The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. - Ephesians 2:21-22

August is an under-appreciated month. I say that because, having an August birthday, I've always bemoaned the fact that my birth month had no official or unofficial national holiday. It also has no solstice nor equinox, and no one's birthday of particular national historical note. August-ites do often get "Friendship Day" - which no one takes off for, ever - but I note that "International Friendship Day" often falls in late July. On the Liturgical Calendar we get the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6th (which, thanks to the Revised Common Lectionary, usually gets celebrated on the last Sunday in Epiphany instead), and the Feast of the Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew on the 24th, which hardly inspires revelry. For those with August birthdays, our one bright spot is sure to be the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin (8/15) - and that would be true, if our thoughts of Mary weren't so closely tied with Advent and Christmas.

But, all that being said, August is usually a very busy month in the parish office. In August, those on church staffs and lay ministry leadership are looking hard at September and the subsequent months. As it does for school teachers and administrators, by the time August rolls around, autumn is coming fast. Time gets taken up with meetings, planning, and calendar adjustments. Before we know it, Labor Day is here, and the academic cycle that guides much of our lives starts up again.

That's why, in August, I like to start reminding people to begin thinking about their church committments as well. I realize, in August, vacations are still happening. The shore, the lake, the mountains - they still beckon. There is still time on the calendar to rest, read, reflect - whatever makes you happy. But it helps, this time of year, to start imagining our "faith goals" for the upcoming months; to give some thought to how we might live deeper in our relationship with Christ, and put our lives in service to God. Unlike Lent, which ends with the glories of Easter and then quickly tapers off into the summer lull, August catches us on the front end of a longer "upswing" as our minds are already, even unconsciously, turning to thoughts of engagement and growth.

So remember: It may not be a month of parades and fireworks, but August has something to offer after all; something more than just those final, proverbial days of calm before the storm. Wherever you are this August, whatever you may be doing, take a moment to invite God to sit with you; to speak to your heart. Then, start watching and listening to the life going on at St. Francis-in-the-Fields. Pray for God's guideance, and find your place, your ministry, your group; supply for your spiritual needs. Because there is a lot of life here in our parish family, and joyous, spiritual riches to be found, as we all grow together - in August and beyond - into a holy temple in the Lord.

Fr. Kevin+

During the month of August, services as St. Francis will continue to follow the current summer schedule:

Currently, our COVID-19 policy remains as effective on June 6, 2021 (see the full policy at www.stfrancisfield.org). We are, however, watching the current upward trends in the virus with due caution. With that in mind, we want to remind all who may worship at St. Francis:

1.) If you are unvaccinated and are physically able, please get the COVID-19 vaccine.

2.) If you feel ill on Sunday morning, please stay at home and attend via Facebook or YouTube. Seek medical attention if necessary.

3.) Please feel free, at all times while on the campus of St. Francis, to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Sanitizing stations and disposible masks are available. A new restroom is now open at the end of the office hallway for hand-washing.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 



Monthly small-group meetings for experienced Enneagram students will resume in August, led by Kevin & Donna Dellaria. Beginning August 16th, and continuing on the 3rd Monday of each month, through April 2022, group members will engage and discuss Enneagram principles and practices using The Essential Enneagram, by David Daniels and Virginia Price as our guide.

Currently, we are planning to offer two options: an in-person (or hybrid) group from 10am to 11:30am, and a virtual group from 6:30pm to 8pm. For more information, or to register for the group, please contact Fr. Kevin.

Circle of Friends is a pastoral care ministry of note writing (birthday, get well, thank you, encouragement, etc.) Our next “Circle” will be Wednesday, August 25 @ 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.

on the lawn August 28.

St Francis in the Fields Episcopal Church, Tuesday, August 31, 2021, 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

CLICK HERE to sign up!

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. The opportunity is for people of all ages at St. Francis in-the-fields to write letters, cards, notes, or draw pictures that will be delivered to residents at Daylesford Crossing. Volunteers have the freedom to draw and write about whatever topics they want, as long as it is appropriate, and bring them to a collection box for delivery.

Volunteers are encouraged to ask questions which will engage the recipient in active thinking. Please refrain from asking/writing anything about religion, politics, or negative ideas. All letters will be proof-read to ensure nothing inappropriate is sent out.

A collection box is near the Letters for Rose poster in the narthex and collections will continue through spring 2022. More information can be found at https://www.lettersforrose.org/. If you have suggestions for additional retirement communities to receive our creations or have questions, please contact Sophia, who is collecting Letters for Rose at St. Francis-in-the-fields.

Letters for Rose is is not associated with Circle of Friends, the note-writing ministry of St. Francis.

Eight spots are available. Sign up HERE to reserve your spot!

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.

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.

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.