August 2025 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • July 28, 2025
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Dear friends,


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

 

I know we have been very concerned about issues going on that are dividing our nation. Decisions being made can shake us to the core, daily. We have started Waving for Peace on Sunday mornings, in addition to Monday afternoons,  and the response from our neighbors passing by has been overwhelmingly positive. We will also be looking for more ways to advocate for God’s justice in the coming days, including our hosting an International Peace Event in September.

 

There are many hymns that can move us onward and upward with hope and conviction of faith. One of these is entitled Community of Christ, with words by Shirley Erena Murray.

 

Community of Christ, through whom the world must sound-

Cry out for justice and for peace the whole world round;

Disarm the powers that war and all that can destroy,

Turn bombs to bread and tears of anguish into joy.

 

When menace melts away, so shall God’s will be done.

The climate of the world be peace and Christ its sun;

Our currency be love and kindliness our law,

Our food and faith be shared as one forevermore.


Blessings,

Barbara

CALENDAR FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER


August


Saturday, August 2:
Men's Breakfast: 8:20am


Sunday, August 3:
11th Anniversary Waving for Peace

Saturday, August 9:
Monthly Food Drive: 1-3pm

Sunday, August 10:
Blessing of School Supplies
Just Peace Team Meeting

Wednesday, August 13:
Finance Board/Exec Board


Sunday, August 24:

Prayers for the Nation: 4pm


September


Thursday, Sept 4:
FMC Hosts Crop Rally 5pm


Friday, Sept 5:
Quarter Auction: 7pm

Saturday, Sept 6:
Men's Breakfast: 8:20am

Sunday, Sept 7:
Worship Resumes at 10am
Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser


Wednesday, Sept 10:
Finance Board/Exec Board


Saturday, Sept 13:
Monthly Food Drive: 1-3pm

Sunday Sept 14:
Rally Sunday


Sunday, Sept 21:
FMC hosts Peace Day Event: 3-5pm


Thursday, Sept 25:
Pastor hosts local UCC clergy

Saturday, Sept 27:
Fosterians 11:30am


Sunday, Sept 28
Prayers for the Nation: 4pm

ONGOING


Sunday mornings:   

  • Church School and Nursery Care
  • Coffee Hour after worship,
  • Waving for Peace


Mondays:                   

  • Waving for Peace: 3:30-4 PM


Wednesdays             

  • Cutting Edge Group: 5-6 PM


Third Thursday:       

  • Prep for Loaves and Fishes Dinner


Third Friday:           

  • Serve Dinner at Loaves and Fishes


Last week:                

  • Deliver baked goods to Loaves &
  • Fishes (Bun Runners)


SAVE THE DATES


  • Crop Walk for Hunger: Sunday, October 5
  • Blessing of the Pets/Animals: Sunday, October 19
  • Pancake Brunch for Tenzin: Sunday, October 26
  • Fosterians Gathering: Date TBD


MEN'S BREAKFAST: SATURDAY, AUG 2


All men of the church are invited to join on the first Saturday of the month for breakfast at a local restaurant. We meet at 8:20 AM in the front parking lot. All are welcome and invited to bring friends!


AUGUST DRIVE THROUGH: SATURDAY, AUG 9


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.


TEXAS ROADHOUSE FUNDRAISER: SUNDAY AUGUST 3: 11:30am - 3pm


Show this to your server for our fundraising benefit.


BIG Y GIFT CARDS


See Jeanie Marsh to order Big Y gift cards. This is an ongoing fundraiser for the church. Thanks for your support!


FOSTER SOFTBALL TEAM


Congratulations to our softball team, who has done VERY well this season! Playoffs are on Saturday, August 2 at Bethany Church in Agawam. Stay tuned for what time our team will be playing!


https://www.interchurchsoftball.com/

Go team, go!


11th ANNIVERSARY OF OUR WAVING FOR PEACE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 3


Please join us right after worship for an all-church photo to mark our 11th anniversary of our Waving for Peace ministry. We will also plan to Wave for Peace after coffee hour.


SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR REBECCA JOHNSON


We will be collecting school supplies each Sunday through August 10. 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!


MONTHLY QUARTER AUCTION: SEPTEMBER 5


Doors open at 6 PM, and the auction begins at 7 PM. Everyone is invited to bring quarters and friends for a fun evening and a chance to win some great items from our vendors! There will also be a raffle! Admission: $5 for two paddles. Bring a non-perishable food item and receive a free third paddle. This month, a portion of our proceeds will go to: Tapestry Health: https://www.tapestryhealth.org/


More details to come. Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase. Speak to Lori for more information.


FOSTERIANS: SAT, SEPT 27 11:30AM


All women welcome! Theme: Big E! There will be a Pizza lunch with a free will offering taken to cover costs. More details will be coming soon!


INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: MAY PEACE PREVAIL


Sunday, September 21: 3- 5 PM Rain Plans: Inside

We need helpers for set up, clean-up and refreshments. Please speak to Pastor Barbara if you would be able to help. Our Just Peace Team is one of the participants in this event. We hope you can join us.


GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER


Please save the date for the walk: Sunday, October 5. 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 if you can help.


SUNDAY, OCT 19 AT 2PM


Join us for this special event! All pets 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 pets, or just come to enjoy!


NEWS FROM OUR CHURCH OFFICE


  • Thank you!
    We want to thank Patrick O’ Brien for his good work for us as our Admin. Assistant since the spring of 2024. Patrick will be finishing up on August 22.

  • CANCER CARE SPECIAL OFFERING: THANK YOU
    Thank you to everyone for your donations to our own special Cancer Care offering. A total of $1051.00 was raised, to be divided between Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center and Baystate Health D’Amour Cancer Center. Everyone’s support is greatly appreciated

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