Quilt Block Paint Class Scheduled for March 14 in Winchester
A Quilt Block Paint class will be held on Sunday, March 14 at 10 a.m. at Zilss Hall in Winchester. Registration is required and can be completed online at www.quiltblocktrail.com. A $50 registration fee may be sent to WACA at 8945 FM 153, Winchester, Texas 78945. If you would prefer to pay with credit card you may contact Rhoda Gersch at (512) 237-0842.
The class will be 6 hours long and you will be able to complete a quilt block. All supplies will be provided. Please wear appropriate clothing that could be stained with paint, also bring a sack lunch and drinks. COVID-19 protocols will be observed.
Membership Drive
The purpose of the Winchester Area Civic Association is to promote the Winchester area, produce a forum for discussion of local events and ideas relevant to the Winchester community, and to produce cost free, familyfriendly community events. It is also the association’s responsibility for the cost of maintaining Zilss Hall.
This past year with COVID-19 most events, such as tje Annual Domino Tournament, hall rentals and quilt block painting classes, have been cancelled. Three of the largest funding streams have been cancelled. Therefore, your membership is important.
It is time to renew our WACA membership and if you are not a member this is your opportunity to join. The dues are $10 per household per year. A letter has been sent to area residents asking you to please consider joining. If you did not receive a letter and have questions, contact Margaret Atkins at (512) 751-5298. You can send a check to WACA, 8945 FM 153, Winchester, Texas 78945. If you would like to use a credit or debit card, please contact Rhoda Gersch at (512) 237-0842.
Faith Lutheran High School
New student registration is open at the school in Warda. Any new student who registers prior to March 12 will have registration fees waived for the 2021-22 school year. You can receive registration materials by calling (979) 242-2889 or visit the website at www.faithlutheranhighschool.com.
Annual Domino Tournament
The Winchester Area Civic Association has cancelled the annual domino tournament held in Winchester the third Sunday of February due to COVID-19. We hope to resume this activity as soon as possible.
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 trail map are just some of the items available for viewing. A comment section is being developed. Quilt Trail maps are available 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 side of Zilss Hall on Memorial Hall Street. 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.
Reminder: these bins are not for household garbage. Please recycled items only.
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 sent to Brandon Gooch and Kaydin Gooch-Feb. 16; Melissa Pinter-18; Jordon Taylor-20; Ace Miertschin and Chuck Hielscher-21; Andrew Franke and Kamrie Miertschin-22.
Anniversaries
Congratulations are sent to Melissa and Jamie Pinter on their anniversary on Feb. 20.
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 6 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.
First United Methodist
The Winchester First United Methodist Church has returned to service inside the sanctuary. Pease wear a mask and social distance 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 FM153 at North Raymond Road. For more information, please contact Rev Paul Whitmill at (512) 629-1428.
In Our Prayers
Those on the prayer list include: Betsy Anderson, Steve Burton, Sherry Cook, Jeanette Franke, Tommy Franke, Marian Fritsche, Sam Gibbs, Hugh Hall, Evelyn Haschke, Stanley Herzog, Audrey Koenning, Bea Kilian, Mary Lehmann, Rose Lehmann, Ramona Lopez, Jodi Miller, Henry Pearson, Raymond Schulz 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-Nathan Brothers, Eielson AFB, Fairbanks Alaska; Ryan Spray, San Antonio.
US Army-Warren Evans, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska; Jake Hagood, Ft. Hood; Byron Taylor, South Korea.
US Marines-Damien Hernandez, San Diego, Calif.; Kevin Gonzalez, San Francisco, Calif.
Have News?
Call me, Rhoda Gersch, at (979) 242-3213 or email rmgersch@yahoo.com.