Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Women Working for the Church
Since Its Beginning
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. Monthly Mini-Bazaars now earn monies for
the kitchen remodeling.
Women's projects still provide funds when needed. In 1889 the Ladies Aid was responsible for purchasing the first organ for the church. Money was often raised from dinners or handiwork made by the women. In 1900 they assessed themselves one dollar a year as dues. Part of their funds helped pay the pastor's salary on more than one occasion. Often they purchased equipment such as silverware for the kitchen or made draperies for the lounge. When a new minister was due in 1904 they waxed the floors, cleaned, wallpapered and painted the parsonage. That year they also sponsored a New England dinner for the families of the church. Reading the bible, sewing and "lots of conversation" filled the afternoon at Ladies Aid meetings with tea and "dainties" served by the hostess. At a picnic supper in 1905 they reported the past year had seen 22 meetings, a bazaar, a tea and four entertainments which included a St. Patrick's Day party, a strawberry social and a chicken pie dinner. Fifteen new members had joined for a total of 35. In 1906 they made $60 serving a 200 plate dinner for the Masonic Lodge.
Janitor work often fell to the Ladies Aid. It was also the ladies who reminded the trustees of the repairs needed on the building such as a broken step or "the leaking roof."
Expenses in 1909 included tuning the piano, $150 toward the minister' salary, carbide, flowers, missionary society and working materials for projects. Included were 69 yards of lace, 28 yards of percale, 25 yards of gingham, ribbon, yarn and crepe. With this material they made and sold "waists," ties, collar cases and aprons.
The rummage sale in 1911 included new items such as lavender sticks and baby "sacks." From the Ladies Aid came a floral piece at each funeral of a church member. A gift was always given to the pastor's wife at Christmas. There was also a tradition of giving a baby ring to each child born to a church member.
Many women in the church Ladies Aid were from the community and did not belong to the church. The minister commented that it helps the social life of the community as well as being of spiritual value to the women. When the Congregational and Methodist churches combined in 1921 to form the Kirkland Community Church, the Ladies Aid also merged. The treasury of each organization was given to their respective churches "to clear the books" and a new treasury was formed. In August of 1921 Carrie Shumway was elected the first president of this newly formed Ladies Aid.
Following this merger the new Ladies Aid was divided into four circles by geographic areas and took on the names of "Circle 1, 2, 3 and 4. The minister immediately suggested that each Circle raise $500 for the new church building. The women accepted the goal, but the new building was only a dream for the next 20 years.
Activities for the next few years included producing a cook book, sponsored
an entertainment program at the Gateway Theater, held a concert at the
Kirtley Ranch, had a Mother-Daughter Banquet and made candy bags for the
community Christmas tree. They also held a tea towel shower for the kitchen.
In 1923 they sponsored the annual Easter egg hunt in the community and
dyed 11 dozen eggs for the event. One of their projects was making dresses
for the Medina Children's Home.
Back to History Previous Gleaning Next Gleaning