Lake Palestine U.M.C.
by Barbara Cade

It was a cold week but lots seemed to be happening around the church. All the new officers were busy beginning their new year by calling meetings and getting started on their new jobs. Bob Hitt is the new Trustees chair, so he immediately called a work day for last Saturday. Unfortunately, because of the weather it had to be cancelled.

Debbie Morris is the new chair of the Administrative Council and Debbie Bernard has gotten off to a great start as chair of the Finance committee.

For the casual visitor, it might look like several of the men around the church, including the pastor, have gone for the scruffy, bearded look. Not to worry, that's for their roles in the upcoming Passion Play at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Chandler. The play will be performed on Palm Sunday weekend which is very early this year.

Also, the Easter season and Lent are fast approaching. We've barely put up the Christmas decorations and already we're planning the pancake supper for Shrove Tuesday, the night before Ash Wednesday. We're hoping to get a New Orleans style jazz band for entertainment. Of course, the next evening there will be an Ash Wednesday service. That's only two weeks away.

Mary Ann Whisenhunt is looking into the possibility of having a special dinner for Valentine's Day, possibly at Traditions. She will announce more on this later.

The United Methodist Men will treat the ladies of the church to a Valentine breakfast at their regular meeting on the second Saturday of the month. That breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m.

This past Monday night, the GED class which meets at the church got the opportunity to hear John Adams, meteorologist of a local television station. He came out to help with some of their science questions. All were invited to come hear him.

Kaethe Griffin's birthday party at the church last Saturday was a huge success. There were over 60 people present to enjoy not only a birthday cake and punch but a full meal of barbecued brisket, chicken, potato salad, beans and Cole slaw. Bennie Brown tried to bring her famous homemade rolls, but something about the weather didn't let them rise. Kaethe looked especially beautiful that night and she was so proud to introduce her whole family to everyone, including her son and grandson from Germany who came in last week.

Special thanks for the event go to Fred and Trudy Riddle who planned the whole thing and carried it out with the help of many willing volunteers in the church.

We were frightened when we heard last Monday that Sunny Farley had been in a car wreck on Interstate 20 on her way to school in Ft. Worth. We're happy to report though, that she wasn't hurt seriously even if she is a little sore.

Our prayers are with Rev. Richard and Rebecca Prather right now as they had to make a trip to Houston where Rebecca's mother is in the hospital.

Carla Fisher has announced that it's time to get ready for Easter with a special choral arrangement that she has found. Choir rehearsal is every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to come.