United Methodist Women

The United Methodist Women met March 4. Martha Circle members Carolyn Smith and JoAnn Seuser presented a Lenten program on using the similarity of preparing a garden for spring and preparing one’s heart for Easter.

President Jerry Horswell opened the meeting by leading the group in reciting the UMW’s purpose.

The treasurer’s report was given by Ruth Vermedahl, and Seuser gave the secretary’s report. Circle member shut-in calls were 1,380 for 2014.

Smith reported that UMW in Minnesota contributed over $57,000 to Emma Norton Services in 2014.

From the New World Outlook magazine, Fern Urbatsch told of United Methodist Committee on Relief, it’s history and emergency aid work immediately after Sept. 11, 2001. Their donation was $20.8 million.

More books with check-out cards are available on the UMW cart. A 2014-15 UMW program book has been purchased. Circle members may use this book for UMW general meeting programs.

Upcoming events include the Southern Prairie Spring Gathering April 24-25 and Westar Speaker Event April 24-25 at United Methodist Church.

Horswell thanked Hope Circle for serving and Martha Circle for the program. The following meeting was set for April 1 with Just Three Circle serving and Mary Grace Circle doing the program.

 

Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary

The Freeborn American Legion Auxiliary met at 9 a.m. March 21 at the Freeborn Legion hall. President Sandy Anderson called the meeting to order. The American flag and the auxiliary pledges were recited.

Joan Peterson gave the secretary’s report. Evelyn Neubauer gave the treasurer’s report. Both reports were approved as given. There were no bills to present.

Anderson read from the department mailing about what the gift shop gave out and how many were served through this program this past Christmas. There were also comments from the veterans on how much they appreciated this service.

Anderson announced that the Girls State reservation had been sent in. The Girls State representative is Claire Bias. More information will be sent to Anderson in the future.

There will be no more sewing dates for the community sewing group until January. The group appreciates all of the time that Viola Krogsgaard and others put into this very worthwhile project.

March was Women’s History Month. Anderson read about some of the famous firsts by women in history. It was very interesting.

Anderson also read excerpts from the department mailings concerning the “Just Tap Me” and why the Auxiliary goal for the year 2019-2020 is one million members. The year 2019-2020 is when the American Legion Auxiliary will celebrate its 100th birthday. “Just Tap Me” was how the Vietnam prisoners of war used a system of tapping to let the others know they were still there and still praying.

Anderson brought out the annual reports and all began the work of getting them completed. Anderson will put the finishing touches on them and mailing them off.

The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Saturday at Freeborn Legion Hall. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.