UMW annual Christmas party

Julie Ludington shares with the gathering

Carole Koval LOVES Christmas!

Julie Weindel shares her gift with the gathering

Sharing Christmas memories

The UMW choir was a hit!

Forty-six were on hand for a festive afternoon as the UMW hosted its annual Christmas party.

President Marcia Prather led the abbreviated business portion of the gathering:
 
+The provisional budget was approved.
+The revised UMW meeting plans was shared. The first meeting in 2019 will be on January 19 (a Saturday) at 10:00 am.
+The 2019 bazaar will be on November 2.
+The Thank Offering was collected in memory or in thanks during this season. Last year Units across the country collected over one million dollars for missions. 
+Linda Kauffman, Sue Pearson, and Marcia Prather completed the UMW Reading Program this year. 
+A Red Cross blood drive is being held at the church on December 28, noon - 6 pm.
+Conference co-president Stacey King thanked the ladies for the more than $10,550 given to mission by the Unit this year. She also invited everyone to think about attending the bi-annual UMW event held at Fairmont Hotsprings (8-10 March).

Sue Pearson led our devotions, asking us to consider our memories and the making of new memories for the future with Deuteronomy 32:7 and Psalm 23:6 as a starting point.

The program featured "Christmas memories" and was a delight!

+Belinda Alkula, Janice Belcher, Sonia Henry, and Karen Johnson read Christmas memories written by senior citizens from the Appalachian region.
+Julie Ludington played O Little Town of Bethlehem & Silent Night.
+UMW Choir shared several selections. Liz Goddard directed and Hazel Smith accompanied the group which was comprised of Belinda Alkula, Carol Goffe, Carole Koval, Lisa Nichols, Sue Pearson, Connie Rakiecki, Bev Schneider, Anna Storkson, and Julie Weindel.
+Marcia Prather shared two Christmas-themed poems.
+Julie Weindel, accompanied by Hazel Smith, shared Ava Maria and The Lord's Prayer.
+Liz Goddard, accompanied by Hazel Smith, shared My Grown-up Christmas Wish.
+Sunrise (Carole Koval, Bill Lyon, and Connie Rakiecki) livened our time with a selection of blue grass favorites.

Thanks to: Carole Koval for putting the program together and to hostess Mary Costello, Carol Goffe, Carol Varien, and Bonita Ziegler for the refreshments and the beautiful decorations. Thanks also to Ben Longbottom for his help in setting up the tables/chairs.