Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Primary Halloween Party

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

Parents, bring a bag of candy please :)

No Masks.

Friday, October 23, 2009

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

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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

Thursday, October 15, 2009

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)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

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    Julie B. Beck


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.

Monday, October 12, 2009

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

Friday, October 9, 2009


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