St. Francis Weekly

October 22 - October 28, 2025

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Rector's Reflection: Turn On Your “Jesus Light” and Don’t Lose Heart

On Sunday, I shared the story of my “Jesus Light” — that glowing piece of religious kitsch that hung in my grandparents’ living room. I looked and actually found one for sale on eBay for $25! I was tempted to buy it, but after weeks of unpacking boxes in the rectory, I decided perhaps it’s best to let nostalgia stay luminous in memory. Some light belongs to the past, and yet it still finds ways to shine in the present.

After the sermon, several of you shared how you pray — what you pray for, and how prayer keeps hope alive. Your words were beautiful and honest. One note especially stayed with me: “We pray. We hope for the best. We pray for grace and acceptance and kind hearts.”

As I said Sunday, prayer isn’t about getting results. It’s about deepening relationship — our connection with one another, with mystery and wonder, and with a living God who longs to be close to us.

In addition to the St. Francis quote about how prayer “works” from my sermon, here are a few of my favorite words on prayer to carry into your week:

“Prayer is a small fire lit to keep cold hands warm.” – Padraig O’Tuama

“Blessed are we who can say: my life isn’t always getting better. Right in the midst of pain and fear and uncertainty, may we hunt for beauty and meaning and truth — together.” – Kate Bowler

"We should seek not so much to pray but to become prayer." – St. Francis of Assisi

Do you remember your first experience with prayer?

May that memory guide your own prayer this week — like that little buzzing bulb in the Jesus Light, quietly illuminating the darkness. There are a million ways to pray. Pray always, and don’t lose heart.

Blessings on your week, beloved.

Joe+

You may contact Joe by phone at (860) 710-1515 or by email at JRose@stfrancisstamford.org. Please note that Monday is his well deserved day off!

Special Events and News

Hike at Grace Farms - October 25 10AM

The Grace Farm "River Building" was recently named the coolest building in Connecticut. Our visit will include exploring the buildings and hiking through the manicured campus. Afterward, we’ll gather at the on-site café to enjoy food and conversation.

Address: 365 Lukes Wood Rd, New Canaan, CT 06840. Meet at the West Barn, located near the lower parking lot, and register at the welcome desk.

Ways to Help the Immigrant Community at the Stamford Courthouse and Beyond

Stamford/Norwalk United with Immigrants (SNUI) Mutual Aid Team supports the migrant community through a model rooted in reciprocity and solidarity, not charity.
Be a Court Companion (escort participants into the courthouse, stay with them through the court process that day, and escort them out of the courthouse). Click here to register for the next training on Saturday, October 25 from 10 - noon.
Be an Observer outside of the courthouse (sign up for 2 hour shifts and patrol the courthouse parking garage and streets in front of the courthouse, monitor vehicle activity entering the courthouse driveway, and work with the Court Companion team to give the all clear for them to enter and depart the courthouse). Reach out to Dawn R with questions.
Sign up to volunteer to receive, pack and/or deliver food to immigrant families who fear leaving their homes. Shifts are about 90 minutes and occur every Friday in Norwalk.

Clothing Drive for Person to Person now through October 26

It's that time again! The Outreach Committee asks that you bring your clean, gently used fall and winter clothes to the Church between now and Sunday, October 26. Please mark gender and size on the bags. You can place items in the bin outside the Church or bring your donations on any Sunday. Donations will be delivered to Person to Person on Monday, October 27. Please email Patricia or Cathy with any questions.

Bring a Photo to Church for All Saints' Sunday, November 2

On Nov. 2, we will gather to celebrate All Saints’ Sunday at both the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services. You are invited to bring a photo of someone in your life who has reflected God’s love to you — someone who has inspired, encouraged, or helped shape your faith. These are the saints who have walked with us along the way. Photos may be framed or loose, and they will be placed on a special table of remembrance as we give thanks for all the holy ones, known and unknown, who continue to light our path.

In addition, if you would like to remember a loved one who died this past year or from years past in the Sunday bulletin, please send in the name(s) to Amy at: stfrancisstamford@gmail.com. We need all names by Tuesday, October 28th.

Jazz for Justice concert to raise funds for Immigrant Families Sunday, Novemer 9

4 pm, Stamford Unitarian Church

Attend Jazz for Justice, a concert to raise funds for immigrant families impacted by ICE activity.

Experience an unforgettable night of world-class music with Jim Clark Saxophonist and his dynamic trio, bringing heartfelt jazz excellence to the stage. Joining them is acclaimed Peruvian percussionist Walter Custodio, founder of Caribe Son and a celebrated ambassador of tropical and Peruvian music in the U.S. The concert will be held in Emerson Hall in the Stamford Unitarian Church Sanctuary, 20 Forest St. Click here for tickets

Mid-Week Meditation

This week's very meaningful reflection was shared by Joan C during the Vestry meeting. Click to read

Thank you to Cathy for providing the recommendation and link to last week's timely discussion between Pádraig Ó Tuama and Bishop Budde. They discussed the Book of Ruth and related it to what we are living with today, in terms of being strangers in a strange land, being the "other" and so much more. So powerful and timely. Click to listen (You may want to skip the first 20 minutes to get to the discussion.)

Would you like to share a spiritual or inspirational reflection?

Please email it to: dawnerandall@aol.com

Multimedia of the Week

Click to listen to Sermon

Lunch bunch returned and brought fun and fall treats. Take a peek into the Vestry during Compline and last week's monthly meeting. Rally Sunday and Coffee Hour were a big hit.