WOMEN'S WORK IN THE CHURCH

When we read the records of the many things that have been done in the Ladies Aid, the Women's Foreign Missionary Society, the Women's Society of Christian Service, and later the United Methodist Women, we are reminded of the rich heritage we have―these women of faith who have gone before us, who set a good example for us and who have done so much under more difficult circumstances than we ever knew―it should make us more than a little ashamed that we with all the conveniences and plenty we have, do so little for missions and as witnesses for Christ.

There has been a group of women organized for service to others in the Monthalia Methodist Church for the last 80 years. The first group was known as the "Frauen Verein" or Ladies Aid Society. Some records show this group as being organized on January 17, 1906; however, a later annual report states that the 30th anniversary of organization was celebrated in November, 1935 which would put the date of organization in 1905.

The first officers were:

President: Mrs. August (Mina) Gandre

Vice-President: Mrs. Henry (Maria) Dietz

Secretary: Mrs. Edward (Marie) Zarth

Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Willie (Mary) Muenzler

Treasurer: Mrs. Adolph (Martha) Tolle

Information on this early organization is sketchy as minutes have not been located, if they were kept. Some remembrances of the senior members are included in the stories which follow in the next paragraphs.

Monthly meetings were held in the afternoon at the home of the hostess, this honor being rotated among the membership. Since most of the women did not drive a vehicle at that time, the husbands had to come along, and of course the children too, of which there were many. Often there were as many as 150 mouths to feed. The hostess brought out her best linens, china, silver, and so forth, and house cleaning went on for days before, sometimes even going so far as revarnishing the dining room chairs. Special jams and jellies, bread, butter, cheese and cake would usually be on the menu. The society had one iron clad rule about refreshments―only ONE kind of cake could be served.

The remembrances are vivid about a special sponge cake recipe using many eggs that one lady made for a meeting. Since there were so many to serve she had to make quite a few cakes, and during the afternoon she overheard one guest telling another that she must have used some rotten eggs because no one would have that many fresh eggs! Needless to say, the hostess was quite upset over the remark.

The men put great store in being able to go to these meetings. They spent the afternoon visiting, playing dominoes, and of course, were able to eat all the good food. One member was away from home at the time for one of the meetings, so her husband very strongly urged their daughter to go so he could take her and not miss out on anything. At another occasion, the hostess served tuna fish sandwiches, and one of the gentlemen in attendance remarked "those sure were some good chicken salad sandwiches".

One custom of the Ladies Aid Society was the Beileids Beschluss. This was a resolution that the group would send to a family when a loved one of the members passed away. It was a letter of condolence or sympathy which an appointed committee would compose with great thought and care. One copy was sent to the family and one was made a part of the records of the group. These resolutions were in the German language. Following is the translation of a special one that was sent to the family of August Gandre after his death:

SYMPATHY RESOLUTION

Of the Monthalia Ladies Aid to those left behind and kinspeople of our deceased brother

- AUGUST GANDRE -

In consideration, that it pleased our Heavenly Father to take our dear brother August Gandre from this earth into Eternity, and since we now find his place in the Sunday School and congregation to be empty,

And in consideration, that he worked many years in the congregation as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, and in many other official positions,

And in consideration, that he in all the church undertakings in the congregation was always "in the front row" and, with great strength in every connection to that undertaking helped because the well being of the congregation lay near his heart,

And in consideration, that he was an honorary member of this organization,

Therefore be it herewith resolved:

First, although it is sorrowful to us to see Brother Gandre leave our midst, we do grant from the depth of our hearts, that he rest in peace.

Second, that we as the Ladies Aid thank our Heavenly Father for the life he lived here among us.

Third, that herewith we convey our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Gandre, her children and kinspeople.

Fourth, that a copy of this condolence resolution be included in the records of the minute book of the Ladies Aid.

By order of

The Committee

Alma Sievers

Carrie Lindemann

Louise Pape

Psalm 116 verse 15

"Precious in the sight of the

Lord is the death of His saints."

The Ladies Aid was not especially involved in foreign mission work, but did see to the furnishing of the church and parsonage, and at times made quilts, and helped with some local mission work. It mainly served as a social organization. The Ladies Aid Society continued to function after the organization of the Women's Foreign Missionary Society until the two groups merged in 1939 to become the Woman's Society of Christian Service. At that time the Ladies Aid became Circle I of the WSCS and continued to meet over all these years until 1984 when it disbanded for lack of members.

The second women's organization to be formed was the Young Ladies Foreign Missionary Auxiliary, or as it was known after 1935―the Women's Foreign Missionary Society. Apparently this was begun in 1923, as it was mentioned in the minutes of May, 1938 that the 15th anniversary was celebrated with a covered dish supper. One living member remembers that it was organized in April or May of that year, and the group voted not to meet again until after summer was over since everyone had to be out picking cotton and couldn't come to meetings. The impetus or moving force behind this organization was Reverend J.A. Traeger and Miss Gazelle Traeger, his daughter, who became a missionary to Malaysia. The society was to help support her work as its main project and did many things to raise a little money in those hard times. One thing done in the late 1920s was that the ladies would clean the church on Saturday in preparation for Sunday service with the money paid for this service going into the mission fund. Mr. August Gandre who would ring the bell on Sunday morning said that he was ringing it for the ladies who gave their time and service.

The minutes in 1933 showed 18 members on the roll. The group met monthly in the afternoon in the house of the hostess, as the church parish hall was not yet built. The group was very active in their study of missions, and had a study booklet called the Friend that was used at every meeting. One member was appointed as the teacher for the year. It was her duty to lead the study and ask questions at the end. The study of the Friend was made more interesting by some of the teachers, who would have a centerpiece appropriate for each month with the questions from the Friend as part of the centerpiece.

Sometimes roll would be answered by a scripture verse or even whole passages of scripture. A usual meeting included a song, devotional, a prayer circle, business meeting and the study lesson from the Friend.

There was a Help and Mercy committee that took care of helping the needy, and sending food in case of funerals or sickness, Christmas boxes were always made up, as many as 8 or 10, and taken to the needy and elderly. Sending cards and making sick visits was very important and the total number made by the membership was noted each month.

In May, 1933, the minutes show that the group voted that the $3.00 for "the candelabra" be paid for by donations. This brass candelabra is the exact replica of one given by the church women of India to the Methodist Church women in the United States, and we can be proud of this symbolic antique that we still have.

The Christian education of the youth of the church was another vital part of the WFMS. They sponsored the Little Light Bearers, ages from birth to about 6; the King's Heralds, about 6 to 12; and the Standard Bearers for girls 12 to 18. One or two members were appointed yearly to work with each group, and meetings would be held on Sunday night before church. The children looked forward to these meetings enthusiastically. They had lessons from materials ordered from "headquarters" and also had mite box collections which went toward mission work. An Easter egg hunt for the children was an annual affair with entertainment and refreshments.

Mission work was important in the women's work. The work of Miss Gazelle Traeger, a missionary in foreign fields was supported as well as that of several other missionaries. Beside the youth projects and foreign mission work, the parsonage furnishings were kept up and after 1934, the parish hall kitchen was kept fitted with necessary equipment.

As early as 1934, the World Day of Prayer and the Call to Prayer and Self Denial were observed and are still well attended.

In 1939, the Woman's Society of Christian Service was organized and the Ladies Aid became Circle I, the WFMS became Circle II and later the J.O.Y. Circle with the J standing for Jesus, 0 for Others, and lastly Y for Yourself. The first officers of the WSCS were:

President: Mrs. Albert (Nettie ) Fink

Vice-President: Mrs. Arnold (Jessie) Siepmann, Jr.

Recording Secretary: Miss Alice Schauer

Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. John (Rosa) Fink

Treasurer: Miss Ida Tieken

Quarterly meetings for the entire group were held with the membership divided into four groups for serving simple refreshments. Pledges to missions were made by individuals in January to be paid during the year. Besides the quarterly meetings, each circle had a regular monthly meeting.

In May of 1956, it was decided that the women who had jobs away from home and other young women would become the Lydia Circle and meet at night. By the year 1967, with many of the women working outside the homes, all meetings being held every other month, were held at night in order to have better attendance.

At sometime during the period from 1939 to 1968, the Woman's Society of Christian Service was changed to the Women's Society of Christian Service. With the merging of the United Brethren and Methodist Churches in 1968, the Women's Society of Christian Service became the United Methodist Women or the UMW. A special charter service was held for the 49 members with an Agape Feast following the service.

Many studies were held during the years concerning the Bible as well as countries such as Africa, South America, Mexico, China, Japan and the Middle East.

World Day of Prayer meetings, district retreats and study seminars were held at the Monthalia Church at various times during the years.

The pledge to missions made each year has consistently been raised beginning with $125.00 in 1940 to $900.00 pledged for 1986. Special memberships were given over the years. At the present time all the members have membership pins. The women from the Monthalia Church participate in the candleburning service at the annual district meeting in honor or memory of a special person or group.

It might be said that the women's work at Monthalia has "come full circle and is getting started again". In the years that Gazelle Traeger was a missionary from 1921 to 1949, support was given for her work. Then in 1984, the name of Gazelle Traeger was submitted and adopted to be included in the Southwest Texas Conference portion of the Encyclopedia of Methodist Women in Mission.

During the war years, the service men and women of the church were always recognized and remembered with letters as well as with prayers.

Other things of interest done by the women of the church were as follows: Sunday School classes were held on Saturdays at Warm Springs Hospital, financial assistance to youth who wanted to attend Mount Wesley Assemblies, graduating seniors honored with a gift of a Bible, refreshments served to Vacation Bible School children and workers, church cleaning services done in Spring and Fall until an outside janitorial service was hired.

Serving cookies and coffee, or something more elaborate has been done for all kinds of occasions including Reverend and Mrs. August Pape's 25th wedding anniversary; Reverend and Mrs. A.C. Peterson's celebration of 40 years of marriage and 40 years of serving in the ministry; the church's Diamond Jubilee on April 8, 1962; the annual German Songfest each year since 1967; to honor the Men's Chorus, choir directors, and organists; the visit of Bishop Eugene Slater in 1967; for visiting missionaries, revival preachers, receptions for new pastors and welcoming pastors back; having open house for the Chrismon Tree; for the Men's Chorus reunion, or to honor hard workers in the church such as Clarence Behrens and Irma Pape; and Mrs. Laura Finch on her 100th birthday in 1982.

Many ways were devised to raise money above what was collected by pledges. Having a chili supper and bazaar was a favorite means. In 1945 the price of a bowl of chili was 15c, pie 10c, cake 5c, tea or coffee 5c, and hot dogs 10c. A total of $159.52 was raised at that supper. That same year a chili and tamale supper offered Chili with four tamales, coffee, a doughnut, and 6 crackers for 55c. By 1947 the price of chili had gone up to 20c, and $232.78 was taken in. In 1976 the ladies were still cooking chili and selling it for $2.50 a plate and along with the bazaar and donations raised over $1,700.00, which was enough to furnish the only room in the name of a church at the new Memorial Hospital in Gonzales.

A supper was prepared and served to the Germania Fire Insurance Company in 1948, raising $203.29; a supper was served to the County Cotton Farmers meeting in 1951 for $1.00 per plate. A profit was always made with which to carry on the good work of the women's organization.

The first order of twelve dozen commemorative plates was placed in 1951, and a bit later three dozen more were ordered. All were sold for $1.50 each. The last group of three dozen plates was ordered in 1973 and sold for $4.00 each.

In 1968, the supper menu was changed from chili to chicken tetrazzini at $1.25 per plate and a supper and bazaar raised $323.56. Greeting cards were sold for many years, and for six years the women cooperated with the women of the First Methodist Church in Gonzales in a food booth at the Come and Take It celebration.

Late in 1940, the Society voted to spend $400.00 to furnish the parsonage. Later a commode was purchased, various rooms were painted and papered, purchased a hot water heater, chairs were recovered, bedroom suites purchased, and carpet was put in the parsonage. More recently, the church trustees have taken over the furnishing of the parsonage, relieving the women of this job.

Caring for and furnishing the parish hall kitchen is a project that goes on even today. Dishes and flatware were replaced or added to. The range has been replaced as needed. Crystal plates and cups were bought along with chrome serving trays, glass and stainless steel pitchers, serving carts and additional serving pieces. The shrubs on the south side of the parish hall were also donated.

Holding Institute in Laredo, Texas, managed by Anton Deschner who had roots in this congregation, received necessary help as well as the children of India who were sent 16 pounds of Bible pictures for their studies of the Bible. The Red Cross received money as well as home baked cookies for which they exchanged sugar to get more cookies.

Through the years, Circle I made a number of quilts and sent them to wherever they were needed. Also the ladies of the Circles made many items for those in the nursing homes and the hospital. For a number of years each lady in Circle I would draw a name of another lady in the Circle. The name that was drawn would be the "secret friend" of the person drawing the name for the remainder of that year. Then the person drawing the name would slyly and secretly give gifts to the "secret friend" throughout the year, hopefully without the recipient finding out who the giver was until the end of the year. For many years, members of Circle II brightened the life of senior members of the church by each one having a special one for whom she would do many nice things.

In 1945 a side chair matching the pulpit chair was placed in the sanctuary in memory of Reverend A.F. Foerster after his death as the pastor. Carpet runners were placed in the sanctuary in 1953 and an individual Communion Set was purchased for the pastor's use.

In 1966-67 the first group of 110 Chrismons was made by the members, repaired in 1977 and 1984, 25 more Chrismons were made and the old ones repaired.

Being true to their roots in mission work, the WSCS and now the UMW has always given its largest contributions to that area, both foreign and home missions. Some of the foreign missionaries aided were Mr. Crouch in Brazil, Ruth and Milton Robinson in Bolivia, and Warren and Anita Hornung in Chile. Other mission areas were helped in Africa, India, Japan and China.

Recipients of money or supplies in the Home Mission work were Who-so-ever Mission, Scarritt College, San Marcos Center, Wesley House in Robstown and San Antonio, Eliza Dee Hall, Laredo Mission, Bethlehem Center in Dallas, Navajo Methodist Mission, Warm Springs Foundation, Meals for Millions, and Good Neighbor Settlement House and many more.

The Lydia Circle instigated the chili supper that eventually furnished the hospital room, supported the Willmann Foster Home for several years, and planted shrubs on the southeast side of the church.

For the centennial celebration, Circle I donated to the fund for a wheel chair ramp for the church building, the J.O.Y. Circle had a wooden coat and hat rack built for the parish hall and placed a new light fixture in the foyer of the church along with two brass flower urns in the sanctuary. The Lydia Circle redecorated the ladies restroom.

After almost 80 years of service in the name of God, Circle I, the former Ladies Aid, disbanded in 1984 because of age and lack of members. After disbanding, they visited with the other circles whenever they wished.

The song "A Charge To Keep I Have" was used at the organizational meeting of the Women's Society of Christian Service in 1940. The women of Monthalia United Methodist Church of 1986 still have the same charge to keep and the same God to glorify that the women who started the work in 1905 had, so let us say with Samuel in the Bible:

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us" and go forward with zeal.