St. Francis Weekly

July 30 - August 5, 2025

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."

— Matthew 18:5


There is a great need to support the children of Stamford. As the Back to School Shop website states, "Over 50% of elementary school children in Stamford are from low-income families. Many of them return to school each year without basic clothing and school supplies, and that can undermine the confidence they need for academic success."


Last Sunday, several of our parishioners had the privilege of volunteering at the annual Back to School Shop event in Stamford. This amazing organization, which received a $2,000 St. Francis Outreach Grant last year, provided 400 elementary school children from low-income families in our community the chance to "shop" for brand-new clothing and school supplies—free of charge. It was a joyful day working with the children as personal shoppers, sneaker fitters, dressing room attendants, as well as helpers knitting winter hats and during the clean-up and breakdown of the "shop." We're especially proud of our own Linda A., who serves as Chair of Purchasing and is a member of the Board of Directors. Thank you to Linda and to all our parishioners for supporting this meaningful outreach! Hear Linda talk about the Back to School Shop Experience


To help even more children and families in need, we're collecting backpacks and school supplies through the Interfaith Social Ministry Collaborative for Building One Community (B1C) families. Please see the flyer below for details on how to contribute. Thank you for your generosity!

Special Events

Interfaith Social Justice Collaborative Backpack and School Supply Collection for B1C - through August 10th


Please join the Interfaith Social Ministry Collaborative in providing school supplies and backpacks for 45 elementary students connected with B1C. There are three ways to participate:


  1. Donate money for backpacks,
  2. Buy a box of school supplies from Amazon,
  3. Buy specific items needed to fill a backpack. Click for flyer.


The money should be donated or supplies brought to the new Church by Sunday, August 10th. Thank you so much! 

Happening this Friday, August 1, 2 pm On-line Webinar: Exploring the Impacts of H.R. 1


Join the Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations for a pop-up webinar covering some of the anticipated impacts of the recently passed H.R. 1 legislation (also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"). This webinar will cover the consequences of H.R. 1 on the environment, immigration enforcement, healthcare, and addressing poverty in the United States. We hope this will help prepare you for the changes ahead and encourage you to learn more. This webinar will not be recorded, but we will share a curated list of resources with all registrants. Click to register

Wednesdays with Linda


Would you like to meet with Pastor Linda? She is available at St. Francis on August 13, 27, September 3, and 24.

Click to email her to set up an appointment. We are so grateful for Linda's willingness to engage with us in so many different ways!

Landscaping


Meet at the Church to help beautify the St. Francis campus on August 9th from 9:00 - 11:00 am. Any amount of help is appreciated!

Mid-Week Meditation

Prayer for Understanding

God, open our ears, that we might hear your call to us;

open our eyes, that we might see you with clarity;

and open our hearts, that we might live out your word.

Amen.

Anthony gave a beautiful reflection at Wednesday's Vestry meeting. Read on for some of his memories of relationships with friends in the community.

Click to read

Frank and Jim blessed the participants at the July 13th 10:00 service with Be Still My Soul. Click to listen

Would you like to share a spiritual or inspirational reflection? Please email it to: dawnerandall@aol.com

Fairgate Farm: Get to know our 2025 Miles for a Mission Partner

Fun Fairgate Farm Facts:

  • There is 24/7 Compost drop-off at the farm. The Food Scrap Drop off is to the left of the Farm's main gate.
  • Cooking oil drop off is available during open hours.

Sheila says:

  • Join the Yoga on the Farm Classes at 11 am on Aug 9th, Aug 23rd, Sept 6th, Sept 20th, and Oct 4th. All classes are free as part of the Farm's educational mission. The website provides more information: "Connect with nature around you as your yogi guides you through yoga stretches and restorative movement. All ages are welcome! Weather permitting, we will gather among the field rows on the farm. Chairs will be provided for mobility-limited folks. Yoga mats will also be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own!"
  • On August 12th there is a work and learn class on Harvesting Herbs from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
  • Click to register for classes


Sheila loves to educate people about the farm and has lots of great stories and information to share. Please ask her about it!

Multimedia of the Week





Click for Latest Sermon






Happy volunteers living out St. Francis' mission!

Notable Future Events

(for current week's events, see email: Sunday Notes/Weekly Offering)

Friday (Aug 1)

2:00 PM

Episcopal Church's Webinar on H. R. 1

(online - see information above and link to register)


Friday (Aug 1)

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Bethel AME food distribution

(Bethel AME Church, 150 Fairfield Ave., Stamford)


Monday (Aug 4)

6:00 PM

St Francis Poetry Night

(Zoom - Join here)


Saturday (August 9)

9:00 - 11:00 AM

Landscaping

(Church)


Sunday (August 10)

Return Backpack and School Supplies by 11 am

(Church)

Stay Connected

Contact Us:

203-322-2949

stfrancisstamford@gmail.com


Visit Us:

https://www.stfrancisstamford.org/


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