Coupland Independent School District
COUPLAND — On Nov. 7, the Coupland Independent School District board of trustees held a special meeting to introduce the new superintendent. At the beginning of the meeting, plans for the new middle school were revealed. Then the board officially hired the new superintendent, Dr. Earl W. Parcell.
Due to resignations by school board members, there are two places that are vacant on the board. Rather than holding a special election to fill these places, the board has announced a process where the board itself will decide on new board members.
Applications for these places are due Nov. 30.
In December, a committee will review applications. The committee will consist of a Coupland ISD staff member, a board member and a community member, who will recommend up to five applicants for consideration by the board at the Dec. 14 board meeting. The school board will appoint new board members, who will be sworn in and seated Jan. 15.
Appointed board members will serve on the board until the next regularly scheduled election in November 2024.
Coupland Civic Organization
Because of cold and rainy weather, the Coupland Civic Organization had to cancel its Halloween Trunk or Treat, which had been scheduled for the evening of Sunday, Oct. 29. Organization members had been looking forward to the event where residents decorate trunks or SUV’s with Halloween decorations, wear costumes and hand out treats to the children.
The Neipert family had planned to bring games. CCO members are planning for an even bigger and better Trunk or Treat for next year, and hopes that the weather will cooperate.
Last Christmas, was the first year that the CCO held the Santa at the Depot event. It was considered a big success and the children enjoyed it very much.
The event will be held again this year, and Jonathan Jones will once again be Santa.
The date is yet to be announced.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
Pastor Scott Wasdin concludes his October and November series of sermons on the Parables. Kathryn Price, a retired teacher and previous member of The Red River Valley Chorus, a part of Sweet Adelines International, was guest soloist during worship, Sunday, Nov. 19. She sang “El Shaddai” by John Thompson and Michael Card.
The Nov. 14 Senior Luncheon was the annual Thanksgiving meal with turkey, dressing and the trimmings.
Bingo and 42 dominoes followed the meal. Coffee Connections is every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room.
The church council met Sunday, Nov.
19. All are welcome to attend the meetings.
Doreen Streit announces, “St. Peter’s is sponsoring the Angel Tree Project again this year. We do three gifts for each individual. Please return the wrapped gifts by Dec.
10.”
For more information, contact Streit at [email protected] or 512-659-3625.
Nov. 26 marks Totenfest, a time of remembrance. St. Peter’s will ring its bell for loved ones who have died since Totenfest 2022.
Wasdin said, “Crystal, Josh, Xander, Matthew, Emma and I wish each of your families a blessed and memorable Thanksgiving. We are thankful for your love and support.”
He adds, “The hanging of the greens will be held on Sunday, Dec. 3, as we begin the Advent season by decorating the Church Christmas Tree.
Everyone is invited to participate.”
Everyone is welcome at St. Peter’s worship services at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information, email stpeterscoupland@ gmail. com or go to the website stpeterscoupland.org and click on the calendar link at the top.
New Sweden Church
In November, New Sweden has been working on the Good Samaritan shoe box project. Volunteers pack shoe boxes with gifts which are sent to needy children.
Thanksgiving service was Wednesday, Nov.
22, at 7 p.m.
New Sweden is participating in the Angel Tree program with a tree set up for two needy families in the community.
The annual Santa Lucia Festival and the Christmas sing-along will be Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Santa Lucia this year will be Hayley Wenzel.
In Sweden, Santa Lucia Day marks the arrival of the Christmas season.
Santa Lucia is usually the eldest daughter, dressed in a white gown with a red sash.
She wears a crow of lingonberry branches with four lighted candles. She is the Queen of Light and symbolizes hope during the darkest time of the year.
The New Sweden WELCA invites all ladies to join them Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are available from Terry Ramm or the church office. Bring an ornament for the ornament exchange.
Christmas caroling is at 2 p.m. Dec. 17, visiting nursing homes in Elgin and Taylor.
Christmas Eve candlelight service is Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.
The annual Swedish Christmas morning festival, Julotta, will be at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast in the Parish Hall.
New Sweden worship services are 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Church office hours are Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon.
The church telephone is 512-281-0056. New Sweden is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road.
For information, see [email protected] and www. newswedenelca.org.
New Sweden welcomes everyone to all events.
Last Christmas, Santa, Jonathan Jones, arrived on a Coupland Volunteer Fire Department truck. Photo by Susan Garry
In a previous year, the hanging of the greens at St. Peter’s Church. Jonathan Dupy on the ladder, (from left) Sandra Wernli, Tammy Wellings-Sane and Peter Wabble. Photo courtesy St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
The Neipert family visits with Jonathan Jones as Santa last year at the Coupland Depot. Photo by Susan Garry
In a previous New Sweden celebration, Santa Lucia was portrayed by Skylar Samuelson, in the traditional white robe and on her head a wreath with candles. Photo courtesy of the Samuelson Family
Parcell
