Duplicate Bridge

Duplicate Bridge was played at six tables on Nov. 7 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Vandy Newman and Budd Higgins, first place; John Liesen and Rick Stroup, second place;

Joyce Crowe and Millie Seiver, third place; Gail and Ray Schmidt, fourth place; and Ron Peters and Dave Solomonson, fifth place.

Duplicate Bridge was played by nine teams on Nov. 8 at the Senior Center in Austin. Winners were Tom Flaherty and Stan Schultz, first place; Gail and Ray Schmidt, second place; and John Laurie and Dave Ring and John Liesen and Rick Stroup, tied for third place.

Duplicate Bridge is played at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and at noon on Wednesdays at the Senior Center in Austin. Players come from Adams, Austin, Albert Lea and Mason City, Iowa.

All bridge players are welcome. Those who need a partner can call 437-2750.

United Methodist Women

The October meeting of the United Methodist Church Women was on Oct. 4

Fern Urbatsch of Mary Grace Circle introduced Elaine Smith, a member of the United Methodist Church, as pianist and guest speaker. Elaine told of her childhood growing up on a farm near Alden, and later working in Denver, where she met her husband, John Smith. She shared family’s initial reaction to her marrying a person of another race, and how they all reached common ground and learned to love one another. Smith talked about her career working with mentally ill people and shared some the challenges they face.

President Gerry Horswell opened the business meeting and thanked Martha Circle for coffee and Mary Grace Circle for the program.

The minutes of the September meeting were read by Secretary JoAnn Seuser.

The treasurer’s report was given by Ruth Vermedahl.

Spiritual Growth Person Adean Turner read various readings about listening to the voice of God.

Jody Bromeland urged members to be involved with the Save Our Hospital campaign.

Sunshine Person Judy Kary reported that she had sent five cards this month.

Marcia Moyer shared that there was an informational meeting at St. John’s Lutheran Home Oct. 17th to decide if the weekly Sunday coffee for residents and guests will continue. Because of the lack of volunteers it has been difficult for many churches to participate.

Sharon Nelson, Social Action Person, asked the group to remember the people who were affected by the mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Thelda Haack reported that there are Prayer Shawls in the Chapel that can be used by parishioners for warmth when needed.

Emma Norton Services Person, Carolyn Smith, reported that this is the 100th birthday of ENS and in honor of that all the bedrooms are being remodeled. Donations for this and other items are welcome. For more information a list is posted on the UMW bulletin board in the Narthex. Items will be delivered around Thanksgiving time. Smith also shared some of her experience working with ICE inmates at the jail.

The group’s missionaries Gordon and Ardell Graner will visit UMC on October 23rd at 9 am in the fireside room. They told of their experience in the Dominican Republic and had a short slide presentation. All are invited. Martha Circle will provide coffee.

Gerry Horswell closed the program by leading us in the Lord’s Prayer.

The November meeting of the United Church Women was on Nov. 1.

Mary Grace Circle served coffee.

Pianist Merle Stensrude played Count Your Blessing to open the meeting.

The program on the World Thank Offering was presented by Hope Circle members Eileen Larson and Lorene Olson. They shared stories from the Bible with the directive to help others and how the money received from the offering have been used.

Gerry Horswell opened the business meeting with a reading.

Secretary JoAnn Seuser read the minutes from the October meeting.

Ruth Vermedahl gave the treasurer’s report. She reviewed expenditures for November and explained a $200 gift to the Graners, the goups’ missionaries in the Dominican Republic. A beautiful collage of pictures was presented to the UMC by the Graners at their visit in October. It will be hung in the fireside room.

Spiritual Growth Person Adean Turner gave a reading on being thankful titled “A Piece of Cake” and read from Second Corinthians Chapter 8.

The group discussed the UMW Christmas Program in December. They decided to have Market Place cater the meal, possibly goulash, salad and a roll. Each circle is to have one person help set up and one person clean up. Each Circle will provide one dessert. It was decided to have the dinner at 11:30 in the fireside room at 11:30. Judy Hargrave will order the meal. Seuser will contact the United Preschool about doing a short musical program for us. Stensrude will play a selection of Christmas carols.

Sunshine Chairman Judy Kary reported that she had sent three cards this month.

Social Action Person Sharon Nelson asked that we pray for those affected by the tragedy in New York.

The group was reminded that the items to be delivered to Emma Norton Services need to be in the ENS box by Thanksgiving when Smith will deliver them.

Discussion was held about who stocks kitchen supplies like aluminum foil, wax paper, etc. Norieta Rippentrop from the furnishings and equipment committee will make a couple of lists to be posted in each kitchen of items stocked there.

The next meeting will be December 6 with the Christmas luncheon following the meeting. President Gerry Horswell closed the meeting by leading the group in the Lord’s Prayer.