FIELDNOTES
April 2023
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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Pieces of Us
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.
(Eph. 2:21-22)
In the 2003 film “Pieces of April,” a young woman (April, played by Katie Burns) invites her dysfunctional and estranged family to her small apartment in NYC for an intimate Thanksgiving dinner. As she labors to prepare the meal, the task becomes seemingly insurmountable: Her cooking skills are non-existent, her oven broken, her turkey too big, and her husband caught up in a comedy of errors all his own. Her only hope, as the day slips away, is to depend on the goodwill of strangers to help put the pieces of the meal together. Through the help of (and conflict with) other residents of her building, April is able to bring the meal to fruition. And in the process, a new community is built.
It’s a simple concept. But then, simple things are not all that easy. The idea of the “Church” - the Body of Christ - is a simple institution. Much of the time, it’s a comedy of errors. A “tragi-comedy”, if we’re being honest. From the outside looking in, the pieces of this body wouldn’t seem to fit together. Different cultures, different perspectives, different histories. How do you turn all this variety into one, single structure, as Paul says?
Isn’t it amazing what a meal can do!
Our celebration of Holy Eucharist - our most regular, communal meal - is the mortar that holds the bricks together. It’s the glue that binds us to our foundation, Jesus Christ, and to one another, as this structure grows up. But just as Eucharist brings us together, it also points to our separateness. Each of us, that is, is a unique brick in this Temple. We have something to give; something to contribute to the whole. And only through that contribution can it really all be “built up together”.
As Easter comes around again, I am reminded of just how rich and varied the Christian church can be - how rich it should be. We don’t come together in Eucharist to become copycat images of religious piety. We come together in Eucharist, among other things, to demonstrate that the vast diversity of this creation really can be something wonderful and beautiful; all the pieces, with all their God-given complementarity coming together to form one, beautiful Temple in the Lord. That structure is made from pieces of us.
Come celebrate this Easter! Sing together in community, hear the words of liberation, dip down into the waters of baptism, dine at the Feast prepared from the foundation of the world. And remember, as you do so, that God created you, blesses you, loves you, and welcomes you in all your uniqueness. You, and your neighbor, too!
The Lord is Risen. The Lord is Risen Indeed!
Happy Easter,
Fr. Kevin+
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Sunday, April 2 - Palm Sunday, Holy Eucharist and Blessing of of the Palms, 8 and 10 am
Thursday, April 6 - Maundy Thursday, Holy Eucharist and stripping of the altar
Friday, April 7 - Good Friday, Holy Eucharist from the Reserved Sacrament
Saturday, April 8 - Holy Saturday, Lessons and Hymns
Sunday, April 9 - Easter Sunday, 8 am Holy Eucharist, 10 am Holy Eucharist and Baptism
Easter Egg Hunt following the 10 am service
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Other Important Upcoming Dates
- April 3 - Red Cross Blood Drive
- April 4 - Brown Bag Lunch
- April 12 - Easter Luncheon Fellowship (Noon to 2pm)
- April 23 - Episcopal Community Services visit St. Francis
- May 10 - "Jazz & Joe": A partnership with the GVSD Educational Foundation
- May 22 to September 4 - Fr. Kevin on Sabbatical
*Event Times TBA
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Calendar
For the calendar of events, please click the link below to the website.
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Youth Group Lent Project
THANK YOU!
With your donations we were able to send several boxes of packets for those in shelters to do their laundry at the laundromat.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated from those who need the help!
THANK YOU!!
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April 1: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship
The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 1, 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.
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Lenten Devotional Concert
On April 2nd, 6:00 PM, the St. Francis Choir will be presenting a devotional concert featuring Michael John Trotta’s “Seven Last Words”. This concert will feature a chamber orchestra of some of St. Francis’ favorite instrumental musicians.
This concert is free and open to the public but free will donations for the music program at St. Francis will be accepted.
Please invite friends and neighbors for this special occasion.
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April 3: Red Cross Blood Drive
St. Francis will host our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday, April 3 from 2-7 pm. Please consider donating blood to help patients in need in our community.
If you are healthy and eligible, roll up your sleeve, book your appointment at www.redcrossblood.org (search St. Francis Malvern) and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross!
Questions, contact Sue Lenkaitis.
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Brown Bag Lunch Ministry
Brown Bag Lunch, April 4, 12:00-1:00
Willistown Conservation Trust
Have you noticed that there are fewer birds and beneficial insects in your yard? You might be aware of these declines and wonder what you can do to help. This month’s presenters from the Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT) will discuss two innovative programs that might pique your interest: Habitat at Home and New Lawn Conservation practices. These programs are all a part of the WCT Home Resource Guide, which is available at their website. Please consider joining us for lunch and to hear first hand about these challenges and creative responses.
Our WCT speakers, Andrew Kirkpatrick and Mike Cranney, both have many years of expertise working in their fields and love to share their passions for nature and the outdoors.
Bring a sandwich, invite a friend and join us in the undercroft. Beverages and dessert will be supplied. Wheelchair accessible.
Save the Date – our next Brown Bag Lunch is scheduled for May 9, 12:00 pm.
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April 9, Easter Egg Hunt
Immediately following the 10am service on Easter Sunday, St. Francis will hold an egg hunt – our first in years! The egg hunt will be outside, weather permitting, or downstairs if raining.
We hear the Easter Bunny is planning a visit too!
Spread the word to your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and their friends. What a blessing it will be to see our pews filled with smiling young faces!
If you know you will have children attending with you, please let Jill Quinn or Sherri Lewis know so we can estimate the number of goodies we need to purchase.
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April 12: Easter Fellowship Luncheon
The Easter Fellowship Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 12th, from Noon to 2pm. The event will include lunch, music, door prizes, and a time a joy and friendship. Come join the fun! (If you would like to help by bringing a salad to share, please contact Fr. Kevin. Thanks!)
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April 23: Episcopal Community Services
8am & 10am
For 150 years, Episcopal Community Services has been serving the poor in southeastern Pennsylvania. On April 23, Chaplain Kyle Evans will be visiting St. Francis to share their vision with us. From their website:
"Episcopal Community Services supports individuals and families in determining and following their own paths. It’s the best way to transform communities. Our mission is to challenge and reduce intergenerational poverty. We increase the ability of people to improve their lives and achieve economic independence. We call upon every person to participate in sustainable, positive change for our communities. We envision a world where the path to prosperity is available to all."
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Book Group
Friday, April 21, 7:30
Magnolia Palace, by Fiona Davis
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Fellowship Meeting
Interested in helping to develop this year’s Fellowship events? Then join me in the library after the 10:00 service on April 23rd!
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The Book of Revelation
Fr. Kevin’s Study of the Book of Revelation is held on Sunday mornings from 9 to 9:30am. The study is held in-person, but also livestreamed and recorded on the St. Francis YouTube channel.
Join with Fr. Kevin as we remove the mystery of this last book of the Bible, uncovering its background and interpreting its meaning for our lives.
There will be no Study on April 9, Easter Sunday.
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Let’s play Pickleball!
The kick off event will take place on the back parking lot on Monday, May 8th from 5:00-7:00.
Please bring the beverage of your choice and an appetizer to share.
We will have extra equipment and all are welcome. No experience necessary.
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May 10: “Jazz & Joe” at St. Francis
On Wednesday, May 10, at 7pm, in partnership with the Great Valley School District Educational Foundation, St. Francis will host The Jazz Sanctuary and their live concert ensemble “Jazz & Joe”.
Complimentary snacks, coffee, and wine will be offered. Donations will be accepted, with all proceeds going toward the GVSDEF “Good Neighbor Program” (gsdvef.org), which serves students and families in the district suffering from financial hardship.
Invite friends and join us for a relaxing evening of live jazz music!
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June 17: National Anthem @ the Reading Phillies
St. Francis has been invited once again to sing the National Anthem before a Reading Phillies game.
Tickets will be on sale soon!
Whether you sing or not, this annual event is fun for everyone.
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Garden News
Last year our10+ year old wire fence around the vegetable garden was successfully undermined by ground hogs and squirrels. Their invasion reduced our crop yield by 40% to the West Chester Food Cupboard.
A new fence will be installed in early April in time for the distribution of seedlings from the Chester Count Food Bank. We plant three crops per season per garden.
Mahala J Renkey
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Recycling
April is Earth month (why just make it a day?!) and it is the perfect time for a refresher on recycling practices. As this graphic indicates recycling is just one part of the solution.
Currently, individual parishioners take the weekly parish recycling to their home recycling bins. To keep this task as simple as possible for our volunteer recyclers, please review the list below before you toss. Note that at this time we are keeping bulletins, inserts and any other clean paper separated from other types of recycling products and in their own recycling bin.
During coffee hour or at any other social activity held in the church, please follow these practices when disposing of materials:
Place in blue recycling bin:
• Paper cups (rinsed)
• Any plastic containers, rinsed and free of residue
• Glass bottles
• Tin cans
• Clean cardboard
Place in regular trash:
• Napkins, paper towels*
• Non-paper cups (we’re trying to avoid using any styrofoam products, but if you use them, please put them in the trash as they cannot be recycled. And, by the way, they will not decompose for at least 500 years, so please avoid using/purchasing these products whenever possible.)
• Coffee grounds*
• Anything that doesn’t fit into the above categories
* Over the next few months we will be exploring a compost option on our grounds,so stay tuned!
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Could You Bring Your Talents to the Welcome Ministry Committee?
The Welcome Ministry Committee, an exciting new initiative at St. Francis, is seeking volunteers to help with its activities. Whether you're an extrovert who loves meeting new people, or an introvert who prefers to work behind the scenes, there are opportunities for everyone to get involved. Volunteers can help at church or from home on their own time, making it a convenient and flexible way to serve the community.
Some of the roles available include ushers/greeters, who will welcome visitors to the church and help them feel at home, and those who can write a welcome guide for visitors to be published in a brochure and online. New church members are also needed to join the committee and bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Additionally, those who are comfortable speaking in front of groups can help at new member orientation and make a lasting impact on the church community. Finally, a video production expert could help with further creative efforts. The Welcome Ministry Committee is a great way to connect with others and make a meaningful contribution to the church, so why not consider volunteering today?
In conclusion, the Welcome Ministry Committee is an important new venture that offers a range of opportunities for volunteers to get involved. From ushers/greeters to writers and speakers, there is something for everyone to do. By joining this committee, you can help create a warm and welcoming environment for visitors and new members, making a positive impact on the St. Francis community as a whole. So why not sign up to be a part of this important ministry today?
Contact Fr. Kevin or Brian Friedrich (484-343-7738) for more information.
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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.)
The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, April 26 at 5:30 pm. If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, please contact Sue Lenkaitis at suelenk@verizon.net. or 610-570-1112. Packets can be prepared for pickup or delivery as needed.
Additionally, if you know someone who would benefit from a note of encouragement, well wishes or any other message from our ministry, please contact Sue and we will add them to our list. We want to ensure we're reaching those who need it most.
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Immigration Ministry
Anyone who is interested in helping immigrants in other ways can visit Nationalities Service Center (nscphila.org) for opportunities to donate money or services.
Contact John Groch with any questions (610-547-3583).
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SABBATICAL AND CONGREGATION RENEWAL ACTIVITIES FOR MAY
As you know by now, Father Kevin’s Sabbatical starts Sunday May 21st, beginning with a farewell luncheon after the 10:00 am service . We also begin our own parish renewal activities, as highlighted below, and look forward to seeing you there! Please note that to plan for each of these events, we will be using Signup Genius to track the number of attendees, so please RSVP!
Monday, May 1st 7:00 am – 9:00 am Bird Watching Guided Tour
Join us at Rushton Woods Farm for a guided bird watching tour conducted by Willistown Conservation Trust along with our own Tony Fernandes. Yes, this is quite early but are told by the experts it will ensure we experience the best migration activity. Bring your cameras and binoculars! (Note, rain date is Friday, May 5th.)
Sunday, May 7th (after church) - Photo Tips Workshop
Ed Damerau will share hints and tips on capturing your “best photos” using a cell phone or any other camera. This workshop is in preparation for the Parish Collage Project which will be ongoing May through August (more details to come on this Project later). Grab a cup of coffee and meet Ed in the Parish Hall
Tuesday, May 9th-Noon-1:30PM – Afghan Immigrant Speaker
Based on results of the 2022 congregation survey, a top priority is the need to engage with other Faiths and learn more about their cultures. During the normal Brown Bag lunch time, we will host an Afghan immigrant speaker who will share principles of Islam. The speaker will also offer reflections on their experience, the warm reception they received from Nationalities Service Center, from other caring Americans, and the challenges experienced due to religious and cultural differences.
In 2022, Operation Allies Welcome and Welcome US began coordinating efforts across the federal government to resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked on behalf of the United States. One area of critical need is short-term housing (3-6 months) for Afghan arrivals as they begin their new lives in the United States. St. Francis, along with other churches, jumped in to help these refugees. One of our parishioners, John Groch, has been coordinating volunteer efforts with the Nationalities Service Center (host organization) in Philadelphia to help house and resettle refugees who moved to the area.
A light lunch will be served along with beverages.
Saturday, May 13th 10:00-Noon-Beautify St. Francis’ Gardens
Birds are singing, trees are budding, and early spring flowers are blooming. What a beautiful time to be outdoors to help beautify St. Francis’ gardens with annuals just in time for Mother’s Day. Our garden team will advise you how to design your own potted planter to take home and enjoy. Soil and plants will be provided, but please bring your own pot.
Sunday, May 21st (after church)-Send-off Celebration Lunch
The Sabbatical Committee would like this special sendoff celebration to be memorable, not only for the Dellarias, but for our Parish family. We look forward to seeing as many parishioners in attendance as possible, as well as Acolytes (present and past) who are home for the summer. Thank you for your support of this important aspect of congregational life.
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Altar Flowers
Do you have a graduation to celebrate or a birthday or Mother’s Day to celebrate? Consider giving flowers for the altar. We have plenty of spots in May and June.
The flower book is in the back of the church, and you can sign up for the Sunday closest to the event. More than one family can sign up. Hurry because spots are going fast.
If you have questions, please contact Pam Hudson at 610-696-6981.
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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 Very 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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