St. Francis Weekly

Embodying God's love by building community through worship, inclusivity, and outreach.

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Rector's Reflection: The Boss Goes to Church

What is “church music”?

I’ve been thinking about that question as we prepare for "Land of Hope and Dreams," this Saturday's Evening Prayer service featuring the songs of Bruce Springsteen. I adore the Episcopal hymnal and our traditional “sacred” worship music. But I don’t believe our living and loving God is confined to songs that explicitly mention Jesus.

Sometimes grace arrives with a backbeat. Sometimes a raspy voice singing about people who are lonely, lost, hungry, hopeful, or searching for a home can reveal something about our faith journey that a Sunday hymn can’t.

Often, it connects us to the Incarnation — that extraordinary belief that God entered the ordinary stuff of human existence rather than loving us from a safe distance. The Incarnation means that the flesh, bone, tears, singing and rejoicing of the human experience matters. Our creativity matters.

And as a result, the Eternal can be revealed in art and poetry. In movies and novels. In jazz and hip-hop. In Bach and The Beatles. In Beyoncé and Bono. And, yes, in Bruce Springsteen’s songs.

Here's why the St. Francis Music Committee decided to put together this weekend's alternative liturgy. Keep Reading ...

St. Francis News ...

Landscaping Day

Saturday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m.

Come join us Saturday, October 10th at 9:30 a.m., by meeting at the New Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road, to do the joyful work of keeping the grounds of our beloved church properties in tip top shape as we get ready for fall.

Bruce Springsteen Saturday Evening Prayer Service: October 10, 5 p.m. at the New Church

Join us for "Land of Hope and Dreams," an alternative liturgy featuring Bruce Springsteen's songs of hope, peace, justice, mercy and God's abiding love, performed by members of the St. Francis choir. Whether you're a lifelong Springsteen fan, simply curious, or looking for a meaningful way to start your Saturday night in the woods of North Stamford you are warmly welcome. The service at the New Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road, is free and open to everyone. Come as you are, bring a friend, and discover how timeless songs can become heartfelt prayers. A free-will offering will benefit the St. Francis music ministry.

St. Francis Hike at Grace Farms in New Canaan: Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.

We will walk Grace Farms’ peaceful outdoor trails surrounded by beautiful autumn colors and explore the striking glass-walled “River” building. Afterward, we’ll gather at the on-site café to enjoy food and conversation.

Address: 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan, CT 06840. Complete the required pre-registration here. Park in the lower lot, and we will meet at the West Barn Welcome Center.

"Music at St. Francis" Forum, Sunday, October 25, 11 a.m. at the New Church

An opportunity after the 10 a.m. service to bring your questions, share what you value about music at St. Francis, and, perhaps most importantly, dream out loud together about how we carry forward the extraordinary gift that Richard Weidlich has given St. Francis in his time with us. This forum is part of the process of finding a new music director. Read Rev. Joe's announcement about Richard's plans to leave St. Francis at the end of the year.

Trunk or Treat at the New Church: Friday, October. 30, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Our friends at A Place Like Home (APLH) have invited St. Francis parishioners to join them for a Trunk or Treat celebration with the daycare children on Friday, October 30! If you’d like to participate, decorate the trunk of your car with a fun Halloween theme, put on a costume, and bring some candy to share, arrive at the New Church parking lot, 2810 Long Ridge Road, at 3:30 p.m. It's easy to join the fun: Park your car, open your trunk, set up your decorations, and get ready to welcome the little ones as they parade from car to car in their Halloween costumes. APLH staff and parents will also be decorating their vehicles and handing out treats. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our connection with the APLH community — and have some good old-fashioned Halloween fun together!

Sign up for coffee hour and other activities and ministries by selecting the 'Sign Up /Request / Donate' button below:.👇

... and Beyond

North Stamford Town Hall: Thursday, Oct. 8, 6 PM at Old Long Ridge Firehouse

A North Stamford Town Hall meeting focusing on public safety will take place on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Old Long Ridge Firehouse, located at 366 Old Long Ridge Road. Organized by Board of Representatives members Noah Lapine, John Pelliccia, and Carl Weinberg, the session features top city officials including Director of Public Safety Lou DeRubeis, Police Chief Timothy Shaw, and Fire Chief Rex Morris. To address as many resident concerns as possible, the majority of the event will be dedicated to a Q&A session utilizing written questions collected from attendees.

Clothing Drive for Person to Person now through October 25



It's that time again! The Outreach Committee asks that you bring your clean, gently used fall and winter clothes to the Church between now and Sunday, October 25. Please mark gender and size on the bags. You can place items in the bin outside the Church or bring your donations on any Sunday. Donations will be delivered to Person to Person on Monday, October 26. Please email Patricia or Cathy with any questions.

Rooted: A Celebration of Food and Community

Fairgate Farm, last year's Miles for a Mission beneficiary, is having an event, Rooted: A Celebration of Food and Community on Thursday, October 8 from 6:00–8:30 PM at, and in partnership with, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. It will be a fun evening of great local food and drinks, music, and community, all while benefiting the work of Fairgate Farm. Please find more information and links for tickets in the flyer or

Discounted Oil Rates

for Parishioners from

Mitchell Oil

Our long-time oil provider, Mitchell Oil, is offering St. Francis parishioners special pricing protection plans for the coming heating season:

• Prebuy: $5.299 per gallon
• Fixed: $5.399 per gallon
• Capped: $5.599 per gallon (Cap fee: $399 for customers using more than 1,000 gallons; $299 for customers using fewer than 1,000 gallons)

These rates include a $0.10-per-gallon discount off Mitchell Oil's regular rates and are subject to change.

To learn more or lock in your heating price for the coming season, contact Tim R. by email or phone

Thank you to Mitchell Oil for its continued service to our parish and support of MFM.

Faith & Blue Weekend in Stamford: October 16-19

The Stamford Police Department is coming together with faith communities as part of the National Faith & Blue Weekend. For more info: faithandblue.org or call 404-605-7000.

The scheduled events are:

Community Candlelight Walk

Friday, October 16, 2026

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Cove Island Park

In case you missed it, check out

Rev. Joe's Sunday Sermon

A very busy weekend at St. Francis starting with the wonderful Intempo Concert - click here for more photos. Sunday we surprised Joe with a special coffee hour in honor of his One-Year Anniversary (we missed you Heidi)! Later, the Blessing of the Animals - a robust turnout! - click here for more photos of both events. I've also included Margie's excellent parody written expressly for Joe!

Future Events

Watch for the upcoming email of Sunday Notes/Weekly Offerings on Saturday morning.

Wednesday (October 7)

3:30 p.m.

MFM Meeting

(Meeting Room)

Friday (October 9)

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Food Distribution at Bethel AME Church

(150 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford)

Saturday (October 10)

9:30 a.m.

Landscaping

(New Church)

Saturday (October 10)

5:00 p.m.

Evening Prayer Service with Bruce Springsteen

(New Church)

Saturday (October 17)

10:00 a.m.

Hike at Grace Farms

(365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan)

Sunday (October 18)

4:00 p.m.

Movie Club

The Freshman

(Meeting Room)

Wednesday (October 21)

12:00 p.m.

Lunch Bunch

(Meeting Room)

Thursday (October 22)

6:00 p.m.

Vestry Meeting

(Meeting Room)

Friday (October 23)

12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Food Distribution at Bethel AME Church

(150 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford)

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