St. Francis Weekly

September 23 - September 30, 2026

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Michele B.'s Godly Play Reflection: The Seeds of Heaven

This summer we heard Jesus telling us several parables about seeds. Seeds are like the Word of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. The first parable was the Sower who sowed seeds everywhere, the dry land, rocks, thorns and they sort of grew, but not very tall. Some of the seeds fell on the good soil and grew and grew and grew. It’s like the word of God growing in us. So, in Godly Play, the St. Francis kids planted some seeds and some grew. We then transplanted the ones that grew to the front of the church because as one of the kids reminded me we needed to plant it in the sun. Read more ...

St. Francis News ...

Get Connected with Foyer Dinner Groups!

Want to enjoy a small group setting of around 8 people where you can share a meal and get to know each other? Consider joining a Foyer group. Foyer groups offer a chance to visit and socialize outside of church with people from across the parish. Foyer Groups, a longstanding tradition at St. Francis, will be reinstituted this Fall. See this FLYER for more information. Responses requested by Sept. 30.

St. Francis Book Club: 'Remarkably Bright Creatures,' September 27 at 11 a.m.

Come join us for a lively discussion of this charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus in person or via Zoom by clicking HERE.

St. Francis Movie Club: 'Brief Encounter,' September 27 at 4 p.m.

The St. Francis Movie Club will meet on Sunday, September 27, at 4 p.m. in the Historic Church Meeting Room to discuss the 1974 drama, "Brief Encounter" which is available for rental on streaming platforms such as Prime Video, Tubi, or the Roku channel.

Blessing of the Animals: St. Francis Sunday, Oct. 4 at 3 p.m.

Pets of all shapes and sizes — furry, feathered and even stuffed — are welcome at the Blessing of the Animals at the New Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road. Or bring a photo or memento of a pet that has passed or doesn't travel well. Every animal will be blessed during this short outdoor prayer service. All animals must be leashed or in carriers. All are welcome.

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 17th, 10 AM

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.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

You can still support Miles for a Mission by purchasing a Gift Certificate -> still available for sale:

Splash Car Wash $30
VR Brothers Car Wash $40

Click the button to make your selection 👇

Gift Certificates

Outreach - We Need Your Input!

The Outreach Committee will again be inviting local nonprofit organizations that serve the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the Stamford community to apply for small grants. Please contact Patricia Lydon by Sept 25 if you have an organization you would like to add to the list being considered: Email or call her at (203) 253-7741.

In addition to signing up for coffee hour and other activities and ministries, you can now access Miles for a Mission Donation, and Gift Certificate selection by selecting the 'Sign Up /Request / Donate' button below:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .👇

... and Beyond

Temple Sinai invites us to join them at their Dignity Grows Project, Thursday, September 24^th, 6:00 – 7:00 PM.

Parishioners who have participated in the Dignity Grows events we’ve joined through the Interfaith Social Ministries Collaborative have greatly enjoyed the experience. So, when we learned that Temple Sinai is hosting another Dignity Grows event in September, we wanted to share the opportunity with the St. Francis community.

Volunteers will make hundreds of sandwiches for New Covenant Center and pack 400 hygiene bags for people in need. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fellowship with others while making a difference in our community.

To sign up to volunteer or make a donation, click here.

Please email Cathy Ostuw with any questions.

St John's Needs Help to Unload Pumpkins Saturday, September 26

On Saturday, September 26, we will unload the semi-truck of pumpkins for the Pumpkin Patch. We need everyone's help to unload the truck starting at 9:00 am. If you have a wheelbarrow, please bring it and wear gloves to handle the pumpkins.

Click here to sign up for shifts to staff the patch...all help is needed.

This project is an all congregation effort. All of the funds raised are given away to Building One Community, Kids In Crisis, and Future Five. As such, it is the biggest mission project of the year for St. John’s.

Don’t delay signing up – do it now. Click here. Thank you!

PS: If you are unable to physically handle pumpkins, come anyway for the fellowship. Young and old are most welcome!

Address: St. John's Lutheran, 884 Newfield Avenue, Stamford

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

Click Here for more info

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.

Rev. Joe's Sunday Sermon

The homily from last Sunday's 8 a.m. service was not recorded, but Rev. Joe posted a version of it on his Vinyl Theology blog: "Annie Dillard, God's Abundant Grace, and Paul McCartney's 'Silly Love Songs.'"

Miles for a Mission 2026

After months of planning and an army of volunteers working to make it happen, this year in the rain all of our hard work came together in support of INTEMPO, the wonderful organization selected by our Outreach Committee. It was truly a team effort, and we are so grateful to everyone who played a part!

Despite the less-than-perfect weather, our volunteers and participants showed up with enthusiasm and good spirits. Thanks to everyone who handled bibs, registration, hospitality, timing, photos, and so much more. Rev. Joe even brought communion from the 8 a.m. service to make sure everyone was fed spiritually.

Click MFM Prep to see the worker bees setting things up on Saturday. Click MFM Run/Walk for LOTS of photos from the event day. Click VIDEO for the introductory remarks by Rev. Joe and Lou Chen (CEO of INTEMPO).