August 2024 Newsletter

Barbara Schenk • July 30, 2024

Dear friends, 

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer – it seems to be flying!  Many events and special worship services are coming up! We also hope to have a Garden Tour – if we’re not able to have it in person, we will provide a filmed tour!

 

This reminds me of a beautiful hymn: “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” by Eleanor Allen Schroll:

 

1 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

There’s a place that is wondrously fair,

For it glows with the light of His presence

’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.

 

Refrain: O the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer,

O the beautiful garden of prayer!

There my Savior awaits, and He opens the gates

To the beautiful garden of prayer.

 

2 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And I go, with my burden and care,

Just to learn from His lips words of comfort

In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]

 

3 There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And He bids you to come meet Him there,

Just to bow and receive a new blessing

In the beautiful garden of prayer. [Refrain]

 

Blessings,

Barbara


Important Dates


July-August 11: Collection of school supplies for Rebecca Johnson


August Calendar

 

Saturday, August 3: Men’s Club meet front parking lot at 8:20 AM


Sunday, August 4 at 10:30 AM: Rain Date: August 11

10th Anniversary of Waving for Peace

 

Saturday, August 10 1-3 PM:

Drive Through Collection of Food for Open Pantry

and School Supplies for Rebecca Johnson

 

Sunday, August 11 during worship:

Blessing of School Supplies

 

Tuesday, August 27: (Crop Team)

Hosting Distribution of Crop Hunger Walk materials

 

September:

 

Sunday, September 1:

Worship Service time resumes at 10 AM

 

Saturday, September 7:

Craft Fair: 9-3 Vendors asked to provide tables and set up

 

Sunday, September 8 during worship:

Rally Sunday: First Day of the Church School Program Year

 

Saturday, September 14:1-3 PM

Drive Through Collection of Food for Open Pantry

 

Sunday, September 22:

Hosting International Peace Day:


Ongoing:


Sunday mornings:     

God Time and Nursery Care

Coffee Hour after worship


Monday afternoons:

Waving for Peace from 3:30-4 PM


Wednesdays 5-6PM 

Cutting Edge Group


Third Thursday:       

Prep for Loaves and Fishes Dinner


Third Friday:           

Serving Dinner at Loaves and Fishes


Last week:                 

Delivering baked goods to Loaves & Fishes


October:

 

Crop Walk: Sunday, October 6

Drive Through: Saturday, October 12

Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, October 20



SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR REBECCA JOHNSON


We will be collecting school supplies through August 11. Needed: Everything from pencils to backpacks, notebooks, glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, and two and four pocket folders and more! Thanks to everyone for your support!


SPECIAL MUSIC SCHEDULE:


8/4     Men’s Choral Group

8/11    Frank P. Jackson, Pianist

8/18    Women’s Choral Group

8/25   Kathy Schoeck, Violinist

9/1       Pickup Choir (note: Rehearsal at 9:15 AM)

 

Everyone is invited to join the Pickup Choir and men are invited to join Men’s Choral Group. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary on Sunday at 8:45 AM. Please speak to Frank Jackson for more information.

WAVING FOR PEACE ANNIVERSARY


Sunday, August 4, following worship

All are welcome to help us celebrate TEN years of Waving for Peace on Monday afternoons. We will wave for a half hour. Chairs are provided. All ages welcome!


AUGUST DRIVE THROUGH: Sat. Aug 10

 

Time: 1-3 PM in our church parking lot. We will be collecting food for the Open Pantry and School Supplies for Rebecca Johson School. REMINDER: We collect non-perishable food for Open Pantry every Sunday. All donations are so appreciated.


CRAFT FAIR


Saturday, September 7th: 9 AM-3PM

Indoor and Outdoor Vendors

Foster Memorial Church, UCC

1791 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA


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 are once again the hosts for this event!

INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY: May Peace Prevail                               

Sunday, September 22 from 3- 5 PM Rain Plans: Inside

We need helpers for set up, clean-up and refreshments. Please speak to Bob Loesch or Pastor Barbara if you would be able to help.


GREATER SPRINGFIELD CROPWALK FOR HUNGER

Please save the date for the walk: 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 Jeanie Marsh if you can help.


Annual Blessing of the Animals:

Sunday, October 20 at 2:00 PM

Join us for this special event! All animals 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 welcome, with your animals or  just to enjoy this event!


april newsletter

April 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 29, 2025
Dear friends, These are tumultuous times for our nation. At the time of this writing, we have scheduled a Prayer Service for our Nation for Sunday, March 30 from 4-4:30 p.m. This brief service will include special music and time for shared prayers. As I was thinking about the state of our nation and the continuation of our Lenten season, these beautiful words from a Lenten hymn, “Before the Cross of Jesus,” came into my mind and heart: The hopes that lead us onward, The fears that hold us back, Our will to dare great things for God, The courage that we lack, The faith we keep in goodness, Our love, as low or pure - On all, the judgment of the cross Falls steady, clear, and sure. Yet humbly, in our striving, O God, we face its test. We crave the power to do Thy will With Him who did it best. On us let now the healing Of His great Spirit fall, And make us brave and full of joy To answer to His call. Blessings and Peace, Barbara

March 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • March 4, 2025
Dear friends, Please be sure to read Peter Well’s article about an important discussion on the Intersection of Faith and Politics and opportunities for next steps. ** The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on March 5; we will hold an in-person worship service that evening at 7 PM. The season continues until Easter Sunday, which is celebrated this year on April 20. One of the ways we can put our faith into action during this season is through our One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) Special Offering. The money raised from this offering is utilized through the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries to respond to a wide variety of global and local concerns. This year’s OGHS theme is “Be The Light.” Our grateful thanks to Sharon Gormbley for a special OGHS Sharing/Engagement Calendar that runs from March 9 – March 29. The calendar is attached to this newsletter. We also have fun “Fish” Coin/Money boxes at church, available on Sunday mornings. We will collect our OGHS special offering on Sunday, March 30 during our worship service. In this holy season, and in these tumultuous days, may we be bearers of God’s light – and take actions to “Be The Light.” In Christ, Barbara
FosterMemorial Church

February 2025 Newsletter

By Barbara Schenk • January 31, 2025
Dear friends, The season of Epiphany, a season to focus on the beginnings of Jesus’ earthly ministry, his teachings, healings and ministries, continues for a longer period of time this year. Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the season of Lent, will be on March 5; Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 20.