Foster Memorial Church, UCC 1791 Wilbraham Road Springfield, Massachusetts God is still speaking

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1 Foster Memorial Church, UCC 1791 Wilbraham Road Springfield, Massachusetts Office Telephone (413) Pastor s Study (413) Office Hours: Tues., Wed., & Fri., 9a.m.-1p.m. fostermemorial@msn.com Web: Facebook: Foster Memorial Church Minister: Rev. Barbara Schenk Choir Director & Organist: Frank Jackson Administrative Assistant: Erika Davila Childcare: Eneidamarie Gonzalez WE ARE AN OPEN AND AFFIRMING CHURCH ALL ARE WELCOME! We are a joyful, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive community of Christ followers, eager to shine God's love by connecting people through partnerships and service that foster peace and hope in our neighborhood, wider community and world. Dear friends, FOSTER MEMORIAL CHURCH, UCC THE CHRONICLE January 2019 Christmas does not end on Christmas Day; the season of Christmas; it continues for a total of twelve days. On Sunday January 6, we will celebrate Epiphany Sunday, with our focus on the visit to the Christ Child by wise ones/magi from the East and the manifestation of God in Christ revealed for the first time to people beyond Israel. The season of Epiphany, season of Light, continues until the season of Lent begins on March 6. As the Wise Ones followed the special star in the distance so long ago, we too can continue to seek out the light of God, in Jesus, a light we so need in the midst of all that is going on in our world today. Blessings of Light and Peace, Barbara God is still speaking The deadline for submitting articles or announcements for The October issue of The Chronicle is January 16, 2019 Dear friends, We were so surprised by your generous gift given to us in worship on December 16. Keith has booked his flight to see his dear sister in England and we are putting the rest of the gift to good use. Our hearts are so grateful. It was unexpected and very, very much appreciated. Thank you and Bless you. Pastor Barbara and Keith Walker

2 PROPOSED JUST PEACE DECLARATION AND JUST PEACE CHURCH: Below is our Proposed Just Peace Declaration, created by our Just Peace team. It was first printed in the bulletin on December 9, when the Rev. Dr. Bob Loesch offered a Just Peace Moment during worship. We are going to have a brief informational meeting about this after worship on January 6. We will be taking a vote on the Declaration as well as becoming a Just Peace church at our annual meeting on January 27. Proposed Just Peace Declaration Micah 6:8 God has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Isaiah 58 Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Luke 4 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because God has anointed me to bring good news to the poor and has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord s favor. We are called to spread the good news of God s Shalom throughout the world and to usher in the realm of God which is built on the foundation of justice and peace. Therefore, we, the people of Foster Memorial Church, declare our commitment to be a justice-doing and peace-seeking community: by continuing our outreach ministries to feed the hungry, care for the sick, and clothe and house the poor; and by committing ourselves to identify and change the systemic issues that cause the need for such ministries to exist. May God grant us the wisdom, strength and courage to follow in the ways of our Savior, Jesus, in the struggle for justice and peace. BIRTHDAYS 7: Mary Scott 12: Doreen Bessey-Robbins 14: Gail McFadden 15: Gail Foss 17: Eunice Clayton 21: Connie Gumlaw 24: Pam Corey 26: Rebecca Crampton-Kamukala 30: Dave McFadden ANNIVERSARIES Happy Anniversary to Donald & Mary Scott on January 7! ***** If you would like to have your birthday or anniversary included in The Chronicle, please the office at fostermemorial@msn.com or call the office at SUMMARY FINANCIAL REPORT In an effort to keep everyone informed as the year progresses, the Executive Board voted to publish a summary financial report in each edition of the Chronicle based on the Treasurer s most recent report. The summary report of Income and Expenses as of November 30, 2018 is as follows: % of INCOME: 11/30/2018 YTD Budget Budget TOTAL RECEIPTS $14, $141, $167, % TOTAL EXPENDITURES $10, $129, $173, % YTD DEFICIT/SURPLUS $12, $5, n/a Page 2 Page 11

3 CAROLING Nineteen Foster folks of all ages went caroling to the residents of The Wellington on December 9. We also caroled at the homes of the Caldwells and Millots. Thanks to all who joined us! NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of the members of Foster Memorial Church will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2019 in Fellowship Hall at the church. There will be a luncheon after our 10 AM worship service; the Annual Meeting will begin immediately after the luncheon. All members are encouraged to attend. Only current active members of the congregation may vote at the Annual Meeting. (Contact Pastor Barbara Schenk if you wish to become a member.) Friends of the church are invited to attend. The agenda includes the acceptance of annual reports, the election of officers and board and committee members, discussion and voting on the 2019 budget and other business that may be brought before the meeting. Your participation is very much needed and appreciated. Please plan to attend. There will be childcare provided during the meeting. The Deacons are providing a soup luncheon before the Annual Meeting. There will be a free will offering that will help to fund out Habitat Lunches ministry. Gerri Thompson coordinates this ministry, with help from our Missions Team. CHRISTMAS FUN 2019 BUDGET PRESENTATION Please plan to join us for a brief meeting on Sunday, January 20, immediately after worship in the sanctuary for a presentation on the proposed budget for REMINDER All Annual Reports are due in church office by January 3. Thank you! Page 10 Page 3

4 FAREWELL AND BLESSINGS TO CHARLENE On December 23, we bid a very fond farewell to our wonderful member and friend, Chalene Corris. Charlene has been so active in our church including as choir member and Events Chair for different events including our Sock Hop. Charlene is moving to Columbia, South Carolina, where she will be close to members of her family. We wish her God s great blessings. (Photo: Charlene helping to serve her special cake) PAGEANT: DECEMBER 23 Thank you to our children and youth and all of our adults who made this year s pageant so joyful and special! BLANKETS + SPECIAL OFFERING Each year, over 8000 congregations and organizations across the nation collect donation for this offering of CWS (Church World Srvice), providing funds to help people in need around the world. Our donations help provide: *Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster. *Tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields *Wells for families living in drought prone areas *Literacy training for women struggling to realize their potential *And much more! Our annual special collection will take place during worship on January 20. You can also mail your donation to the church office during January. Every donation is much appreciated. EYE TO THE SKY If we need to cancel worship or another special event during the winter season, we will try to post on Channel 3 and Channel 22. We will have an outgoing message on our church office voic ( ) if worship or major event is cancelled. For smaller meetings, please contact the Chair. Thank you. Page 4 Page 9

5 PLEDGES FOR 2019 Thank you to everyone who has made a financial pledge for the year to come. Thank you to Alice Kempf and Bob Loesch for offering Stewardship Moments during worship. Every pledge is greatly appreciated. If you need a pledge card, please call the office at or pick up a Stewardship Letter and pledge card in the narthex on Sunday morning. LOOKING AHEAD: SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday is coming up on February 3. Everyone is invited to bring cans of soup to church that Sunday; all soup will be donated to the Open Pantry s Emergency Food Cupboard. In recent years, we have collected more than 600 cans of soup. Can we do it again?? REBECCA JOHNSON SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP Through your generosity, nearly twenty new or gently used winter coats, along with some hats were donated to the Rebecca Johnson School for children in need. The Christian Education Board also voted to spend $200 from the Rebecca Johnson Partnership fund (receipts from our Shrove Sunday Pancake Luncheon). Michelle Norman, the school/family liaison, along with the school s new principal were most appreciated of our continuing support of their children. Thank you to all who made contributions. Joanne Wells, Dick Pond and Pastor Barbara met with the new principal of the school, Mr. Chris Sutton on December 10. We had a wonderful meeting and together came up with new ideas for how our church can be of help to the students and staff: stay tuned for more information! GOD TIME- JANUARY 13 th -MARCH 3 rd The theme for Unit 4 focuses upon how, when we respond to God s call in our lives, we become an Epiphany manifesting through our lives, the presence and power of God s Spirit at work in the world. The lessons in unit 4 ask questions about, and explore, different ways in which people have experienced and responded to God s call. How do we know what God calls us to be and do? What does it mean to follow Jesus? CHRISTMAS FUN WORKSHOP The CE Board thanks Lori Lataille and all her helpers who volunteered their time and talents to lead over 50 attendees in the construction of advent crafts. A luncheon was provided for all those in attendance. LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD: SHROVE SUNDAY We will celebrate Shrove Sunday, the Sunday before Lent on Sunday, March 3, with a Pancake Brunch after worship. Proceeds will go to help fund our outreach projects with our partner school, Rebecca Johnson. Page 8 Page 5

6 THANK YOU Thank you to everyone who led us in lighting the Advent Candles during worship. Thank you to those who decorated our sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. Thank you to everyone who helped to make our Christmas Fun, Service of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and Christmas Pageant very special. Thank you to Frank and the choir for special music during this holy season. Thank you to our Deacons for serving during special services and coordinaing our poinsetias. Thank you to our Visual Arts Team, for beautiful altar designs. Thank you to our Trustees, for cleaning the globes in our sanctuary. Thank you to everyone who brought in donations for our mitten tree, gifts for Gray House and donated to our special Christmas offering. Thank you to Deacons for donations to the Pastor s Discretionary Fund and to the Evening Fosterians for providing gift bags for our confined members and friends. Thank you to our coffee hour teams and to everyone who serves in so many different ways behind the scenes. A rare photo of ALL the choir members with Frank! AFTERNOON FOSTERIANS The Afternoon Fosterians will not have a meeting in January. They will meet again on Wednesday, February 20 at 12 noon in the Friendship Room. EVENING FOSTERIANS The Evening Fosterians will hold a Tea Cup Auction on Wednesday, January 9 at 7 PM. This is a fun evening where we bring in an item for auction. All proceeds will go to a charity chosen by those who are present. All women of the church are welcome. Leaders: Connie Gumlaw & Diane McLeod; Hosts: Donna Griffith and Vivian Gonzalez. SAVE YOUR CARDS FOR ST. JUDE S RANCH FOR CHILDREN Once again, we will be collecting the fronts of greeting cards. The youth at St. Jude s Ranch recycle our cards and form new cards to sell, teaching them a good work ethic and entrepreneurship skills as well! Card Donating Tips: - All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are accepted. - Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the backside of the front of the card is clear of any writing, etc.) - They do not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards - 5 x 7 size or smaller is preferred After Christmas, we ll have a box in the narthex of the sanctuary for collection of the cards. Thanks to everyone for your support! Page 6 Page 7

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