FIELDNOTES

January 2024

 The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Looking Back, Looking Forward

For this January, I want to keep my Fieldnotes article brief.

The main thing I want to say is “Thank you”! Thank you to everyone at St. Francis for your faith in God, your commitment to our community, and your love for one another. This past year was such a wonderful year in our parish. Yes, in so many ways, the post-pandemic years are still a strange, new world, and there are challenges on all sides for churches all around. But facing those challenges with a community like St. Francis gives hope and joy for the journey.

May you all be blessed in this New Year. There is vital ministry ahead of us as we continue to live out the faith that’s been entrusted to us. Most of all, in 2024, we’ll continue to work on building connections - both inside St. Francis and with the world outside our walls. Our world is so desperately in need of God’s love. What paths will God take us down to spread that love in 2024? I hope you’re as excited as I am to find out.

Happy New Year!

Fr. Kevin+

Calendar

For the full calendar of events, please click the link below to the website. More information on many events at St. Francis can be found in this newsletter.

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 

Selected Upcoming Events:

Friday, Jan. 5 - "12th Night" Party/Open House (6pm to 9pm; Dellaria's Home)

Saturday, Jan. 6 - AED/CPR Training (9am; Narthex)

Sunday, Jan. 7 - The Enneagram Journey begins (4pm to 6pm; Parish Hall)

Saturday, Jan. 13 - MLK Worship Service (1pm; Mt. Zion AME Church, Devon)

Sunday, Jan. 14 - Adult Christian Education Series begins (9am; Library)

Friday, Jan. 19 - Book Group (7:30pm; Library)

Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Brown Bag Lunch (11:30am; Parish Hall)

Wednesday, Jan 24 - Circle of Friends (5:30pm)

Sunday, Jan. 28 - Annual Parish Meeting & Brunch (11am; Parish Hall)

Saturday, Feb. 3 - Men's Breakfast Fellowship (9am; West Chester Diner)

Tuesday, Feb. 13 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (6pm to 7pm; Parish Hall)

Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Ash Wednesday Services (12pm & 7pm)

Sunday, February 18 - First Sunday of Lent

January 5: Open House at the Dellarias

6pm to 9pm

The Dellarias will be hosting a come-and-go event at their home on Friday, January 5, the Feast of the Epiphany, from 6 to 9 pm. Bring something to share if you like and stay as long as you want.

Weatherstone Townhome Community

303 Weatherstone Drive

Paoli, PA 19301

Fr. Kevin and family live in the Weatherstone Townhome Community. Enter from Devon Rd. (between S. Valley Rd. & Darby Rd). The Dellarias' building is the first "court" on the right. Their home will have a lighted wreath hanging near the door and luminaries on their entrance walk. Park wherever you can. If no spots are open, you can park along Weatherstone Drive. We look forward to seeing you!

AED & CPR TRAINING

Saturday, January 6, 2024

(9:00AM-10:15AM)

Most people feel helpless during a cardiac emergency. Would you, a family member or friend know what to do if you saw someone collapse? Increase your confidence and reduce your fears and hesitation during an emergency by being trained in Hands-on CPR. In 2018, St. Francis purchased an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and two training sessions were held in 2018 and 2019; however, because of COVID all in-person training were cancelled.

The class is limited to a maximum of 20 attendees and a sign-up sheet is posted in the Narthex.

Please contact Shirley Warren if you have any questions. Thank you!

The Enneagram Journey Returns

Sundays, 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Jan. 7 – Mar. 24 (12 Sundays). Dinner provided.

The Enneagram is a powerful tool with ancient roots that offers insight into personality, spiritual development, temptations, motivations, and most of all, relationships with others. Through the Enneagram you come to know yourself better, and learn to understand and connect with others in deeper and more meaningful ways.

This is a great course for couples and individuals alike. Cost: $50.

To register or more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria (donnadellaria@gmail.com).

Class is limited to 15.

Enneagram Growth Group



Are you a graduate of The Enneagram Journey? In early 2024, Fr. Kevin and Donna Dellaria will begin hosting a monthly group for those interested in furthering their study and practice of the Enneagram. Contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria for more information.

Beginning Sunday, January 14: Practicing Theological Reflection

The practice of Theological Reflection opens us up to receiving God’s wisdom and guidance.

Beginning in January our first series, led by Meridith Ridington, will consider the upcoming St. Francis Meadow Project as an easy entry into TR practice.

Sunday mornings @ 9am.

Book Group

Friday, Jan. 19 at 7:30pm (Library)



The January 19, 2024, meeting of Book Group will be discussing The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See.  The Akha people are tea farmers. Li-yan who has been educated, rejects her village’s old customs. When Li-yan has a child out of wedlock, instead of having her killed, she leaves the baby near an orphanage with a cake of tea tucked in her blanket.

BROWN BAG LUNCH – January 23, 2024

11:30am to 1:00pm

Sarah Bones, Photographer and Director, will give a brief overview of her global documentary work for humanitarian organizations such as Greenpeace, The World Health Organization and CARE. 

She will also present her local work with Pathways to Housing Philadelphia, which is celebrating its 15th year working to end homelessness in Philadelphia and, she has been working with them from the beginning. Through viewing her video, you will learn more about how this organization transforms the lives of its participants through their personal stories.

For more information, please visit (Pathways to Housing PA | Housing First Ends Homelessness) and Sarah’s Photography (International Photographer SARAH BONES).

Sarah lives in Malvern and may be known to many of our parishioners as a former member of St. Francis, a member of the Malvern Art Center, and St. Francis Art shows where she has shown her work and received awards.

Annual Meeting and Nominees for Office

Sunday, January 28th @ 11:00am

St. Francis Parish Hall & Zoom

The Annual Parish Meeting of St. Francis will take place on Sunday, January 28^th at 11:00am. The meeting will be held both in-person and on Zoom. For those attending in-person, brunch will be provided by the Vestry. As per our custom, this meeting will include the election of new Vestry Members and Convention Delegates, an update on the finances of the parish, and reports from select committees.

The deadline for reports to be sent by email is January 10!

The slate of Nominees for Vestry include Susan Lenkaitis (2nd term), John Groch (1st term), and John McGovern (1st term).

Tom Neely will stand for election as Deanery Representative and Delegate to Diocesan Convention.

Special thanks is due to Jill Quinn, who retires after 6 years on Vestry and two as Rector's Warden, and Nancy Needhammer, who retires after 3 years as Delegate to Diocesan Convention. Thank you both for your faithful service!

Candidates for Vestry

John McGovern joined St. Francis in the Fields and the Episcopal community during the summer of 2021. He was raised a Roman Catholic, and lived in the West Chester area, he graduated from West Chester East High School in 1979 before entering into the United States Marine Corps. Upon returning home from bootcamp, John attended Penn State, Delco Campus and then went into the Police Academy at Delaware County Community College. Upon graduation, John was asked to work within the family painting business as an Operations Manager and Estimator. John married his wife, Sarah, and they raised their 3 children in Downingtown. As an active member of St. Joseph Church in Downingtown, John served on the CYO Board, started and was the head coach for the parish football program, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served for 14 years as head usher for the 4:00pm Mass. Within the community, John also coached baseball for 10 years through various programs.

After retiring from McGovern Painting in 2006, John switched careers and became a Real Estate Agent, which he is currently. John enjoys golfing, boating and fishing, playing and watching sports, and spending time with his 7 grandchildren and his growing family.

John is happy to be an active member of the St. Francis in the Fields community. He feels as if he was welcomed into this community and is looking forward to serving within it as well.

John Groch - Before retiring in 2020, John spent 47 years teaching high school religious studies and Latin and also theology as an adjunct at Villanova University. He taught for 26 years at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, where he served on numerous faculty committees and mentored several student clubs. His interests include fly fishing, photography, writing, community involvement, and especially travel with his wife, Mer. Since joining the St. Francis community, he has enjoyed helping with the community garden and assisting refugees in cooperation with Nationalities Service Center. He loves spending time with his family, especially his two granddaughters, Clementine and Beatrix. In 2023, John was appointed by the Vestry to fill a vacated term. He is eligible to serve two full terms.

February 3: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 3, 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.

2024 Sight & Sound Field Trip

St. Francis is once again planning a church field trip to Sound & Sound Theater in Lancaster.

This year the event will be the evening Saturday, April 20^th for a production of “Daniel”.

Tickets are $94.05 for adults and $42.00 ages 12 and under. Only 6 spots remain! A sign-up sheet will be in the narthex for anyone interested.

Payment is due by the end of January.

Congregation Collage Project

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Congregation Collage Project “Finding God in Our Everyday Lives”.

Many beautiful pictures were received and two 20 x 30 collages were created, which we temporarily hang in the library.

A decision on a permanent location will be made, but in the meantime, you can view them in the library. Thanks.

Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)

The tax laws can be confusing, but there is one rule that should definitely be understood by anyone age 70 ½ and older. 

The QCD rule allows an individual to make donations directly from their IRA accounts to the church, without having to pay tax on the distribution. This can save a considerable amount of federal tax, and it is especially useful when you turn 73, and must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). 

To learn more please ask your investment advisor, or see Mike Quinn with any questions.

Pre-Marital and Marital Coaching

Fr. Kevin is now a certified Facilitator for the Prepare/Enrich pre-marital and marriage assessment program.

For over 35 years, the Prepare/Enrich assessment tool has been used by Facilitators to help couples strengthen and enrich their relationships.

If your relationship or that of someone you know could benefit from a short-term program of assessment and conversation, please reach out to Fr. Kevin for more details.

Coffee Hour



Coffee Hour hosts are needed for 2024! Please consider hosting a Sunday or two.

Contact Sue Kelly or sign up in the Narthex.

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, January 24 at 5:30 pm. If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, please contact Sue Lenkaitis. 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. 

Immigration Ministry

To do more for refugees, please visit nscphila.org where you'll find many opportunities to donate your services or contribute goods to persons in need. 

Sign up for NSC's newsletter to get periodic updates on what you can do to help. 

For future furniture pickups, send photos to John Groch.

Altar Flowers

Please sign up for altar flowers in the book in the back of the church. The donation for the flowers is $50. Thanks. If you have questions contact Pam Hudson.