FOR THE CHILDREN — During the Disciples Women’s meeting Dec. 5, officials presented the Comfort House in Weirton with stuffed animals, crayons and colored pencils. Those taking part in the donation included, from left, Comfort House community outreach specialist Stacey Moore, Disciples Women President Janet Rymer, Disciples Women Treasurer Connie Norwood and Comfort House project manager Danielle Stroud. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — Members of the Disciples Women Fellowship at the First Christian Church in Weirton celebrated the holidays with a colonial Christmas meeting on Dec. 5. Francine Hauldren, a member of the Fort Steuben Daughters of the American Revolution, served as guest speaker.

The meeting was called to order by President Janet Rymer. Treasurer Connie Norwood said grace prior to a dinner hosted by Carol Skerbetz. Roberta Fedoush led the group in singing a colonial Christmas ballad entitled “The Holly and the Ivy,” and “What Child is This?”

Vice President Susan Brown led the group in an ice breaker, in which members were asked to stand up and get moving rather than just sit during the meeting. Those in attendance recited the Disciples Women’s mission statement in union, after which Secretary Karen Watson Blanc gave a devotion in which she emphasized the Christmas “hush” rather than the Christmas “rush.”

Norwood discussed the love offering and explained how the money is used for the Disciples Women Fellowship ministry. Rymer presented Comfort House officials with the group’s service project collection of stuffed animals, coloring books and colored pencils. On hand to receive the donation were community outreach specialist Stacey Moore and project manager Danielle Stroud.

The Comfort House in Weirton received the donation from church members to use in consoling the children who come to the nonprofit agency following allegations of abuse. The organization’s staff works daily to bring justice, hope and healing to children who are victims of abuse and neglect within Hancock and Brooke counties.

Rymer introduced Hauldren, who serves as DAR’s America 250 chairperson. Hauldren gave an informative speech about how she is working with school children to get them involved in America’s big birthday celebration in 2026.

She offered the women some compelling facts about how people from other cultures celebrate Christmas.

The meeting ended with a closing prayer.

All women are invited to attend the group’s quarterly meetings at the First Christian Church in Weirton, led by the Rev. Mark William Mayer.