St. Michael’s Lutheran Church Continues with Drive-In Services

As you are all aware, the number of COVID-19 cases in the state and in our county has increased dramatically over the last few weeks. While we had previously hoped to loosen our approach toward worship and Bible study beginning in July, the current trajectory of the health situation will prevent us from being able to do so. At a recent meeting of the elders, several decisions were made related to protecting the health of our attendees at our worship services and Bible studies.

Beginning immediately, our approach to health precautions at worship services and Bible studies will be the following:

• We will continue with using a drive-in format for our worship services on Sunday mornings following the same procedures that we have used in the past few months.

• The Sunday morning adult Bible study will continue to meet in the sanctuary following church, however, all who enter the sanctuary will be required to wear a mask or face covering and sanitize their hands upon entry and exit. Those who would prefer to participate in the Bible study in their vehicles will still be able to do so by listening in to the radio broadcast.

• Decisions regarding the children’s Sunday school will be made by the board of education. Information will be communicated as it becomes available.

• The Wednesday morning Bible class will continue to meet in the education building at 9:30 a.m. However, all participants will be required to wear a mask or face covering and sanitize their hands upon entry and exit. Those who would like to participate in this class remotely rather than in person should contact Pastor Hill so that accommodations can be made.

If you will be participating in a Bible study that requires a mask or face covering, please bring your own from home if you have one. If you do not, the church will have masks available that can be provided to participants. Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entry to the sanctuary and education building.

Also, please consider your own risk factors before participating in any in-person events.

FUMC

The Winchester First United Methodist Church has services on the first and third Sunday of the month at 8:30 a.m. Currently, the congregation is conducting church services through the Zoom app. 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.

Winchester Book Club

The Winchester Round Table Book Club will meet on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. The book to be discussed is “Bel Cantu” by Ann Patchett. Social distancing will be practiced and you will be asked to wear a mask. Please come and join us.

Quilt Block Paint Class

The next quilt block class is slated for Sept. 26. Classes will be limited in size so that social distancing may be maintained, face masks will be required and hand sanitizer will be provided. The class will be held at Zilss Hall in Winchester and will start at 10 a.m. Registration is $50 per person and must be received prior to the class. All supplies will be provided. You are asked to bring a sack lunch and/or snacks as the class will continue until 4 p.m. This will be a good time to start working on holiday gifts. You can complete the registration form on the website www. quiltblocktrail.com or you may call Margaret at (979) 242-3085 or Rhoda at (979) 242-3213 for more information.

Barn Board Quilt Trail

The quilt block trail in Winchester can now be seen at www. quiltblocktrail.com. Schedules of classes and 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.

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: Texas Shorts and Bryn Hatton - Sept. 3; Nicolas Puerta and Brittni Adams - 4; Kelly Franke - 5; and Casey Fajkus and Erwin Schultze - 7.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Karen and Robert Derr - Sept. 4; and Mindy and Greg Fryer - 7.

In Our Prayers

Currently on the prayer list is: Betsy Anderson, Steve Burton, Sherry Cook, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Hugh Hall, Evelyn Haschke, Stanley Herzog, Bobbie Hajek, Audrey Koenning, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Jodi Miller and Thelma Zoch.

Remembering Our Shut-Ins

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

Have News?

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