Coupland Civic Organization (CCO)
Coupland School Superintendent Tammy Brinkman spoke to the CCO Monday, March 28, in the fellowship hall of St. Peter’s Church. She discussed the current situation of the school, including the new facilities that are almost filled up and the future needs of the school. Kandice Samuelson, long-time school board member, also addressed the issues. The CCO hosted a supper at 6:30 p.m., and the program began at 7.
The February CCO meeting featured community officials presenting “the state of the city.” First, Susan Schmidt, CCO president, discussed the events held in 2021. The CCO was able to resume some of its activities—National Night Out and Choo Choo Fest. The CCO plans to resume its golf tournament in 2022.
CCO Treasurer Mike Schneider presented the financial report. Finances have improved since the resumption of Choo Choo Fest. Coupland Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Services Districrt#10 officials discussed their situations. More details are given below in the CVFD report.
Coupland Mayor Jack Piper noted that 2022 is the 10-year anniversary of the incorporation of Coupland.
He explained the process, saying, “That a community meeting was held. Susan Shmidt passed the hat and collected over $900 to begin paying for incorporation. Then a community-wide garage sale raised $3,000.” He added, “There was a petition to put it on the ballot, then the vote—96 for and 19 against. The results were certified in November 2012, and in May 2013 there was the election for council members and mayor.”
Coupland’s first budget was $38,000 with $39,000 total income. In January, the total assets were $384,000.
Piper notes, “We have watched our money. Road repair is our main issue.”
Given the growth that is coming to our area, the City Council has formed a Strategic Planning Committee. The chairman is John Roulston-Bates, and it meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Coupland Fire Station.
Coupland School
Kindergarten will take a field trip to the Austin Aquarium April 6. April 7 is STEAM night. Assistant Principal Kate Knapek explains, “STEAM night is our math, science, and art night. PTO will have dinner at 5:30 in the cafeteria and activities will be 6-6:45 in the gym.”
The third grade will go on a field trip to McKinney Roughs April 14.
Coupland Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD)
CVFD Chief Jared Cummings, Assistant Chief John Roulston-Bates and Thrall Chief Mark Moellenberg attended the CCO March meeting to present the situation of fire fighting in the area. They discussed the impending merger of the Coupland and Thrall Departments under the auspices of ESD#10. Moellenberg will be chief of the new department and Cummings will be assistant chief of the new department. There will be one department with two stations.
There are 36 firefighters in the combined departments. They are all volunteers who take time off from their jobs to answer more than one call per day.
Moellenberg said, “We have to plan first to react to growth in this part of the county and use tax dollars wisely.”
One goal is to get all firefighters medically qualified. Currently, there are 11 emergency medical technicians and 19 certified first responders.
Roulston-Bates comments, “We will train you.”
He also notes that Texas has a state-wide mutual aid system.
Cummings notes, “At our recent chili supper, we cooked 420 pounds o chili and raised $7,500. We had a good turnout. Next year, we plan to return to our seated dinner and not have just the drive-through.” He adds, “We are looking to upgrade our fleet. We have upgraded the bunker gear and the air cylinders and masks.”
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
During Lent, St. Peter’s is hosting a soup supper at 6 p.m. followed by Lenten Service at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. Interim Pastor Charles Stark will be leading a Lenten study entitled “Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple.”
Each week, there will be a video of the Holy Land showing the places where Simon Peter fished and then followed Jesus.
Charles says, “The production is an excellent look into the life of the disciple for whom our church is named.”
Following the Easter service on April 17 there will be an Easter egg hunt.
The choir practices in the sanctuary every Sunday at 9:15 a.m. Sunday, March 27, is the monthly potluck with food and fellowship after morning worship.
Also, on March 27 envelopes will be available for the One Great Hour of Sharing, which supports the disaster, refugee and development ministries of the United Church of Christ.
Lois Schmidt, Senior Luncheon co-chair says, “We had a wonderful luncheon on March 15 with 58 senior citizens attending. Peter Wabbel, Master Chef, prepared a very delicious luncheon. We thank you Peter for everything you did.”
Host/hostesses were Peter Wabbel, Joyce and Arthur Henze, Becky Sutton and Cynthia and Teddy Wittliff. Helpers were Sandra and Don Wernli, Wanda Walther, Charlotte Albert, JoAnn Ging, Cindy Alexander, Linda Miller and Schmidt. Bingo and ‘42’ Dominoes were played. The next luncheon will be May 17, at 11:30 a.m., in St. Peter’s fellowship hall.
Every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., the Coffee Connections gathering takes place in the conference room. Also in the conference room on Tuesdays is the Confirmation Class from 5 to 6 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to services at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday. For more information, see www.CouplandChurch. org or email StPetersCoupland@ gmail.com.
New Sweden Church
At New Sweden, each Wednesday through Len there will be a Lenten Service with a meal served at 6 p.m. and the service at 7 p.m. March 27 will mark the potluck meal following Sunday morning services.
Barbara Carisalez reports that Palm Sunday services will be April 10 at 10:30 a.m., and Maundy Thursday with Holy Communion will be April 14 at 7 p.m Good Friday service is a 7 p.m. Carisalez notes that on Easter Day, April 17, the Easter sunrise service is at 7:30 a.m. at the cemetery. Breakfast in the Parish Hall is at 8:30 a.m., and the children’s Easter egg hunt is at 9:30 a.m. Easter worship service with Holy Communion is at 10:30 a.m.
Easter lilies will decorate the front of the church.
The Ladies Bible Study will be April 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the fellowship hall. There will be a light supper before the bible study. Every Sunday, adult Sunday school is 9:15 a.m., and children’s Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m.
Game nights are the second and third Thursdays with cards and dominoes.
New Sweden Heritage Day is April 23. At 3 p.m., there will be activities and Swedish folk music at the Pavilion. At 6 p.m. a Swedish meal will be served.
Tickets are available by emailing the church at newswedenchurch@ gmail.com.
All are welcome to all services and events at New Sweden Church which is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road. For information, go to newswedenchurch@ gmail.com and www. newswedenelca.org.
Type Church
Pastor Terry Kennedy reports, “There is a new bible study starting Wednesday, March 2, at Type Church. We’ll start with prayer at 5:30 and begin the study at 6. This study is open to everyone. If you’re interested text or call me so I can order you a book – 512-599-7761. See y’all there.” He adds that the course is
“Wisdom That Counts: Studies from the Book of Proverbs,” a 12-week series about practical biblical principles for constructive living.
Type Church holds services at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday. There is children’s church, and a nursery. Communion is the first Sunday of each month.
Kennedy says, “Everyone is invited to observe the service of Holy Communion, both children and adults.”
Type Church welcomes everyone; it is located at 1200 County Road 466, about five miles east-southeast of Coupland. To reach Kennedy, email [email protected] or phone 512-599-7761. Sermons are on the Church’s Facebook page, Type,Church.1.
