May 2026 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • April 29, 2026
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Dear friends,


The joyful season of Easter continues this month. This season lasts 50 days and ends on Pentecost Sunday, celebrated this year on May 24. During this season, we focus on Jesus’ appearances to his followers after his death and resurrection.

One of my favorite hymns for this season is In The Bulb There is a Flower by Natalie Sleeth.


In the bulb there is a flower;

in the seed, an apple tree;

in cocoons, a hidden promise:

butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter

there’s a spring that waits to be,

unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.


There’s a song in every silence,

seeking word and melody.

There’s a dawn in every darkness,

bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future;

what it holds, a mystery,

unrevealed until its season,

something God alone can see.


Blessings,

Barbara


Worship Each Sunday at 10 AM

Nursery Care and Church School provided. Coffee Hour after worship.

May 2026 Calendar


  • Friday, May 1 — Quarter Auction: 7 PM
  • Saturday, May 2 — Men’s Breakfast: 8:20 AM
  • Sunday, May 3 — Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser
  • Saturday, May 9 — Drive Through for Open Pantry
  • Sunday, May 10 — Just Peace Meeting
  • Sunday, May 31 — Prayers for the Nation


Ongoing

  • Sundays: Waving for Peace after worship
  • Mondays: Waving for Peace, 3:30–4 PM
  • Wednesdays: Filming of Sunday Service, 2 PM · Cutting Edge Group, 5–6 PM
  • Second Wednesday: Finance Board / Executive Board
  • Thursday before 3rd Friday: Prep for Loaves and Fishes Meal
  • Third Friday: Serve Dinner at Loaves & Fishes
  • Last week of the month: Deliver baked goods to Loaves & Fishes


Looking Ahead


  • Saturday, June 6 — Vendor Fair / Tag Sale
  • Saturday, June 13 — Workday for Trustees and Friends
  • Saturday, June 13 — Drive Through Donations for Open Pantry
  • Sunday, June 14 — Children and Youth Sunday
  • Sunday, June 21 — Last Sunday for Choir
  • Sunday, June 21 — Cancer Care Special Offering
  • Sunday, June 28 — Prayers for the Nation

Quarter Auction — Friday, May 1


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. Part of our proceeds will go to The Gray House. Bring a non-perishable food item, to be donated to The Gray House Food Pantry, for a free third paddle. Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.


Note: This is the final Quarter Auction until September.


Men’s Breakfast — Saturday, May 2


All men, members and friends of the church, are invited to meet in the front parking lot at 8:20 AM and then go to a local restaurant for breakfast.


Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser — Sunday, May 3


Show this to your server to help raise funds for the church.


Food Drive for Open Pantry — Saturday, May 9, 1–3 PM


In our back parking lot. Our focus foods are pasta and rice. All non-perishable food is appreciated.


Just Peace Team Meeting — Sunday, May 10


Our Just Peace Team meetings are held after worship on the second Sunday of the month in the Foster Room next to the kitchen. These meetings are always open to everyone.


Prayers for the Nation — Sunday, May 31


Everyone is welcome to come together for a time to pray for our nation after coffee hour on this date.


Donations for The Gray House


We are going to hold a special collection for The Gray House for the following items: toothpaste, toothbrushes and hand soap. We will continue the collection through the month of May.


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.


Vendor Fair & Yard Sale — Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9 AM–3 PM


In our back parking lot. 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, lunch prep, 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 LaTaille or Judy Milano if you can help.

Donations Needed

  • New or gently used articles
  • Please: no clothes or linens
  • Small appliances only (no TVs)
  • Donations of jewelry are appreciated
  • We also need baked goods


Special Offering for Cancer Care — Sunday, June 21


On this day, we will have a special offering; we are also invited to decorate luminary bags in memory or in honor of someone with cancer. Our offering will be donated to Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Medical Center and Baystate Health D’Amour Cancer Center. Your support is greatly appreciated.


Cutting Edge Team — Wednesdays from 5–6 PM


We have a 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.


Foster Memorial Church Softball Team & Schedule


For the weekly schedule, consult this website: https://www.interchurchsoftball.com/

Go team, go!

April 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 27, 2026
April 2026

March 2026 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 2, 2026
Dear friends, The season of Lent began on February 18 and continues until Easter Sunday, celebrated this year on April 5. (See the schedule for Holy Week included in this newsletter) During this season, we’re asked to devote time for inner reflection, taking stock of our lives. And we are called to reach out, in Christian service, to neighbors, near and far. One of the ways we do that each year in March is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) special offering. This year, the offering will be collected on March 15. The money from this offering is utilized through Wider Church Ministries of the UCC, to respond to a variety of global and local concerns by providing advocacy, sustainable development resources, long-term disaster recovery support, and assistance for refugees and asylum seekers, working in collaboration with our partners locally and globally Our generosity ensures that the transforming power of love will continue to support our neighbors in need, here in our country and around the world. Attached to this newsletter is an activity calendar for Feb. 22- March 15 to help us gain deeper understanding about the work of this offering. Thank you to Sharon Gormbley for designing this calendar. Blessings, Barbara FUNDRAISING BY GROCERY SHOPPING: BIG Y GIFT CARDS Thank you to everyone who has purchased Big Y gift cards for our 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 almost $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. PRE-RECORDED FILMED SERVICES We continue to offer recorded worship services for each Sunday, and special holy days, posted on You Tube, on our website at http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ and on our Facebook page. through to the end. Thank you to all who gave their time, talent and treasure throughout the year. The amount entered for Receipts does not include unplanned transfers from our savings or other accounts needed to pay  bills from month-to-month.

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