United Presbyterian Women

The United Presbyterian Women sponsored Thank-Offering Sunday on Nov. 23. Betty Colby and Jane Fehr presided. Karen Bartel, vice moderator of UPW of East Iowa Presbytery, was the speaker. She introduced Tommy Henderson who told about the Starfish Haiti program. He spoke movingly of his life and his dedication to the school in Haiti. The UPW will be sponsoring a child for a year.

Greeters were Deb Helmick, Eleanor Waring, Addie Sents and Jean Wells. Ushers were Betty Beenblossom, Thelma Wagner, Pat Johnson, Joyce Letts and Janice Twinam. Kay Hall helped with the early service.

Three UPW circles held their meetings in November.

Circle III met at the church on Tuesday, Nov. 11, with seven members attending. Leader Jane Fehr opened the meeting with prayer and a reading about inner peace from ?Daily Word.? Prayers of concerns and joys followed.

Marilyn Johnston. lesson leader for Lesson 3, opened the study with prayer. The lesson concerned Paul?s references to old and new covenants in Second Corinthians. A lively discussion followed.

During devotions Bernice Fehr told of a Presbyterian program in Canada, CCMP (Churches Caring for Military Personnel). This is the 50th anniversary of Presbyterian Women in Canada.

Jane reported on the successful hymn/sing at Brownlee Health Center.

Eleven members of Circle IV met on Wednesday morning, Nov. 12, in the Campbell room at the United Presbyterian Home. Kay Hall was hostess. Esther Bordwell gave an inspirational reading, ?Happiness Keeps You Sweet.?

Davida Nicholson read Tom Johnson?s letter from Niger. All were relieved to hear there is no Ebola in his area. In the absence of his co-worker, Jeremy Beebout, Tom is called upon to do some administration work. He also is the contractor for a new guest house as well as teaching a Christian leadership course and the book of Judges.

Following the lighting of the Christ Candle, Esther led the lesson on Biblical covenants and God?s enduring faithfulness. She shared insights of other religions gained from a Jewish friend and from a Japanese exchange student of the Buddhist religion who had stayed with her family.

After the Christ candle was extinguished the meeting closed with unison prayer.

Mary McCall was hostess to six members of Circle V at the church on Tuesday evening, Nov. 18. Leader Jean Wells opened the meeting by reading ?Guardian of Peace? followed by prayer.

Diana Henry sent a nice note thanking the circle for their monetary gift for her years as church secretary. The group made plans for decorations and refreshments for the Christmas Tea.

Wilma Wright presented devotions with readings and prayer. Pat Johnson gave readings and prayer for the Least Coin.

Vivian Griffith led the study concerning the covenants with God and God?s enduring faithfulness while the people lived in the wilderness. She began with prayer. The group sang together and closed the meeting with prayer. The hostess served delicious refreshments and the members enjoyed visiting together.