October 2025 Newsletter

Barbara Schnek • October 3, 2025

Dear friends,


October will be a very active month of events for our church’s

outreach ministries. Please see separate articles in this

newsletter.


One of these events is the Greater Springfield CROP Hunger

Walk.


This Walk started 48 years ago in Springfield and is the

first/oldest walk of its kind to be held in the city. Donations help

our neighbors around the world through global and national

partnerships with 25% staying in our local area, distributed

through the Open Pantry, Lorraine’s Kitchen and Western MA

Food Bank.


This year’s walk will be held on Sunday, October 5 at Trinity

United Methodist Church on Sumner Ave. Registration begins at 1

PM. There is DJ music and tee shirts for sale for $10.00. The

walk begins at 2 PM. There is an option of a one mile or three-mile

walk.


Kevin Withers is our CROP Treasurer this year. Please speak to

him if you would like a walker/sponsor sheet. Donations can be

made with Kevin for our Team Donation Sheet. NOTE: all checks

should be made out to CWS/CROP (not to the church)


There is also a website through which donations can be made:

https://events.crophungerwalk.org/crophungerwalks/team/foster

-memorial-church-ucc


All online donations will be matched, made possible by a generous

donation from Bethesda Lutheran/East Congregational Churches.

Over the years, CROP WALK has been a vital outreach ministry

for our church. Everyone’s support is so appreciated.


Blessings,

Barbara


CALENDAR FOR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER


October:


Friday, October 3: Quarter Auction: Doors open 6 PM

Saturday, October 4: Men’s Breakfast: 8:20 AM (Front parking lot)

Sunday, October 5: Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser

Sunday, October 5: Crop Walk for Hunger

Monday, October 6: FMC hosting Hampden UCC (Association Meeting)

Saturday, October 11: Food Drive For Open Pantry:

Sunday, October 12: Just Peace Team Meeting

Sunday, October 19: Blessing of the Pets: 2 PM

Sunday, October 26: Pancake Brunch for Tenzin/Trick or Treat for UNICEF - Prayers for the Nation: 4 PM


November:


Saturday, November 2: Men’s Club meet at 8:20 AM

Friday, November 7: Quarter Auction: Doors open 6 PM

Saturday, November 8: Drive Through 1-3 PM

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

MONTHLY QUARTER AUCTION: October 3


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: Greater Springfield Crop

Hunger Walk. 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.

Monthly quarter auction

MEN’S BREAKFAST: Saturday, October 4


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 :


Oct. 5 from 11:30AM-3PM

OCTOBER FOOD DRIVE: Saturday, October 11: 1-3 PM


We collect food for Open Pantry on the second Saturday of

each month. This month, we are also collecting donations of pet

toys and food in honor of our Blessing of the Animals event on

October 19 (see separate article)

Food Drive Fundraising

ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE PETS: Sun. Oct 19 at 2PM


Join us for this special event! All pets must be on a leash or in

a carrier. Photos of pets also welcome! Everyone is also invited

to bring pet food, toys and supplies to be donated to Thomas J.

O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. New or gently

used towels are especially needed. Everyone is welcome, no

matter if you bring pets or just want to enjoy the event. In

case of rain, this will be a Drive Through Event in our back

parking lot!

TRICK OR TREAT FOR UNICEF/PANCAKE BRUNCH FOR TENZIN: Sunday, October 26


During worship on Sunday, October 26 everyone is invited to

bring donations (coins or bills) for “Trick or Treat for

UNICEF.” All children and youth are invited to dress in

Halloween costumes. Following will be a Pancake Brunch:

Proceeds to help fund our sponsorship of Tenzin, a Tibetan

refugee youth living with her family in India.

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