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
September 13: Special Guest Presentation
On Friday, September 13 at 7 pm, St. Francis is partnering with Reads & Co. bookstore of Phoenixville to host Sarah McCammon, NPR journalist bestselling author of The Exvangelicals. Part cultural exploration and part personal memoir, McCammon’s work, which chronicles both the history of American Evangelicalism and her own experience growing up in a devout evangelical family, is an important contribution to the dialogue about the current and future character of Christianity in the United States. Admission will be free, and books will be available for sale at the event.
September 15: The Bishop is Coming!
Please make plans to attend St. Francis the morning of Sunday, September 15th, as we are visited by the Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutierrez, Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. After the service, a luncheon will be served in the Parish Hall. Let’s fill the pews to overflowing that morning and show Bp. Daniel what a loving, committed parish we have!
September 17: Red Cross Blood Drive
Our next Red Cross Blood Drive at St. Francis will take place on Tuesday, September 17, from 2 to 7 pm. Donors can give every 56 days, up to 6 times a year. If you last gave on July 23, you are eligible to give again. Register online at redcrossblood.org. For more information please call Nancy Orlando.
September 25: DIOPA Pre-Convention Meeting
This fall, St. Francis will host one of the annual diocesan pre-convention meetings. This meeting is an easy (and concise) way to learn about diocesan ministries and budget issues. The meeting will be held on September 25 at 6:30 pm in the Parish Hall.
October 8: St Francis Day
Start sharing the news with your friends and neighbors - St. Francis Day is coming!
That morning, we will have two services of Holy Eucharist: indoors at 8 am with Holy Baptism, and outdoors at 10 am with the Blessing of the Animals. If the weather is bad, the 10 am service will take place in the Parish Hall – animals included.
At Eucharist, the names of pets who have died over the last three years will be read from the Altar. If you have a name you would like to be read, please notify the office by Monday, September 30. After Eucharist, all pets in attendance are invited to receive a blessing. If the pet is unable to come, a stuffed animal is welcome to be blessed in its place.
October 12: Heeding God's Call to End Gun Violence
On Saturday, October 12, St. Francis will begin hosting the “Memorial for the Lost,” a visual reminder of lives lost to gun violence in Chester County, provided by “Heeding God’s Call,” an organization dedicated to reducing gun-related violence. The memorial will stand on our property for two weeks. On Sunday morning, October 13, St. Francis will begin a related, 5-week study of violence and gun addiction called “Each Other’s Keeper.”
December 10 – 13: Lection Divina/Centering Prayer Retreat
This December, prepare your heart for the joys of Christmas by participating with Fr. Kevin and others in a silent retreat at Holy Cross Monastery in West Park, NY. Come for a few days of quiet and learn the ancient practices of Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer, walk the beautiful trails along the Hudson River, and worship with the Brothers in the rhythm of monastic life. The cost of $420 covers room and board. Interested individuals should contact Fr. Kevin. Holy Cross is an Anglican Benedictine Monastery.
Monthly Events
Book Group
The next Book Group meeting is on September 20 at 7:30pm in the library. The book is The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff.
Dates for Book Group for fall 2024 to spring 2025 are: September 20, October 18, November 15, 2024, then 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
Brown Bag lunch returns on Tuesday, September 24 at noon with a presentation by the Chester County History Center, “Many Nations.”
Chester County celebrates 300 years of diversity through the lens of migration. Learn about the ways national and international events have led to such a diverse local population that continues to make a significant impact on our community.
Please arrive at 11:45 am so the program can begin at noon. Bring your lunch and beverage and join us!
Circle of Friends
The Circle of Friends will meet in person, in the library, on Wednesday, September 25 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.
Kevin and Donna Dellaria are 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.
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 October 5.
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 Holy Eucharist for those participating in person. All are welcome!
Pickleball
Come play pickleball Mondays from 5 to 7 pm in the back parking lot of the church. All are welcome! Please sign-up for pickleball using this link: Sign-up!
Walking with St. Francis & Friends
No power walking here - just a 9 am Monday morning pleasure walk enjoying friends and East Goshen Park (note new time). Come as you're able and your schedule allows. We meet at the parking area on the north side of Paoli Pike at the traffic light.
