What's Happening at St. Francis-in-the-Fields
Services for Holy Week and Easter
Please mark your calendars to participate in the events of Holy Week:
March 24: Palm Sunday - Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist at 8am and 10am
March 28: Maundy Thursday - Agape Meal and Stripping of the Altar at 7pm
March 29: Good Friday - Solemn Vigil at 12 noon
March 30: Holy Saturday - Great Vigil of Easter at 7pm
March 31: Easter Sunday - Holy Eucharist at 8am and 10am; Easter Egg Hunt following 10 am service
March 31: Easter Egg Hunt
Please join us for an Easter Egg Hunt after the 10 am service on Easter Sunday, March 31st. Bring a basket or bag to gather eggs. All children are welcome!
March 28: Maundy Thursday Agape Meal & with Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar
The first day of the “Paschal Triduum” – the three days encompassing the Last Supper, Jesus’ trial and death, and his resurrection at Easter, is Maundy Thursday. This year, our celebration of Maundy Thursday will take place in the Parish Hall, and include a simple
meal and fellowship and a service of foot washing and Holy Eucharist, followed by the Stripping of the Altar. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex to give an idea of how many to expect. Anyone, however, is welcome to attend.
Beginning April 2nd: Enneagram Growth Group
Next month, Kevin and Donna Dellaria will begin hosting an ongoing, monthly, small-group discussion on Enneagram reflection and practice. This small group is open anyone who has taken the foundational Enneagram course, The Enneagram Journey. The group will meet on
the first Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 8pm at the Dellarias’ home in Paoli. For more information, contact Fr. Kevin or Donna Dellaria.
Small Group Study – April 15 to May 20
You are invited to join with John & Nina Whitnah and Meridith & Tom Ridington as they journey through the Lord's Prayer. "Lord, teach us to Pray: a Study of the Lord's Prayer" will take place on six successive Monday evenings from April 15 until May 20. We will meet at 7-8:30 pm at the Ridingtons' home in Malvern. Space is limited to 16 participants. Please reach out to Tom Ridington or John Whitnah to register your interest in attending.
April 14: Organ Dedication Concert
The Organ Dedication Concert is set for Sunday, April 14th at 4 pm. This concert will feature both solo pieces and pieces for organ and choir. The choir would like to invite any one who is interested in singing to join the 2024 St. Francis Festival Choir. We will be singing three very fun anthems for the choir and organ to perform together. If you are interested in joining the choir for this opportunity, please contact Joe Perry during church or by e-mail.
April 17: Tour of Chester County 911 Center
Did you know that the first call to 911 was placed in February of 1968? Are you curious to learn about what happens when someone calls 911? If yes, please save Wednesday, April 17 on your calendar for a tour of the Chester County 911 Emergency Center from noon to 1 pm. There is no better way to understand the important role that 911 plays in the public safety system than to spend an hour watching the dedicated people who answer the calls for help from your community 24 hours a day.
More information to come as we get closer to April and a signup sheet will be posted in the Narthex in March.
June 15: National Anthem at the Reading Fightin' Phils!
Once again, St. Francis has been invited to sing the National Anthem at the home of the Fightin' Phils in Reading. Our date is Saturday, June 15, first pitch at 6:45 pm. Mark your calendars and plan to have a great time. Tickets will go on sale later in the year. You do NOT have to sing in order to attend . . . but it is a lot of fun!
September 15: Episcopal Visit
The Bishop is coming! The Bishop is coming! Our first in-person Episcopal visit in over six years is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024. Over the coming months, we will be gathering a list of people who are seeking Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation. A
Confirmation class for adults and for youth will be made available later in the year. If you seek any of these rites of the Church, please contact Fr. Kevin or Deacon Diane.
Practicing Theological Reflection
The practice of Theological Reflection opens us up to receiving God’s wisdom and guidance.
Starting on March 3, John Groch, an active parishioner and member of the St. Francis Vestry, will lead a three-Sunday series on Theological Reflection and medical ethics.
Lectionary Bible Study
Beginning
February 21 for
six Wednesdays at 10 am, our Lenten Bible Study takes us to the foot of the Cross, to examine it from the perspective of each evangelist, and the people they portray in their Gospels. In
Witness at the Cross, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine shows how the people at the cross each have distinct roles to play. For more information, click
HERE.
Bible Study is held every
Wednesday at 10 am in the church library and virtually via Zoom. Holy Eucharist follows the study. Zoom links for the Wednesday Bible Study are sent weekly by email.
Study: Just War Theory
In 2003, the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church called on its members to study and understand the ancient Christian understanding of "Just War Theory". But what is Just War Theory? And what does it mean for followers of Jesus Christ? This year, at this
critical global moment and as part of our Lenten journey, St. Francis will partner with St. Peters to explore these important questions. Five Wednesdays from
6pm to 8pm beginning February 21, with alternating locations. Click
HERE for details.
The Enneagram Journey
Sundays from January 7 to March 24 (12 Sundays), 4 - 6 pm. Dinner is 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. Class is limited to 15.
Book Group
The next Book Group meeting is on March 15 at 7 pm in the church library. The Book Group selection for March is Freezing Order: A True Story of Money Laundering, Murder, and Surviving Vladimir Putin's Wrath by Bill Browder.
Browder recounts how he became Putin’s number one enemy by exposing Putin’s campaign to steal and launder hundreds of billions of dollars and kill anyone who stands in his way. When Browder’s Russian lawyer was beaten to death in a Moscow jail, Browder made it his mission to go after his killers and bring them to justice.
For any questions about Book Group, please contact Elizabeth Pitt.
Brown Bag Lunch
Our next Brown Bag Lunch is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 at 12 noon. Our speaker is Lisa Eckenrode from Main Line Health. Lisa has been an emergency department nurse and paramedic for over 30 years and she is Paoli Hospital’s Trauma Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator. Lisa will present on the topic of Fall Prevention. Attendees will learn how to identify controllable risks, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, add a few basic exercises to their daily routines that support flexibility, and set goals for increasing activity.
Bring a sandwich, and we will provide beverages and snacks. We ask that you arrive around 11:45 so the program can start promptly at noon. Come join us!
Circle of Friends
The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30 pm. If you are unable to join us in person but would still like to participate, please contact Sue Lenkaitis. 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.
October 30: Pickleball Season Finale
Pickleball is over for the season. See you in the spring!
Walking with St. Francis & Friends
October 30 was the last "official" Walking with St. Francis & Friends until April 2024. Surely there will be many not-so cold winter days, so stay in shape. Take a walk! Hope to see you in the spring.