ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JULIE ANDERSON
The Goessel Women?s Christian Association hopes to raise its
membership during June.
?We would like to see all of the past members renew and we would
like
to see a good increase in new members, too,? said Gayle Voth, the
group?s membership chair.
Currently, the organization has 75 members.
?It doesn?t matter what your age is and it doesn?t matter what
your
religious affiliation is, all women of the community are invited
to
join,? Voth said.
The group has monthly inspirational and educational meetings on
the
fourth Monday of the month, September through April.
Programs usually include a speaker, a social time and musical
entertainment.
In February, the group holds a banquet for members, spouses and
friends.
Members do service projects in the community, including overseeing
the
American Red Cross Bloodmobile in Goessel.
At Christmas, the group organizes a tour of homes and the
community
Vesper service. In the past, the money raised through these events
supported local organizations such as the Bethesda Home, the local
public library or the Emergency Medical Service first responders.
They
also provide a welcome wagon and snacks for birthday parties at
Bethesda Home.
?What I like about it is that in addition to service elements of
it,
it just gives a good opportunity for women of all ages in the
community to get together,? said Gayle Voth, membership chair.
?There
are women who are having babies and there are women who are great
grandmas. So it?s a wide age range, and I think it adds kind of a
unique perspective to things.?
The organization started as the YWCA (Young Women?s Christian
Association) and became the GWCA because of a change at the state
level.
The group is founded in the Christian faith. The purpose is for
women
to open their lives to understanding and deeper relationships.
They
seek to meet the needs of the community and improve the lives of
the
people and the community as a whole.
?I really feel like it?s a worthwhile organization, and I think
that
even though women are busy, it is a kind of a rejuvenation time,?
Voth
said.
For more information, contact Voth at 316-367-8491, Eleanora
Goertzen
at 316-367-8368, Ann Hiebert at
Goessel women?s group seeks more members
