth Groups are being reviewed.
● Beginning September 12, 2021, the 8:00am and 10:00am services of Holy Eucharist will be held in the Nave, subject to all current protocols, and with generous social-distancing and ventilation options.
● The 10:00am service will continue to be streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
The CSTF is thankful for your support throughout the pandemic. Every significant, COVID-related decision at St. Francis derives from the input of the Lay leadership that makes up the committee. We appreciate your ongoing patience, understanding, and flexibility as we seek to make our worship as safe as possible for all people.
Fr. Kevin+
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Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
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September 5: Labor Day Sunday
There will be one service of Holy Eucharist at 10:00 am on September 5th. A new worship schedule will be effective the following Sunday.
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New Service Schedule
Effective September 12, St. Francis will return to two, in-person services of Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00 each Sunday morning. Time between the services will be expanded to allow for fellowship and Christian education opportunities. The 10:00 service will continue to be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
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Church School
Church school is back in session for kids ages 4 to 11, starting Sunday, September 12 during the 10 o'clock service.
Church school will meet outside whenever possible, and kids and teachers will be masked if indoors, as weather dictates. There will be fun activities, such as crafts and games, and there will be Bible stories and life lessons.
If you are over age 11 and want to join the fun, the church school needs teachers and helpers of all kinds.
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New! Adult Discipleship
Sunday Mornings with Fr. Kevin
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The Rector's Study returns this September with a new time and format. Beginning Sunday morning, September 19th, from 9 to 9:30, Fr. Kevin will lead "Bible 101" on Facebook and YouTube, with an in-person option in the Conference Room (limited seating). This course will be familiar to those who took Fr. Kevin's "Introduction to the Bible" class in 2018.
How well do you know the Bible?
Why are there so many translations and editions?
Why the books of the Bible are arranged the way they are?
Why does the Jewish "Bible" have the same books, but in a different order?
Why does one Bible have notes and another doesn't?
Why did Jews in Jesus time have a Greek Bible? (And why did Hebrew come much later?)
How can we make sense of a thousand years of writing, and make it applicable to our lives here and now? And why would we want to do that?
In 30 minutes each Sunday, Fr. Kevin will answer these questions and more. We hope you'll attend, virtually or in-person. Watch for information about weblinks, etc., coming soon!
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Book Group
Friday, September 17, 7:30
Leadership: in Turbulent Times, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Kearns Goodwin draws upon the four presidents she has studied most closely—Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson—to show how they recognized leadership qualities within themselves and were recognized as leaders by others. By looking back to their first entries into public life, we encounter them at a time when their paths were filled with confusion, fear, and hope.
Leadership tells the story of how they all collided with dramatic reversals that disrupted their lives and threatened to shatter forever their ambitions. Nonetheless, they all emerged fitted to confront the contours and dilemmas of their times. At their best, all four were guided by a sense of moral purpose. At moments of great challenge, they were able to summon their talents to enlarge the opportunities and lives of others. Does the leader make the times or do the times make the leader?
(From Barnes and Noble)
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.
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The Great DIOPA Bluejeans Drive
As part of an outreach drive, the Deacons of the Diocese will be collecting new or gently worn jeans. All sizes for men, women, and children, clearly labeled with size and gender. The collected jeans will be brought to the cathedral during the Diocesan Convention and then be distributed to those in need. The deadline for this collection is Thursday, October 21 and a bin will be in the Narthex for your donation. Please contact Diane at the church office with any questions.
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Safety and Security
Purpose of the Safety and Security Committee: Create, review and implement a comprehensive Security and Emergency plan for St. Francis Church; develop reasonable measures of safety and actions to help mitigate weaknesses the congregation, staff and guests may encounter.
Safety and Security Committee – September 2021 Update
Since our last update in January 2021, Safety and Security Committee is pleased to report that phase one and two of the Nonprofit Security Project, which started in June are completed. The majority of the security upgrades is mainly invisible to the congregation, but rest assured that our church’s overall security is much stronger than before. Below is a high level update of the two phases:
- Phase One:
- Thirteen cameras were installed around the perimeter of the church to monitor the property grounds with focus on areas that are hidden and secluded.
- Installed a new intercom system that is monitored and operated from the Parish Office allowing for two-way communication with visitors and staff without the need to leave the Parish Office.
- Installed a new burglar alarm system and key pads in the Parish Office and Sacristy. With new security features, this gives us the ability to personalize access to both areas, as needed.
- Installed three silent Alarm Panic Buttons in case of a threat or an emergency
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Phase Two:
- Replaced door #1 (Main door) and door #4 (Narthex) with doors that are more secured and hardened. With new security features, both entrances can now be opened using an Access Control Card, which is integrated into the new Card Readers.
Please note: Phase three of the project will begin sometime in the fall. This phase is to upgrade outside lighting around the perimeter of the building.
Safety and Security Committee has completed basic training in the operation of these new systems, primarily to the staff. However, by early September the focus will shift to training Ushers, Greeters and key congregants.
We appreciate and thank you for your patience as everyone gets use to the new security systems/features. An Access Control Card is in now in the Combination Lock Box for ease of use with the Card Reader to open door #1 (Main door) instead of a key. If you DO NOT remember or have the code to open the Combination Lock Box, please call the Parish Office at 610-647-0130.
In general, if you have any questions concerning the Nonprofit Security Project, please contact Shirley or Everett Warren at 610-850-2498 or 610-476-1041.
Safety and Security Committee
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News from the Garden
As of August 25th we have grown, harvested and delivered 301 pounds of fresh produce to the West Chester Food Cupboard. We are in our third round of planting seedlings and seeds for the fall harvest. And frankly it has been beastly hot. Gardens love the sun but yields are down due to the heat and pounding rains. We all yearn for a bit of cooler weather.
Mahala J Renkey
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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.) Our next “Circle” will be Wednesday, September 29 @ 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.
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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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Pickleball
Pickleball is Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 through September & October, weather permitting, in the parking lot at St. Francis.
Eight spots are available. Sign up HERE to reserve your spot!
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Lectionary Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10 am to pray and discuss the readings for the following Sunday. After prayerful discussion, this group will continue to meet virtually at least through the month of September. A weekly email is sent with the Zoom link. The study lasts approximately one hour.
All are welcome.
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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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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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