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COUPLAND NEWS
Free photos with Santa at Coupland Depot
COUPLAND — On Sunday, Dec. 15, the Coupland Civic Organization, St. Peter’s Church of Coupland and the Coupland Volunteer Fire Department will join in a communitywide Christmas celebration with cocoa, cookies and candy canes. At 4:30 p.m., Santa — portrayed by Jonathan Jones — will arrive at the historic Coupland Depot, 115 Hoxie St. accompanied by a fire truck. As he does every year, Santa will have decorated the Depot with Christmas lights.
This year, the Depot walkway will be accented by a giant inflatable arch.
The St. Peter’s Church horseback carolers will ride through Coupland singing carols, and they will end up caroling at the Depot. There will be free visits with Santa in the Depot, and parents can take pictures with the Jolly Old Elf for free. Families will be given refreshments during the event, which runs 4:306:30 p.m.
Coupland City Council
In November, the Coupland City Council gained two new members: Sue Rogers and Michelle Sandbulte. Barbara Piper and John Roulton-Bates, who are stepping down from the dais, received plaques honoring their service to the community. A reception followed the swearing-in ceremonies.
Coupland School
Assistant Principal Kate Knapek reports, “On Nov. 14, the Cowgirls and Cowboys basketball teams brought home wins for their first games of the season.”
She notes that at the Nov. 14 school board meeting, “Rev. Dr. (Karen) Holgersen and Misty Garwood, our outgoing school board trustees, were recognized. We also welcomed new board members: Susan Schmidt, Tessa Strider, Andrew Gonzalez, David Young and Royce Hatch.”
The PTA meeting was Nov. 19, and the family Thanksgiving meal was Nov. 21. The Thanksgiving holiday was Nov. 25 through Nov. 29.
The One Act Play competition is Dec. 11, the Christmas program is Dec. 12, and breakfast with Santa is Dec. 14.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
St. Peter’s traditional Totenfest ceremony was held during Worship Service on Nov. 3. Candles were lit and the bell was rung for members who died during the year.
On Nov. 10, St. Peter’s held Veterans Appreciation Day at the worship service. A reception followed the service.
Dec. 1 marked the first Sunday of Advent and the Hanging of the Greens, decorating the church for the Christmas season. Saturday, Dec. 7, was the adult Christmas Party hosted by Cynthia and Ted Wittliff. The children’s Christmas program is Sunday, Dec. 15, during the worship service.
St. Peter's is sponsoring the Angel Tree gift project again this year — a community initiative with Coupland School and Coupland Volunteer Fire Department. The school identifies children who might need assistance, and the Fire Department delivers the gifts. St. Peter’s gives three gifts for each child. The project is coordinated by Doreen Streit.
Special music is being provided by David Cappolino, the choir director, and the choir members. The choir will rehearse at 9:15 a.m. on the first and third Sundays of the month through December.
Coffee Connections is 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the conference room. Host Michele Dupuy invites the community to attend and also said, “The last Saturday of each month is Popsicle Playdates at the playground at 9 a.m. We’ll have water and popsicles for the kids.”
Everyone is welcome to Sunday Worship Service at 10:15 a.m., which includes a separate Children’s Program for ages 2 and up.
St. Peter’s Fellowship Hall is a “wonderful space for community programs,” Dupuy said, adding, “If you want to sponsor an event, just contact the office at 512-856-2433 or email St-PetersCoupland@gmail. com.”
Streit, Prissy Rumel, Danny Smith, Martha Poldrack, Michele Dupy, Charlotte Albert, Brynley Finn and Kaydence Epperson volunteered at Taylor’s Shepherd’s Heart food pantry in October. St. Peter’s continues to help Shepherd’s Heart by donating food, clothing and household items.
The St. Peter’s ladies’ group hosts the community seniors’ luncheon that provides meals, visiting and games for older residents on the third Tuesday of odd-numbered months. The most recent luncheon was Nov. 19 featuring the annual Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the trimmings. The next luncheon is Jan. 21.
St. Peter’s monthly newsletter is now online with color photos. Click the “Newsletter” button at the top of the website at StPetersCoupland. org.
To contact the church email [email protected] or call 512-8562433.
New Sweden Church
New Sweden Church secretary Susan Rountree notes that game nights are every second, third and fourth Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Bible studies are on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and first Thursday at 6:30 p.m. each month. Sermons by the Rev. Hans Lillejord are on the New Sweden website, newswedenelca.org.
The church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor.
New Sweden members are working on the Christmas Shoebox Project, which is filling boxes for children in need. The project is headed by Mavis Takatsuka.
The Thanksgiving Eve service was Nov. 27 and the Santa Lucia celebration and Christmas sing-along was Sunday, Dec. 8. Santa Lucia is a traditional Scandinavian festival; the oldest daughter portrays Santa Lucia with a lighted wreath on her head. New Sweden is trying to keep the tradition alive. Carols will be followed by refreshments.
The Delights of December luncheon is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 featuring a catered meal, a program and gift giving. The event has grown every year. Christmas caroling is 2-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The carolers visit shutins and care facilities.
The Christmas Eve candlelight service is 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. The traditional Swedish service of Julotta is 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25. “Jul” is the Swedish word for “Christmas,” and “otta” is the time just before dawn. It is a candlelight service with the singing of Swedish hymns, followed by a breakfast in the parish hall.
Type Church
Type Church is east of Coupland at 1200 CR 466 and holds Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Ryan Evans’ sermons are on the church’s Facebook page, facebook.com/type. church.1/. His phone number is 281-229-8962, and he can also be reached at pastorryan91@ gmail.com.
He said, “Type Church also has a great children's ministry. Our little country church is growing, and we would love to have you be a part of the growth.”
Coupland Volunteer Fire Department, ESD #10
The Coupland Volunteer Fire Department recently dealt with a limb blown onto a power line that sparked a grass fire. The incident was reported, which dispatched a repairman to fix the power line and the transformer.
To volunteer as a firefighter, contact District 1 Chief John Roulston-Bates at [email protected]. For the Thrall station, contact District 2 Chief Zach Hall at [email protected].
Documentary on Coupland Sculptor Jim Huntington
Coupland artist and sculptor Wells Mason is vice president of the Huntington Sculpture Foundation, and has arranged a documentary about sculptor Jim Huntington with the help of Tristan Ahlquist, owner of media company MYSA.
“At 83 years old, Jim is still producing art, and we wanted to make sure we captured his musings at this stage of his extraordinary life,” Mason said.
The documentary will be completed in 2025.
“We’re planning to have a film premiere and invite people interested in his work,” Mason said. “Thereafter, it will be available to watch on the Huntington Sculpture Foundation website as well as other media channels.”
