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! 


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.