Calendar of Upcoming Events
Carolyn Durand Memorial Scholarship
Started in 1992, named after past-president of Women's Fellowship and active Christian Education member, Carolyn Durand. She directed church camp at Master's Workshop, taught Sunday School, was an active member of the congregation, and gave much of her time and energy toward the children and youth of the church. After her death in August 1992, the Women's Fellowship sought to keep her memory alive by starting a Memorial Scholarship Fund. Fundraisers have included Grocery Cards, bake sales, jewelry sales, silent auctions, dinners, Candy Lane Holiday Bazaar booth fees, Change for Church, and much more! In 1993 the Women's Fellowship awarded the first $1000 scholarship and since then 15 more have been awarded. For a Senior to qualify, they must be an active member in Sunday School, Worship, Youth, and provide service to the church. Monies are paid directly to the applicant's school (technical, community, or university) in two installments during the first year of higher education.
Lunch Bunch
The Women's Fellowship holds a Monthly "Lunch Bunch" get-together on the first Wednesday of each month at different restaurants in the area. They have met at Mama's Daughter's Diner, Z Tap & Grill, Alfredo's, Cafe' Brazil, Cristina's, and Magnolia Cafe'. This lunch is open to any woman who attends the church.
Service
The Women's Fellowship provides monthly financial support for a portion of the CCA Pantry Shelf Project. They have also participated in Habitat for Humanity Women's Day. Ladies of the church can expect a birthday card from the Women's Fellowship. Children who are entering third grade, or new children participating in Sunday School, are presented with an engraved Bible on Rally Day each August. The Women have presented Memorial Stones to the church in memory of active Women who have passed away. They also provide and serve refreshments to the congregation on the first Sunday of each month.
Annual Trip
The Women's Fellowship provides all women of the church with an opportunity to leave spouses, children, careers, and other obligations behind for one weekend of the year usually in the Spring. They stay together in a B&B close to shops, restaurants, and other sightseeing areas. During their weekend trip, the ladies get some quality bonding time, get closer in Fellowship and Fun, and return rejuvenated and eager for the next year's trip! Past trips include Gruene, Jefferson, Old Town Spring, Fredericksburg, Granbury and Salado.
"We spent our weekend shopping . . .We ate shockingly large portions of decadent, fat-laden food that made us sluggish and addle-brained . . . One of the highlights of our weekend was a rousing game of Pictionary . . . Despite the fact four grown women had to share a bathroom smaller than Rhode Island . . . All in all it was a raging success." Snippets from Granbury.
"If laughter is the best medicine, then we pass our checkups with flying colors . . . When all was said and done, friendship and fellowship were the highlights of the weekend . . . I stood on my chair to take a picture of the wee heart decoration in chilled avocado soup . . . We did have a wonderful time . . . After traveling with these women to Salado, Granbury and Fredericksburg, I am convinced that Round Grove Women are the salt of the earth." Snippets from Fredericksburg.
"Traveling with the Round Grove church ladies is a compelling, mind-numbing experience . . . We talked all the way down to Spring . . . We solved all our problems and everyone else's as well . . . The location was perfect, a beautiful, bucolic setting in a wee copse just a hair from Old Town . . . the B&B was lovely: a beautiful house in a beautiful setting . . . The food was really good too . . . The shopping was interesting . . . Did I tell you about the hats? . . . Well it has become a Round Grove gal tradition to try on some item of clothing in order to look foolish . . . We spied a charming little hat store . . . with hats all over the porch . . . So, against better advice we put on the hats and a nice passerby lady took our picture . . . We couldn't figure out where to eat because a group of 15 people cannot make such a decision." Snippets from Old Town Spring.
Women's Sunday Showers Holiday Arts & Crafts / Vendor Fair Prayer Pals Dinners and Special Events Officers and Contact InformationMonthly Meetings
The Women's Fellowship meets once monthly through the months of August - May after the Worship Service. The business meetings are led by the President and last about 60-90 minutes. Old Business and New Business are discussed, meeting minutes and the treasurer's report are given, and upcoming events are listed. The May meeting includes elections of new officers, scheduling of events for the following school year and any summer get-togethers. All women - Members, Friends and Guests - are welcome to attend meetings or other activities.
On the second Sunday of February each year Round Grove United Church UCC has Women's Sunday. Women of the church provide leadership through the Sermon, Scripture Readings, the Call to Worship, Prayers of the Church, hosting, ushering, and the music is provided by the Women's Church Belles Choir.
The Women's Fellowship has sponsored many Bridal, Baby and Adoption showers! It is a party we always look forward to! We have held "couple's" showers, Congregational Baby Showers, as well as the traditional Bride and/or Mom as Guest of Honor Shower. There have also been Diaper or Card/Gift Certificate Showers for those women who prefer to not have a big "to-do".
Baby Showers and Bridal Shower
Summer Barbecue
The Women's Fellowship has Sponsored a Summer Barbecue held each June. Members and friends of the congregation attended the events that featured grilled hot dogs, sausages, s'mores, and lots of food, as well as fellowship, and fun and games!
Hot Dog Hoe-Down
The Third Annual Hot Dog Hoe-Down was held on October 20, 2007 in conjunction with a Chili Cook-Off and the Youth in Action Fall Fun Fest. Funds raised from ticket sales, silent auction, drawing, and donations went to the Carolyn Durand Memorial Scholarship Fund. There were five entries for the Chili Cook-Off. Voting was done by stuffing piggy banks with change. The Youth in Action ran many games for the younger children including: a hayride in a wagon, a scavenger hunt, cookie decorating and face painting. Everyone enjoyed food, fun and fellowship!
Mary Kay/Music Steps Booth
Many years ago, the Women's Fellowship sponsored the Candy Lane Craft Bazaar held in mid-November of each year. Each Summer, the Women would gather weekly to create new crafts, quilts, and other craft items to sell at the Bazaar. The last Candy Lane Holiday Bazaar was held in 1994. In December 2005 the Women's Fellowship reactivated the Holiday Fair and opened it up to Vendors & other crafters. There were 23 Vendors with many different products. Those who participated
included: Cookie Lee Fine Fashion Jewelry, Tupperware, Avon, Mary Kay, Beauticontrol, Homemade Gourmet, Music Steps, Alysoun's Albums, Let's Play Restaurant, Nana's Novelties and much more!
Vendor Booth
For several years the Women's Fellowship participated in a Prayer Pals group. Each member chose the name of another member to pray for during the year and recognize through small gifts and cards on special occassions. In May, everyone revealed who their Prayer Pal was. The Women's Fellowship is taking a different approach through our Prayer Pals Yahoo Group which will be a private, approved only group. In this way our focus is more on Prayer and Support of each other.
The Women's Fellowship has sponsored Valentine's Socials, Spaghetti Dinners, Old Fashion Tasting Bee, Lunch Around the World, Baked Potato Kick-Off Dinners, recognition dinners, and much more! The Women's Fellowship has sponsored an All Church Barbecue with sausages, hot dogs, lots of food, games for the kids and wonderful fellowshp! The proceeds from ticket sales benefitted the Carolyn Durand Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Women's Christmas Party 2007
For Christmas, we have had the Women's Fellowship Christmas Party at a member's home and have met at a local restaurant for a gift exchange. The Group has occassionally met during the summer at local restaurants for Fellowship. We also have held Mother/Daughter dinners and socials, meeting at a Dallas area Tea room, sponsoring an all church Christmas social complete with Santa Claus and gifts for all the children, and Mom and Child socials and dinners.
For more information about the Round Grove Women's Fellowship, please contact President, Carol Howell.
