June 2023 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • June 5, 2023

Dear friends,

 

June is here, with several special activities and events, including our Vendor Fair, Children and Youth Sunday, Relay for Life special offering and more. Please see the articles and calendar in this newsletter for more information.

 

And please note that our worship time will change from 10 AM to 9:30 AM beginning July 2.

 

Blessings,

Barbara



Our Vendor Fair & Yard Sale


Sunday, June 3, 2023

9am - 3pm

Rain or shine!

Vendors and yard sale with new and gently used items for sale!

There will also be, lunch food for purchase, special music,

a fun Gift Basket Raffle and more!


June Calendar

Saturday, June 3 Vendor Tag Sale
Thursday, June 8 Evening with Bob Loesch
Saturday, June 10 Drive Through Collection for OP
Sunday, June 11 Children and Youth Sunday/Ice Cream Social
Sunday, June 18 Coffee Hour for Relay for Life


SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR WORSHIP


Our worship services will be held at 9:30 AM beginning July 2 and continuing through September 3. Please help us spread the word!


GOD TIME SUMMER SCHEDULE


We are looking for Volunteers to facilitate God Time (church school) for July and August. Please speak to Pastor Barbara or Lori LaTaille if you would be able to help.


RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES


Along with in-person worship service, we offer recorded worship services, posted each week (and for special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: https://www.fostermemorial.org/videos

Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet. Contact the church office if you would like to receive the printed service in  the mail.



EIGHTH (AND FINAL) EVENING WITH THE REV. DR. BOB LOESCH, our Writer in Residence


Thursday, June 8th at 6:30pm

Zoom Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87332441207

Meeting ID: 873 3244 1207

Or: Dial 305-224-1968

 

On this eighth and final Zoom gathering in this series Bob will read and discuss another short story he has written from his published book Out On A Limb and other stories. “Tony Gandolfo’s Story” includes Tony’s first-person review of life as an Italian Catholic living in Springfield, his family and his long career as a driver for Peter Pan Bus Lines from 1976-2016. He tells about the November 23, 2012 natural gas explosion across the street from his condominium on the corner of Worthington Street and Chestnut Street.



SUNDAY, JUNE 18th: RELAY FOR LIFE: SPECIAL COFFEE HOUR


We have been supporting Cancer Research through RELAY FOR LIFE for many, many years. This year, we are going to have a special Coffee Hour to raise funds on Sunday, June 18 after worship. We will collect donations for our Relay for Life offering (Checks to be made out to The American Cancer Society). Donations can also be brought to church anytime or mailed to the church office.



GOD TIME GUIDES AND NURSERY VOLUNTEERS


The Christian Education Board would like to thank this year’s God Time Guides who worked with our children and youth throughout the school year on Sunday mornings. Thank you to Mary Lynn Hunter, Karen Coughlin, Robin and Kevin Withers, Lori LaTaille, Matt Kobjeck, Kim Kobjack, Sharon Gormbley and Alice Kempf for sharing your gifts and talents with our young people. We are so very grateful to you all!

Thank you to Hayley LaTaille, our nursery care provider and our nursery volunteers: Amy Pawle, Joanne Wells, Karen Coughlin, Aubrey Kobjack and Ellie McRobie.



THANK YOU TO OUR CHOIR


Our Chancel Choir will take a break for the summer, but there will be opportunities for anyone who would like to join us for both Men and Women’s “Pick Up” Choirs over the weeks of summer: Stay tuned for more information! Our grateful thanks to our Organist and Choir Director, Frank Jackson and to our choir members: Pam Corey, Becky Crampton Kamukala, Sandy Moore, Bev Weinhold-Shultz, Charlie Shultz, Vivian Gonzalez, Gerri Thompson, Gay and Ted Owczarski, Pastor Barbara, Joe Rosati and Eric Sutter.   



FOSTER SOFTBALL SEASON IS HERE!


https://www.interchurchsoftball.com/fields/

The Inter-Church Softball League's season has begun! Website above. There is also a Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/WesternMAChurchSoftball

Everyone is always welcome! Go, Foster team!



MONTHLY DRiVE THROUGH COLLECTION OF DONATIONS FOR OP SATURDAY, JUNE 10: 1-3PM


We will be collecting non-perishable food to be donated to Open Pantry. All non-perishable food donations are appreciated!

August 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • July 28, 2025
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

July 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schnek • June 30, 2025
Dear friends, One of the blessings of this season is gardens, both flowers and vegetables. There’s a hymn I love called “Come to Tend God’s Garden.” When I read the words, written by John A. Dalles, I am reminded that God does not intend for us to be overwhelmed or feeling in despair amidst these tumultuous days. We are called to sow seeds of hope and much more: Come to tend God’s garden, seeds of hope to sow, Planting fields of justice, watching mercy grow! In an arid wasteland, spread a verdant heath! In a land of tumult, cultivate God’s peace! As we tend God’s garden, from its furrows rise Stems of fresh beginnings, stretching toward the skies! Graciousness, our meadow, joyfulness, our root, Unity, our foliage, righteousness, our fruit! Blessings, Barbara
Foster Memorial Church

June 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schnek • May 30, 2025
Dear friends, June is here, with several special activities and events, including our Vendor Fair, Children and Youth Sunday, Special Offering for Cancer Care and more. Please see the articles and calendar in this newsletter for more information.