August 2023 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • August 5, 2023

Dear friends,

 

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer – it seems to be flying!

 

We have had many special events over the past few months. Just one was a tour of our church gardens by our “Garden Angels,” Judy and Gerri. Stay tuned for a filmed tour and slide show of the gardens, coming up soon.

 

I’m reminded of the words to one of my favorite hymns:

“The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” by Eleanor Allen Schroll:

 

1 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

There’s a place that is wondrously fair,

For it glows with the light of His presence

’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.

 

Refrain:

O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer,

O the beautiful garden of prayer!

There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates

To the beautiful garden of prayer.

 

2 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And I go, with my burden and care,

Just to learn from His lips words of comfort

In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]

 

3 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And He bids you to come meet Him there,

Just to bow and receive a new blessing

In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]


Blessings,

Barbara



SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR WORSHIP


Reminder: We will continue to worship at 9:30 AM through September 3. Childcare and Church school are provided each Sunday.



WAVING FOR PEACE ANNIVERSARY: MONDAY, AUGUST 7th


All are welcome to help us celebrate NINE years of

“Waving for Peace” on Monday afternoons.

Time: 3:30-4:00 PM, waving, followed by refreshments

and conversation on the lawn



SPECIAL MUSIC SCHEDULE


8/6 Men’s Choral Group
8/13 Barbara Schenk & Keith Walker, Vocalists &
8/20 Frank P. Jackson, Pianist
8/27 Kathy Schoeck, Violinist
9/3 Pickup Choir


Everyone is invited to join the Pickup Choir and men are invited to join Men’s Choral Group. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday at 8:45 AM. Please speak to Frank Jackson for more information.



AUGUST DRIVE THROUGH: SAT. AUGUST 12th


Time: 1-3 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting food for the Open Pantry and School Supplies for Rebecca Johnson School. REMINDER: We collect non-perishable food for Open Pantry every Sunday. All donations are so appreciated.



SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR REBECCA JOHNSON

We will be collecting school supplies each Sunday through August 13. Needed: Everything from pencils to back packs, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, and two and four pocket folders. Thanks to everyone for your support!




FINAL SESSION WITH BOB LOESCH: SUNDAY, AUGUST 13th AFTER WORSHIP


We thank Bob for giving his time and talents during this past year. This final session will be sharing reflections and conversation about our personal “Star Words.” If anyone did not get a star word, see Pastor Barbara.



COMING UP: SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday, September 5: Host Distribution of Crop materials
Sunday, September 10: Rally Sunday
Sunday, September 24: Hosting International Peace Day event


DISTRIBUTION OF CROP MATERIALS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 4:30 - 6:30PM


Once again, this year, members of the CROP WALK team will be hosting the distribution of CROP Hunger Walk materials from 5-6:30 PM at our church.



GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER


Please save the date for the walk: Sunday, October 15. We gather for the walk at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Ave, at 1 PM. The walk kicks off at 2 PM; we walk through Forest Park (either one or three miles) and return to Trinity for refreshments. We always need helpers with refreshments and our “Welcome Back” team, as well as walkers and sponsors. More information will be coming soon.



DONATIONS FOR CROP HUNGER WALK ONLINE


If you would like to make a donation to our Foster church team online: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/foster-memorial-church-ucc



GOD TIME RALLY SUNDAY


RALLY SUNDAY (Beginning of our church school program year) will be held on Sunday, September 10.




RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES


Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet. Contact the church office if you would like to receive the service in the mail. Or contact us if you would like to be included on our email mailing list.


We are once again the hosts of this event!

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: MAY PEACE PREVAIL


Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023 

Time: 3:00-5:00 PM

Rain Plans: Inside the church

 

The purpose of this event is to mark and celebrate International Peace Day, 2023 (September 21st) by bringing together groups and organizations engaged in the work for peace and justice in the Greater Springfield area. Each organization will have a space/table for sharing resources, information and conversation with other participants and guests. There will be time for each organization to share with everyone a few highlights of their group's involvement with concerns of peace and justice. 

 

There will also be music, light refreshments, and interactive activities for all ages. One special activity will be writing on small "Peace Flags," which, together, will be displayed on the church lawn as a communal witness for peace.

**

NOTE: Our Just Team is helping to host the event. We would love your help and also your participation in this event. Please contact Bob Loesch or Pastor Barbara for more information.

April 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 27, 2026
April 2026

March 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 2, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Lent began on February 18 and continues until Easter Sunday, celebrated this year on April 5. (See the schedule for Holy Week included in this newsletter) During this season, we’re asked to devote time for inner reflection, taking stock of our lives. And we are called to reach out, in Christian service, to neighbors, near and far. One of the ways we do that each year in March is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special offering. This year, the offering will be collected on March 15. The money from this offering is utilized through Wider Church Ministries of the UCC, to respond to a variety of global and local concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long-term disaster recovery support, and assistance for refugees and asylum seekers, working in collaboration with our partners locally and globally Our generosity ensures that the transforming power of love will continue to support our neighbors in need, here in our country and around the world. Attached to this newsletter is an activity calendar for Feb. 22- March 15 to help us gain deeper understanding about the work of this offering. Thank you to Sharon Gormbley for designing this calendar. Blessings, Barbara FUNDRAISING BY GROCERY SHOPPING: BIG Y GIFT CARDS Thank you to everyone who has purchased Big Y gift cards for our fundraising program. For each card purchased, the church will get a benefit of 5%. It doesn’t sound like much, but together, we are raising almost $200 per month for the church—just by our regular shopping. It’s handy to keep a card in your wallet to be used at Big Y or Fresh Acres or the Big Y gas pumps. See Jeanie Marsh if you would like to order any cards for yourself or for others. PRE-RECORDED FILMED SERVICES We continue to offer recorded worship services for each Sunday, and special holy days, posted on You Tube, on our website at http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ and on our Facebook page. through to the end. Thank you to all who gave their time, talent and treasure throughout the year. The amount entered for Receipts does not include unplanned transfers from our savings or other accounts needed to pay  bills from month-to-month.

February 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 22, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, continues through mid-February this year.On Sunday, February 15, we will hold our annual Pancake Brunch, marking the end of the Epiphany Season. We combine this with a fun Mardi Gras theme! Our free-will offering for the brunch will go to help support the Afghan family with whom it is our blessing to walk alongside. They are doing very well; this month marks the fourth year since their arrival to Chicopee and the beginning of our very blessed relationship! The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 18. We will have an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. This service sets the tone for the season of Lent, inviting us to follow Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, while being invited to embark on an inward journey of our own self-reflection. We celebrate Holy Communion during this service, as well as “Experiencing the Ashes.” Please join us if you are able; we will also have a recorded Ash Wednesday service on our website at fostermemorial.org and on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page. Blessings, Barbara Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way, where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter day. -James Gertmenian