“It Is in Giving We Receive”

 The 2027 Pledge Campaign is underway! Inspired by the Prayer of St. Francis – “It is in giving that we receive” – our campaign seeks to raise at least $500,000 through at least 125 pledges to sustain our community and ministries. This goal represents a 10% increase over last year’s giving, reflecting both the current needs of our parish and our hope for continued growth. Because St. Peter’s is entirely self-sustaining, every commitment directly funds our worship, ministries, and outreach.

As you reflect prayerfully on what St. Peter’s means to you and your family, we invite returning pledgers to consider an increase this year, and we warmly welcome commitments from those pledging for the first time.

Stewardship packets have been distributed; if you are new to St. Peter’s or did not receive one, extras are available in the gathering spaces, or you may contact the parish office. Thank you for your generosity and faithful partnership in St. Peter’s mission.

The Stewardship Commission

Amy Fisher, Suzanne Casey, Kristin Heisey, Janet Himmelreich, Laurel Veitch

Susan Davis & Cassandra Shannon, vestry liaisons

Adult Formation

Joe Herbst and the Finance Commission will report on the St. Peter’s budget, trends, and plans for the year. Please get something to eat and drink and join us in the Barn sanctuary on Sunday at 10:15. Everyone--and all questions--are welcome!

A Message from the Bishop

Last week, The Episcopal Church released data on membership numbers stating that its report shows “continued post-pandemic stabilization in terms of attendance and finances, though overall membership continues to slowly decline.”

I am happy to report that we are an outlier. The average Sunday attendance (also known as ASA) across this diocese has modestly grown by 2.9% from 2024 to 2025. Our diocese’s plate and pledge giving has increased 3.7% from 2024 to 2025; and has increased 10.5% over the last five years. 

Our continued focus is on serving you so you can serve others in Christ. That service to Christ and your communities has led to this growth. And, I believe will only continue to do so. 

Hope is alive here.

Bishop Daniel

Confirmation Class -- Registration Open

Confirmation Class will be offered this year in advance of our Bishop Visitation in June. Registration is open through the end of October, with classes beginning in November. While the exact schedule will depend on final enrollment, classes are expected to meet weekly, with breaks for school holidays. John will be involved in teaching the class. The class is open to youth in 7th grade and above. To sign up or to learn more, please email John (john@stpetersgv.org) or call the office (610-644-2261). Adults interested in Confirmation or Reception into The Episcopal Church are also invited to contact John to discuss a preparation plan.

Trunk or Treat

Sunday, October 25, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Bank Barn Parking Lot

All are invited to this simple, safe version of traditional trick-or-treating, where children visit festively decorated car trunks to collect their treats—a fun way to gather as a community and a great opportunity to invite others to St. Peter’s. Please plan to join us and bring your friends, family, and neighbors.

To ensure success, we need your help! Please sign up below to host a trunk of treats or contact Seretha Curry at slcurry@stpetersgv.org. We need at least 15 trunks for this to be a fun event for all of the children visiting our campus. We also need a couple of people to help direct traffic. This is a great event for youth, children, and families. Everyone hosting a trunk is eligible to win the coveted “St. Peter’s Perpetual Trophy” for the best trunk. This year’s decision will be by people’s choice—everyone will have a vote!

All Saints Choral Evensong

A festal service of sung evening prayer, commonly known as Evensong, will be offered in the Historic Church on Sunday, November 1, at 4:00 under the direction of organist and choir director Steven Patchel. The choirs will sing canticles of Charles Stanford and Malcolm Archer's setting of "And I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth."

Choral Evensong marks the end of the working day and prepares for the approaching night. The roots of this service come out of ancient monastic traditions of Christian prayer. In this form, it was created by Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556). Words of this liturgy have been set to music by some of the Church’s greatest composers.

In this service we are invited to reflect on the activity of the past day, to pray for the world and for ourselves, and to commend all into God’s hands as words of Holy Scripture are said and sung. The beautiful music is offered by the choir on behalf of the congregation as means for prayer and contemplation.



A light reception will follow. All are welcome—please bring a friend! 

PJ Whelihan's Dine 'N' Donate for St. Peter's Preschool

November 4

5:00-9:00 p.m.

PJ Whelihan's will host a Dine 'N' Donate with a portion of all proceeds benefitting the school. Dine in or take out and be sure to mention St. Peter's Preschool! View the flyer here.

Fellowship Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to host our customary coffee and tea service and provide snacks immediately following each 9:00/10:00 and 11:15 a.m. service. You can sign up online here. If you prefer, sign up on a clipboard in the Barn or Historic Church, and your name will be added to the online signup. First-time hosts are especially welcome and orientation will be provided. For more information contact Michael Smith at michaelsmithgmail@gmail.com or (813) 943-3796.

Memorial Brick Fundraiser

Celebrate and honor loved ones while supporting our church through our Memorial Brick Fundraiser. For a donation of $100, you can purchase an engraved 4" x 8" brick personalized with up to three lines of text. Bricks may be inscribed in memory of or in honor of individuals or families. Order forms are available in the gathering space or click here to download one.

CYWA Food Pickup Volunteers Needed

Help CYWA Keep the Food Pantry Stocked!

CYWA in Coatesville is looking for volunteers to pick up food donations from local grocery

stores and deliver them to the CYWA Food Pantry.

• When: Monday–Thursday, generally 8:30 a.m.–noon
• What: Drive the CYWA van or ride along with a volunteer driver
• Requirements: Ability to lift up to 35 pounds
• Schedule: Sign up for the day(s) that work best for you

Your time can make a real difference in keeping food on the shelves for our neighbors. We’d love to have you help! If you are interested, please contact Patrick at pjmill98@yahoo.com or text (610) 291-3002.

Coat Drive Volunteers Needed

Three volunteers are needed to help with the clothing drive in Coatesville on Oct 29. This is driving clothes there and helping people who come. Please contact Brenda Grove to help. Coats will be in the Barn until then. Please check the closet for your items so they don’t get taken away.

Thanksgiving Dinners for Church Housing

Church Housing (CH) knows how to do things right and well. In early November they will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for the residents in each of their facilities. This will be a full turkey dinner, with all the sides and trimmings, along with pumpkin pie for everyone. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this? There are multiple opportunities both on weekends and weekdays at one of their Phoenixville, West Chester, and Upland locations, where you will see the communities CH has built. You may volunteer once, which is always appreciated, or you may come back for more. Invite a friend! There are signup sheets in gathering spaces, or send an email with your plans to outreach@stpetersgv.org.  

Church Farm School Exhibition: “Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.: Citizen Printer” at the Buck Family Center for the Arts

This exhibition is open to the public on Saturdays from October 3-October 31 and November 14 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. There is no charge for admission, but reservations are required. Guests are asked to give what they wish in support of Church Farm scholarships. Reserve your spot at CFS1918.org/Saturdays.