May 2025 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • April 25, 2025

Dear friends,


The joyful season of Easter continues this month. This season

lasts 50 days and ends on Pentecost Sunday, celebrated this year

on June 8. During this season, we focus on Jesus’ appearances to

his followers after his death and resurrection.


The Easter season, coinciding with the season of spring, can

remind us of new life springing up around us in gardens.

One of my favorite garden-themed hymns is “The Beautiful

Garden of Prayer,” written by Eleanor Allen Schroll in 1920, which

includes these words:


      There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

There’s a place that is wondrously fair,

       For it glows with the light of His presence

’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.

      There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And I go, with my burden and care,

      Just to learn from His lips words of comfort

In the beautiful garden of prayer.


   Refrain:

O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer,

O the beautiful garden of prayer!

There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates

To the beautiful garden of prayer.


Blessings,

Barbara

May Calendar


- WORSHIP EACH SUNDAY AT 10 AM:

Nursery Care and Church school provided


- Friday, May 2 at 7 PM

May Quarter Auction (see article)


- Saturday, May 3 at 8:30 AM

Men’s Breakfast

Meet at the front parking lot at 8:20 AM


- Sunday, May 4 after worship

Meeting of Just Peace Team: All welcome


- Saturday, May 10, 1:00 -3:00 PM

Drive Up Collection of Food Donations for Open Pantry


- Saturday, May 17 at noon

May Gathering for Fosterians (all women welcome)

May 2nd Monthly Quarter Auction


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. Our mission is: Community Survival Center. Bring a non-perishable food item, to be donated to The Survivial Center, for a free third paddle. Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.

Fosterians Gathering: Saturday, May 17 from 12 PM-2PM


Our focus is a “Women’s Special Tea Gathering.” We will have a light luncheon, followed by a “Tea Cup Auction.” Please bring an

unwrapped new or very gently used item for auction prizes. Proceeds will go to help with church projects. We will also be talking about the upcoming Vendor Fair/Yard Sale. All women are welcome and invited to bring friends. Please let Lori or Judy know you are coming for our luncheon count. Wearing of spring hats is encouraged!

Cutting Edge Team: Wenesdays from 5-6 PM


We have a new team of volunteers who are assisting our Garden Angels with outdoor work. When it rains, the team comes in to take on short projects. Everyone is welcome to help. The team works each week for one hour. If you would like more information, please speak to Keith Walker.

Ongoing Fundraiser: Big Y Gift Cards


Thank you to everyone for your support! The church benefits 5% from this fundraiser, which is adding up nicely! Please see

Jeanie Marsh if you would like to order cards.

Upcoming Events


  • Friday, June 6: Quarter Auction
  • Saturday, June 7: Men’s Breakfast
  • Saturday, June 14: Vendor Fair/Tag Sale
  • Saturday, June 7: Drive Through Donations for Open Pantry
  • Sunday, June 8: Children and Youth Sunday/Pentecost Sunday
  • Sunday, June 16: Last Sunday for Choir
  • Sunday, June 22: Cancer Care Special Offering
  • Waving for Peace: Each Monday from 3:30-4 PM

VENDOR FAIR & YARD SALE

Saturday, June 14, 2025 9 AM-3 PM


Rain or shine!!


If you would like to be a vendor,

please call Lori at 413-626-9040 or email lorilhi@aol.com


New and gently used items for sale! Something for everyone!


Bake Sale, Lunch food for purchase and a fun Gift Basket Raffle!


Volunteers are Needed!


Help is needed for set-up, clean-up, cashiers, Bake Goods table,

lunch prep and serving and more. It takes the help of many

members and friends of our church to make this fundraiser a

success. Please speak to Lori or Judy Milano if you can help.

april newsletter

April 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 29, 2025
Dear friends, These are tumultuous times for our nation. At the time of this writing, we have scheduled a Prayer Service for our Nation for Sunday, March 30 from 4-4:30 p.m. This brief service will include special music and time for shared prayers. As I was thinking about the state of our nation and the continuation of our Lenten season, these beautiful words from a Lenten hymn, “Before the Cross of Jesus,” came into my mind and heart: The hopes that lead us onward, The fears that hold us back, Our will to dare great things for God, The courage that we lack, The faith we keep in goodness, Our love, as low or pure - On all, the judgment of the cross Falls steady, clear, and sure. Yet humbly, in our striving, O God, we face its test. We crave the power to do Thy will With Him who did it best. On us let now the healing Of His great Spirit fall, And make us brave and full of joy To answer to His call. Blessings and Peace, Barbara

March 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 4, 2025
Dear friends, Please be sure to read Peter Well’s article about an important discussion on the Intersection of Faith and Politics and opportunities for next steps. ** The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5; we will hold an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. The season continues until Easter Sunday, which is celebrated this year on April 20. One of the ways we can put our faith into action during this season is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Special Offering. The money raised from this offering is utilized through the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries to respond to a wide variety of global and local concerns. This year’s OGHS theme is “Be The Light.” Our grateful thanks to Sharon Gormbley for a special OGHS Sharing/Engagement Calendar that runs from March 9 – March 29. The calendar is attached to this newsletter. We also have fun “Fish” Coin/Money boxes at church, available on Sunday mornings. We will collect our OGHS special offering on Sunday, March 30 during our worship service. In this holy season, and in these tumultuous days, may we be bearers of God’s light – and take actions to “Be The Light.” In Christ, Barbara
FosterMemorial Church

February 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 31, 2025
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his teachings, healings and ministries, continues for a longer period of time this year. Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, will be on March 5; Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 20.