February 2026 Newsletter

Barbara Schnek • 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



JUST PEACE TEAM MEETING

The Just Peace Team will meet on Sunday, February 8, after worship. All are welcome.

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, February 7

All men of the church are invited to join on February 7 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!

FEBRUARY DRIVE THROUGH DONATIONS OF FOOD Saturday, February 14, 1-3 PM

Our focus will be collecting soup for The Souper Bowl of Caring. All non-perishable food donations are appreciated,

and will be donated to The Open Pantry.

SHROVE SUNDAY PANCAKE BRUNCH: February 15

We will have our Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch with a “Mardi Gras” theme on February 15. A free will offering will be

taken to help support the Afghan family with whom we walk alongside. The brunch is being hosted by our Christian

Ed. Team and friends.

ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP SERVICE: February 18

Time: 7 PM Everyone welcome!

FEBRUARY

Saturday, February 7: Men’s Breakfast 8:20 AM

Sunday, February 8: Just Peace Team meeting

Saturday, February 14: Food Drive: 1-3 PM

Sunday, February 15: “Shrove Sunday” Pancake Brunch: Fundraiser for the Afghan family

Wednesday, February 18: Ash Wednesday service: 7 PM

Sunday, February 22: Prayers for the Nation: 4 PM


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

Second Wed.: Finance Board/Executive Board

Third Thursday: Prep for Loaves and Fishes Meal

Third Friday: Serve Dinner: Loaves & Fishes

Last week: Deliver baked goods to L & F

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

We are collecting soup through the end of February for a special mission ministry called “Souper Bowl of Caring.”

All soup will be donated to the Emergency Food Cupboard of The Open Pantry. Our support is appreciated. Let’s

see how much soup we can collect!!

EYE TO THE SKY

If we need to cancel worship or another special event during the winter season, we

will try to post on local TV channels We will have an outgoing message on our church

office voicemail (413-782-2112) if worship or major event is cancelled. For smaller meetings,

please contact the Chair. Reminder: We provide film services, which are available on

our Facebook page and on our website at fostermemorial.org.

SAVE THE DATES!

MARCH QUARTER AUCTION: Friday, MARCH 6 Doors open at 6 PM. The auction begins at 7 PM. Admission: $5.00 for two

paddles. Bring a non-perishable food item for a FREE third paddle! Everyone is invited to bring quarters and friends for

a fun evening and a chance to win some great items from our vendors! This month, a portion of our proceeds will go to

our church’s Loaves and Fishes meal ministry, a program of The Open Pantry here in Springfield. Dinner food and snacks

will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Lori LaTaille at 626-9040.

Looking Further Ahead:

One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday: Sunday, March 15

Maundy Thursday: Thursday, April 2

Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5

Vendor Fair/Yard Sale: Saturday, June 6

FUNDRAISING BY GROCERY SHOPPING:

BIG Y GIFT CARDS Thank you to everyone who has purchased Big Y gift cards through our new 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 around $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.

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

November 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schnek • October 27, 2025
Dear friends, This month, our thoughts turn to Thanksgiving and Blessings. I am grateful for the ways that we, as this community of faith, continue to offer encouragement and care for one another and shine God’s light of hope into the world. Blessings, Barbara Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider, whose guidance and care go before us... and whose love is with us forever. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another. Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving. As we see the beauty of Autumn, let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours... and let us give thanks in our hearts. --Author Unknown