The pews at the Illyria Church are festooned with hand-drawn, homemade, or computer-generated self-portraits of the church members who would commonly be attending services. This was some of the congregation members’ way of being at church in spite of the CORVID – 19 restriction banning large gatherings of people. (Pat Reinig photos)

Illyria Church members giving services a personal touch

By Pam Reinig, Pastor at Illyria Church

Although churches have been closed since late March I have “seen” the members of my congregation weekly—and not once have we defied the governor’s order prohibiting large gatherings.

I am pastor of Illyria Community Church in Elgin, which is home to some of the area’s most caring and clever people. I’ve been live streaming our Sunday services and mid-week Christian Ed class for four weeks as part of our commitment to stay connected even as COVID-19 keeps us apart.

The first time I stood in the pulpit looking out over an empty sanctuary, I commented on the loneliness of being alone in the church. The following week dozens of photos pulled and printed from our Face book page were taped to the pews. Each had been carefully selected and placed in the pew most often occupied by the person or persons in each picture.

Potential students may not be able to tour the Upper Iowa University campus in person but views like this will be on their virtual tours.

Upper Iowa giving virtual tours to potential students

By Jack Swanson
jswanson@fayettecountynewspapers.com

For the first time in it’s history Upper Iowa University is giving potential new students, virtual tours of its campus and facilities.

“We are indeed doing virtual tours.  We offer all future students an opportunity to experience Upper Iowa University and talk with UIU faculty and staff through these virtual visits to keep them safe,” said Office of Communications and Marketing Executive Director Karl Easttorp.

Normally potential students would be invited to the campus for at least a day of touring the campus, talking to instructors and finding out how things are going to go once they start classes. Since the campus is shut down for the COVID – 19 prevention measures, they will have to do everything online.

Karole Angerillo

 It is with great sadness in one hand, and jubilant celebration in the other, that I announce the news:

Karole Angerillo has shed her earthly bonds and is now in the everlasting care and love of her savior, Jesus Christ.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me,though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.   John. 25 -26

In the early morning light of April 2, 2020, under the tender care of her Stoney Brooke family staff, and in the company of her daughter, Karole lost her battle with heart and lung disease, just 3 months shy of her 86th birthday.

Over the past year she was blessed with visits, both in person and via video chat, from cherished family and friends from coast to coast. Many times she remarked how wonderful it was that her loved ones came to see her while she was still alive.

Edna Fay

Edna Fay of Sumner passed away on April 17, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born Edna Matilda Franzen on October 19, 1931, on the family farm near St. Lucas, Iowa, the fifth of ten children. Edna was the first high school graduate in her family. She married John W. Fay from Fredericksburg on October 18, 1949, in St. Lucas.

Edna was a longtime member of the Pinhook and Sumner Immaculate Conception Catholic communities. She was an officer and active participant in the Ladies’ Altar and Rosary Society, helping cook meals for weddings, funerals, fundraisers, and other special events. She enjoyed singing with the radio, dancing, reading, gardening, and playing cards. Family or visitors to the home could always count on a hot cup of coffee and a hearty meal. The weekly family treats were the ten loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls or doughnuts she baked.