Women's Fellowship of our Church--A Little Historical Bit of Information
January 2008 Report to the Congregation

Whether it was for study, service or social purposes, the women of the church have been organized since its beginning. Through their bake sales and quilting bees in the church's early history the women earned money to pay many of the debts of the church. Now we have monthly Mini-Bazaars before and after church.

Way back in 1889 the Ladies Aid (forerunner to Women's Fellowship) raised the funds to purchase the first organ for the church. In 1900 they assessed themselves one dollar a year as dues--and also used their funds to pay the pastor's salary on more than one occasion. They furnished the kitchen and made draperies for the lounge. When a new minister was due in 1904 they waxed the floors, cleaned, wallpapered and painted the parsonage. And then to complete that year they sponsored a large New England dinner for all the families of the church. In 1906 they made $60 serving a 200 plate dinner for the Masonic Lodge.

They often did the janitorial work around the building. There were always projects going on during the year to raise funds for expenses of the church.

In more recent years funds were raised for:

For 42 years Women's Fellowship held an annual December Smorgasbord. In 2004 those of us who have been doing it for most of those 42 years decided that we did not have the energy for the months of planning it takes to successfully do a 43rd.

Revised Budget; May 2007
Receptions (Care Bears, etc.)$250.00
Emergency Feeding$250.00
Historian$25.00
KIN$150.00
Kitchen$500.00
KITH$150.00
Mental Health Chaplaincy$150.00
Miscellaneous$500.00
Nursery$1,100.00
Fellowship Programs$100.00
Sibling House$500.00
Staff Christmas Gifts$75.00

There are also monies in the church's General Fund for the Chair Fund and Kitchen Improvements.

In 2005 & 2006 we have tried meetings in the daytime and a few in the evening. (Most of us longtime members do not drive at night anymore)--to pass on the "mantle." We have asked for input and ideas in writing if unable to attend. No results as yet. We have money in the bank which we continue to use for various purposes. We've created a scaled down budget (above). Our mini-bazaars continue to raise funds and the Deacons are designating the funds from the Spaghetti Dinner to our treasury.

At this time Women's Fellowship has been managed quarterly by women of the church who have served as officers and/or board members. These women would like your input and ideas: Barbara Anderson, Jo Harris, Marjorie Nelson, Verna Thormahlen, Belle Marie Rightmire, Ruth Wiesen, Betti Evans, Donna Conover, Mary Sandiford, Jerry Rutherford and Diane Wilson.

We need guidance for the future as many of us have been doing these projects for over 60 years and don't have the energy to continue--but we still feel that the mission is still there to accomplish. The big question is--how?

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