St. Francis Weekly

March 4 - March 10, 2026

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Read a beautiful Vestry Reflection by Aleta S

Here we are…the second night of this year’s adventure in Lent. This is not our first and hopefully not our last walk in the desert, but each year I find it just as perplexing. Have you given much thought to your journey this year? Many years ago I abandoned the thought of giving something up… I tried instead to take something on. Add a new discipline to my life. The challenge of both of those approaches was the inevitable opportunity for failure. Read more

Special Events and News

Don't forget to Spring Ahead

Set your clocks one hour ahead Saturday night so you won't be early (or late) for services this Sunday! Yes...spring is a'coming!

Meet The Rev. Meg Finnerud

Rev. Joe and Heidi will be on vacation next week. From the afternoon of March 1 through March 8, The Rev. Meg Finnerud will serve as a supply priest. She will preach and celebrate at both services on Sunday, March 8. If you need to reach Rev. Meg with an emergency pastoral need, Email Rev Meg here or call her at at 919-302-0131.

Contemplative Prayer: Tuesdays through Mar. 31 at 11 a.m.

All are welcome to join Rev. Joe and Anna Villalon for Contemplative Prayer on Tuesdays in the Meeting Room. These silent, stillness-focused gatherings will create space and time for resting in God's presence in ways that moves beyond words and invites people into a deeper, intimate union with the divine. No experience necessary!

Soup and Bread Gatherings: Wednesdays through March 25 in the Meeting Room

All are welcome to gather for prayer, a book discussion of The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World by Sharon Brous, and a simple, communal meal of homemade bread and soup every Wednesday at noon during Lent. There will be an evening gathering on Mar. 25 at 6 p.m.

Books are available for sale ($16) in the Church.

The following chapters of The Amen Effect will be discussed at each soup and bread gathering:

Mar 4: Chapter 3
Mar 11: Chapters 4-5
Mar 18: Chapter 6
Mar 25: Chapters 7-8
Mar 25 evening: Book Recap

Lenten Choral Evensong: March 15 at 5 p.m. in the New Church

Join us on Sunday, March 15 at 5 p.m. for a beautiful Choral Evensong offered by the combined choirs of St. Francis and St. John’s Lutheran. Rooted in a rich, ancient Anglican tradition, Evensong weaves together scripture, prayer, and soaring choral music in a contemplative service that invites us to rest in God’s presence at the close of the day. With voices lifted in harmony and the sanctuary bathed in the quiet light of early evening, this promises to be a moving time of worship and shared community.

'Walk in Love' Classes

If you are interested in being formally received or confirmed into the Episcopal Church, Rev. Joe will be holding “Walk in Love” classes via Zoom on Mar. 9, 23 and Apr. 6, 20 at 7 p.m. These sessions – which are designed to encourage questions about the history, theology and “whys” of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement – are open to all at St. Francis. They will provide preparation for those seeking to be formally received into the Episcopal Church by Bishop Laura Ahrens on April 26 at St. Francis. Reception is for anyone who has been baptized and confirmed in another denomination; confirmation is for anyone who has been baptized. Please email Rev. Joe if you are interested in being formally received as an Episcopalian.

Faith-based Bystander Intervention Training March 10 at 7:30 p.m.

For people looking for ways to help our immigrant neighbors, a faith-based Bystander Intervention to Support Immigrant Communities training will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church (aka Fish Church), at 1101 Bedford Street, Stamford. In a time when hate and harassment directed at immigrants are on the rise, this interactive training equips people with practical tools and strategies to respond safely when they witness bias incidents and discrimination. Participants leave with verbal and behavioral deescalation strategies to non-violently intervene to disrupt hate, violence or hate speech. Click here to register. $10 donation per person.

Come see our own Frank Mastrone perform at Curtain Call on March 15 at 2 p.m.

Join St Francis parishioners at a fun and heartwarming Frank Mastrone concert at Curtain Call, 1349 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Click here to purchase tickets.

Free Blues and Beyond Concert on March 21 at FCC at 6:00 p.m.

First Congregational Church of Stamford is welcoming THE BLUES & BEYOND on Saturday March 21st, 2026 at 6 p.m. at 655 Stillwater Avenue, Stamford.

This is a FREE concert of music combined with a powerful exploration into the history of African American music in our country. RSVP here no later than Friday, March 20.

Orchestra Lumos Small Space Concert March 22 in the New Church from 3:00-4:30 p.m.

The music will be a great selection from Broadway including pieces by Gershwin, Porter, and Berstein along with some classics. Farmhouse Restaurant is graciously sponsoring the event and catering during intermission. Click here to purchase tickets.

Interfaith Seder March 26 at Tempel Sinai at 6:30 p.m.

All are welcome at an interfaith Seder at Temple Sinai at 458 Lakeside Drive in Stamford. Click here to register. The event is $18 and open to all.

Multimedia of the Week

Watch Sunday's sermon by Rev. Joe

Click to watch

Please note: Rev. Joe is away this week.

Thank you to all who donated clothes and their time to the Threads of Warmth clothing drive. Guests of New Covenant Center and Person2Person received lots of warm clothing! Over 100 guests received food at the Bethel AME food distribution.