August 2024 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • July 30, 2024

Dear friends, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer – it seems to be flying!  Many events and special worship services are coming up! We also hope to have a Garden Tour – if we’re not able to have it in person, we will provide a filmed tour!

 

This reminds me of a beautiful hymn: “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


Important Dates


July-August 11: Collection of school supplies for Rebecca Johnson


August Calendar

 

Saturday, August 3: Men’s Club meet front parking lot at 8:20 AM


Sunday, August 4 at 10:30 AM: Rain Date: August 11

10th Anniversary of Waving for Peace

 

Saturday, August 10 1-3 PM:

Drive Through Collection of Food for Open Pantry

and School Supplies for Rebecca Johnson

 

Sunday, August 11 during worship:

Blessing of School Supplies

 

Tuesday, August 27: (Crop Team)

Hosting Distribution of Crop Hunger Walk materials

 

September:

 

Sunday, September 1:

Worship Service time resumes at 10 AM

 

Saturday, September 7:

Craft Fair: 9-3 Vendors asked to provide tables and set up

 

Sunday, September 8 during worship:

Rally Sunday: First Day of the Church School Program Year

 

Saturday, September 14:1-3 PM

Drive Through Collection of Food for Open Pantry

 

Sunday, September 22:

Hosting International Peace Day:


Ongoing:


Sunday mornings:     

God Time and Nursery Care

Coffee Hour after worship


Monday afternoons:

Waving for Peace from 3:30-4 PM


Wednesdays 5-6PM 

Cutting Edge Group


Third Thursday:       

Prep for Loaves and Fishes Dinner


Third Friday:           

Serving Dinner at Loaves and Fishes


Last week:                 

Delivering baked goods to Loaves & Fishes


October:

 

Crop Walk: Sunday, October 6

Drive Through: Saturday, October 12

Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, October 20



SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR REBECCA JOHNSON


We will be collecting school supplies through August 11. Needed: Everything from pencils to backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, and two and four pocket folders and more! Thanks to everyone for your support!


SPECIAL MUSIC SCHEDULE:


8/4     Men’s Choral Group

8/11    Frank P. Jackson, Pianist

8/18    Women’s Choral Group

8/25   Kathy Schoeck, Violinist

9/1       Pickup Choir (note: Rehearsal at 9:15 AM)

 

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.

WAVING FOR PEACE ANNIVERSARY


Sunday, August 4, following worship

All are welcome to help us celebrate TEN years of Waving for Peace on Monday afternoons. We will wave for a half hour. Chairs are provided. All ages welcome!


AUGUST DRIVE THROUGH: Sat. Aug 10

 

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


CRAFT FAIR


Saturday, September 7th: 9 AM-3PM

Indoor and Outdoor Vendors

Foster Memorial Church, UCC

1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA


If you would like to be a vendor,

please contact Lori at 413-626-9040 or email lorilhi@aol.com

Quality Crafts: Something for everyone!

Lunch for purchase and a fun Gift Basket Raffle!


We are once again the hosts for this event!

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: May Peace Prevail                               

Sunday, September 22 from 3- 5 PM Rain Plans: Inside

We need helpers for set up, clean-up and refreshments. Please speak to Bob Loesch or Pastor Barbara if you would be able to help.


GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER

Please save the date for the walk: Sunday, October 6. 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. Please speak to Pastor Barbara or Jeanie Marsh if you can help.


Annual Blessing of the Animals:

Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 PM

Join us for this special event! All animals must be on a leash or in a carrier. Photos of pets also welcome! Everyone is also invited to bring pet food, toys and supplies to be donated to Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. New or gently used towels are especially needed. Everyone welcome, with your animals or  just to enjoy this event!

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 
January 2026 Newsletter

January 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 3, 2026
Dear friends, When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people --Howard Thurman As I write this, we are heading into the 12 Days of Christmas, the season of Christmastide. At the end of the twelve days, we begin the season of Epiphany. On Epiphany Sunday, (celebrated January 4 this year) we re-experience the story of the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child and his mother, Mary. As the season continues, our focus is on the early times of Jesus’ ministry on earth, his teachings, healings, and miracles. Themes for this season include God’s light and AHA! experiences of transformation. The liturgical color for Epiphany is white. During this holy season, may Jesus, the Light of the World, be revealed to us and through us. Blessings, Barbara

December 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • December 3, 2025
Dear friends, As we enter the Advent season, we are aware of God’s people, creatures and creation struggling for freedom, healing and wholeness. Our Savior Jesus came to earth, born as we are all born, to show us God’s intentions for the world, for justice and mercy, unity within diversity, and the deep peace of God’s shalom. In this holy season, may we focus on the reasons Jesus came to earth and do all that we can to shine God’s holy light of hope, peace, joy and love. Hear us, God, for we are praying Hear us, God, for we are laughing in our joy Hear us, God, for we are crying out to you Wondering what will be, what will be Speak to us, God, for we are listening Speak to us, God, for we are waiting for your voice Speak to us, God, in our hearts and all around Show us what can be, what can be – Chris Grundy Blessings, Barbara