St. Michael’s Will Resume In Person Worship Service

For all future worship services (until 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 do 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.

More information about communion distribution will be available ahead of Oct. 4, which will be the first communion Sunday after these changes have been made.

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

FUMC

The Winchester First United Methodist Church will return to service inside the sanctuary on Oct. 4. Please 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.

Octoberfest

Faith Lutheran High School will be hosting a family friendly event on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Holy Cross Picnic grounds in Warda. The event may look different than in years past, so watch for more details in this column.

Barn Board Quilt Class

There was a lot of interest in the September class, so one has been scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Zilss Hall in Winchester. If you are interested, please register on the website at www.quiltblocktrail.com. The class provides all supplies and registration is $50 per person. The class will adhere to all requirements of COVID-19. For more information, please contact Rhoda Gersch at (979) 242-3213.

Round Table Book Club

The book club will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at Zilss Hall. The October book to be discussed is “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides. The books for the remainder of the calendar year are “Keeper of Lost Things” by Ruth Hogan for November and “American Dirt” by Jeanine Cummins for December.

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, 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: Bobbie Hajek - Sept. 30; Keith Montgomery - Oct. 2; Frank Jones, Jr., Travis Miertschin and Bob Derr - 3; Jenny Faykas - 4; and Becky Leer - 5.

Anniversaries

Anniversary wishes are extended to Cyndy and Ron Zoch, celebrating on Oct. 1.

Thank You

The Winchester community would like to thank everyone who donated toward Hurricane Laura Relief. The supplies that were donated have been taken to Grand Lake, LA. Of all the items purchased, they were happiest for the case of insect repellent. A special thanks is in order for Tom and Margaret Atkins, who drove the supplies to Louisiana, Sherry Murphy, who loaned her enclosed trailer for the trip and Dorothy Loewe and Ron Kaiser, who helped purchase supplies with the funds that were donated.

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, 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.

In the US Armed Forces

US Navy: Christopher Brand, Great Lakes, Ill. US Air Force: Jessica Lindner, Okinawa, Japan; Ryan Spray, San Antonio. US Army: Warren Evans, Ft. Benning, Ga.; Jake Hagood, Ft. Hood; Jared Michalec, Kuwait; Byron Taylor, South Korea. US Marines: Damien Hernandez, San Diego, Calif. Have News?

Contact Rhoda Gersch at rmgersch@yahoo.com.