FIELDNOTES

July 2025

 The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

Malvern, Pennsylvania

Fr. Kevin's article will return next month!

Back to School Bash

ECS is taking donations for their Back to School Bash. There is a bin in the Narthex for your donations. Please help ECS and their efforts to help the children with the school supplies!

The list of supplies needed is below and there is also a QR code to order and the supplies will be sent to ECS directly.

The deadline is July 27!

Thank you!

Vestry Meeting Report for Fieldnotes

June, 2025

Accounting Warden Lisa Buono reported that church finances were in a favorable position, with the observation that some accounts were moderately over budget and should be carefully monitored to avoid excessive overspending. She also asked that vendors who provide monthly services be asked to submit their invoices on a monthly basis.

John Groch provided an update on the St. Francis Fair to be held on September 27. Over 20 exhibitors have committed to participate, with 5 to 10 vendors expected to offer items for sale. The focus of the fair is to raise community consciousness about environmental sustainability and social awareness of the needs of the disadvantaged.

John also offered a brief report on the updating of the church’s landscaping plan. Recent activities include mulching around trees at the front of the church, planting of native saplings around the perimeter of the parking lot and spreading of wood chips on bare ground near the utility shed. Members also noted the beauty of the church meadow and complimented St. Francis Meadow Minders for this contribution to the grounds.

Ed Damerau and John McGovern reported on their Vestry check-in conversations with various ministry chairs for the months of April and May, respectively. Chairs reported successes and some challenges.

Roberta Torian reported on updates of both the parishioner directory and the ministries directory.



Vestry considered new worship initiatives, including Taize meditation services.

Fr. Kevin introduced a plan to review Vestry’s annual activities, including developing a narrative budget for 2026.   

New Member, Virginia Webb.

St. Francis is proud to have formally welcomed Virginia Webb this spring as an official member, even though she has been coming and contributing to our church since 2024.

Virginia reports that she has been an active Episcopalian all her life. She and her husband, Michael, moved to this area from New Jersey in 1980. They now live in the West Whiteland area of West Chester and have two daughters, Amy Diedrichson and Katie Webb.

Virginia received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Rowan University and her Master in Library Science degree from Drexel University. She managed the B Dalton bookstore in Exton Mall for many years and has also served as a librarian in business and public libraries. Even now in her busy retirement, she works as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional in several school districts.

Virginia attended St. Paul’s in Exton, and then the Church of the Good Samaritan for 20 years where she was active in their thrift shop and the Daughters of the King.

She states that she was attracted to St. Francis due to the personal touch of Father Kevin and the friendliness of the congregation. She is already active here in the Newcomers committee, the Meadow project and ushering.

We are all blessed to have her as a new member!

July 1: Enneagram Growth Group

The Enneagram Growth Group meets on the 1^st Tuesdays of each month, from 6pm to 8pm, at the Dellaria residence in Paoli. The next meeting is Tuesday, July 1.

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

July 5: Men’s Breakfast Fellowship

The monthly Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be held on Saturday, July 5 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.

July 6: Worship in the Garden



Our series of 10am outdoor worship services will begin this year on July 6 and end with the Feast of St. Francis and Blessing of the Animals (October 5).

These services are subject to weather conditions. Our animal friends are always invited to worship with us on these special Sundays.

July 12: Prayer Vigil

Saturday, July 12, from 9am to 11am, we will hold a prayer service at St. Francis for all our immigrant and refugee siblings around the world, and in our own community.

Please mark your calendars and invite your friends to this important time of prayer and reflection

Sight & Sound

This year’s production at Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster is the 30^th Anniversary presentation of Noah! Most shows are already sold out through September.

St. Francis is looking to put a group together for a mid-week, daytime showing in late October or early November.

Tickets usually run between $85 to $100 per adult (slightly less for kids).

If you would like to be part of the group, please contact the Parish Office to get your name on the list.

Time and date will be based on responses, and finalized around mid-July.

Vacation Bible School July 28 to July 31

We hope you can join us for VBS at St. Francis Monday July 28^th thru Thursday July 31^st from 9:00am to 11:30am. Children age 4 to 5^th grade are welcome. Our program is again from Grow Curriculum and is titled Step Right Up”. Registration forms will be available soon. Any questions please contact Sherri Lewis.

Come one! Come all! Step Right Up and see the marvelous wonders waiting for you at our carnival! Carnivals are more than a place for enteratinment - they're an invitation to see something extraordinary. The best part? Everyone is invited! In this four-day series, kids will explore how Jesus, like a great carnival barker, calls out to us to show us something wonderful. In these four lessons, we'll discover how Jesus invites us to use the gifts God gave us, show God's love to someone new, thank God for forgiveness, and share God's story with everyone!

Weekly Lectionary Bible Study – Summer Break

Our weekly Wednesday Bible Study is now on summer break thru July.

The study will resume on August 6. And when it returns . . . everyone is welcome to attend! This group is famous for wonderful conversation and creating life-long friends.

A Zoom option is available with a reminder and link sent out each week.

Mark Your Calendars! September 27:

St. Francis Fair - noon to 4:00 pm.

This fall, St. Francis will be sponsoring a community fair featuring local groups that promote environmental and social awareness. 

Food banks, beekeepers, conservation agencies and farmers will inform the community about ways to serve those in need and maintain a sustainable environment. Food trucks, vendors and special activities for children too! 

More details to follow, including volunteer opportunities for parishioners.

Vendors Wanted! This is a special invitation to the artisans within the St. Francis Community.  We have a few spaces to fill and would like for you to sell your nature paintings, or your pottery, or other handcrafted items during the fair (rain date 9/28). Please contact Nancy Dart Orlando for more details: Nancyo112@comcast.net or text 484-757-4040. Thank you!

Brown Bag Lunch – Summer Break



Just a friendly reminder that our Brown Bag Lunch will take a short break in June, July, and August.

We can’t wait to see you again on Tuesday, September 23, when the Willistown Police Department will join us for a presentation! Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us.

The BBL Ministry is already getting excited for the 2026 season, and we’re looking for speakers or presenters who would love to share their insights on various topics, such as education, travel, hobbies, community events, and more. Perhaps there's a subject we haven’t explored yet.

If you’re interested in presenting or know someone who might be, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Shirley Warren, Cindy VanHefter, or Sheila Rees.

Vegetable Garden

Lynd Meyer, Carol Forte and Mahala Renkey worked in vegetable garden. They harvested a whole bed of parsley, lettuces and snap peas. 

Franky we need the sun to make an appearance. Mother nature has given us a lot of rain. Lots of plants that will bear when they sun comes out,

This brings our season total to 82.6 pounds.

What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?

Pentecost is coming! Pentecost is the celebration of the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, the body of Christ. Have you ever considered the gifts the Holy Spirit has given YOU for service?

You can pick up and complete a “Spiritual Gifts Assessment.” This quick and easy tool will help you discern your gifts for service both in the church and the community.

And be present each Sunday through Pentecost for Fr. Kevin’s upcoming sermon series: The Church, the Spirit, and YOU!

West Chester Food Cupboard

Mahala Renkey delivered 64 pounds of groceries from the Narthex. Thank you for your donations!!

Help Support our Mission!

Please scan the QR code to make a donation to St. Francis.

Thank you for your support!

To save money on fees, please

do NOT use this feature for your monthly pledge

Let us take your picture!

Our pictorial directory is a great resource that helps members put together faces and names. However, many of our newer members don’t have their pictures in the directory, and many of our longer-term members need to update their pictures.

After service on Sundays, please allow Roberta Torian or David Brooks take your photo to put in our updated member directory.

Join the Front Sign Ministry!

One of the most effective ways we catch the eyes of those driving by is by changing our front sign almost every week. It’s an easy task that has a big impact, and we need more people to help.

If you can give an hour every couple of months, join the Front Sign Ministry team! See Fr. Kevin for details. Your help would be much appreciated!

Circle of Friends

The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, July 23 at 5:30 pm.

If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, packets can be prepared for pickup or delivery as needed. 

Please contact Shelley Steel at 610-299-3963 or shelleybsteel@gmail.com.

ALL Meetings, Events, and Repairs



PLEASE call (610-647-0130) or email (stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org) Diane Faison in the church office to schedule ANY events at the church!

Doing this helps prevent scheduling conflicts.

Thistle Hills House 2025

Thank you for your recent donations!

The women at the Thistle Hills House are very grateful but

supplies are still needed!

We are still collecting for Thistle Hills House in Coatesville.

When shopping, take the list with you and throw something extra in the cart! Anything you can give would be greatly appreciated by the women who live at Thistle Hills House!

Please be as generous as you can!

A list of needs is in the Narthex and below!

Much appreciated!!

Ministry to Refugees

Nationalities Service Center is increasing its efforts to serve as many refugees as possible and is in need of sofas, upholstered chairs and kitchen tables and chairs. 

Please send photos to John Groch at 610-547-3583. 

NSC has many volunteer opportunities (nscphila.org).

Altar Flowers

Honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion by signing up for our weekly flower memorials. For a donation of $50, your dedication will help adorn our altar with beautiful flowers during the service your choice and will brighten the life of a shut in.

To reserve a date, please use the book in the back of the church, find the date of your choice and fill in. Entries in pencil are only for one year and entries in pen will be considered permanent and reoccurring.  

Your generosity and remembrance will be a blessing to our parish community.

Thank you for your support! Pamela Hudson, 484-787-6669 

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

 Diane Faison, Parish Administrator & Deacon

Joe Perry, Music Director