St. Francis Weekly                      
February 3 - February 10, 2019
Quote of the Week. . .
Proximity has taught me some basic and humbling truths, including this vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we've ever done. My work with the poor and the incarcerated has persuaded me that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I've come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, the character of our society, our commitment to the rule of law, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the powerful, the privileged, and the respected among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned.


Food for Thought. . .
The perimeter of the worship space at Temple Beth-El in Stamford reminds me a great deal of the worship spaces at St. Francis.  Large, clear windows comprise the majority of the sides of the sanctuary, offering parishioners literally a window into the wonder of creation that surrounds this synagogue.  I suspect that Rabbi Joshua Hammerman's folks end up daydreaming a bit because of those windows as do a number of people from St. Francis. You can't not! With foliage changing from season to season, the clouds shape-shifting at other times, and the brilliance of the sun and sky calling you out to play, whose mind would not be drawn in?  While at the weekly Wisdom Literature program last night, I spied a placard that not only recognized the architectural makeup of the sanctuary but translated it into the identity of the parish. Paraphrased, the statement read: Our sanctuary reflects our congregation.  We are a community of windows not walls.  To read more, click here. . .
Link of the Week. . .
A good one to reprise. . . Annie Lamott on her 12 Truths:

12 truths I learned from life and writing | Anne Lamott
12 truths I learned from life and writing | Anne Lamott
For Further Reflection. . .  
Food for thought here, and an interesting discussion. . .

Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash | Rutger Bregman
Poverty isn't a lack of character; it's a lack of cash | Rutger Bregman

                   
Weekly Schedule

Saturday, February 2
5:00 PM       St. Francis Saturday Night Worship Service (Historic Church)
7:00 PM        Sounds Good Concert:  The True Story of Cinderella (Church)

Sunday, January 3--Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (C)
8:00 AM        Worship Service with Eucharist (Historic Church)
                      Celebrant: Debra Slade
                      Preacher: Mark Lingle

10:00 AM        Worship Service with Eucharist (Church)
                        Celebrant: Debra Slade
                        Preacher: Mark Lingle

11:15 AM      Book Group:  Just Mercy (Church)


This Week at a Glance

Tuesday (5)
Southwest Region of ECCT Meeting

Wednesday (6)  
1:00 PM  ECCT Meeting
6:00 PM Facing Racism in Stamford Program(First United Methodist)

Thursday (7)
11:00 AM  Edgehill Eucharist
2:00 PM  Edgehill Bible Study
7:30 PM  Interfaith Wisdom Literature Study (Church))

Saturday (9)
9:00 AM Prison Ministry
10:00 AM   Southwest Region ECCT Convocation
5:00 PM  St. Francis Saturday Night Service (Historic Church)

Sunday (10)  Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Day of Racial Healing, Justice, and Reconciliation
Michael Hyman Preaching
8:00 AM  Worship with Eucharist (Historic Church)
10:00 AM Worship Service with Eucharist (Church)
11:15 AM  Music Committee Meeting (Church)
Save the Date

Wednesday, February 13 @ 11:00 AM 
Eucharistic Service at The Villa

Wednesday, February 13 @ 6:00 PM (Margery Irish's Home)
Prayer Shawl Ministry

Wednesday, February 13 @ 6:00 PM (First United Methodist)
Facing Racism in Stamford Program

Thursday, February 14 @ 2:00 PM 
Edgehill Bible Study

Thursday, February 14 @ 7:00 PM (St. John's Lutheran Church)
Interfaith Wisdom Literature Study

Saturday, February 16 @ 10:00 AM (Church)
Eagle Scout Honor Court (John Coleman) 

Sunday, February 17 @ 4:00 PM (Church)
Service for Pets and their People

Wednesday, February 20 @ Noon
Stamford Clergy Group

Wednesday, February 20 @ 7:00 PM (Meeting Room)
Vestry Meeting 

Thursday, February 28 @ 7:00 PM(Grace Farms)
InterfaithWisdomLiterature Panel Discussion 

Sunday, March 3 @ 11:00 AM (Church)
Rearrange the Sanctuary for Lent

Wednesday, March 6 @ Noon (Historic Church)
Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, March 6 @ 7:00 PM (Zion Lutheran Church)
Ash Wednesday Service

Sunday, March 10 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Book Club:  Beyond Religion (Chapters 1-3)

Sunday, March 17 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Book Club:
  Beyond Religion   
(Chapters 4-5)

Sunday, March 24 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Book Club:
  Beyond Religion (Chapters 6-7)

Sunday, March 31 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Book Club: 
 Beyond Religion (Chapters 8-9)

Sunday, April 7 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Book Club
:  Beyond Religion (Chapters 10-11)

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