St. Francis Weekly

September 3-9, 2025

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Hope you enjoyed a relaxing summer! Weren't we blessed with beautiful weather—well, aside from those extra-hot days, of course! September arrived in the blink of an eye, and parish activities are picking up with full speed. Be sure to check your Sunday Notes/Weekly Offerings email (which is sent to you each Saturday), where you’ll find:

Link to the Sunday bulletin
Link to the 10:00 AM service livestream
Details about upcoming activities and meetings for the week, including links for Zoom calls.

Note: Prayer Shawl Ministry, Sneak Peek Lectionary, and Godly Play are resuming their weekly schedules (Sept 9, Sept 9, & Sept 14, respectively).

Mid-Week Meditation

At the last vestry meeting, Aleta S offered this reflection. In it, she shares a few of her recent encounters with light.

"The east facing double-hung eight pane window in my bathroom measures 28x45 inches. Never a fan of window treatments, hanging from a rod are 9 semi-beaded wires with pieces of colored glass meant to simulate cheerful sea glass." Read More

Here's a prayer you may find helpful to center yourself before reading or listening to the news. (Thanks to Linda S for sharing this on Facebook)

Reflections From Iona

From June 7 - 14, 2025, members from the Episcopal Church in CT went on a pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland. The pilgrimage had 30+ members and was offered through Earth & Soul and Hartford International University for Religion & Peace. Participants spent a week on the island where St. Columba first brought Christianity to Scotland in 563 CE. They learned from the theologian John Philip Newell and spent time walking, writing, photographing, and spending time in deep conversation with one another. The following are reflections, in word and visual, of how they encountered the holy in the earth, sky, and sea of Iona.

Reflections given by: The Rev. Dr. Linda Spiers, Cathy Rowe, Sharon Ely Pearson & John Pearson, Sarah Kieffer, and Canon Sarah Louise Woodford. To read them, Click here

Listen to this!

What a special moment at last Sunday's 10:00 service: when Frank Mastrone sang “Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables, accompanied on piano by Jim Fredericks. You’ll definitely want to give it a listen! Click for video

Would you like to share a spiritual or inspirational reflection?

Please email it to: claudia_bilotti@hotmail.com

Concerts in September

Final reminder: A Celebration in Song will fill our Church with music once again! Come and enjoy a FREE concert Sunday, Sept 7 at 1:00 PM with our wonderful soprano, Julia Gmeiner, and the brilliant Jim Fredericks at the piano. If you’d like to support with a freewill offering: Click to donate

Mark your calendar: On September 13th at 7:00 PM, CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) will present Edward Tyler's An American Requiem. This is a FREE concert at St. John's Episcopal Church, 628 Main St. This serves as both a tribute to mass shooting victims and a condemnation of the system that enables such tragedies. Although free, reservations are required. Click to register

Miles for a Mission

5K Run/Walk & Dogapolooza

Sunday, Sept 21 9:00 AM

Church

It's only 2 1/2 weeks away!

Click to register or donate for the event and for more info.

Click to volunteer to help the weekend of the event.

Shop for Fruits and Vegetables

The Fairgate Farm stand at 129 Stillwater Avenue is brimming with fresh fruits and vegetables! Shopping there supports both your health and our MFM partner. Click here to see last weekend’s selection, along with the stand’s hours and days of operation.

Events for Living God's Justice

Community Discussion about

Hate Crimes

Thursday, Sept 18, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

UCONN Stamford

Click More Info. Free parking is available across the street at 1194 Washington Blvd. Click to register

Facing Racism in Stamford

Mondays, Sept 29 - Nov 3

6:00 - 8:00 PM

Ferguson Library

Stamford Cradle to Career and CT Undoing Racism are partnering to present a six-part series of dialogues uniting Stamford residents. The goal is to learn about each other and look at our community through the lens of racial equity. Food will be served at each session. Registration required: Register here

Photos of the Week

Another successful hike! And the Bartlett Arboretum is such a wonderful place including memorials for two of our dear, departed parishioners, Alice Smith and Diane Faxon.