St. Francis Weekly                      
November 16 - December 23, 2018
Quote of the Week. . .



Food for Thought. . .
Another fine reflection from our vestry meeting last night.  Thank you, Kim Henderson, for offering it. . .

During this joyful, but stressful time of year, I wanted to take the focus off our multi-screening days and reflect upon something that may be lacking in the busyness of our lives and that is, our connection to nature.
 
The average American spends 90% of their life indoors and 11 hours a day on screens. There is truly an epidemic of Nature-Deficit Disorder-a term coined by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods .
 
"Nature-Deficit Disorder describes the human cost of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of physical and emotional illness. BUT, mindful time in nature can reconnect us with the more than human world in which we live.  To read more, click here. . .
Link of the Week. . .

A repeat, but a treat at this time of year. . .

O come, O come, Emmanuel - (Piano/Cello) - The Piano Guys
O come, O come, Emmanuel - (Piano/Cello) - The Piano Guys
For Further Reflection. . .  
 An interesting and brief interview with David Steindl-Rast on Faith, Mysticism, and Prayer. . .

Brother David Steindl-Rast: Faith, Mysticism, and Prayer
Brother David Steindl-Rast: Faith, Mysticism, and Prayer
                   
Weekly Schedule

Saturday, December 15
9:00 AM      Prison Ministry
5:00 PM       St. Francis Saturday Night Worship Service (Historic Church)

Sunday, December 16--Advent 3C--Michael Hyman, Guest Preacher
8:00 AM        Worship Service with Eucharist (Historic Church)
                      Celebrant: Debra Slade
                      Preacher: Mark Lingle

10:00 AM        Worship Service with Eucharist (Church)
                        Celebrant: Mark Lingle
                        Preacher: Michael Hyman

4:00 PM         Service for Pets and Their People (Church)

5:00 PM         Service of Lessons and Carols (Historic Church)

5:45 PM         Parish Christmas Party (Rectory)

This Week at a Glance

Monday (17)
6:00 PM  Advent Contemplative Prayer (Church)

Wednesday (19)
Noon  Stamford Clergy Meeting

Thursday (20)
6:00 PM  Homeless Persons' Memorial Service (First Congregational Church)

Saturday (22)
3:00 PM  Pre-Marriage Counseling 
5:00 PM  St. Francis Saturday Night Service (Historic Church)

Sunday (23)  Advent 4C
8:00 AM  Worship with Eucharist (Historic Church)
10:00 AM Worship Service with Eucharist (Church)
Save the Date

Monday, December 24 @ 5:00 PM (Church)
Christmas Eve Eucharist

Monday, December 24 @ 8:30 PM (Church)
Pre-Service Concert

Monday, December 24 @ 9:00 PM (Church)
Christmas Eve Festive Eucharist

Tuesday, December 25 @ 10:00 AM (Historic Church)
Christmas Day Eucharist

Thursday, December 27 @ 11:00 AM 
Edgehill Eucharist

Tuesday, January 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thursday, January 3 @ 7:00 PM
Faithful Futures Meeting

Saturday, January 5 @ 6:00 PM (Margery Irish's Home)
Choir Party

Sunday, January 6 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Music Committee Meeting

Monday, January 7 @ 9:00 AM
Homeless Persons Memorial Service Meeting

Wednesday, January 9 @ 9:00 AM
Interfaith Planning Meeting

Wednesday, January 9 @ 6:00 PM
Prayer Shawl Ministry

Thursday, January 10 @ 2:00 PM 
Edgehill Bible Study

Wednesday, January 16 @ Noon
Stamford Clergy Meeting

Thursday, January 17 @ 2:00 PM 
Edgehill Bible Study

Sunday, January 20 @ 11:15 AM (Church)
Finance Committee Meeting

Sunday, January 20 @ 4:00 PM (Church)
Service for Pets and Their People

Thursday, January 24 @ 2:00 PM 
Edgehill Bible Study 

Thursday, January 24 @ 7:00 PM (First Presbyterian Church)
Interfaith Wisdom Literature Study

Sunday, January 27 @ 11:00 AM (Church)
Parish Annual Meeting  AIDS 

Thursday, January 31 @ 2:00 PM 
Edgehill Bible Study

Thursday, January 31 @ 7:00 PM (Temple Beth-El)
Interfaith Wisdom Literature Study

Saturday, February 2 @ 7:00 PM (Church)
Sounds Good Concert:  Cinderella
STAY CONNECTED: