September 2024 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • September 2, 2024

Please note: Worship time changes from 9:30 AM to

10:000 AM, beginning on September 1.

 

September marks the turning of the seasons. We are moving ahead with activities and ministries. Our Craft Fair Sale is coming up on September 7. Please speak to Lori if you would like to help.  Rally Sunday, marking a new program year for church, will be held the next day.

 

Wider church/community events: Everyone is invited to help us host International Peace Day on Sunday, September 22. We would also love to have folks from our church stop by to experience the event. Our CROP Hunger Walk will be held on October 6. Please see separate articles for more information about these and more upcoming events.

 

September also marks the beginning of the school year in our region. Thank you to everyone for donations of school supplies for our partner, Rebecca Johnson School.

 

Holy God, bless teachers and administrators,

 school staff, volunteers, and families.

Bless everyone involved with education

throughout the world

 

During these uncertain and challenging times,

We pray for the safety and well- being of all your beloved.

All this we ask in the name of Jesus, who said,

“Let the Children come to me.” AMEN.


Blessings,

Barbara


September Calendar:

 

Worship Service time resumes at 10 AM

 

  • Saturday, September 7: Craft Fair: 9 AM-3 PM
  • Sunday, September 8 during worship: Rally Sunday: Just Peace Team will meet after coffee hour
  • Saturday, September 14: Drive Through 1-3 PM
  • Sunday, September 22: Peace Day Event 3-5 PM


October Calendar:


  • Saturday, October 5: Men’s Club meet at 8:20 AM
  • Sunday, October 6: Crop Walk
  • Saturday, October 12: Drive Through: 1-3 PM
  • Sunday, October 20: Blessing of the Animals
  • Sunday, October 27: Trick or Treat for UNICEF


November Calendar:

  • Friday, November 1: Quarter Auction
  • Saturday, November 2: Men’s Club meet at 8:20 AM
  • Saturday, November 2: Fosterians 12-2 PM
  • Saturday, November 9: Drive Through 1-3 PM


Craft Fair


Saturday, September 7, 2024: 9 AM-3 PM

Indoor and Outdoor Vendors

Location: Our church


If you would like to be a vendor,

please contact Lori at 413-626-9040 or email lorilhi@aol.com

Quality Crafts: Something for everyone!

Lunch for purchase and a fun Gift Basket Raffle!


We need Vendors and Helpers. Please contact Lori



God Time/Rally Sunday


Rally Sunday, the beginning of a new program year for God Time/Sunday school, will be held SUNDAY, September 8, followed by an Ice Cream Social for everyone. Please help us spread the word!!


SEPTEMBER DRIVE THROUGH : Saturday. Sept. 14


Time: 1-3 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting food for the Open Pantry. REMINDER: We collect non-perishable food for Open Pantry every Sunday. Our focus foods are pasta and rice. All donations are so appreciated.


INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: May Peace Prevail

 

We are hosting this event for the third year!

Date/Time:  September 2, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 PM

Rain Plans:    Inside the church

 

Representatives from area groups/organizations/faith communities working on issues of justice and peace will gather to mark and celebrate International Peace Day. Each organization will be invited to set up a table with resources and share information and conversation with other participants and guests. We will also have art activities, music, and light refreshments.


Please speak to Pastor Barbara or Bob Loesch if you can help us to host this event. And please spread the word to neighbors and friends to come and find out more about how people in our local area are addressing issues of justice and peace.


Greater Crop Walk: Save the date: October 6th


The CROPWALK is the oldest and first walk of its kind in our city of Springfield. 75% of the money raised works around the world; 25% is distributed to our neighbors in nrrf through local agencies. This year’s walk will be held on Sunday, October 6. We gather for the walk at Trinity United Methodist Church on Sumner Ave, at 1 PM. The walk kicks off at 2 PM; we walk through Forest Park (either one or three miles) and return to Trinity for refreshments.

 

We always need helpers with refreshments and our “Welcome Back” team, as well as walkers and sponsors. Please speak to Pastor Barbara or Judy Milano if you are able to help.


SUMMER MUSIC


Thank you to everyone who provided special music for our worship services over the summer, with special thanks to Frank Jackson, our Organist and Choir Director, who coordinated the musicians and music.

 

Our thanks to: “Pick-Up” Choir, Frank P. Jackson, Men’s Choral Group, Women’s Choral Group,, Keith Walker & Pastor Barbara, Roxie & Steve Bailey, Sue Mcnary and Kathy Schoeck.


RECORDED WORSHIP SERVICES


Along with in-person worship service, we offer pre-recorded worship services, posted each week (and special services) on YOU Tube, on our Foster Memorial Church Facebook page and on our church website: http://www.fostermemorial.org/videos/ Worship services are also provided in print through the mail each week for people who do not have access to the internet. Contact the church office if you would like to receive the service in the mail or join our email list.


THANK YOU


Thank you to everyone who served this summer as…

God Time Guides, nursery helpers, garden angels, deacons and ushers, coffee hour leaders and teams, those in charge our church finances, our film crew, wavers for peace, lift operators, members of boards, committees, teams and many more who serve behind the scenes! 


August 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • July 28, 2025
Dear friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the summer – it seems to be flying. I know we have been very concerned about issues going on that are dividing our nation. Decisions being made can shake us to the core, daily. We have started Waving for Peace on Sunday mornings, in addition to Monday afternoons, and the response from our neighbors passing by has been overwhelmingly positive. We will also be looking for more ways to advocate for God’s justice in the coming days, including our hosting an International Peace Event in September. There are many hymns that can move us onward and upward with hope and conviction of faith. One of these is entitled Community of Christ, with words by Shirley Erena Murray. Community of Christ, through whom the world must sound- Cry out for justice and for peace the whole world round; Disarm the powers that war and all that can destroy, Turn bombs to bread and tears of anguish into joy. When menace melts away, so shall God’s will be done. The climate of the world be peace and Christ its sun; Our currency be love and kindliness our law, Our food and faith be shared as one forevermore. Blessings, Barbara

July 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schnek • June 30, 2025
Dear friends, One of the blessings of this season is gardens, both flowers and vegetables. There’s a hymn I love called “Come to Tend God’s Garden.” When I read the words, written by John A. Dalles, I am reminded that God does not intend for us to be overwhelmed or feeling in despair amidst these tumultuous days. We are called to sow seeds of hope and much more: Come to tend God’s garden, seeds of hope to sow, Planting fields of justice, watching mercy grow! In an arid wasteland, spread a verdant heath! In a land of tumult, cultivate God’s peace! As we tend God’s garden, from its furrows rise Stems of fresh beginnings, stretching toward the skies! Graciousness, our meadow, joyfulness, our root, Unity, our foliage, righteousness, our fruit! Blessings, Barbara
Foster Memorial Church

June 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schnek • May 30, 2025
Dear friends, June is here, with several special activities and events, including our Vendor Fair, Children and Youth Sunday, Special Offering for Cancer Care and more. Please see the articles and calendar in this newsletter for more information.