Club news

St. Mary CCW

The St. Mary Council of Catholic Women met Jan. 17 in the Monsignor Huels Room for a covered-dish supper.

Dr. David Westrich presented a program on macular degeneration.

Pat Eftink distributed copies of the treasurer's report.

A donation will be made to the St. Mary Home and School Auction Dinner.

Sister Lucille Zerr requested help to serve the reception following the Rite of Election on Feb. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m. in the Monsignor Huels Room.

The council will host a Day of Retreat for Region 7 on March 8. More information will be available later.

The DCCW spring assembly will be held April 18 and 19 at the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff, Mo. This is the 50th anniversary of Council of Catholic Women in the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Diocese. Members who were active are encouraged to attend or to write memories of the early years.

The next meeting will be March 27.

Jackson Presbyterian Women

The Jackson Presbyterian Women held their second quarterly meeting of 2007-2008 on Jan. 18 at the church.

Eva Hillis, executive director of Love INC, gave the program. She explained their purpose and the need for volunteers in the area. Love, Inc. is a volunteer clearing house whose mission is to mobilize the church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ.

There were 18 ladies in attendance -- 10 from Hannah Circle, seven from Perdue-Lear Circle and a guest.

Copies of the minutes from the September meeting were distributed along with the treasurer's report and the agenda. JoNelle Lingo, treasurer, reviewed the budget vs. expenses and numbers.

Ruth Tinnin, secretary, read the correspondence. Thank-you cards were received from the recipients of Christmas gifts given by the group.

The following committee reports were given:

Jonell McNeely, Church Women United representative, reported that their next meeting will be Jan. 27 at the Second Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. They would appreciate it if those attending would bring a can of soup and/or finger food. A board meeting was held recently at Emanual Church of Christ in Jackson. All were reminded that it is time to renew their membership. Dues for 2008 are $5.

The church calendar shows the Tools of Hope and Blanket Sunday will be the second Sunday in February.

Judy Litzelfelner, MOPS coordinator, reported she will not need reimbursement if expenses do not exceed her budget.

Alene Friese, search chairwoman, reported that Anne Smith has consented to serve as moderator next year.

Carolyn Thompson, support chairwoman, reported that her committee has furnished food for six funerals since the last meeting.

Mona Hamilton, Together in Service chairwoman, reported that the group has a budget of $250 to work with this year. Tinnin made a motion and McNeely seconded it that $50 be sent to Love INC, $25 to come from the mission budget and $25 from the discretionary fund. This motion was passed.

Mosquito nets are still needed in Africa. Hamilton made a motion to send $100 to Church World Service to be used to purchase nets. Susan Venable seconded the motion, and it passed.

In accordance with the suggestion from Presbytery, the Mission Pledge has been increased by 5 percent. Shirley Hutton made the motion and Martha Wagner seconded that it be increased to $65. The motion passed. The Honorary Life Memberhip has increased. It was decided to retain the silver pin.

The group was also reminded to collect stamps to be sent to the Franciscan Sisters in Brazil who sell them to stamp collectors and the money is used to support their mission project, Street Kids Ministry.

Hutton, travel coordinator, suggested several trip possibilities. Smith suggest a trip to Farmington, Mo., to the Children's Home. Further details will be appear in the church bulletin. Those attending should also plan to take children's duffel bags to donate.

Cape Girardeau CWU

The Cape Girardeau Area Church Women United met Jan. 27 at Second Baptist Church for the annual Hospitality Day and Human Rights Celebration, "God's Wisdom Honors Children."

Joyce King, co-chair, reported on changes in the yearbook that needed to be corrected. The budget for 2008-2009 was presented with a few changes. It was approved.

Debra Tracy, co-chair, reported on the River Corridor Task Force dinner that was held Jan. 25 at the Salvation Army. More than 165 meals prepared and furnished by the volunteers of CWU were served. Spaghetti, salad, hot bread and cookies and brownies were served. This was the first even of its kind by the task force and was a success.

Dolly Jewell reported on Blanket Sunday, which can be held any Sunday a church wishes to have it. Many churches have it either Mother's Day or Father's Day. She showed samples of the two types of blankets available for disasters. These can be loaned out and used by a church for the Sunday they have Blanket Sunday. Also posters and other materials were handed. Kits for Festival of Sharing will be layettes and the items are listed on the back of the yearbook. These will be brought to the Awareness luncheon in September. Members were reminded to continue saving Campbell Soup labels and Box Tops for Education.

Tracy invited those women attending to come to the CWU's special celebrations as well as Bible study and board meetings on the first Friday of the month. The meetings are held at various churches in the area and a good way to visit other churches and meet other women. She thanked Barbara Swan and other women from Second Baptist Church for hosting the event and for the refreshments.

The program was led by Kim McDowell. Scriptures were read by Joyce King, Helen Lohmeier, Shirley Patterson and Marge Janssen. Erica Scott, a young member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, sang "Jesus Loves the Children."

Melinda McCulley presented a puppet show. She also installed the new officers: King, Patterson, Tracy, co-leaders; Martha Sanderson, treasurer; Janssen, recording secretary; and Lohmeier, corresponding secretary.

McDowell closed the meeting with a writing by the late Jean Bell Mosley.

-- From staff reports