A lovely reminder of the challenge Bishop Pentreath gave us this morning in sacrament meeting?
Sunday 29 December 2013
Announcements & Lesson - 29 December 2013
Being a 5th Sunday we had a joint Relief Society and Priesthood meeting today so there were not many announcements. Those which were mentioned are:
Bishop confirmed that the Stake will no longer be producing Stake Directories each year however the information is available on the many websites the church provides. Todays joint lesson was to run through the websites available to us and to show a brief review of how to use them. The main information shared is detailed below however if you require some assistance in using these resources please speak to a member of the Presidency.
Bishop did also confirm that a small print out will be available for those who do not have access to computers to ensure they have ward leaders contact details.
John Folley (Ward Clerk) gave us a presentation on Lds.org and Lds tools. He reaffirmed the importance of setting up an LDS account to be able to access the local phone directories / calenders which are available on the Internet and as an App on smartphones.
Each LDS program uses the same LDS account so if you have ordered something from the online store or been involved with indexing you will already have an account. Otherwise you can create one on LDS.org. You will need your Membership number which can be found on your temple recommend, your recent tithing settlement slip or from John Folley.
Once this is set up you will be able to access LDS tools - which shows the names, addresses and telephone numbers of members of the ward and stake. If your details were in the Stake Directory they will automatically be added into Lds Tools. This also enables you to update information if you move home, change phone number, email etc. It also contains the calenders for all ward and stake events.
Paulo Periera then spoke to us about 'Spreading Viral Breadcrumbs.'. You may remember that the England London Mission President visited us a few months ago to share his vision on spreading breadcrumbs in our missionary work. Just making a comment about the gospel and waiting to see if the comment is picked up and can lead to further discussions and missionary work. Paulo explained how the resources to share the gospel online are becoming ever more available.
He shared the following statistics:
In just one month 79 million people watched over 3 billion videos on You Tube.
Over 1 billion people use You Tube and Facebook each month and over 560m use Twitter. Many people now 'live' online and it is a perfect way to share the gospel message.
There are three main websites the church have - LDS.org which is aimed at the membership of the church and with which most are familiar. Familysearch.org where we do our family history work. And the third, Mormon.org which is aimed at those outside of the church and allows them to see real people who are members of the church sharing their testimonies and love of the gospel and their Saviour.
Paulo reinforced how important it is for us to set up our own member profiles on Mormon.org. It is incredibly easy to do and some members of the ward have already done so - maybe this can be one of your New Years goals to do your bit in sharing the gospel. All you need to do is go to the Mormon.org website and then click Profile in the top right hand corner. Again any help needed please speak to a member of the presidency.
We also briefly discussed how easy it is to share the gospel via Facebook and other social media sites by simply sharing a video that touched our hearts or a simple message.
- There is a New Years Eve party at the Ipswich chapel - if attending please bring along some food / snacks to share. It starts at 9pm.
- Sister Evelyn Dawdry is still in hospital and may remain so for a little while. She would love visitors and is on Haughley Ward where visiting hours are 10.30 - 3.30.
- Sister Delores Hernandez is also in hospital still but expecting to come home today or tomorrow. However with none of her family close by it would be great to continue to have some visits in her home. She lives near Ipswich Railway Station. Please contact a member of the presidency if you are able to visit and we can pass on her address. The visit will need a Portuguese / Spanish speaking sister to be there too as she speaks no English.
- There is to be a Priesthood and Auxiliary leadership training meeting on Saturday 18th January 2014 at 6.30pm for all members of the Ward Council and presidencies given by Elder Dryden of the Seventy.
Bishop confirmed that the Stake will no longer be producing Stake Directories each year however the information is available on the many websites the church provides. Todays joint lesson was to run through the websites available to us and to show a brief review of how to use them. The main information shared is detailed below however if you require some assistance in using these resources please speak to a member of the Presidency.
Bishop did also confirm that a small print out will be available for those who do not have access to computers to ensure they have ward leaders contact details.
John Folley (Ward Clerk) gave us a presentation on Lds.org and Lds tools. He reaffirmed the importance of setting up an LDS account to be able to access the local phone directories / calenders which are available on the Internet and as an App on smartphones.
Each LDS program uses the same LDS account so if you have ordered something from the online store or been involved with indexing you will already have an account. Otherwise you can create one on LDS.org. You will need your Membership number which can be found on your temple recommend, your recent tithing settlement slip or from John Folley.
Once this is set up you will be able to access LDS tools - which shows the names, addresses and telephone numbers of members of the ward and stake. If your details were in the Stake Directory they will automatically be added into Lds Tools. This also enables you to update information if you move home, change phone number, email etc. It also contains the calenders for all ward and stake events.
Paulo Periera then spoke to us about 'Spreading Viral Breadcrumbs.'. You may remember that the England London Mission President visited us a few months ago to share his vision on spreading breadcrumbs in our missionary work. Just making a comment about the gospel and waiting to see if the comment is picked up and can lead to further discussions and missionary work. Paulo explained how the resources to share the gospel online are becoming ever more available.
He shared the following statistics:
In just one month 79 million people watched over 3 billion videos on You Tube.
Over 1 billion people use You Tube and Facebook each month and over 560m use Twitter. Many people now 'live' online and it is a perfect way to share the gospel message.
There are three main websites the church have - LDS.org which is aimed at the membership of the church and with which most are familiar. Familysearch.org where we do our family history work. And the third, Mormon.org which is aimed at those outside of the church and allows them to see real people who are members of the church sharing their testimonies and love of the gospel and their Saviour.
Paulo reinforced how important it is for us to set up our own member profiles on Mormon.org. It is incredibly easy to do and some members of the ward have already done so - maybe this can be one of your New Years goals to do your bit in sharing the gospel. All you need to do is go to the Mormon.org website and then click Profile in the top right hand corner. Again any help needed please speak to a member of the presidency.
We also briefly discussed how easy it is to share the gospel via Facebook and other social media sites by simply sharing a video that touched our hearts or a simple message.
Sunday 22 December 2013
Annoucements - 22 December 2013
Sisters what a wonderful Sabbath day. There were just a few announcements:
On Christmas Day there will be an hour long service at 10am. All are invited to attend.
Please can you pass your VT figures / reports to Sister Sue Kennedy as soon as possible.
Next year we will be studying the Teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith in RS and Priesthood. New manuals were passed out today, if you didn't get one please see a member of the presidency.
Sister Evelyn Dawdry is not well and is currently in the Ipswich Hospital on Haughley Ward. Visiting hours are 10.30am - 3.30pm. Please keep Derrick and Evelyn in your prayers.
On Christmas Day there will be an hour long service at 10am. All are invited to attend.
Please can you pass your VT figures / reports to Sister Sue Kennedy as soon as possible.
Next year we will be studying the Teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith in RS and Priesthood. New manuals were passed out today, if you didn't get one please see a member of the presidency.
Sister Evelyn Dawdry is not well and is currently in the Ipswich Hospital on Haughley Ward. Visiting hours are 10.30am - 3.30pm. Please keep Derrick and Evelyn in your prayers.
Sunday 15 December 2013
Annoucements - 15 December 2013
There will be a service on Christmas Day at 10am for one hour for any who wish to attend.
Next Sunday is our Teachings of Our Times lesson and will be based on President Monson's talk from General Conference 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.'
Brother Derrick Dawdry is having his surgery tomorrow and Sister Dawdry is not at all well at the moment. We are helping out this week by providing meals, if anyone is able to help with this could they please contact Sister Cristina Torres.
Next Sunday is our Teachings of Our Times lesson and will be based on President Monson's talk from General Conference 'I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.'
Brother Derrick Dawdry is having his surgery tomorrow and Sister Dawdry is not at all well at the moment. We are helping out this week by providing meals, if anyone is able to help with this could they please contact Sister Cristina Torres.
Wednesday 11 December 2013
Amazing !!!
Wow - How amazing you sisters are!!!
Our service project this year was to support a baby charity which provided burial clothes and blankets for those tiny babies who die due to miscarriage or still birth. This is the latest donation we sent. What a marvel you sisters are. Just imagine how many parents you will have helped.
Our service project this year was to support a baby charity which provided burial clothes and blankets for those tiny babies who die due to miscarriage or still birth. This is the latest donation we sent. What a marvel you sisters are. Just imagine how many parents you will have helped.
You are more than welcome to continue serving the charity but will need to arrange your own posting of parcels. Sara has the address details.
And there will be plenty more chances to serve Sisters - the project for 2014 will be an opportunity to serve as families. We are excited!! More details to follow shortly.
Sunday 8 December 2013
Annoucements - 8 December 2013
This Saturday we have the baptism of Steven at 10am - all are welcome to attend.
Later on Saturday it is also the Ward Christmas Party from 6pm-8pm. There will be lots of activities to join in with and it is a great opportunity to invite friends.
Sister Maureen Folley is in need of some help on Wed 18th December to get to a dental appointment in Norwich at 3pm. We realise that it is a busy time of year but if you are able to help it would be hugely appreciated and Maureen is happy to cover the cost of petrol.
We are now coming to the close of this years service project - Upon Butterfly Wings. Next Sunday is the last chance to bring anything that you wish to be included in our final package. You have made hundreds and hundreds of beautiful items which are helping to make the loss of much loved babies a little easier. Sisters are very welcome to continue to make items for the charity in future months but would need to arrange delivery of their own items. Please see Sara for address details.
The youth URGENTLY need more names for their youth baptism trip on 27th December. Please speak to Jonathan Benmore ASAP if you can assist. For those who have offered some names can you please take the computer print out to Jonathan next Sunday.
We have had a plea from the Food Bank if anyone is free during the day from 10am onwards this week they need some help wrapping gifts. See Sara for details.
We will shortly be sending off parcels to Elder Pereira and Elder Esteves. If you would like to add small treats for them or letters and cards please pass to the RS Presidency NEXT SUNDAY. Also we are making up small hampers for the missionary couples serving in Ipswich so if you would like to add a small treat to these that would be great, again please bring on Sunday and pass to RS Presidency.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful things that you do.
Love
Louise, Sara and Fatima
Later on Saturday it is also the Ward Christmas Party from 6pm-8pm. There will be lots of activities to join in with and it is a great opportunity to invite friends.
Sister Maureen Folley is in need of some help on Wed 18th December to get to a dental appointment in Norwich at 3pm. We realise that it is a busy time of year but if you are able to help it would be hugely appreciated and Maureen is happy to cover the cost of petrol.
We are now coming to the close of this years service project - Upon Butterfly Wings. Next Sunday is the last chance to bring anything that you wish to be included in our final package. You have made hundreds and hundreds of beautiful items which are helping to make the loss of much loved babies a little easier. Sisters are very welcome to continue to make items for the charity in future months but would need to arrange delivery of their own items. Please see Sara for address details.
The youth URGENTLY need more names for their youth baptism trip on 27th December. Please speak to Jonathan Benmore ASAP if you can assist. For those who have offered some names can you please take the computer print out to Jonathan next Sunday.
We have had a plea from the Food Bank if anyone is free during the day from 10am onwards this week they need some help wrapping gifts. See Sara for details.
We will shortly be sending off parcels to Elder Pereira and Elder Esteves. If you would like to add small treats for them or letters and cards please pass to the RS Presidency NEXT SUNDAY. Also we are making up small hampers for the missionary couples serving in Ipswich so if you would like to add a small treat to these that would be great, again please bring on Sunday and pass to RS Presidency.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful things that you do.
Love
Louise, Sara and Fatima
Saturday 7 December 2013
A Silent Christmas...
Sisters - It was so wonderful to spend yesterday evening with so many of you. Thank you so much for making time to be together in such a busy month. We really hope the message of 'A Silent Christmas' touched your hearts and that you are able to find more space for the Saviour in your lives during December and over the coming year.
Several of you have asked to see the video again, so if you CLICK HERE it will take you to the video. Maybe you could share it with your family in FHE.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Lesson - Come Unto Me
Sis Sara McCullum gave the presidency lesson today.
We discussed how life can be very harsh at times and we all experience very difficult times which can be heart wrenching to go through. But that to any challenge we face there is an answer and that answer is always the same - the Saviour.
We watched this beautiful video as we thought about our own feelings towards Jesus Christ:
Click here to watch
We talked about the many ways in which Christ wants to reach out to help us, about his deep love for EVERY one of us and the fact He is ALWAYS there. We talked about a few of the names He is known by in the scriptures, each one teaching us how He wishes to be there and help us. Sara shared her favourite was that of the Good Shepherd and this account from a General conference talk by Elder John R. Lasater:
"Some years ago, it was my privilege to visit the country of Morocco as part of an official United States government delegation. As part of that visit, we were invited to travel some distance into the desert to visit some ruins. Five large black limousines moved across the beautiful Moroccan countryside at considerable speed. I was riding in the third limousine, which had lagged some distance behind the second. As we topped the brow of a hill we noticed that the limousine in front of us had pulled off to the side of the road. As we drew nearer, I sensed that an accident had occurred and suggested to my driver that we stop. The scene before us has remained with me for these many years.
" Startled, I asked him why. And he added, ‘Because of the love he has for
each of his sheep.’ It was then that I
noticed the old shepherd reach down, lift the injured lamb in his arms and
place it in a large pouch on the front of his robe. He kept stroking its head, repeating the same
word over and over again. When I asked
the meaning of the word, I was informed, ‘oh he is calling it by name. All of his sheep have a name, for he is their
shepherd and the good shepherds know each one of their sheep by name.’
"It was as my driver predicted. The money was refused, and the old shepherd with his small flock of sheep, with the injured one tucked safely in the pouch on his robe, disappeared into the beautiful deserts of Morocco."
When we are at our most broken the Saviour will be there. BUT we have to let Him in. We have to go to Him.
The counsel given from Jeffery R Holland was shared "Come unto Him and lay down your burden. Let Him life the load. Let Him bring peace to your soul.'
Sisters - please do something this week and let Him in.
We discussed how life can be very harsh at times and we all experience very difficult times which can be heart wrenching to go through. But that to any challenge we face there is an answer and that answer is always the same - the Saviour.
We watched this beautiful video as we thought about our own feelings towards Jesus Christ:
Click here to watch
We talked about the many ways in which Christ wants to reach out to help us, about his deep love for EVERY one of us and the fact He is ALWAYS there. We talked about a few of the names He is known by in the scriptures, each one teaching us how He wishes to be there and help us. Sara shared her favourite was that of the Good Shepherd and this account from a General conference talk by Elder John R. Lasater:
"Some years ago, it was my privilege to visit the country of Morocco as part of an official United States government delegation. As part of that visit, we were invited to travel some distance into the desert to visit some ruins. Five large black limousines moved across the beautiful Moroccan countryside at considerable speed. I was riding in the third limousine, which had lagged some distance behind the second. As we topped the brow of a hill we noticed that the limousine in front of us had pulled off to the side of the road. As we drew nearer, I sensed that an accident had occurred and suggested to my driver that we stop. The scene before us has remained with me for these many years.
"An old shepherd, in the long flowing
robes of the Savior’s day, was standing near the limousine in conversation with
the driver. Nearby I noticed a small
flock of sheep numbering not more than fifteen or twenty. An accident had occurred. The king’s vehicle had struck and injured one
of the sheep belonging to the old shepherd.
The driver of the vehicle was explaining to him the law of the
land. Because the king’s vehicle had
injured one of the sheep belonging to the old shepherd, he was now entitled to
one hundred times its value at maturity.
However under the same law the injured sheep must be slain and the meat
divided among the people. My interpreter
hastily added ‘but the old shepherd will not accept the money. They never do.’
"It was as my driver predicted. The money was refused, and the old shepherd with his small flock of sheep, with the injured one tucked safely in the pouch on his robe, disappeared into the beautiful deserts of Morocco."
When we are at our most broken the Saviour will be there. BUT we have to let Him in. We have to go to Him.
The counsel given from Jeffery R Holland was shared "Come unto Him and lay down your burden. Let Him life the load. Let Him bring peace to your soul.'
Sisters - please do something this week and let Him in.
Announcements 1st December 2013
Sisters there were a number of announcements today:
THIS Friday evening at 7.30pm we have our R/S 'Silent Christmas'. We really hope you will all be able to join us for a very special evening. It will include a meal so come along and be fed physically and spiritually.
A reminder for all parents of activity day children that there is an activity on Tuesday evening and can all the children bring the items they have chosen for the hamper.
Saturday this week we have the Stake Christmas activity starting at 6pm - which will include a choir of missionaries from the England London Mission performing.
Thank you to all those who provided letters and presents for Elder Pentreath and Elder Mateer. We are now looking to arrange parcels for Elder Pereira and Elder Esteves. If you wish to provide something for these elders please bring on Sunday and pass to the RS Presidency and mark who they are for. Please speak to Paula and Fatima if you would like to know if there is something particular they like.
Also we are planning on making small hampers up for the missionaries serving in the ward. If you would like to add a small treat (food, toiletries etc) then please also pass these to the RS Presidency as soon as possible.
Saturday 14th December 6pm - 8pm is our ward Christmas Activity 'A Christmas Market' with lots of activities to do and games to play. A perfect opportunity to invite friends to come along.
We have been supporting the charity Upon Butterfly Wings this year and have another huge amount of donations to send off. If you have anything you want to be added please pass to Sara in the next two weeks. After this year sisters are welcome to continue knitting for the charity but will need to arrange postage of their own items. Sara can provide address details to all those interested.
Sis Maureen Folley has a dental appointment in Norwich on Wed 18th Dec at 3pm and is in need of transportation. If anyone can help please let Maureen know - she is happy to cover the petrol costs.
Brother Jon Benmore is arranging the youth temple baptism trip on 27th December and is need of some more names for the youth to do - a minimum of ten per youth is required. If anyone can assist with this, please speak to Jon directly.
English classes are starting this week and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the nursery. Please speak to Joanne Stockill if you are interested in attending.
THIS Friday evening at 7.30pm we have our R/S 'Silent Christmas'. We really hope you will all be able to join us for a very special evening. It will include a meal so come along and be fed physically and spiritually.
A reminder for all parents of activity day children that there is an activity on Tuesday evening and can all the children bring the items they have chosen for the hamper.
Saturday this week we have the Stake Christmas activity starting at 6pm - which will include a choir of missionaries from the England London Mission performing.
Thank you to all those who provided letters and presents for Elder Pentreath and Elder Mateer. We are now looking to arrange parcels for Elder Pereira and Elder Esteves. If you wish to provide something for these elders please bring on Sunday and pass to the RS Presidency and mark who they are for. Please speak to Paula and Fatima if you would like to know if there is something particular they like.
Also we are planning on making small hampers up for the missionaries serving in the ward. If you would like to add a small treat (food, toiletries etc) then please also pass these to the RS Presidency as soon as possible.
Saturday 14th December 6pm - 8pm is our ward Christmas Activity 'A Christmas Market' with lots of activities to do and games to play. A perfect opportunity to invite friends to come along.
We have been supporting the charity Upon Butterfly Wings this year and have another huge amount of donations to send off. If you have anything you want to be added please pass to Sara in the next two weeks. After this year sisters are welcome to continue knitting for the charity but will need to arrange postage of their own items. Sara can provide address details to all those interested.
Sis Maureen Folley has a dental appointment in Norwich on Wed 18th Dec at 3pm and is in need of transportation. If anyone can help please let Maureen know - she is happy to cover the petrol costs.
Brother Jon Benmore is arranging the youth temple baptism trip on 27th December and is need of some more names for the youth to do - a minimum of ten per youth is required. If anyone can assist with this, please speak to Jon directly.
English classes are starting this week and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the nursery. Please speak to Joanne Stockill if you are interested in attending.
Sunday 24 November 2013
Lesson - Come Join With Us :)
Lucy taught us a wonderful lesson today, based on President Uchtdorf's talk from October's General Conference.
These are Lucy's feelings about the message:
The beautiful message of Elder Uchtor'fs talk was 'Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.' A reminder of how precious a gift it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Having an active faith we should put aside our doubts and confidently live the gospel for others to see the happiness and peace that can be felt by all. I felt very strongly that no matter who we are, how insecure or significant we may feel, we all have a role to play and we all belong to our Heavenly Father who loves us more then we could ever comprehend. We need to walk daily with the Saviour, our hearts fully turned to his plan for us and be committed to being his hands and disciples on earth today.
How glad I am for modern day revelation. We are never left on our own!!
If you want to watch the whole talk it can be found here:
Come Join With Us
We love you sisters - there truly is a place for every one of you.
These are Lucy's feelings about the message:
The beautiful message of Elder Uchtor'fs talk was 'Regardless of your circumstances, your personal history, or the strength of your testimony, there is room for you in this Church.' A reminder of how precious a gift it is to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Having an active faith we should put aside our doubts and confidently live the gospel for others to see the happiness and peace that can be felt by all. I felt very strongly that no matter who we are, how insecure or significant we may feel, we all have a role to play and we all belong to our Heavenly Father who loves us more then we could ever comprehend. We need to walk daily with the Saviour, our hearts fully turned to his plan for us and be committed to being his hands and disciples on earth today.
How glad I am for modern day revelation. We are never left on our own!!
If you want to watch the whole talk it can be found here:
Come Join With Us
We love you sisters - there truly is a place for every one of you.
Announcements - 24 November 2013
We have quite a few announcements this week, so here goes:
Our Missionaries:
It is time to start thinking about Christmas parcels for the missionaries serving from our ward. It is too late and the post is too erratic to get a parcel to Elder Pentreath, however letters would be fantastic. We need these to be on A4 paper - one side of an A4 sheet and only ONE sheet each family please. We need these NEXT SUNDAY so they reach him in time. Please pass to one of the RS Presidency.
We also need items for Elder Mateer's parcel NEXT SUNDAY so this will reach the USA in time. Suggested items include: Chocolate / Pens and Pencils / Writing Pads / Spiritual Thoughts / Testimony Experiences / Scripture Markers etc. Again please pass these to the RS Presidency. We would love to include a letter from each family to Elder Mateer within the parcel too.
We will be passing out sign up sheets for Elder Esteves and Elder Pereira's parcels in the next couple of weeks.
A wonderful new arrival:
Some of you may have glanced a brief view of the wonderful new arrival in the Vinas family today, a beautiful little baby girl called Abigail. Very best congratulations to Eva and family.
Compassionate Service Need:
As many of you know Sister Dawdry has not been well recently and Derrick is due to have some surgery this week. We wish to provide meals for them on Monday - Thursday next week (2nd Dec - 5th Dec). If any sisters are able to help with these please can you speak to Cristina Torres.
Also Delores who was recently baptized has had a fall and injured herself and is not able to get about at the moment. We would very much appreciate if some of you Portuguese speaking sisters would drop her a note / give her a call so she knows we are thinking of her. If you need contact details please let us know.
Youth Baptisms:
The youth are going to the London Temple on December 27th to do some baptisms and we need to have 10 family file cards for each youth who will be participating. Wherever possible it is requested that the families of the youth provide these. Where we have a shortfall we would like to ask other members in the ward to assist with providing family file cards. Can both parents of youth and other members who can assist with providing names please confirm with Jonathan Benmore asap so we can ensure as many youth as possible can attend.
Christmas Activities:
Our ward RS Christmas activity 'A Silent Christmas' is being held a week on Friday (Friday 6th December) at 7.30pm. A light supper will be served. It will be a very special evening and will allow us the opportunity to have a break from the Christmas preparations and remember what is most important. We would love you all to come and join in the evening with us.
Our Stake Christmas music festival is on Saturday 7th December - more details to follow.
Our Ward Christmas activity is on Saturday 14th December at 6-8pm and will be a 'Christmas market' with lots of activities and fun things to do. This is an ideal time to invite friends and family along. If you require any further information please speak to Louise.
Visiting Teaching:
And one last reminder, we are almost at the end of November - have you contacted your sisters yet? Please try and do so this week if not and ensure your reports and figures are passed to us or to Sue Kennedy.
Thank you for all the amazing things you do.
Love
Louise, Sara and Fatima
Our Missionaries:
It is time to start thinking about Christmas parcels for the missionaries serving from our ward. It is too late and the post is too erratic to get a parcel to Elder Pentreath, however letters would be fantastic. We need these to be on A4 paper - one side of an A4 sheet and only ONE sheet each family please. We need these NEXT SUNDAY so they reach him in time. Please pass to one of the RS Presidency.
We also need items for Elder Mateer's parcel NEXT SUNDAY so this will reach the USA in time. Suggested items include: Chocolate / Pens and Pencils / Writing Pads / Spiritual Thoughts / Testimony Experiences / Scripture Markers etc. Again please pass these to the RS Presidency. We would love to include a letter from each family to Elder Mateer within the parcel too.
We will be passing out sign up sheets for Elder Esteves and Elder Pereira's parcels in the next couple of weeks.
A wonderful new arrival:
Some of you may have glanced a brief view of the wonderful new arrival in the Vinas family today, a beautiful little baby girl called Abigail. Very best congratulations to Eva and family.
Compassionate Service Need:
As many of you know Sister Dawdry has not been well recently and Derrick is due to have some surgery this week. We wish to provide meals for them on Monday - Thursday next week (2nd Dec - 5th Dec). If any sisters are able to help with these please can you speak to Cristina Torres.
Also Delores who was recently baptized has had a fall and injured herself and is not able to get about at the moment. We would very much appreciate if some of you Portuguese speaking sisters would drop her a note / give her a call so she knows we are thinking of her. If you need contact details please let us know.
Youth Baptisms:
The youth are going to the London Temple on December 27th to do some baptisms and we need to have 10 family file cards for each youth who will be participating. Wherever possible it is requested that the families of the youth provide these. Where we have a shortfall we would like to ask other members in the ward to assist with providing family file cards. Can both parents of youth and other members who can assist with providing names please confirm with Jonathan Benmore asap so we can ensure as many youth as possible can attend.
Christmas Activities:
Our ward RS Christmas activity 'A Silent Christmas' is being held a week on Friday (Friday 6th December) at 7.30pm. A light supper will be served. It will be a very special evening and will allow us the opportunity to have a break from the Christmas preparations and remember what is most important. We would love you all to come and join in the evening with us.
Our Stake Christmas music festival is on Saturday 7th December - more details to follow.
Our Ward Christmas activity is on Saturday 14th December at 6-8pm and will be a 'Christmas market' with lots of activities and fun things to do. This is an ideal time to invite friends and family along. If you require any further information please speak to Louise.
Visiting Teaching:
And one last reminder, we are almost at the end of November - have you contacted your sisters yet? Please try and do so this week if not and ensure your reports and figures are passed to us or to Sue Kennedy.
Thank you for all the amazing things you do.
Love
Louise, Sara and Fatima
Sunday 17 November 2013
Announcements - 17 November 2013
- This week is our Ward Temple week. The timings of the endowment sessions have changed at the London Temple.
1.30pm / 2.30pm / 4pm / 5pm / 6pm / 7pm / 8pm (Fri only)
Saturday the times are: 8am / 9am / 9.30am / 10am / 10.30am
11.15am / 11.45am / 12.15pm / 12.45pm / 2pm / 3pm
- Friday 6th December at 7.30pm is our ward R/S Christmas activity. We have something very special planned this year and would love as many of you as possible to come.
- Saturday 7th December - Stake Christmas Activity. Details to follow
- Saturday 14th December - Ward Christmas Activity. This will be a wonderful activity where friends can be invited to come along. If any of you world enjoy getting involved in the organisation of this activity, please let Louise know. Exciting things are in the offing :)
- Please also remember next Sunday is the Primary Sacrament Presentation. A wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family to see our little ones and the spirit they always bring
Saturday 16 November 2013
Fed and Happy :)
Kim Spencer did it again - a wonderful food storage evening full of knowledge and goodies to try!!
Tonight was all about bread and wheat. We started with a review of how to make Nauvoo Bread - a very easy recipe that can be used as bread, rolls or pizza bases. Give it a go, you won't regret it !!
We then learnt how to cook and use wheat in various ways - if you want more details speak to Kim.
Then came the best part of the evening...the eating !!! Kim had made loads of yummy goodies for us to try. Pizza, Minestrone Soup, Cakes, Pancakes, Bread, Cheese Scones - you name it, we had it !!!
Tonight was all about bread and wheat. We started with a review of how to make Nauvoo Bread - a very easy recipe that can be used as bread, rolls or pizza bases. Give it a go, you won't regret it !!
5 cups hot water 1/2 cup potato flakes
1/2 cup sugar 1 cup powdered milk
2tbsp salt 1/2 cup oil
2 tbsp. yeast 10-12 cups bread flour
Combine hot water, oil, shortening, potato flakes, powdered milk and sugar.
Stir. When temperature is tepid, add the yeast.
Mix in 5 cups of flour and the salt. Stir to a smooth sponge.
Add the rest of the flour to make a smooth elastic dough.
Leave to rise until double with a wet tea towel over the bowl.
After about 45 mins, punch down and let rise again.
Shape into loaves and let rise.
Bake in 190 degree oven for about 35 mins.
This will make 4 loaves.
We then learnt how to cook and use wheat in various ways - if you want more details speak to Kim.
Then came the best part of the evening...the eating !!! Kim had made loads of yummy goodies for us to try. Pizza, Minestrone Soup, Cakes, Pancakes, Bread, Cheese Scones - you name it, we had it !!!
Kim has copies of the recipes for anyone who wants them.
Sunday 10 November 2013
Annoucements - 10 Nov 2013
- We are excited to confirm The London Temple reopens on Tuesday. Saturday is our Stake Temple Day and the week commencing Nov 19th is our Ward Temple week. Please make every effort to make the temple part of your month.
- This Wednesday at 7.30pm is our Food Storage evening: We will be learning how to use wheat in our everyday cooking, and also how to make bread. And as Kim Spencer is in charge of the evening we can be sure there will be lots of yummy treats to taste! So come along and be inspired!
- Saturday we have the baptism of Stuart at 5pm - all are invited.
- In Primary this week each child was given an invitation to hand out to someone inviting them to come and see the Primary Sacrament Presentation on 24th November. Please work with your child to ensure these are handed out to friends / family.
- There have been some changes in the Visiting Teaching routes from November. We have tried to get around to talk to all of you but if you are unsure whether your route has changed, please speak to a member of the Presidency or Sue Kennedy who will be able to confirm.
What do you love the most?
Sara taught the lesson today on Lorenzo Snow chapter 22 and posed a question
"What do you love the most?"
President Snow had recognized a pattern that kept occurring amongst the saints of his day, no matter how spiritual the people were, the time would come that once again the world would try and creep into their lives. It happened in the BOM, again and again, it happened to the Saints in Kirtland and sadly the world continues to become part of our lives unless we are constantly aware and staying close to the Lord.
We noted that we can tell who / what we love the most by where our thoughts are and how we spend our time. So we each reflected on the past month and each drew a line on a graph as below where we feel our lives have been in relation to the Lord and the world:
___________________________________________________________ GOD
_________________________________________________________ WORLD
Then we drew a line where we would like our lives to be over the next month. Try it - it can be quite a revealing experience, as we see what brings us close to the Lord and when we sometimes come too close to the world.
President Snow gave us the counsel "We have got to love God more than we love the world." We looked at ways the world can enter our lives and noted some of these as:
Being critical of others / Comparing what we have or are to others / Doing good things but allowing them to take too much of our time
We then considered 4 pieces of counsel from President Snow to help us in our journey to be close to the Lord:
- Keep our covenants
- Build up our own righteousness - DO good things
- When temptation comes, follow Christ's example when he said 'Get thee behind me Satan' - don't play with fire or try to rationalize behaviour
- Keep an eternal perspective - this life is so very short
Sisters, is there something keeping you from being as close to the Lord as you want to be? If so, now is the time to make the change :)
Tuesday 5 November 2013
Kindness :)
Our wonderful compassionate service leader Cristina Torres sent this wonderful message from President Monson to me this week ... do you know someone who needs a little extra kindness?
Sunday 3 November 2013
Announcements and A challenge....
Fatima gave a wonderful Presidency message this morning with a challenge for ALL sisters in the Ipswich RS.
We watched Elder Ballard's wonderful talk from October General Conference where he encouraged us to help the Lord's work of salvation move forward.
The video of his talk can be found by clicking here
Elder Ballard reminded us that President Monson said 'Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together and labour in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.' NOW is the time Sisters, for us to play our part in this amazing work of saving souls.
He then went on to give every member a challenge:
So Sisters - do you take the challenge? To help us on our way Fatima gave us all a Book of Mormon to take and write our testimonies in and share with someone between now and Christmas. If you did not receive one please speak with one of the Presidency and will ensure that you do.
If you are nervous or fearful - turn to Elder Ballard's words. Listen to His counsel and show faith. This is the Lord's work and He will aid us in every way.
Announcements:
We watched Elder Ballard's wonderful talk from October General Conference where he encouraged us to help the Lord's work of salvation move forward.
The video of his talk can be found by clicking here
Elder Ballard reminded us that President Monson said 'Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together and labour in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him.' NOW is the time Sisters, for us to play our part in this amazing work of saving souls.
He then went on to give every member a challenge:
So Sisters - do you take the challenge? To help us on our way Fatima gave us all a Book of Mormon to take and write our testimonies in and share with someone between now and Christmas. If you did not receive one please speak with one of the Presidency and will ensure that you do.
If you are nervous or fearful - turn to Elder Ballard's words. Listen to His counsel and show faith. This is the Lord's work and He will aid us in every way.
Announcements:
- The Presidency will be starting to hold stewardship interviews with each sister on a quarterly basis from now so we will be contacting each of you over the next couple of months to arrange a time to meet with you.
- Sat 9th November at 6pm there will be a baptism of Dolores, it would be lovely to show our support in attending.
- Wed 13th November at 7.30 Kim Spencer will be leading our next food storage activity based on wheat.
Sunday 27 October 2013
Sisters of the Ipswich Ward - welcome to our new blog.
We are excited to introduce this new page where we will be able to keep you up to date with all that is going on, share lessons with those of you who are busy serving in other auxiliaries so you don't miss out, share announcements and photos of our fun times together.
We would ask you to please subscribe to the blog so that you will be notified by email when something has been added. You do this by adding your email address to the box on the top right and following the instructions. Any problems please speak to Sara.
We love you sisters so very much and love to serve you and are excited to be in touch even more.
Love
Louise, Sara and Fatima
xx
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