August 2026 Newsletter
August 2026 – Foster Memorial Church, UCC
Interim Search Update
The Interim Search Team (Amy Pawle, Alice Kempf, Bruce Moore, Mary Caron, Kevin Withers & Rev. Bob Loesch) has completed our church profile, and it is now active with the UCC.
This is the first step in finding an intentional interim pastor to guide us through the search for our next settled pastor.
The profile introduces the church to pastors nationwide who are searching themselves, similar to a job posting. Any candidate who is interested in our profile will send their profile to us through the UCC, and the Interim Search Team will decide whether to interview them.
The interim pastor will serve for around two years, working ¾ time, between 30 and 35 hours per week.
Since it is unlikely that we will find an interim pastor by the end of August, the Executive Board is now working to find people to lead worship for the next few months. We met with our new Area Minister, Rev. David Jones, on Monday, July 20; he will be assisting us with this and the interim search. Rev. Bob Loesch is providing pastoral care starting September 1st. Please contact Amy Pawle, our moderator, with any questions. She can be reached at amy.pawle@gmail.com.
Special Invitation
Please join us for the retirement and final worship service of Rev. Barbara Schenk on Sunday, August 30 at 9:30 AM, followed by a special coffee hour at 10:30 AM.
Calendar of Events
August
- Saturday, August 1 — Men’s Breakfast, 8:20 AM
- Sunday, August 2 — Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser, 11:30 AM – 3 PM
- Saturday, August 8 — Food Drive, 1 – 3 PM
- Sunday, August 9 — 12th Anniversary of Waving for Peace
- Sunday, August 9 — Blessing of School Supplies
- Sunday, August 30 — Pastor Barbara’s final worship service / farewell
September
Reminder: Worship changes back to 10 AM.
- Friday, September 4 — Quarter Auction, 7 PM
- Saturday, September 5 — Men’s Breakfast, 8:20 AM
- Sunday, September 6 — Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser, 11:30 AM – 3 PM
- Saturday, September 12 — Food Drive, 1 – 3 PM
- Sunday, September 13 — Rally Sunday
- Sunday, September 13 — Just Peace Team
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
- Thursday before the 3rd Friday — Prep for Loaves and Fishes Dinner
- Third Friday — Serve Dinner at Loaves and Fishes
- Last week of the month — Deliver baked goods to Loaves & Fishes (Bun Runners)
Save the Dates
- Sunday, October 4 — CROP Walk for Hunger
Men’s Breakfast: Saturday, August 1
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!
Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser
Sunday, August 2: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
Show this to your server for our fundraising benefit.
Big Y Gift Cards
See Jeanie Marsh or Alice Kempf to order Big Y gift cards. This is an ongoing fundraiser for the church. Thanks for your support!
12th Anniversary of Our Waving for Peace Ministry: Sunday, August 9
Please join us right after worship for an all-church photo to mark our 12th anniversary of our Waving for Peace ministry. We will also plan to Wave for Peace after coffee hour.
August Drive-Through: Saturday, August 8
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.
Foster Softball Team
Congratulations to our softball team, who has done VERY well this season! Playoffs are on Saturday, August 1 at Bethany Church in Agawam. Stay tuned for what time our team will be playing! Find info at https://www.interchurchsoftball.com/. Go team, go!
School Supplies for Rebecca Johnson
We will be collecting school supplies each Sunday through August 9, when the supplies will be blessed during worship. Needed: everything from pencils to backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, and two- and four-pocket folders. Thanks to everyone for your support!
Monthly Quarter Auction: September 4
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 Rebecca Johnson School.
Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase. Speak to Lori for more information.
International Peace Day: May Peace Prevail
Sunday, September 20: 3 – 5 PM (Rain plans: inside)
We are once again the hosts for this event! We need helpers for set-up, clean-up, and refreshments. Please speak to Rev. Bob Loesch or Cheryl Moynahan 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 CROP Walk for Hunger
Please save the date for the walk:
Sunday, October 4. 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 Jeanie Marsh or Judy Milano if you can help.
