The Monthly Newsletter of 

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church

The month of June is sweeping in with a lot of excitement and anticipation. For the first time in over a year we are starting to take big steps toward post-virus life. People are feeling safe again. I won't say there is a sense of "normalcy" returning, but rather a sense of liberation. Many of us feel like we can take a good, deep breath again. Thanks be to God!

At St. Francis, we are sharing in that palpable sense of "opening up". This Sunday, June 6, we will finally be fully open again. We'll be able to sing together again; to fellowship again; to feel the full sense of Christian community. There is a feeling of "spaciousness" that's coming with the sense of safety, and that space is meant to be filled with the people of God. And while there will still be some guidelines to protect the unvaccinated, and changes to the way we have done things in the past, the main thing is that we can return to full purpose as a congregation: to worship, learn, and encourage one another in the faith.

I realize that some people will remain cautious for a while, and others will be taking vacations, going to the shore, etc. I'll be out for a while myself, coming up later this month. But I hope as many people as possible will "test the waters" this summer by coming to worship when they can. We will be experimenting with a shorter, outside service at 9:00 am on Sundays (weather permitting), as well as our usual 10:00 am. We will also be continuing to stream our 10 am services each and every Sunday. Although w e have learned and continue to learn to use technology effectively, Holy Eucharist as a gathered community is still the center of our life as Episcopalians, so I hope to see each and every one of you at least once this summer.

One more note: It's bittersweet to share with you that Grace and Ted Wingfield are leaving St. Francis, as Grace pursues a wonderful career opportunity in South Carolina. Ted and Grace have been active members, visionary leaders, and good friends to me and many of you. For the last few months, Grace has been serving as the Rector's Warden for St. Francis, and she has done an excellent job. (As I knew she would!) We wish Grace and Ted every blessing in God!

As of June 1st, Grace is stepping down as Rector's Warden, and I am pleased to announce that Dan Goff has graciously agreed to step up as interim Rector's Warden, effective immediately. Dan has been an active member of St. Francis for many years, and is currently in the 3rd year of consecutive Vestry service. He will finish out Grace's term.

I will be on vacation June 14 to July 3, with a week of continuing education following. I will be back at St. Francis on July 10. During my absence, the Rector's Warden (Dan) is in charge of the parish. Our Deacon and Parish Administrator, the Rev. Diane Faison, will also be available.

Blessings to all. Have great summer!

Fr. Kevin+

St. Francis-in-the-Fields Calendar 

Jason Fernandes, son of Tony and Sharon Fernandes, will receive his JD with High Pro Bono Distinction from Stanford Law School on June 12^th. Jason is a 2011 graduate of Great Valley High School, and a 2015 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to attending law school, he worked for a start-up in New York City, and the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC. After taking the bar exam, he will return to DC in the fall to work for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency under the Treasury Department.

Our Warful construction team is moving along according to schedule and remains on target for completion by the end of June.  Hopefully many of you have had a chance to take a peek inside at the progress!  Much of the HVAC work and lower-level renovations are completed, with the exception of our new flooring. Over the next few weeks, focus will shift to the upper level. As a reminder, the existing library and nursery will be switched, and the bathroom reconfigured to face the hallway. All these areas include new flooring and paint, as well as upgrades to the bathroom fixtures.

We are both pleased and grateful to report that 51% of expected 2021 Capital Campaign pledge payments have been received so far.  That said, payments do tend to drop off during the summer months, which will coincide with hefty invoices as construction wraps up. We appreciate your staying as current as possible with your pledges.

Pickleball is Tuesdays from 5 to 6:30 in the parking lot at St. Francis.

The next Vestry meeting is Tuesday, June 8 at 7 pm.

The HS Youth Group will meet Sunday,June 6 from 5 till 6:30 p.m. The High School Youth Group will meet in the narthex.

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.