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.

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