October 2025 Newsletter
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
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.
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)
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.
