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St. Elmo News

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thursday, December 15
• ExxonMobil Annuitants, noon, Vandalia Ponderosa.
Saturday, December 17
• Caring and Sharing boxes will be available at the American Legion Home for people who have received letters confirming their eligibility to receive one.
Sunday, December 18
• First United Methodist Church children’s Christmas program, 10:35 a.m.
• New Horizons Church children’s Christmas program, 6 p.m.
• St. Elmo Christian Church children’s Christmas program, 9:30 a.m.; no other service.
Monday, December 19
• Fayette County Home and Community Education Board Christmas party, 11 a.m., Capitol View Restaurant in Vandalia. Instead of a gift exchange, those attending are to make a contribution to the S.A.F.E. program.
• St. Elmo Lions Club annual Christmas dinner, 6 p.m., Mary Ann’s Restaurant.
April Election Info
The April elections will include seats on the Avena Township Park Board, St. Elmo School District #202 Board, St. Elmo Public Library District Board and township officials. For those interested in being elected, the filing period ends at the day next Monday.
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Church Events
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church Mass 5:30 p.m.
• First United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Communion service, 6 p.m.
• New Horizons Church Candlelight service, 6 p.m.
• First Church of God, come-and-go Communion, 6-8 p.m.
• St. Elmo Christian Church candlelight Communion, 6 p.m.
• Freedom Reigns in Christ Church Communion, 6 p.m.
Dec. 25 Christmas Day Church Events
• First United Methodist Church – no Sunday school, but Christmas worship service at 10:35 a.m.
• New Horizons Church – no Sunday school, but Christmas worship service at 10:30 a.m.
• First Church of God – Christmas worship service at 9:30 a.m.; no Sunday school.
• First Assembly of God Church – no Sunday school, but Christmas worship service at 10 a.m.
• St. Elmo Christian Church Christmas worship service 9:30 a.m.; no Sunday school or other service.
• Freedom Reigns in Christ Church Christmas worship service, 10 a.m.; no Sunday school.
RNA Christmas Dinner
The annual Christmas dinner of Royal Neighbors of America #5784 was held at noon on Dec. 3 in the First Church of God S.H.E.D., with 91 present for the catered dinner of fried chicken, ham and all the trimmings. Entertainment was provided by Richard Tucker at the keyboard and singers – his sister, Linda Miodunski of Altamont; Peggy Cox of St. Elmo; and Don of Effingham.
Poinsettias decorated the tables and were given as door prizes. The 20 winners were Connie Hough, Loraine Schultz, Cora Miley, Shirley Smith, Susie Hollinshead, Joan Myers, Vera Miller, Ina Abendroth, R. W. Smith, Richard Lowe, Barbara Beck, Cathy Emerick, Mary Joules, Tina Abendroth,  Melody Jenkins, Joyce Mauer, David Cox, Lettie Cameron, Betty Wright and Betty Feezel.
Caring and Sharing items collected at the annual event included nonperishable food, toys, caps, gloves, games and cash donations, which were given to the St. Elmo Lions Club, which sponsors the Caring and Sharing boxes that will be available this Saturday.
Embarras River District UMW Officers Christmas Dinner
United Methodist Women district officers of the Embarras River District had a Christmas dinner Dec. 6 in the Neoga home of Sheryl Brandenburg. Brandenburg is president of the Neoga Grace UMW. The meal included ham, roast beef and a variety of potluck dishes. Those present were Carol Kessler and Ione Elliott of Shelbyville, Carol Martin of Effingham, Louella Christensen and Shirley Harder of Altamont, Joan Miller and Bessie Slifer of Mode, Cheryl Murphy, Searoba Mascher, Rose Lytle and Jo Sanders of Marshall, Evelyn Icenogle of Toledo and Anna Jean Rhodes of St. Elmo.
During a short business meeting, a donation was collected to be divided between Lessie Bates David Neighborhood House in East St. Louis and Cunningham Children’s Home in Urbana.
The ERD leadership team meets quarterly at the Effingham Centenary United Methodist Church. The first one in 2017 is Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Friendly Neighbors
R.W. and Mary Smith should consider themselves lucky – they were the only ones who attended the Friendly Neighbors meeting Dec. 6 at Mary Ann’s Restaurant, but they had heard from several who had illnesses and couldn’t attend the monthly meeting.
Council of Catholic Women’s Christmas Party
The Council of Catholic Women of St. Mary’s Catholic Church had a Christmas party the evening of Dec. 6 at Mary Ann’s Restaurant. After opening with prayer, a short business meeting was held. Cards were signed for those who are in nursing homes or are ill. Decorating the church for Christmas started on Wednesday. Epiphany will be observed on Jan. 7 with a catered dinner.
Those present were Helen Bergman, Karen Denning, Mona Durbin, Loretta Heischmidt, Debbie Hough, Libby Kessel, LaVonne Kramer, Darlene May, Mary Myers, Pat Porter, Carol Rine, Betty Springman and Natalie Stout.
CCW provided the dessert – peach and apple pie.
After the meal, the officers, Durbin, Kessel, Porter and Rine, provided games and the winners and their prizes were Heischmidt, a snow globe; Hough (won two), a snowman and a pillow; and Kessel, candy and snowman.
St. Elmo HCE Christmas
For the December Christmas social the St. Elmo Unit of Home and Community Education went to the Richard’s Farm Barn Restaurant at Casey for lunch on Dec. 7. Those going were Sarah Beasley, Karen Denning, Loretta Heischmidt, Carole Krost, Anna Jean Rhodes, Sharon Shelton and Karen Wegscheid and Beasley’s son, Kamdem.
Beasley’s birthday was the seventh, so “Happy Birthday” was sung to her and the restaurant served her a piece of chocolate cake.
Those present had the buffet meal and enjoyed visiting. Before returning back to St. Elmo, they went into Casey to see the large displays in the city – a rocking chair, chimes, ruler and several more.
Wright’s Corner Unit HCE Christmas
Wright’s Corner Unit of Home and Community Education had the Christmas luncheon at Mary Ann’s Restaurant on Dec. 7, with the following present: Carol Austin, Janice Garrison, Kate Jennings, Amanda Miller and Irene Reed.
For the business meeting, Chairman Garrison read the Fayette County HCE Board notes.
They prepared sacks of goodies for the nursing home, then bingo was played.
Lunch Bunch
Only three were at the noon meal at Mary Ann’s Restaurant Dec. 8 – Pat Porter of Farina, and Karen Denning and Anna Jean Rhodes of St. Elmo.
St. Paul Lutheran Church 150th Anniversary Year Ends
The St. Paul Lutheran Church, on U.S. Route 40 just west of Altamont, celebrated its 150 years throughout the 2016 year. The third Sunday celebration was held with an open house from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday to view about 60 nativities, dozens of angels and several themed Christmas trees in the parish hall and the sanctuary decorations. The following is from a bulletin people received:
“We at St. Paul appreciate the opportunity to share our love of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and proclaim His message of salvation to all the world.
“St. Paul has long had the tradition of one large, live Christmas tree to enhance the sanctuary. Years ago, the tree was alight with dandles and members stood by with buckets of water in case the need arose to put out a fire caused by low burning candles. When the church was rebuilt after the 1925 lightning strike that destroyed the old church, electricity was included in the new building. Colorful Christmas lights have adorned the tree ever since.
“A large star, outlined in white lights, has always topped the tree. Several stars have replaced the original one, but a bright star still shines from atop the tree.
The star is placed on the tree before it is raised via ropes and then secured in a large metal water container, make by late member, Bert Howard. The specially made container keeps the tree fresh throughout the season.
That large star is especially bright on Christmas Eve, when at the end of the service, all lights in church are turned off except for the star. The congregation sings Silent Night before families head for homes to continue their Christmas celebrations.
“The tree this anniversary year is decorated with Chrismons that depict the various emblems of Christianity, along with white lights. ‘Chrismon’ is a combination of CHRISt and MONograms – a monogram of Christ. Each ‘monogram’ has a specific meaning. Some of the original Chrismons were decorated with jewelry donated by ladies of St. Paul. Many evenings were spent creating these Chrismons – it was definitely a labor of love. ‘We’ think the ladies began this project in the late 1960s. In alternate years, the tree shines with colored lights and ornaments.
“The large star/cross combination above the front door was given to St. Paul by George Softwedel. It shines brightly in the evening darkness and as one visiting guest mentioned, ‘it lit the way to church one foggy winter evening.’
“The large white nativity figures in front of the church were cut out, painted and put together in the wood working shop of Ben Winter by several men of the congregation. The nativity was created in memory of Melody Davis.
“Roxie Wendling made the white ceramic nativity in front of the Christmas tree. She gave the nativity to St. Paul in memory of her parents, Warren and Helen Homann.
“Ornaments on the small tree in the Northex are antique ornaments from the ‘early years.’ As they are rather fragile and easily broken when being hung on the large tree, it was decided to preserve them as best we could, yet make them available for people to see and enjoy in a ‘safer’ environment.
“As the 150th anniversary celebration year at St. Paul comes to an end, we remember the other two celebration Sundays that commemorated our special year with joy. We were pleased that so many past members, friends and relatives were in attendance to help us celebrate.
“We are grateful for the founding members who worked with diligence and great faith to establish our congregation and pray that we follow in their footsteps – praising God, our creator, and continue to thank Him for all the blessings He has bestowed on His church through the years.”
Refreshments of cookies, candies, punch and coffee were served in the parish hall.
At 3 p.m., the Altamont Community Choir sang, accompanied by Richard Tucker. Leatha Newberry of St. Elmo is a member of the choir, and Dee Newberry is the choir bus driver.
Two deceased members mentioned in the article, Bert Howard and Melody Davis, were from St. Elmo.
 

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