FIELDNOTES

December 2023

 The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Embracing the Silence

Are you busy this month? I know I am. The same can be said for many people during this time of year. The “busy holiday season” is not a cliche but an axiom. It’s a truth we all recognize, even if we don’t necessarily like it.

But I’ve decided I do like it. After many years of being told I shouldn’t like it, that it’s a product of too much commercialization and too little “reason for the season,” I’ve decided there’s something in the hectic pace and increased pressures and deadlines that truly ministers to my soul. It’s in the “corniness” of the season with all its plastic Santa’s. It's in the ridiculous contemporary Christmas music that relentlessly annoys me in the stores. It’s even in the social media posts that tell me what I should or should not be doing this season. 

And, most of all, it’s in the silences. The in-between times. The spaces. It’s in those all-too-rare moments when everything seems to slow down. When a breath can be taken between tasks. When the coffee cup steams as you stare out quietly across a cold, morning frost. When the lights on the tree blink off, and it’s as if eternity has appeared for a fraction of a second.

I like this time of year because the season “seasons” the silences. It helps them stand out, awkward though they may be at times. I need the silences. I need the stillness. And nothing says “still and quiet” like a cacophony suddenly stopped.

This year at St. Francis, we will be embracing more silence as Advent leads us toward Christmas Eve. You will hear it on Sunday mornings in the introit of the choir before the bell rings and the Great Silence begins. You will hear it in the chant settings of our music which give more space for vocal tone and room for the human voice. You will hear it especially in the Prayers of the People as the Intercessors on Sunday bid us into times of silence and contemplation. And you will hear it just the same as we light our candles and sing “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve.

If you’re busy this holiday season, don’t stress about it, whatever others may say. The season can be stressful enough as it is, without piling on all sorts of unnecessary judgment. If you like to shop, have fun, and remember those in need. If you enjoy Christmas music, listen with joy and sing with abandon. Trim the tree. Eat the cookies. Drink the punch. 

And embrace the Silence.

Because Christ is in that, too. The prayerful silence. The delicious silence. The lonely silence. The joyful silence. They are all a gift.

Blessed Advent and Merry Christmas,

Fr. Kevin+

Cookie Walk

Our annual Cookie Walk will take place on Saturday, December 2, from 9am to 11am.

Contact Michelle Samet for information on this important event at michellesamet@yahoo.com

All proceeds go to the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County.

St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale

St. Clares Wreath & Poinsettia Sale! 

Your purchase will be available for pickup on December 2 from 9 – 10:30 am in the Parish Hall. 

All the proceeds from the fundraiser go to parish needs or community outreach projects.

SAVE THE DATE & MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Saturday, December 2 from 9:30-11:30am   

Advent Mini-Retreat “Come, Lord Jesus”

St. Francis’ Sanctuary

Join Fr. John and Nina Whitnah for a time of reflecting on the major theme of Advent: the coming of Jesus past, present, and future. We will look at some passages of Scripture, enjoy a variety of songs and hymns, ponder other literature that will all provide encouragement in our waiting and preparation for the full coming of Christ’s reign in our lives and in our world.

December 9: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The next Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, December 9, 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.

Post Sabbatical Presentation

Please mark your calendars and join us on Sunday, December 10th (after church) for a post-sabbatical presentation by Fr. Kevin.

A Zoom link will be provided for those unable to attend in person and the presentation will be recorded.

A continental breakfast will be provided

Christmas Flowers

Flowers to decorate the church for Christmas in memory/thanksgiving/celebration of a person or event are available for a donation of $30. 

You can find the form in the Narthex of the church, on the website or by calling the church office at 610-647-0130. 

The deadline for the donation and the form is Monday, December 11, 2023! 

BROWN BAG LUNCH – December 12, 2023



NAMI Chester County PA is an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI was started in the late 1970s by family members who gathered together around a kitchen table to find understanding as well as identify resources and support for their adult children living with serious mental illness. From there, NAMI was born and today is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the US dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by mental illness through peer support, education and advocacy. We are a volunteer-driven organization, and all our programming is led by those with lived experience. Our family support groups and education classes are led by family members and loved ones of those living with a mental health condition, and our peer support groups and education classes are led by individuals living with a mental health condition in recovery.

The Chester County affiliate relaunched in January 2023 and is location in Exton, PA. Sara Wein, LSW is the Executive Director and has worked and/or volunteered in Human Services for 17 years. Prior to joining NAMI Chester County PA in 2023, Sara served as the Program Director of the National Health Corps Philadelphia, a public health-focused AmeriCorps program, for almost 10 years. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University in Women’s Studies, and dual Master of Social Services and Master of Law and Social Policy degrees from Bryn Mawr’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Over the course of her career, Sara's work has focused on substance use disorder/opioid use disorder, harm reduction, mental health, HIV/AIDS, intimate partner and sexual violence, and legal issues surrounding identity documents. Sara’s experience includes direct service; program management; volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention; community planning, and policy/legislative development and advocacy. For more information, please visit their website https://namichescopa.org/.

Please feel free to extend this invitation to your family, neighbors, and friends. Mental illness is a national crisis and all of us, in one way or another may be impacted. Please mark your calendars and we look forward to seeing you on December 12^th.

December 20: Christmas Lunch Fellowship

St. Francis will host a Christmas Lunch Fellowship on Wednesday, December 20, from 12pm to 2pm, in the Parish Hall.

A light lunch and desert will be served and Old-Fashioned Christmas Carols will be sung! There will be door prizes and a few surprises!

Volunteers are needed to transport members who don't drive to and from the event. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex.

Bring a friend and celebrate the season!

Dec. 15: Festive Christmas Party

It’s a Festive Christmas Party so dress up for a night of fun and fellowship!

Appetizers, beer and wine will be provided.

Please join us at 6:00 and let us know if you need a ride to the event.

Christmas Services

The season of Advent begins on December 3^rd. That means the 4^th and last Sunday of Advent coincides with Christmas Eve.

Please note the following schedule for services of the Feast of the Nativity:

Sunday, Dec. 24 – One morning service of Holy Eucharist at 10am only.

Christmas Eve services at 5pm and 11pm.

Monday, Dec. 25 – Holy Eucharist at 9am.

January 5: Open House at the Dellaria’s

The Dellaria’s will be hosting a come-and-go event at their home on Friday, Jan. 5, the Feast of the Epiphany from 6 to 9 pm!

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 will be 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.

Annual Meeting and Nominees for Office

The Annual Parish Meeting of St. Francis will be held on Sunday, January 28, following morning worship.

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!

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.

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.

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. Tickets are limited! A sign-up sheet will be in the narthex for anyone interested.

Payment is due by the end of January.

Clothing Collections for Church Farm School

"Thank you for all the wonderful donations to Church Farm School. We will pause for now and resume our collections in the spring."

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, December 27 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. 

Immigration Ministry

Refugee assistance update: the seventh furniture collection for refugees, in collaboration with Nationalities Service Center, will take place first week of October. 

To make a donation, please text photos of the items to John Groch. Include your address. John will give you detailed information about pickup date and time as soon as possible.

 Thanks!

Altar Flowers

There are many opportunities to sign up for flowers in December. Multiple entries can be made on one Sunday. 

Please check your entries if you have entered a permanent request to be sure it is correct. The cost for the flowers is the same- $50 per Sunday.   

Thanks. If you have questions contact Pam Hudson.