Visits to a hospitalized neighbor help bring cheer

Beverly Davis and Adam Foster drove to Pratt Jan. 4 to watch Christopher and Austin Davis, sons of Brenda and Kevin Davis of Scott City, play basketball. Both boys' teams won their games. Later they all enjoyed eating supper together. Mr. and Mrs. Scott Hendershot also joined the group. The Hendershots are residents of Pratt.

Several from Hiattville United Methodist Church have visited the past three weeks with Herman Werholtz while he was a patient at Mt. Carmel Medical Center in Pittsburg, including Mabel and Elmer Miller, Orna and Slater, Cindy, Jessica and Cassie Schwalm, Beverly Davis, Clara Brewer and Ken Keeney and Paster Andy Smith. Beverly Davis and Lynda Foster drove to Meriden, Kan. Jan. 9 and attended an Eastern Star meeting. Worthy Grand Patron Mike Towner presented 50-year pins that evening. One lady receiving her pin was a friend of Linda's.

Beverly Davis and Clara Brewer were among the group attending the meeting at the Presbyterian Village Jan. 11, hosted by State Rep. Shirley Palmer. Palmer told of her experiences during her first year as this district's representative. Darrel Elliott, representing the Kansas Department on Aging, gave a very informative talk on how senior citizens can protect themselves from identity theft and Medicare fraud.

Isaac Savage was a welcome visitor at worship Jan. 6. Bryson Fry and Beverly Davis gave birthday offerings. Pastor Smith's sermon was titled, "What Are We Running To?" Scripture was read from Matthew 2:1-12 and Isaiah 60:1-6. Worship assistants for January are Mabel and Elmer Miller, greeters; Effie and Dewan Mitchell, ushers; and John Slater, liturgist.

Ideal Chapter 369, Order of the Eastern Star, met Jan. 10 with Effie and Dean Mitchell presiding in the east as worthy matron and worthy patron.

The worthy matron greeted everyone with a January welcome and a "Happy New Year." Shirley Palmer, chairwoman of the Education Committee for General Grand Chapter and grand trustee for Kansas Grand Chapter, was presented for introduction, welcomed, and seated by way of the east, where she was saluted with grand honors.

The degrees of the order were exemplified with Lynda Foster as acting candidate.

An invitation was read from Erie Chapter 136 for Feb. 5 when Past Grand Patron Dewaine Geiger will present 50-year pins to five members in Erie Chapter.

The auditing committee will make their report at the next meeting.

It was reported that Past Grand Matron Patricia Hansen has passed away after a battle with cancer. Several members were reported ill, including John and Karen Coyan. The secretary gave a brief report on the annual report for Grand Chapter. Ideal Chapter now has 138 members; 49 are 50-year members. There were 10 deaths last year.

Birthday offerings were made by Gayla Croan and Beverly Davis.

Refreshments of sweet breads and individual pudding parfaits were srerved by Beverly Davis and Lynda Foster.

Retta Smith was the speaker at worship Jan. 13 in the absence of Pastor Smith, who is in on an immersion trip with St. Paul School of Theology in South Africa. Mrs. Smith was introduced to the congregation by Beverly Davis, a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. Her message was titled, "Into the Water." This was Baptismal Sunday. Cindy Schwalm has charge of the children's time. Mrs. Smith's husband, Glenn, was a welcome visitor.

Beverly Davis, Gary and Lynda Foser, David Addi and Ansley Foster and Denny Davis enjoyed eating lunch at the Pizza Hut Sunday, Jan. 13, to celebrate Beverly's birthday.

Oma Mitchellis now residing in the Medicalodge in Fort Scott.

Herman Werholtz has been dismissed from Mt. Carmel hospital and has moved to Lawrence to be near family.

The Hiattville unit of United Methodist Women met Jan. 14 at the church. Beverly Davis, president, presided. The meeting opened with all repeating the "UMW Purpose." The president read a New Year's poem. Roll call was answered by eight members, telling what they did when they were snowed in. The treasurer's report was given by Mabel Miller. Devotions were given by Lorna Slater, titled, "Green Pastures," based on the 23rd Psalm. We all have our "Green Pastures" and when we go there, it refreshes and renews our souls.

Lorna Slater was in charge of the lesson on "Prayer and Self Denial." She had arranged a lovely worship center. The table was covered with a lavender cloth, centered with a large flower arrangement, with white candles arranged in a square around the floral piece. Small pictures of several members of the church were displayed on flower plaques around the candles. Everyone present participated in the lesson. Mission projects were told about in the United States, Africa and the Philippines. As these different projects were presented, the candles were lighted. The lesson closed with prayer and a special offering was collected.

In the prayer calendar report, Clara Brewer talked about the mission work done in Arkansas and in the Congo.

Dora Page gave the "Response" moment about the large number of children in the United Stated without proper health care.

The prayer concerns list will be updated. Everyone present received the New Year book which Mrs. Davis had put together. Many were listed for prayer concerns.

The meeting closed with "The Lord's Prayer." Refreshments of sub sandwhiches, cookies and coffee and iced tea were served by Patty Gauthier.