St. Michael’s to Hold Annual Children’s Service

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church will be having their annual Christmas Eve service led by the children. Practices start on Dec. 6. Only three practices will be held, so the service leaders will need to know which children will be participating no later than Sunday, Nov. 29. Children will need to be at all three practices so that they are prepared to lead the service on Christmas Eve. Please contact Amanda Hart, Krystel Burton, Jenny Fajkus or Amanda Hankemeier to confirm that your child(ren) will be participating in the program.

Please keep in mind that COVID-19 could halt these plans at any time and an alternative service may be held.

Outdoor Decorating Contest

The Winchester Area Civic Association has determined that the Community Christmas Party will not be held this December because of COVID-19. However, WACA will sponsor a Christmas Outdoor Decorating Contest for the Winchester area. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. If you are interested in participating in the outdoor decorating, please let Richard Schafer, Chairman, know by Dec. 15 by emailing richardbarbschafer@gmail. com. Judging will be conducted on Dec. 19.

Round Table Book Club

The next book club will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall. The book to be discussed is “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins. Everyone is welcome.

Barn Board Quilt Trail

The quilt block trail in Winchester can now be seen at www. quiltblocktrail.com. Schedules of classes, class registration forms, pictures and the trail map are just some of the items available for viewing. A comment section is being developed. Quilt Trail maps can be found at the Museum, Casino Hall, the Wendish Museum, quilt stores and other businesses in Giddings, Smithville and La Grange. The trail is self-drive, is available at your convenience and is a great way to spend an afternoon during this COVID-19 social distancing time. You will find the blocks on fences, gates, barns and houses that can be seen from the road.

Recycling Trailer

The Winchester Recycling trailer is located on the Memorial Hall Street side of Zilss Hall. Please place your recycling in the appropriate bins. We would appreciate that you make sure that you close the bins so that any trash will remain in the bins and not blow out.

Reminder: These bins are not for household garbage. Recycled items only, please.

Zilss Community Hall

Anyone wishing to rent Zilss Hall should contact (512) 434-0292. The hall is following COVID-19 requirements. Rent is very reasonable.

The Little Free Library

The library is always open and has a variety of authors. Space is limited, so please, if you donate a book(s), look through the current selection and take as many as you leave. The Little Free Library is housed under the roof of the patio at Zilss Hall. There is also a bulletin board available on the patio. If you have an event you would like advertised, please post.

Birthdays

Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Grant Pease - Nov. 25; Sam Appleman and Raymond Matthijetz - 27; and Gina Marek and Stephanie Alvarado - 29.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to the following couples: Delores and Morgan Ray Karisch and Kristin and Richard Laws - Nov. 25; Sherrry and Boykie Murphy - 26; and Teresa and David Shed - 28.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church

Continuing for all future worship services unless notified otherwise, St. Michael’s will be changing the format of their worship services as they continue to adapt to COVID-19. The new worship format will allow those who are comfortable returning to worship service in the sanctuary to so while still making accommodations for those who would prefer to participate from their vehicles in the parking lot. Pastor Nate will conduct the worship service from the sanctuary.

For those who would like to participate in the service inside the sanctuary, you are asked to monitor your health and only participate inside if you are free of any COVID-19 related symptoms and have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19. The wearing of a mask or face covering is also required at this time for those participating in the sanctuary. Every other pew will be marked off to allow spacing between groups. Family groups can be seated together, but are asked to leave at least six feet of space in each pew between groups. At the end of the service those who plan on participating in the Adult Bible Study may remain in their places, while those leaving the sanctuary will be ushered out row-by-row. The offering and attendance sheets will be collected in a basket as you exit the sanctuary and Pastor will not be shaking hands at the door of the church.

For those who would prefer to continue to participate in the service from their vehicles, you will be able to do so. You will be directed to park on the east side of the church building and will be provided with a bulletin. You will be able to fully participate in the service as we have been doing in previous weeks, with the only difference being that you will not be able to see Pastor Nate, who will be inside. The offering and attendance sheets will be collected from you as you leave the parking lot.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Pastor Nate at (979) 966-8036.

FUMC

The Winchester First United Methodist Church has returned to service inside the sanctuary. Pease wear a mask and practice social distancing inside the church. The Church has services on the first and third Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. The Rev. Patricia Zaiontz-Newcomer is the pastor.

Shiloh Baptist Church

The Shiloh Baptist Church is located on FM 153 at North Raymond Road. For more information, please contact Rev. Paul Whitmill at (512) 629-1428.

In Our Prayers

Betsy Anderson, Steve Burton, Sherry Cook, Jeanette Franke, Tommy Franke, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Hugh Hall, Evelyn Haschke, Stanley Herzog, Bobbie Hajek, Audrey Koenning, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Jodi Miller, Henry Pearson and Thelma Zoch.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins

Charlene Franke, R. C. Franke, Evelyn Kasper, Marie Kilian, Lillian Pietsch and Thelma Kieschnick.

In the US Armed Forces

US Air Force: Ryan Spray, San Antonio, Texas

US Army: Warren Evans, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska; Jake Hagood, Ft Hood, Texas; Byron Taylor, South Korea

US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, California; Kevin Gonzalez. San Francisco, California

Have News?

If anyone has news to share and/or corrections please call me, Rhoda Gersch, at (979) 242-3213 or email me at rmgersch@yahoo.com.