Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Inspirational Leader Arrived
After the arrival of George and Eleanor Helliwell in 1955, bible study was conducted by the minister before the monthly Fellowship meetings. Attendance at these luncheons reached 100 that year.A new commercial grill type stove and separate oven was purchased in 1958. (This is the one we replaced this past year with two new electric ranges.) New skirts were made for the tables which were used for wedding receptions. A set of directions were compiled for the receptions so that each circle would serve in a uniform manner.
Pilgrim Firs camp was under construction in the late '50s and Women's Fellowship participated by sewing curtains for the cabins and collecting jars of jam for use at the summer youth camps.
In 1959 there were 10 Circles with two meeting in the evening. Calling on shut-ins was a regular part of the work of Women's Fellowship. Two women from each Circle met once a month to go on calls.
Sadie Fawcett was presented with a cup and saucer as a thank-you for the many years she served at the door, greeting and getting the guests signatures in the "guest book." It was also the custom to present a friendship cup and saucer each year to the outgoing president.
The minister gave approval in 1959 for the use of artificial flowers on the altar when fresh ones were not available. Marion Elgin made several arrangements and at the same time made ribbon corsages for the corners of the wedding tables. This talented church member was featured by the East Side Journal on Mother's Day in 1958... "ability, availability and an energized network of helpful and loving communication and deed, describes this outstanding mother."
Another member of Women's Fellowship who was recognized for her talent was Hazel Berto (Verna Thormahlen's mother) who had her first book published in 1959. "North to Alaska's Shining River" was the true story of Si and Hazel Berto's first years of marriage when they served as teachers in a remote Eskimo village.
In April, 1960 many of the Kirkland Women's Fellowship members attended a tea at the Congregational Conference Home in Seattle which honored Eleanor Helliwell at the conclusion of her three-year term as state president of Women's Fellowship.
Among the events in which the Fellowship participated that year were World Community Day, May Fellowship Luncheon, World Day of Prayer and the greater Seattle area gathering of Women's Fellowship. Often these meetings included donating school kits, medical kits or sewing projects.
The "Feminine Circle" was begun and edited by Harriet Rogers which
informed of all the various activities in all of the Circles. South America was
the theme of the study book used in 1961. At the end of the session a Latin
Fun Festival was held with Grace Braillard as chair. Books were given to the
church library each month in the name of the circle with the most attendance
at the Fellowship meeting.
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