September 2026 Newsletter
September 2026 - Foster Memorial Church, UCC
From our Moderator, Amy Pawle:
While we enjoy long summer days and reflect on Pastor Barbara’s 18 years of ministry with us, your
executive board and the three transition teams have also been hard at work, looking towards our future
with hope.
We met with our new Area Minister, Rev. David Jones, our church profile is active with the UCC, and we have
received interest in the Interim Pastor position from area clergy. To view our profile, please use this link:
http://oppsearch.ucc.org/id/7192
Also feel free to post on your social media! We are blessed to have pulpit coverage for
September and October by our retired clergy members, coordinated by Peter Wells.
Pastoral care is being provided by Rev. Dr. Bob Loesch starting in September. In addition to pulpit coverage
and pastoral care, our members have stepped up to fill in many of the small tasks that keep the church going:
Facebook postings, photography, filming, prayer chain, email blasts, opening the church, the carillon, and many more.
Special Invitation:
Please join us for Pastor Barbara’s final service and
special coffee hour on Sunday, August 30. Worship begins at 9:30 AM.
NOTE: NO MEN’S BREAKFAST IN SEPTEMBER
Because of Labor Day weekend, we won’t meet in September. We’ll resume meeting the first Saturday in October. We meet in the front parking lot at 8:20 AM and have breakfast at a local restaurant. All men church members and friends welcome.
SEPTEMBER:
Tuesday, September 1: CROP Walk Team: 5 PM
Friday, September 4: Quarter Auction: 7 PM
Saturday, September 5: NO Men’s Breakfast
Sunday, September 6: Texas Roadhouse Fundraise 11:30 AM – 3 PM
Saturday, September 12: Food Drive: 1-3 PM
Sunday, September 13: Rally Sunday
Sunday, September 13: Just Peace team
Sunday, September 20: International Peace Day: 3-5 PM
ONGOING
Sunday mornings: Church School and Nursery Care Coffee Hour after worship, Waving for Peace
Mondays: Waving for Peace: 3:30-4 PM
Wednesdays: Cutting Edge Group: 5-6 PM
Third Thursday: Prep for Loaves and Fishes Dinner
Third Friday: Serve Dinner at Loaves and Fishes
Last week: Deliver baked goods to Loaves & Fishes (Bun Runners)
MONTHLY QUARTER AUCTION: SEPTEMBER 4
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: Rebecca Johnson School. Bring a non-perishable food item for a free third paddle! Dinner food and snacks will be available for purchase.
Reminder:
Sunday Worship time goes back to our program year schedule of 10 AM, beginning on September 6.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE FUNDRAISER:
Sunday, September 6: 11:30 AM – 3 PM
Show this to your server for our fundraising benefit.
Pastoral Leadership and Prayer Concerns during these "in between times"
MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE: Saturday, Sept. 12
Time: 1-3 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting non-perishable food for the Open Pantry. REMINDER: We also collect non-perishable food for Open Pantry every Sunday. Focus foods: Pasta and rice. All donations are so appreciated.
GOD TME/RALLY SUNDAY: Sunday, September 13
Rally Sunday, the beginning of a new program year for God Time/Sunday school, will be held on SUNDAY, September 13, followed by an Ice Cream Social for everyone. Please help us spread the word!!
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: May Peace Prevail
Sunday, September 20: 3- 5 PM Rain Plans: Inside Our Just Peace Team is hosting this event. Please
speak to Bob Loesch or Cheryl Moynahan if you would be able to help. We would also hope many of us can participate in this special annual event. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with agencies and faith communities who are working on issues of justice.
Sunday Worship Leadership:
We are so grateful to our retired UCC pastors/church members who are rotating the leadership of worship on Sunday mornings for us. Thanks to Rev. Peter Wells, Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Lavelli, Rev. Elva Merry and Rev. Dr. Robert Gormbley.
Pastoral Care:
Rev. Dr. Bob Loesch is going to be coordinating with the deacons to provide pastoral care during this time.
Urgent Pastoral Care Needs:
If you have an urgent pastoral care need during the week, please call our office number at 782-2112 and the outgoing message will provide you with the contact phone number for urgent needs.
Prayer Concerns:
We set aside time during each worship service on Sunday mornings to share prayer concerns. If you have a prayer you would like included on our email prayer chain, please email FMCPrayerchain@outlook.com
SUMMER SPECIAL MUSIC
Thank you to all who offered special music during our summer worship services. Thanks to musicians: Frank P. Jackson, Sue Mcnary, Steve and Roxy Bailey, Pastor Barbara and Keith Walker, Kathy Schoeck, and members of the choir who sang with the Men’s Choral Group and Women’s Choral Group. Special thanks to Frank Jackson, our Choir Director and Organist, who coordinated musicians and schedules, provided special music himself, directed the Choral groups and accompanied some of our guest musicians.
BIG Y GIFT CARDS
See Jeanie Marsh to order Big Y gift cards. This is an ongoing fundraiser for the church. Thanks for your support!
FOSTER SOFTBALL TEAM
Congratulations to our softball team, who did VERY well this season! They placed third in the highest division! Special thanks to manager/coach, Tex Kennedy.
GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER
Please save the date for the walk: Sunday, October 4. 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.
OUTDOOR CLEAN-UP: SATURDAY, OCT. 17: 9AM
Everyone welcome to help! Please speak to Bruce Moore, Chair of the Trustees, for more information.
OCTOBER
Friday, October 2: Quarter Auction: 7 PM
Saturday, October 3: Men’s Breakfast: 8:20 AM
Sunday, October 4: Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser
Sunday, October 4: CROP Hunger walk: 2 PM at Trinity UMC
Saturday, October 10: Food Drive: 1-3 PM
Sunday, October: Just Peace team meeting
Saturday, October 17: Outdoor Clean-up: 9 AM
Sunday, October 18: Springfield Community Grace Baptist church use: 12 -4 PM for their Anniversary
