December 2024 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • December 2, 2024

Dear friends,

 

Even in the midst of all of this…

Trouble on the news, no peace within,

Still, there is a light in the distance

drawing nearer, drawing nearer

 --Christopher Grundy

 

In this holy season, as we await the coming of God once again into our world as a tiny baby, may we work and pray for the world that God intends. A world of justice and mercy, unity within division, and the deep peace of God’s shalom.

 

May we look to the light drawing ever nearer to earth to shine on earth as it is in heaven.



Come, Jesus, into our hearts and homes, for you are the Hope of Hopes, Prince of Peace, Joy of Joys and Love of Loves.

 

In Christ,

Barbara


December Calendar


  • Sunday, December 1: Christmas Fun/Pancake Fundraiser for Tenzing
  • Saturday, December 7: Men’s Club meets at 8:20 AM
  • Saturday, December 7: Fosterians Gathering 12:00 PM
  • Sunday, December 8: Blessing of Gifts for Gray House:
  • Sunday, December 8: Just Peace Team Meeting
  • Saturday, December 14: Drive Through: 1-3 PM
  • Sunday, December 22: Christmas Pageant during worship
  • Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Service at 7 PM

Each Month


  • Worship Sundays at 10 AM
  • God Time (church school) and nursery care each Sunday
  • Filmed worship services filmed on Wednesday afternoon and posted each week on our church Facebook page, 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



Pancake Brunch: December 1 Following Worship: Fundraiser for Tenzing


We are having a pancake brunch on this day to raise funds in support of 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 through a Free Will offering. Please join us for a delicious brunch, followed by crafts for all ages.


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 8.



Collecting Through December 24, 2024


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 14 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.


Thanksgiving / Stewardship Sunday: Nov. 24


A Stewardship letter will soon be distributed to everyone with a pledge card enclosed for the year to come. On November 24, Thanksgiving/Stewardship Sunday, we are invited to bring our pledge cards to our morning worship service. For those who cannot be with us, please mail your pledge cards to the church office. Please contact the office if you do not receive a pledge letter by November 15. 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. 


Our Christmas Pageant


Our Christmas Pageant will be held on Sunday, December 22 during our worship service. Rehearsals begin on December 1 with a full rehearsal after worship on December 15. All children and youth are invited and encouraged to participate.


Caroling on the Steps


On the three Sundays before Christmas (Dec 8, 15 and 22), everyone is invited to gather on the front steps of the church at 9:45AM to sing carols together until 9:55 a.m. All ages are welcome. Optional: Bring mufflers and top hats!! Talk to Biff Simpson for more information.


Christmas Eve Services


Our Christmas Eve service will be held at 7 PM. This service is designed for all ages. We hope that you can join us.



Pledges for 2025


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. 


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. NOTE: A pre-recorded worship service is available for viewing each week.


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!


Just Peace Team Meeting


Our Just Peace team will have an open meeting on Sunday,

December 8 ,following worship. All are welcome.


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.

 

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