Primary Halloween Party

Reminder:  Tonight is the Ward Halloween Party at 7:00 p.m.

Parents, bring a bag of candy please :)

No Masks.

Gathering following the funeral of Sis. Wright

There will a lunch at Fred Wright's home following the burial of Sis. Wright for all who would like to offer their friendship and support.

Any sisters who would like to donate a prepared dish for this gathering can bring it to the church at 11 a.m.  Please contact a member of the Relief Society Presidency or Sis. Crank.

Prayers

Sisters:

We need of your prayers on behalf of Connie Maldonado and her family.
Connie is having a complicated surgery this morning.

We also need your prayers on behalf of Sister Dee Sopalski, mother of Jolene Sopalski.  Dee will also have a surgery tomorrow.

Please check with these families for any needs that they may have from you.  We will keep you informed of any updates.

Thank you in advance for your love and prayers for these families.

Sister Hines

Sis. Louise Wright

Our sweet Louise passed away yesterday at 3:00 a.m. at Orange Park Medical Center.

Viewing:  Friday, October 23rd from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Funeral Home/Cemetery
111 Blanding Blvd. Orange Park, FL 32073.

Funeral:  Saturday, October 24th in our Stake  Center at 11:00 am
461 Blanding Blvd. Orange Park FL 32073..

Please remember to keep her family in your prayers.  For any help with the funeral, contact Sister Carol Crank our compassionate service leader at (904) 272-9183.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and support to this family.

Relief Society Presidency

Coupon Classes - Begin Thursday, Octobe 22nd

Chili Cook-off

October 2009 Visiting Teaching Message

It's the 15th!  Have you contacted your sisters yet?


D&C 123:11: “It is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation.”

What Is My Responsibility to the Rising Generation?

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: “Reserved by the Lord for this time, [the rising generation] must now bepreserved … and prepared for their special moment in human history! They have been held back to come forth at this time, but now they need to be pushed forward to meet their rendezvous. …

“Youth are not unlike prospective converts. There are those critical moments when their souls begin to tilt—toward the Lord or away from Him. These moments of decision cannot always be created, but when they occur, they must not be wasted. More often than not, these moments will occur in quiet and reverent conversation with parents, grandparents, a bishop, an adult leader, or a righteous peer” (“Unto the Rising Generation,” Ensign, Apr. 1985, 8, 10).

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy: “Our rising generation is worthy of our best efforts to support and strengthen them in their journey to adulthood. … In every action we take, in every place we go, with every Latter-day Saint young person we meet, we need to have an increased awareness of the need for strengthening, nurturing, and being an influence for good in their lives” (“Our Rising Generation,” Liahona and Ensign, May 2006, 47).

How Can I Nurture the Rising Generation?

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008): “Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried” (“Words of the Living Prophet,” Liahona, May 1998, 26–27; “Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1997, 73).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: “To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. … Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women” (“Mothers Who Know,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 76, 77).

Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency: “As Relief Society sisters we can help one another to strengthen families. We are given opportunities to serve in many capacities. We constantly come in contact with children and youth who may need just what we can offer. You older sisters have much good advice and experience to share with younger mothers. Sometimes a Young Women leader or a Primary teacher says or does just the thing that is needed to reinforce what a parent is trying to teach. And obviously we don’t need any particular calling to reach out to a friend or neighbor” (“I Will Strengthen Thee; I Will Help Thee,” Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 117)

New Visiting Teaching Routes

Supervisor: Sister Criswell

Route 1: Alarcio/  Ayres

Sister Belcher

Sister Evener

Sister Soltes

Sister Moss, Heather

Sister White

Route 2: Bass/Hines, Sherry

Sister Ayres

Sister Wilkerson

Sister Moreno

Sister Smith, Joanna

Sister Widell

Route 3: Bastian/Henderson

Sister Marasigan

Sister Chalmers

Sister Wilford

Sister Phelps

Sister Oblefias

Route 4: Belmonte, Emma/Gamarra

Sister Gomez

Sister Rivera

Sister Clemente

Sister Regino

Sister Arias

Route 5: Chalmers/Gentle

Sister Todd

Sister Ketcher

Sister Smith, Jessica

Sister Jolley

Sister Renaud

Route 6: Phelps/Echols

Sister Harrington

Sister Harrison

Sister Yvanova

Sister Oakes

Sister Pena

Route 7: Daniels/Graham

Sister Bowen

Sister Medina

Sister Garret

Sister Johnson, Sharon

Sister Mandel, Faye

Route 8: Pannell/Orrock

Sister Luke

Sister Holly

Sister Clark

Sister Mandel, Hannah

Sister Thompson

Route 9: Sister Criswell

Sister Hill

Sister Miles

Sister Guyton

Sister Franceschi

Sister Serven, Georgie

Route 10: Frey, Brenda/Lanier

Sister Criswell

Sister Duren

Sister Belmomte, Genesis

Sister Nickle

Sister Wilson

Route 11: Sister Merrill

Sister Newbold

Sister Weitzel

Sister Manasco

Sister  Pratt

Sister Richie

Route 12: Harrington/Frey Lindsey

 Sister Pannell

 Sister Goethals

Sister Miller

Sister Orrock

 Sister Turner

 Sister Willis, Sara

VT Supervisor, Faye Mandel

Route 13: Garay/Medina

Sister Connor

Sister Valentin

Sister Velasco

Sister Williamson, Tina

Route 14: Gavilan /Edwards

Sister Carter

Sister Herrera

Sister Paul

Sister Rochester

Sister Usina

Route 15: Sister Gifford

Sister Starret

Sister Vaughn, April

Sister Williamson, Melissa

Route 16: Gully/Milo

Sister Billiot

Sister Walker

Sister Williams

Route 17: Harrison/ Theisen

Sister Hicken

Sister LaFontaine, Alisha

Sister LaFontaine, Betty

Sister Merrill

Route 18: Hines, Elena/Medrano

Sister Candelario, Kathy

Sister Candelario, Karina

Sister Ruiz

Sister Valladares

Sister Zavala

Route 19: Ketcher/Oakes

Sister Frey, Brenda

Sister Ketcher, Rebecca

Sister Marchand

Sister Smith, Ann

Sister Vowels

Route 20: Jolley/ Widell

Sister Bastian

Sister Henderson

Sister Hines, Sherry

Sister Manalang

Sister Ysabel

Route 21:Sister Lacey

Sister Johnson

Sister Makros

Sister Puls

Sister Sopalski

Sister Weaver

Route 22: LaFontaine /Makros

Sister Allgood

Sister Crank

Sister Curtis

Sister Jones

Sister Mandel, Eleanor

Route 23: Maldonado/Valentin

Sister Fuentes

Sister Garcia

Sister Holmes

Sister Martinez

Sister Santana

Route 24: Sister Mandel, Faye

Sister Bradberry

Sister Damm

Sister Flewwellin

Sister Geherin

Sister Maldonado

Route 25: Mandel, Hannah/Crank

Sister Dawson

Sister Hines, Elena

Sister Lanier

Sister Serven

Sister Willis

Route 26: Marasigan/San Mateo

Sister Imperial, Almerinda

Sister Imperial, Brittany

Sister Imperial, Lindsay

Route 27: Sister Marchand

Sister Anderson

Sister Guerrero

Sister Hammel, Eleanor

Sister Hamme, Erin

Sister Smith

VT Supervisor: Connie Soltes

Route 28: Mitchell/Moreno

Sister Darby

Sister Funk

Sister Leandry

Route 29: Moss Debra/Moss Heather

Sister Brown

Sister Donahue

Sister Gamarra/Hurtado

Sister Medrano

Sister Ross, Kelsey

Route 30: Nickle/Donahue

Sister Alarcio

Sister Barret

Sister Sherman, Sharri

Sister Gentle

Sister Wright

Route 31: Oldfield/Ross

Sister Bindel

Sister Engle

Sister Lozier

Route 32: Smith Joanna/Wilford

Sister Basset

Sister Echols

Sister Milton

Sister Ludovico

Sister Oldfield

Route 33: Soltes/Webb

Sister Bell

Sister Gadson

Sister Garay

Sister Pendelton

Sister Taylor

Route 34:  Sister Rochester

Sister Doan

Sister Gavilan

Sister Gifford

Sister Motoya

Route 35: Sister Smith Ann

Sister Malcolm

Sister Truscott Silvia

Sister Sherman, Bianca

Sister Ward

Route 36: Sister Taylor

Sister Horton

Sister Lacey

Sister Mahan

Sister Powell

Sister Theisen

Route 37: Sister White

Sister Ballard

Sister Gray

Sister Prescott

Sister Serven, Georgie

Route 38: Wilkerson/Ludovico

Sister Bae

Sister Coxwell

Sister Graham

Sister Powells

Sister Ross

Route 39: Willis Dena/ Willis Sara

Sister Belden

Sister Blount

Sister Jones, Heather

Sister Richards

Sister Truscott, Crystal

Route 40: Williamson, Melissa/Ross Kelsey

Sister Carter

Sister Rich

Sister Parker

Sister Willis, Dena

Visiting Teaching

Julie B. Beck
Relief Society General President    


Visiting Teaching

Much of the essential Relief Society work we do doesn’t happen in meetings. Let’s focus now on learning about visiting teaching. Because we follow the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, we value this sacred assignment to love, know, serve, understand, teach, and minister in His behalf. This is one duty we have in the Church where we are certain to have the help of the Lord if we ask for it. This is one responsibility that is certain to increase our faith and personal righteousness and strengthen our own homes and families as we become partners with the Lord. A sister in this Church has no other responsibility outside of her family that has the potential to do as much good as does visiting teaching.
Because this is the Lord’s program of individual watchcare for His daughters, the policies regarding visiting teaching are approved by the First Presidency as outlined in the Church Handbook of Instructions. Because visiting teaching focuses on individual sisters, Relief Society leaders do not organize women into groups for the purpose of visiting teaching.

The bishop, who is the ordained shepherd of the ward, cannot possibly watch over all of the Lord’s sheep at one time. He is dependent on inspired visiting teachers to help him. We know we should each choose to be a friend to everyone in our ward, but the bishop and Relief Society president have the responsibility to receive revelation as to who should be assigned to watch over and strengthen each individual sister. Ideally, every sister should watch over and strengthen at least one other sister in her ward. It is our blessing to pray for another sister and receive inspiration as to how the Lord would have us care for one of His daughters.
Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship. We demonstrate our faith and follow a pattern established by the Lord as we report on our assignment every month. If our watchcare were primarily about reporting that every sister in the ward heard the Visiting Teaching Message printed each month in the Ensign and Liahona, it would be much more efficient to read it aloud to everyone in a sacrament meeting. Our reports are most helpful to the bishop and the Relief Society president when we inform them of the spiritual and temporal well-being of sisters and how we have been able to serve and love them.

How grateful I am for all of my visiting teachers who, over the years, have demonstrated their faith as they have served, taught, strengthened, and loved me in inspired ways.

Leadership Meeting

Just a quick reminder about Leadership this Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10:00a.m. at the Stake Center.  We will begin with a combined opening exercise in the chapel.  Afterward all Relief Society Presidencies will meet together briefly in the Relief Society Room.

 

The Relief Society Presidents will stay in  the Relief Society room with Sister Price.

 

Sisters Rosann Sparks' daughter is getting married the same weekend, so she will not be able to attend.  Sister Sparks will meet with the Education Counselor and Relief Society teachers at a later date.  She will be in contact once a date is picked.

 

Sister Carol Henderson will meet with the Enrichment Counselors and she has invited the Enrichment Leaders to attend.

 

There will not be a separation for the Secretaries.  They may stay with the President or attend the Enrichment separation if you wish.

 

Contact Sister Price if you have any questions.  Looking forward to seeing everyone.

 

Thank You,

 

Sister Nancy Price

Youth Mini Missions

On November 13th and 14th, the YW and YM Presidencies will be organizing a Mini Mission for the youth in our ward.  This will entail dessert, the assigning of companions, training by the full-time missionaries, and practice on door approaches with leaders and other adults members of the ward on Friday night at the church building.  That night, the the YW and YM will each be spending the night in their respective assigned places and will follow the study, sleeping, and waking schedule of a missionary.  In the morning, each youth companionship will be assigned to a full-time missionary who will assist them in tracking in an assigned area.  Lastly, all of the youth and missionaries will be meeting at the church building for a short testimony meeting and lunch.  We're very excited about this activity and think it will be a very special experience for the youth.  And we're asking for your help to make it so!

We need adults to be drivers, practice door approaches, and accompany youth with the missionaries.  We are especially asking parents of youth to be involved.  We are also in need of side dishes for the Saturday afternoon lunch.  We'll be having chicken and need salads and other side dishes that go with it.

The activity is still over a month away, but we wanted to get everyone thinking of ways that they are willing to help.  You may go ahead and contact me if you would to volunteer your time, driving skills, and/or food or you can wait until we sending around a sign-up list in Relief Society.  Thank you in advance for your help in creating a spiritual and moving experience for our youth that will prepare them to be the Lord's missionaries.

Thank you,
Amanda Orrock
801-830-7658
amanda.orrock@gmail.com

We will be collecting clothes and canned goods to help Sis. Marasigan's aunt and friends in the Philippines.  Items will be collected Sunday, Oct. 11th.  We will have collection boxes in the church hallway.


Your donations will be greatly appreciated by our Brothers and Sisters in the Philippines and Sis. Marasigan's family.


Thank you in advance for your support and donations.


Relief Society Presidency