I am Sue Foster, pastor of the East Woodstock Congregational Church in East Woodstock CT. We are an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.  If you are ever in the “Quiet Corner” of CT, we would be pleased to welcome you and have you join us for worship.

I am a writer, preacher, retreat leader, counselor, wife, mother, volunteer chaplain, daughter, sister, friend. I completed my Doctor of Ministry degree at Hartford Seminary in 2014. My thesis focused on theologies of hospitality and how to live out the inclusive Spirit of our welcoming God.

My lifelong dream (inspired by my author-grandfather Robert Ormond Case and my author-professor brother Dr. David R. Foster), was to write a book that would inspire and help others in ministry. My book Retreats to Go: Twelve Creative Programs that Renew and Refresh was published in July 2018. This easy-to-use book provides everything needed for a retreat or small-group gathering. Scripture-based programs with discussion questions, worship materials, music suggestions, activities, and craft ideas are provided – just add your group and you’re ready to go!  Available on Amazon and direct from the publisher.

Here’s a few things you might like to know:

Full name: Susan Jane Foster. Everyone calls me Sue.

• Preferred footwear: none.
• Favorite color: red.
• Favorite time of day: early morning, watching the earth come alive, listening to the birds.
• Favorite types of exercise: walking, swimming, biking, yoga.
• Best way to regroup/restore my soul: writing in my journal (or my blog) and drinking a cup of hot tea with lemon.
• My husband and I decided to get married after we knew each other for 5 weeks. We’ll be celebrating 28 years together in October.
• My life is defined by the three covenants I juggle:
  • The covenant of ordination (in the United Church of Christ, serving the East Woodstock Congregational Church)
  • The covenant of marriage (to Roger Solomon)
  • The covenant of parenthood (to Dan, Rachel, and Jacob)
• I am grateful to my parents for forcing me to go Sunday School every week (hated it) and thankful they allowed me to attend youth group and junior choir, which I loved.
• My two older brothers organized family and friends to build a log cabin in the remote woods of Vermont. It is a favorite place for retreat, reflections, and family gatherings.
• My best friend and I have known each other our mothers were pregnant at the same time. She’s the sister I always longed for.
• I grew up in a tiny house on top of a big hill. It’s given me a lifelong appreciation of simplicity and a good view.

And just one more…

• I love M&M’s.
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• I invite you to click on the “follow” button so you can receive notifications when I post a new reflection.  You  are invited to join the conversation.  Together we can share where and how we encounter God as we foster our faith.