United Presbyterian Women

The United Presbyterian Women met at the church on Dec. 4 for their Christmas Tea. Jane Fehr, moderator, welcomed 18 members as Betty Colby lit the Christ Candle. The group read the Purpose of Presbyterian Women. Circle I served cookies, tea and coffee. Jane led the dedication of the Fellowship of the Least Coin.

Betty gave a thoughtful Christmas program. She used Scripture and hymns to share the story of Christ's birth. She gave the history of each hymn as well as the composer. Members sang the hymns to start the Christmas season. Jane closed the afternoon with a Christmas prayer and the extinguishing of the Christ Candle.

Three circles held meetings during December. Circle V's meeting was canceled due to bad weather.

Four members of Circle I met at the United Presbyterian Home on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. Leader Joyce Letts opened the meeting with a reading, ?God Leads Me.? The group decided to delay the January meeting one day in the event of bad weather. They also voted to forego refreshments for the rest of the year.

Esther Bordwell read a letter from Wendy Paiva, Circle I's missionary in Paraguay. Joyce led devotions, reading ?A Woman of Kindness,? written by a lady from the United Kingdom. From the Yearbook of Prayer, she told about the Presbytery of Plains and Peaks in Colorado. One of their churches needed a new roof. The congregation voted to get it on faith. This was accomplished. Joyce's last reading was ?The Power of Prayer,? based on Psalm 121:3.

Members gave an offering and also one to get a Christmas gift for a Home member. Esther led the study of Chapter 4 from ?An Abiding Hope.? The group moved to the Health Center to sing Christmas carols with the residents. John Thorne led the singing, accompanied by Julia Gamon on the piano.

Circle III met on Dec. 10 at the church with seven attending. Leader Jane Fehr opened the meeting with prayer followed by prayers of joys and concerns. There were special prayers for Deb Helmick because of the death of her husband. The circle plans to donate a book to the church library in his memory.

Thelma Wagner led Lesson 4 based on the book of Exodus. Marilyn Johnston presented devotions.

Phyllis VanGerpen received a lengthy correspondence from the Callisons, missionaries in Iraq. They are looking forward to a group of young people from New Wilmington Camp joining them in July. The meeting closed with prayer.

Circle IV met Dec. 11 in the UP Home Campbell room. Addy Sents was hostess to seven members. The meeting opened with a prayer from the Least Coin Book. Kay Hall reported that a letter from the Menauel School asked people to save boxtops and soup labels to help their school.

Members gave money to buy Christmas gifts for Brownlee residents. Betty Beenblossom will select the gifts. Following the brief business meeting the group celebrated the Christmas season with a Scripture reading, words by Peter Marshall, quizzes and discussions of holiday customs in other countries. Esther Hess shared an assortment of Swedish ornaments and memories.

It was a time of sharing family heritage and customs. The meeting closed with a prayer for a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a blessed New Year.