December 2023 Newsletter
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,
Pastor Barbara
December Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Saturday, December 2 | Fosterians Gathering at noon |
| Sunday, December 3 | Pancake Brunch for Tenzing |
| Saturday, December 9 | Drive Through Donations |
| Sunday, December 10 | Blessing of Gray House Gifts Just Peace Gathering |
| Sunday December 17 | Pageant |
| Sunday December 24 | Christmas Eve Services: 10am & 7pm |
EACH MONTH
Worship Sundays at 10 AM
God Time (church school) each Sunday
Filmed worship services filmed on Wednesday afternoon and posted each week on our church Facebook page and website: fostermemorial.org and You Tube
Monthly prep for Fishes and Loaves dinner
Monthly Drive for outreach: 2nd Saturday, 1-3 PM
Waving for Peace, Mondays from 3:30-4 PM
Team/Board Meetings
FOSTERIANS GATHERING: DECEMBER 2 AT NOON
All women of the church are invited to a luncheon hosted by the Fosterians. A light lunch will be provided. We’ll have a “Yankee Christmas Swap” (bring gifts $5-10 to swap) and collect money donations for a team of shoppers to make up bags to distribute to our confined members and friends. Contact Lori or Judy if you would like to join us!
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO OUR VETERANS
We are invited to sign holiday cards to be distributed to the residents of the Holyoke Soldiers Home. We’ll be signing cards after church in the Friendship Room. You may wish to take some home to fill out and return the following Sunday. It’s a small way that we can extend our caring for the veterans. Please see Sandy Moore for further information.
PANCAKE BRUNCH: DECEMBER 3 FOLLOWING WORSHIP: FUNDRAISER FOR TENZING
We are having a pancake brunch to raise funds to support our Tenzing, our sponsored youth who is a Tibetan refugee living and going to school in India. It costs well over $400 a year for sponsorship, so we appreciate everyone’s support. Please join us for a delicious brunch, followed by crafts for all ages.
OUR CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Our Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 17 during our worship service. Rehearsals begin on December 3 with a full rehearsal after worship on December 10. All children and youth are invited and encouraged to participate.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES
We have two services on Sunday, December 24, at 10 AM and 7 PM. Both services are designed for all ages. We hope that you can join us.
ANNUAL REPORTS
For everyone writing an annual report, please email reports to the church office by Wednesday, January 3. SAVE THE DATE: Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 28, beginning with a soup luncheon after worship.
DECEMBER OUTREACH
We are collecting toys and games and gift cards for children and youth, to be distributed through the Gray House. Please bring gifts unwrapped. The gifts will be blessed on December 10.
Through December 24, we will be collecting new mittens, hats, scarves and gloves for all ages for our Mitten Tree.
We will also be collecting new and gently worn coats and jackets for all ages, to be distributed through Rebecca Johnson School, Gray House and Loaves and Fishes. Thank you for your support!
DECEMBER DRIVE THROUGH COLLECTION OF DONATIONS
Our next Drive Through event will be on Saturday, December 9 from 1-3 PM in the church parking lot. We will be collecting food for Open Pantry, toys, games, and winterwear (see above). We are so grateful for the response to these events by our church folks and our community friends from all around our area.
CAROLING ON THE STEPS
Bringing back an old tradition, we will gather on the front Church steps at 9:45am on the three Sundays before Christmas (Dec 10, 17 and 24) and sing carols together until 9:55 (so choir can participate also). All ages and vocal talents are welcome. Bring mufflers and top hats!!
EYE TO THE SKY
If we need to cancel in-person worship or another special event during the winter season, we will post on local channels.
For smaller meetings, please contact the Chair or Facilitator. Zoom is a great option
for meetings, and we also have filmed services for worship each week.
FILM/SNAIL MAIL WORSHIP SERVICES
We continue to offer pre- recorded worship services for each Sunday, posted on You Tube and on our website at
http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ These videos are also posted on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page. Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week to those without access to the internet. If you would like to be added to the weekly mailing list, please call the church office.
WAVING FOR PEACE
We witness for peace every Monday from 3:30-4 PM. All are welcome! We don’t wave if the weather is bad (heavy rain or snow or ice). We keep an “eye to the sky” especially in the winter months!
PLEDGES FOR 2024
Our grateful thanks to everyone who made a financial pledge to the church for the coming year. We have pledge cards available in the entryway to the sanctuary. Or, you can call the church office at 782-2112 to have a card mailed to you. Every pledge is greatly appreciated and a symbol of our engaging together to continue to “be the church” and further God’s realm, right where we are.
DELEGATE REPORT FROM THE REV. SUSAN TARRANTINO
Ordination of Janet Brown October 1, 2023 A Joyous Occasion
The Hampden Association gathered on Sunday October 1 in Feeding Hills to celebrate the long-awaited Ordination of The Reverend Janet Brown. In spite of travel delays travel delays due to the final day of the Big E, the sanctuary was full, and happily including members of Janet’s family as well as guest participants. Janet had been serving this congregation for some time while awaiting ordination and was then formally installation as Pastor and Teacher. A Reception followed with food and drink provided by church folk. We celebrate and congratulate the Reverend Janet!
Hampden Association Annual Meeting October 29, 2023
Our Covenantal Call to Live in the Love and Justice of Jesus
Hampden Association and guests gathered happily on October 29 at the 1st Congregational Church of Westfield. After prior years and months of Covid-driven adaptation and virtual-only gatherings and meetings it was truly a joy to be together.
The business of the last year was reviewed, reports received; pastoral changes honored and those called to serve our churches were recognized. Interim/bridge pastors were welcomed, serving in Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, Hampden and Ludlow First/Grace Union in Wilbraham. Several folks presented briefly on this summer’s General Synod and unique programs and opportunities “happening” in our Association. Area Conference Minister the Rev Terry Yasuko Ogawa spoke about upcoming Conference opportunities.
And we were treated to really amazing food and drink. The Association thanks Westfield for welcoming us!!
JUST PEACE TEAM MEETING
Just Peace team will have an open meeting on Sunday, December 10 following worship. We will have continuing discussion of the Gaza/ Palestine and Israel conflict, plus a couple other topics.
