=> Forming => Parish Reports => 2004
=> Forming => Parish Reports => 2004
Saint Margaret's Guild Annual Report 2004
As I reflect back on St. Margaret's guild for 2004 I realize we didn't accomplish everything we set out to do (such as our annual yard sale!), but we still had a full year.
Our January/February meetings are tentative due to weather conditions. Last year we did not have a January meeting.
In February we met. We sent cards to some of our present and past members whose health was not good at the time. We put together baggies that we were going to bring to Ruth's House, but at a later date decided to send them to Liberia. They contained toothbrushes, soap, band-aids, facecloths, combs, and toothpaste.
At our March meeting Sophronia Coleman spoke to us of her church life back in Ashland, Liberia, West Africa. She belonged to Grace Church. She passed around a certificate that had been presented to her for her Òdedicated services to the churchÓ and another for being Jr. Warden. She told us very touching stories including how due to civil wars G érace Church had been vandalized and many things were taken including the prayer books.
At our April meeting we discussed upcoming events as well as wondering how we could support Sophronia's Church back in Liberia. We voted in May to put a notice in the church bulletin asking for clothing and toiletries to be sent as well as include the baggies we had been filling for Ruth's House. We ended up with six LARGE boxes of items. Sophronia was very touched by everyone's generosity.
Starr Anderson spoke at our May meeting. If you cannot attend St. Margaret's Guild on a regular basis you should try to make it a point to come when Starr is our guest. She considers herself a storyteller Ð she is pleasant to listen to, entertaining, and you are left in awe and feeling good after she has been to a meeting!
We always go out to eat in June! Last year we went to the Hampstead Manor.
You get July and August off. We start up again in September, but with a Pot Luck Supper, which is always very good! Jan and Jan from St. Paul's Church in Bedford's Women's group came to the September meeting to hear what we do and so we could hear what they do. They meet more on a social basis doing things such as nature walks, cookouts, etc., where we meet more for on a service basis, although we have also done many of the same things they do at some point over the years. Jan and Jan were very pleasant and we hope to visit them at St. Paul's Church in the future.
At the October meeting we discussed upcoming projects and packed the six boxes for Liberia Ð that took just about the whole meeting Ð it was great!
In November we were reminded that the Samaritans Purse Shoe Box Project would be coming due, and to remember to buy/make items for the Advent Tree. The gifts of underwear, hats, mittens, etc. are given to Ruth's House. We discussed future goals for St. Margaret's Guild and suggested speakers (we do like to have speakers!)
At our December meeting we voted to make our annual Christmas donation to the church. Betty Walker sent a phone card from the Guild to Karla Morris, a young woman of our parish who has joined the Army and was going through Basic Training. Betty Walker read us the 'Five Finger Prayer' and then read to us of the birth of Christ from the Bible. The Guild distributes poinsettias to sick and/or shut-in members of the parish so the poinsettias were given to Guild Members for distribution. We ended our December Meeting with a Right/Left gift swap (you have to be there!) and refreshments.
In December we usually host the Blind Guild for a luncheon. This year not very many St. Margaret Guild members were going to be able to make it so we asked if we could switch the date and host them in the spring.
We usually hold a yard sale in the spring, sometimes in the fall, but neither time worked out this year so hang on to your treasures for next year!
We donated the money to pay for the new lights in the library and outdoors.
The Guild also provided food along with the generosity of church members for receptions after 4 organ recitals this year.
We always have light refreshments at our meetings. The month you are in charge of refreshments for the meeting you are also in charge of refreshments for after church on the second (I think it is the second!) Sunday of the month.
If you would like to join St. Margaret's Guild, please speak to a Guild Member or just come and join us on the Second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 in the church library; we do and will welcome you!
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Ann McCarthy
Saint Margaret's Guild