St. Francis Weekly

October 21 - October 28, 2026

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

Hello, Friends of St Francis!

Aleta's Reflection on her backyard...

The vibrant array of color in our region is over the top this year. The trees are shouting in joy and more than once the view brings tears to my eyes from the sheer beauty. Then I look out at my little unfurled labyrinth boardwalk over the little patch of wetlands in my yard and I wince.

St. Francis News ...

Welcome St. Francis' New Interim Music Director: Nicholas Cozza

Nicholas Cozza will join St. Francis as the interim music director starting in January. Nick is a celebrated musician and teacher who will enrich our worship in so many ways. A native of Tuckahoe, NY, he has studied under Richard Weidlich at Western Connecticut State University and has performed as a featured soloist with the university’s Wind Ensemble n performances of Alan Hovhaness’ “Prayer of St. Gregory” and Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City.” He also has experience playing at church services. Nick plans to work as a music educator in a public school system in Connecticut or New York when he graduates from WCSU in the spring of 2027. Nick will begin to join us at Sunday morning services in the New Church during Advent. At the same time, in the weeks ahead, we will be celebrating and saying goodbye to Richard and Bud in different ways as they prepare to move to the West Coast. Stay tuned for more details.

"Music at St. Francis" Forum, Sunday, October 25, 11 a.m. at the

New Church

An opportunity after the 10 a.m. service to bring your questions, share what you value about music at St. Francis, and, perhaps most importantly, dream out loud together about how we carry forward the extraordinary gift that Richard Weidlich has given St. Francis in his time with us. This forum is part of the process of finding a new music director. Read Rev. Joe's announcement about Richard's plans to leave St. Francis at the end of the year.

DATE CORRECTION: Trunk or Treat at the New Church: Friday, October 23, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Our friends at A Place Like Home (APLH) have invited St. Francis parishioners to join them for a Trunk or Treat celebration with the daycare children this Friday, October 23! If you’d like to participate, decorate the trunk of your car with a fun Halloween theme, put on a costume, and bring some candy to share, arrive at the New Church parking lot, 2810 Long Ridge Road, at 3:30 p.m. It's easy to join the fun: Park your car, open your trunk, set up your decorations, and get ready to welcome the little ones as they parade from car to car in their Halloween costumes. APLH staff and parents will also be decorating their vehicles and handing out treats. Expect about 60 kids. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our connection with the APLH community — and have some good old-fashioned Halloween fun together!

Election Day Prayer Vigil at the Historic Church: Tuesday, Nov. 3

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, the Historic Church will be open throughout the day as a sacred space for prayer, quiet reflection, and contemplation. Rev. Joe will keep vigil in the church until the polls close at 8 p.m., with prayers and readings offered at various times throughout the day. In this election season, we invite you to step away from the noise, rest in God's presence, and pray for our country, our communities, and all who seek to serve the common good. Whether you stay for a few minutes or linger in silence, all are welcome. May this be a day when we remember that, whatever our differences, we are called to love our neighbors, seek justice, and be instruments of God's peace.

Take a Book, Leave a Book! Historic Church Tiny Library Is Open!

There’s something new outside the Historic Church! Our Tiny Library is officially open for business, and everyone is invited to take part in the joy of sharing a good book. The idea is simple: Take a book, leave a book, and help spread the love of reading throughout our community. If you have books to donate and the library is full when you stop by, please hold on to your donations and bring them back another day. It's one more small way St. Francis is building connections, sharing stories, and spreading a little love in our neighborhood. Happy reading!

St. Francis 80 Service with Bishop Mello: Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Historic Church

This year’s St. Francis’ 80 celebration continues as Bishop Jeffrey Mello will be our preacher and celebrant for a special evening service. November 17 is the official anniversary of the Historic Church being consecrated and St. Francis becoming part of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut. In honor of our parish’s rich history, the service will be held in the Historic Church on Old Long Ridge Road and will feature the “Rite I” Eucharistic liturgy that would have been celebrated in 1948. A reception will follow in the Meeting Room.

... and Beyond

Clothing Drive for Person to Person now through October 25

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 25. 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 26. Please email Patricia or Cathy with any questions.

Colombia Earthquake Benefit: October 24 at 6:30 p.m.

You are invited to First Congregational Church in Stamford on October 24 at 6:30 pm for a concert to benefit Colombians recovering from two recent, devastating earthquakes. Please see the flyer for more information or call 203-323-0020.

Suggested donation $20

Location: 655 Stillwater Avenue, Stamford

St. John's Needs Your Help at the Pumpkin Patch!

From now until the end of October, volunteers are needed to help out in the Pumpkin Patch.

Click HERE to sign up for shifts to staff the patch...all help is needed.

This project is an all congregation effort. All of the funds raised are given away to Building One Community, Kids In Crisis, and Future Five. As such, it is the biggest mission project of the year for St. John’s.

Don’t delay signing up – do it now. Click HERE. Thank you!

PS: If you are unable to physically handle pumpkins, come anyway for the fellowship. Young and old are most welcome!

A Night of Music to Benefit INTEMPO: Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m.

INTEMPO is thrilled to host our Annual Fundraiser on Thursday, November 12, at The Village in Stamford. The evening will feature live music performed by INTEMPO’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Ashley Yoon, and INTEMPO students; remarks from CEO Lou Chen and Youth Council President Nate Caballeros; food and drinks; a silent auction; a live auction; and a paddle raise.

Founded in 2011, INTEMPO provides multicultural music education to children predominantly from immigrant communities. We serve over 600 children each year through our afterschool, summer, and partnership programs.

Tickets are $150. Click Here to buy tickets or to donate.

Location

The Village

4 Star Point

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Discounted Oil Rates

for Parishioners from

Mitchell Oil

Our long-time oil provider, Mitchell Oil, is offering St. Francis parishioners special pricing protection plans for the coming heating season:

Prebuy: $5.299 per gallon
Fixed: $5.399 per gallon
Capped: $5.599 per gallon (Cap fee: $399 for customers using more than 1,000 gallons; $299 for customers using fewer than 1,000 gallons)

These rates include a $0.10-per-gallon discount off Mitchell Oil's regular rates and are subject to change.

To learn more or lock in your heating price for the coming season, contact Tim R. by email or phone

Thank you to Mitchell Oil for its continued service to our parish and support of MFM.