St. Francis Weekly

September 30 - October 7, 2026

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Rector's Reflection: Affirming Our Faith with St. Francis of Assisi

This Sunday is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi — our feast day! It's one of those occasional years when St. Francis Day actually falls on a Sunday. What's more, this Sunday marks the 800th anniversary of Francis’s death. I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the saint whose name our community carries and whose witness continues to call us toward lives of simplicity, compassion, peace, and care for all creation. At 3 p.m. at the New Church, we’ll celebrate our annual Blessing of the Animals, remembering Francis as the patron saint of animals and creation. This Sunday also brings our Season of Creation to a close.

To honor this beautiful season, I wanted to leave you with the Creed for Creation, which comes from the Anglican Church of South India. It's a way of affirming our faith while remembering our deep connection to one another, to every living thing, and to this fragile and beautiful island home we share.

Let us affirm our faith together ...

We believe in God, who creates all things,

who embraces all things, who celebrates all things,

who is present in every part of the fabric of creation.

We believe in God as the source of all life,

who baptizes this planet with living water.

We believe in Jesus Christ, seen in the suffering one,

the poor one, the malnourished one,

the climate refugee - who loves and cares for this world

and suffers with it.

And we believe in Jesus Christ, the seed of life,

who came to reconcile and renew this world

and everything in it.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God,

who moves with God

and who moves among and with us today.

We believe in everlasting life in God.

And we believe in the hope that one day God will put an end to death and all destructive forces.

Peace and blessings,

Joe+

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 today, Sept. 30.

INTEMPO Concert

Saturday, Oct. 3rd at

3:00 p.m.

Join us for INTEMPO's Annual Hispanic Heritage Concert which will showcase the rich and varied musical traditions of Latin America at the New Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road.

Tickets

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.

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.

To Donate

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

"Music at St. Francis" Forum, Sunday, October 25, 11 AM 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.

GIFT CERTIFICATES

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

Splash Car Wash $30

Click the button to make your selection 👇

Gift Certificates

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

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.

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. The scheduled events are:

Community Candlelight Walk

Friday, October 16, 2026

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Cove Island Park

Community BBQ

Saturday, October 17, 2026

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

805 Bedford Street

Coffee with Residents

Monday, October 19, 2026

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Edgehill Senior Complex