November 2025 Newsletter

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


CALENDAR FOR NOVEMBER


Saturday, November 1: Men’s Club meet at 8:20 AM

Sunday, November 2: Texas Roadhouse: 11:30 AM- 3 PM

Friday, November 7: Quarter Auction 7 PM

Saturday, November 8: Food Drive Through 1-3 PM

Sunday, November 9: Just Peace Team: after worship

Sunday, November 23: Thanksgiving/Stewardship Sunday

Sunday, November 30: Prayers for the Nation: 4 PM


Ongoing:


Worship Sundays: at 10 AM with God Time (church school) and childcare provided each Sunday

Pre-recorded worship services posted on Sunday mornings on YouTube, Facebook and our website at fostermemorial.org

Waving for Peace: Sundays after coffee hour & amp; Mondays 3:30 – 4:00 PM

Monthly prep for Fishes and Loaves dinner: Thursday before the third Friday. Serving Dinner on the Third Friday at South Church at 4:30 PM



MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, November 1


All men of the church are invited to join on the first Saturday

of the month 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!

FUNDRAISER: TEXAS ROADHOUSE :


Sunday, November 2 from 11:30AM-3PM

INTERFAITH GIVING THANKS CELEBRATION: Sunday, Nov. 2


Sunday, November 2 from 2-4 PM Dodge Room, Campus Union Springfield College


NOVEMBER QUARTER AUCTION: Friday, Nov.7


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! This month, a portion of our proceeds will go to Tapestry Health, a leading

expert in critical public health issues, serving over 26,000 residents annually in our local area and beyond. Admission:

$5.00 for two paddles. Bring a non-perishable food item for a FREE third paddle! Dinner food and snacks will be available for

purchase. Note: This will be our last Auction until next spring.

NOVEMBER DRIVE THROUGH: SAT. NOV. 8: 1-3 PM


We will collect jackets and coats along with non-perishable

foods for Open Pantry. NOTE: We collect non-perishable food

for the Open Pantry each Sunday during our worship service.

THANKSGIVING/STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY: NOV. 23


A Stewardship letter will soon be distributed to everyone with a pledge card enclosed for the year to come. Our Stewardship

theme this year is: Stewardship is Love in Action. On November 23, Thanksgiving/Stewardship Sunday, we are

invited to bring our pledge cards to our morning worship service. For those who cannot be with us, please mail your pledge cards to the church office. Please contact the office if you do not receive a pledge letter by November 3. Every pledge is greatly appreciated and a symbol of our engaging together to continue to “be the church” and further God’s realm, right where we are.

December:


Special Gatherings/ Services: More information to come!

Saturday, December 6: Men’s Breakfast: meet at 8:20 AM

Saturday, December 6: Fosterians Gathering: 1-3 PM

Sunday, December 7: Christmas Fun after worship

Sunday, December 14: Blessing of Gifts for Gray House

Sunday, December 14: Just Peace team after worship

Saturday, December 13: Food Drive Through: 1-3 PM

Sunday, December 21: Christmas Pageant during worship

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Service 7 PM

FOSTERIANS GATHERING: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 from 1-3 PM



All women of the church are invited to a fun afternoon. We’ll have a “Yankee Christmas Swap” (bring gifts $5-10 to swap)

and collect donations (suggested: $5) for holiday bags to be distributed to our confined members and friends. Please let

Judy or Lori know that you are coming or call the office at 782-2112. Friends are invited too!


CHRISTMAS FUN: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7


During coffee hour, we will have a few special crafts for the

season. If you would like to help, please speak to Pastor Barbara.



CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR GRAY HOUSE


Throughout November and early December, we will be collecting

new toys and games to be distributed through the Gray House for

children and youth in our local area. Gifts for teens will also be

collected; ideas for teens include blankets, gift cards, and

toiletries. Please bring gifts unwrapped. The gifts will be blessed

on December 14. ALL gifts are appreciated. Looking for ideas?

Gray House wish list on Amazon can be found at

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/H94002T42N4Q/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex



COLLECTING NEW WINTER OUTERWEAR:


Through December 24, we will be collecting new mittens, hats,

scarves and gloves for all ages for our Mitten Tree.

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