COVID-19 Protocols, Information and Resources
March 1, 2022
Practicing Love: Reminders and Tips for Healthy Church Gatherings
December 31, 2022What’s Happening at St. Francis-in-the-Fields
What's Happening at St. Francis-in-the-Fields
Special Events
January 10: Open House at the Dellarias’ home
Fr. Kevin and Donna Dellaria will be hosting their annual Epiphany Open House on Friday, January 10 from 6 to 9 pm. This is a come and go event and everyone is invited.
Please bring a dish or drinks to share. The address is 303 Weatherstone Drive in Paoli. Entering into the Weatherstone townhome community off of Devon Road, the house is in the first court to the right in the middle of the 300 unit. There is a statue of St. Francis next to the front door. Park where you can.
January 19 and January 26: Christian Education
The 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity runs from January 18 to January 25 (The Octave of Saints Peter and Paul). On these two successive Sundays, the Rev. John Woodcock will present on the larger ecumenical organizations and on the Episcopal Church's agreements with the Lutherans, Methodists and Moravians. Class will meet in the library on January 19 and January 16 from 8:45 - 9:30 am, before the Sunday worship service.
January 26: Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting of St. Francis will take place on Sunday, January 26 at 11 am. 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. Note: All written reports and short biographies from those nominated to office are due to the parish office by email by January 13.
January 26: Beginning The Enneagram Journey
The Enneagram is a powerful tool that offers insight into your personality, communication style, spiritual struggles and gifts, motivations, and relationships. This course is an excellent self-development tool for leaders, individuals, and couples. Classes are from January 26 to March 2 from 4 to 6 pm. (6 Sundays). The cost is $60 ($100 for couples). To register or for more information, text or call Donna Dellaria.
Tom Ridington will share with us the words and works of well-known and not-so-well known African-American Christians whose time spent in the Delaware Valley helped form their faith-inspired responses to social injustice. Featured voices include Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, Harriet Tubman, William Still, Leon Sullivan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Brenda Salter McNeil and Bryan Stevenson, among others. Class will meet in the library before the Sunday worship service on February 2, February 9, February 16 and February 23 from 8:45 - 9:30 am.
The Rev. John Woodcock is hosting a book study featuring The Raft is not the Shore: Conversations toward a Buddhist-Christian Awareness by Daniel Berrigan and Thich Nhat Hanh.
There will be five 75-minute sessions of reflection on this older work, which is still timely and reveals aspects of both faith traditions. This will be a Zoom gathering beginning the week of February 2. The last session will be the week of March 2. Topics include Religion in the World, Exile, Government and Religion, and Economics and Religion; each of which is a chapter in the book. The group will decide on the topic for the 5th session. New and used copies of the book are readily available.
Please contact John Woodcock by January 15 if you are interested. As for dates, while Thursday mornings may be preferred, the group will coordinate to find a time which works best during the day: on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 10 am or 1:30 pm, or Wednesdays at 1:30 or 2:30 pm. Feel free to designate a first and second choice.
Mark your calendars! This year, the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper will be held immediately after the 10 am service on Sunday, March 2, the last Sunday after the Epiphany. Everyone is invited to attend as we prepare to enter the season of Lent.
Monthly Events
Book Group
The next Book Group meeting is on January 17 at 7:30 pm in the library. The book for January is The Local, a legal thriller by Joey Hartstone.
Dates for Book Group for spring 2025 are: January 17, February 21, March 21, April 18, and May 16, 2025. For any questions about Book Group, please contact Elizabeth Pitt.
Brown Bag Lunch
The next Brown Bag lunch is on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in the Parish Hall. Deacon Diane will be discussing "The Road to Becoming a Deacon." Please arrive at 11:45 am with your lunch. The program begins at noon.
Circle of Friends
The Circle of Friends will meet in the church library on Wednesday, January 22 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 with any questions.
Enneagram Growth Group
The next monthly Enneagram Growth Group will meet on Tuesday, February 4 from 6 - 8 pm at the home of Fr. Kevin and Donna Dellaria. Anyone who has completed the basic Enneagram course is invited to attend. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria.
Men's Fellowship Breakfast
The Men's Fellowship Breakfast is held on the first Saturday of the month at 9 am at the West Chester Diner, 1147 West Chester Pike, West Chester. This is a BYOB ("Bring Your Own Bucks") event. The next breakfast is on February 1.
All men of St. Francis are welcome to attend.
weekly Events
Lectionary Bible Study
Lectionary Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 10 am in the church library and virtually via Zoom. Bible Study is followed by a brief service of Holy Eucharist for those participating in person. All are welcome!
Pickleball
The pickleball season is over for this year. See you in the spring!
Walking with St. Francis & Friends
Walking with St. Francis & Friends has ended for 2024. But keep walking on your own! We will resume in the spring.
