St. Francis Weekly

April 22 - 28, 2026

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Dawn R.’s Reflection: Thoughts from the Interfaith Seder

Over one hundred people, including many clergy and parishioners of several faith communities, joined together for an Interfaith Seder at Temple Sinai in March. Rev. Joe helped with a reading and Eileen and I learned a lot about Judaism (including how to read the program backwards)! We shared our table with people of the Jewish faith who helped us identify the foods we were supposed to be eating and the appropriate time to do so. We loved learning about the many parts of the Seder and its traditions that are treasured and celebrated annually by Jewish families; we also enjoyed sharing some of our own Holy Week and Easter traditions. Read more.

St. Francis News ...

Bishop's Visit on Sunday

The Rt. Rev. Laura Ahrens, suffragan bishop of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, will join St. Francis on April 26. Bishop Ahrens will preach and celebrate. Eight members of St. Francis will be received and confirmed as Episcopalians during at the 10 a.m. service. A coffee hour with the bishop, where parishioners are invited to bring their questions, will follow the service.

Collection for Edrice's St. Kitts Schoolchildren

For the next three weeks we will be collecting donations to support our former Deacon, Edrice Viechweg, in her work with students in her home country of St. Kitts and Nevis. Your generous contributions will help provide school uniforms, shoes, and supplies to children in need.

Donations can be made online or by check through May 8. Please write "St. Kitts schoolchildren" in the memo line of your check or in the note/memo field when donating online to ensure your gift is directed properly.

Click Here to Donate

St. Francis Hike at Cove Island Park, Stamford on Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.

Join the St. Francis Hiking Club for a spring hike at Cove Island Park in Stamford, where we’ll enjoy beautiful waterfront views, walking trails, and good company along the Long Island Sound. Come stretch your legs, get outside, and see if spring finally decides to make an appearance. The park's address is 1125 Cove Road, Stamford, and we will meet in the main parking lot near the park entrance.

Coffee Hour Volunteers Needed for May

Coffee Hour runs on, well, coffee – and on our community sharing the work. If you would be willing to help set up or clean up Coffee Hour in May – or even pick up our weekly tray of bagels and muffins at LaRocca’s on your way to church – I hope you’ll use the sign-up link below.

Volunteer for Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is important. It is an extension of our 10 a.m. Sunday communal worship. What begins at the altar in the breaking of the Bread continues at Coffee Hour. The unity we share in Christ does not end with the dismissal. It spills into conversation, into laughter, into the gentle grace and joy of welcoming new faces. It is often at Coffee Hour that a visitor becomes a friend, and a friend becomes part of our church family.

Lights, Stories, Action: Share Your Story for the St. Francis 80th Anniversary Videos

St. Francis is creating two videos to celebrate our 80th birthday as a faith community, and everyone is invited to participate.

On May 3, following the 10 a.m. service, parishioners who love or know someone interred in the Columbarium are invited to gather at the Historic Church. Bring your stories and remembrances to go with the names at this sacred space was we honor the cloud of witnesses of those who helped to start and build our parish.

On May 3 and May 10, everyone is invited to stick around after the services to record a quick video testimonial about how you came to St. Francis and why you love it. The comments will be featured during a video montage played during our June 7 celebration service and annual picnic.

... and beyond

The Interfaith Social Ministries Collaborative sponsors the Dignity Grows Project, April 23 6:30 p.m.

Join St. Francis and five other faith communities on Thursday, April 23 at Temple Sinai, 458 Lakeside Dr, Stamford. We'll make hundreds of sandwiches for New Covenant Center and pack 700 hygiene bags for those in need. Enjoy light snacks and social time too! To sign up to volunteer or donate money click here. Please email Dawn R. with questions.

Multimedia of the Week

Watch Rev. Joe's Sunday sermon

Please note: Friday is Rev. Joe's sabbath day.

The Godly Play kids created an altar with Rev. Joe gathering people for communion. It was a joyous Sunday, welcoming newcomers and coming together in prayer and song. The Movie Club met in the afternoon.