St. Francis Weekly
September 9 - September 16, 2026
| | Embodying God's love by building community through worship, inclusivity, and outreach. | | Hello, Friends of St Francis! | | Rector's Reflection: Homecoming Sunday | | |
In the woods behind the rectory, autumn's cool morning breath is already pushing summer aside. As I write this, a V-shaped formation of wild geese is flying overhead, honking and pointing south. There’s something about this time of year that reminds us that our lives are marked by seasons and rhythms — times for leaving and returning, resting and beginning again.
This weekend is the annual Rally Sunday — or, as we're calling it this year, Homecoming Sunday. "Homecoming" feels less like launching programs and more like honoring a ritual in our beloved community that is part of living the Gospel in this hungry world.
Home can be found in the embrace of the 8 a.m. service in the Historic Church, which has welcomed new members during the summer. Home is also our 10 a.m. service, where the choir will return, Godly Play will begin its autumn season, and children are invited to bring their school backpacks to the altar for a special back-to-school blessing. Thanks to Cathy Ostuw, we will also be bringing back name tags. Meanwhile, next Tuesday, Sneak Peek Bible Study and Prayer Shawl will resume.
Of course, followers of the Way of Jesus believe God is always making a home in our hearts through faith and daily spiritual centering. For that reason, I love John O'Donohue's poem "To Come Home to Yourself," which offers a beautiful blessing about releasing the melancholy of a passing season and letting our unlived potential blossom into a quiet, inner sanctuary.
May all that is unforgiven in you,
Be released.
May your fears yield
Their deepest tranquilities.
May all that is unlived in you,
Blossom into a future,
Graced with love.
by John O’Donohue
Like those geese overhead, we are creatures shaped by seasons, journeys, and the instinct to return.
Come home this Sunday. There is always a place here for you.
Welcome home.
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Landscaping Day, Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
Come join us Saturday, Sept. 12th at 9:00 a.m., by meeting at the New Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road, to do the joyful work of keeping our church properties in tip top shape as we get ready for Homecoming!
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LEV Training Breakfast: Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m.
One of the most beautiful and foundational lay ministries at St. Francis is serving as a Lay Eucharistic Visitor (LEV). Our next LEV training will take place over breakfast on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Historic Church Meeting Room. LEVs bring Holy Communion blessed in community during Sunday worship to parishioners who are unable to join us, carrying not only the precious sacrament but also the prayers, love, and presence of the entire community. If you feel called to this ministry, we'd love to welcome you. If you would like to learn more or explore whether this ministry is right for you, please contact Rev. Joe or Cathy Ostuw.
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Homecoming Sunday and Back-to-School Backpack Blessing: Sept. 13, 10 a.m. service
Join St. Francis for Homecoming Sunday, as we say goodbye to summer and to kickoff fall by celebrating our ministries and inviting children of all ages to bring their school backpacks to the 10 a.m. service to be blessed. Students who bring their backpacks to church for a blessing will receive a St. Francis prayer tag to carry with them throughout the school year. It will be the first Sunday for the Choir at the 10 a.m. service and the start our autumn Godly Play program, followed by a special coffee hour. We look forward to seeing you as the fall season begins.
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Volunteers Needed for our Miles For A Mission fundraiser!
We need lots of volunteers to make the Miles for a Mission 5k run/walk a success!
Most help is needed on Race Day (Sunday, Sept 20th), and there are a few positions to fill before and after race day.
Please consider committing to helping make this happen by clicking HERE.
Any questions, please contact Sue Rutz @203-676-0040
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GIFT CERTIFICATES
They're going fast! Support Miles for a Mission by purchasing a Gift Certificate available for sale on a first come, first served basis from:
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The Stillery $100
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Splash Car Wash $30
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VR Brothers Car Wash $40
Click the button to make your selection 👇
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Miles For A Mission Progress
We did it! We reached our $25,000 fundraising goal! We’re not quite finished yet. . . We’d love to see the entire $25,000 go to INTEMPO and there's about $3,000 in expenses to cover. Let’s see if we can get $28,000 or more!
It’s not too late to register, donate, buy a gift certificate (above), or spread the word to family and friends. Let's do this!
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Get Connected with Foyer 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.
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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.
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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.
| | In addition to signing up for coffee hour and other activities and ministries, you can now access Miles for a Mission Donation, Registration, and Gift Certificate selection by selecting the 'Sign Up /Request / Donate' button below: 👇 | | |
Temple Sinai invites us to join them at their Dignity Grows Project, Thursday, September 24th, 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.
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This Week's Multimedia
Watch Rev. Joe's sermon "Gotcha versus Grace" from last Sunday.
| | Eileen, Dawn and Kimberly celebrated Diane R's 92nd birthday! | | |
Future Events
Watch for the upcoming email of Sunday Notes/Weekly Offerings on Saturday morning.
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Friday (September 11)
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Food Distribution at Bethel AME Church
(150 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford)
Saturday (September 12)
9:00 a.m.
Landscaping
(New Church)
Saturday (September 12)
9:00 a.m.
LEV Training Breakfast
(Meeting Room)
Sunday (September 13)
10:00 a.m.
Homecoming Sunday and
Back-to-School Backpack Blessing
(New Chursh)
Monday (September 14)
3:30 p.m.
MFM meeting
(Meeting Room)
Tuesday (September 15)
5:00 p.m.
Prayer Shawl
(resumes from summer break)
(Zoom)
Tuesday (September 15)
7:00 p.m.
Sneak Peak
(resumes from summer break)
(Zoom)
Wednesday (September 16)
12:00 p.m.
Lunch Bunch
(Meeting Room)
Thursday (September 17)
6:00 p.m.
Vestry meeting
(Meeting Room)
Saturday (September 19)
10:00 a.m.
MFM Prep
(New Church)
Sunday (September 20)
9:00 a.m.
MFM Run/Walk Event
(New Church)
Friday (September 25)
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Food Distribution at Bethel AME Church
(150 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford)
Saturday (September 26)
9:00 a.m.
Altar Guild Breakfast
(Meeting Room)
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