You sisters are amazing !!! Thank you for all your hard work. xx
 |
| The Wonderful Ipswich Ward Helping Hands Team |
Saturday, 12 July 2014
Thursday, 10 July 2014
Sister Scriptorians
What a lovely evening we had as we learnt how to be Sister Scriptorians - a phrase coined by Pres Spencer W Kimball:
Don't you want this safety and protection for yourself?
" I stress again the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures. We want our homes to be blessed with Sister Scriptorians - whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family....Regardless of your particular circumstances...become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures...become scholars of the scriptures...after all who has any greater need to treasure up the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?"
What do you think when you see this picture?
Don't you want this safety and protection for yourself?
Don't you want this safety and protection for your family?
If you could have this simply by making scripture study a part of your life each day - wouldn't it be worth it?
We spent the majority of the evening looking at different ways we can study the scriptures - some of which included:
* Scripture journals - Chapters. As you read sequentially through a book of scripture, keeping note of thoughts, impressions, questions, quotes, testimony as you learn. These can be as simple as a written record or as colourful and arty as you wish them to be. Remember this is YOUR journal and YOUR feelings, be happy with the method YOU choose - make them right for YOU.
*Scripture journals - Topics. Pick up on topics that you wish to learn more about and keep a folder / notebook of your learning on the topics you choose.
* If you are new to journaling there are some wonderful scripture journals you can buy which take you through how to study - with boxes to fill in. (See the scripture resource page for more info).
* General Conference journals - the teachings we hear at conference are scripture for us. Include these in your journals as you learn and make them part of your life.
* Using the scriptures as we learn - set up a colour coding system to help you learn about specific topics (such as prayer, faith, obedience) and colour each scripture as you come across them.
* Put coloured tabs on the edge of the pages in your scriptures to aid you in locating certain scriptures.
* Every now and then there is great benefit in reading the scriptures - more like a novel - as you learn the stories and look for connections and teachings.
* Study characters in the scriptures and journal what you learn, how can they affect your life, how can you become more like them.
There are so very many ways to study the scriptures. It doesn't matter which you choose, as long as you make that choice. We heard testimonies from three sisters last night, incredible testimonies of how they have been led to study in different ways and the difference it is making to their families.
What will YOU do to become a Sister Scriptorian? Can you imagine the affect of a Relief Society full of Sisters who did this every day? The affect on our own spirituality and the protection for our families? Isn't it worth the effort?
Please note we have set up a page on the blog with lots of resources on the Internet that you can access for ideas / help
 |
| Often a bible that is falling apart belongs to a person who isn't. |
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Announcements & Lesson 6 July 2014
Announcements:
This evening at 6.30pm there is a stake fireside for all youth who will be attending this years FSOY and their parents.
Wednesday evening we have our next RS Meeting 'Sister Scriptorians' at 7.30pm. We really hope you will come along and join us to learn how to study the scriptures and to LOVE doing so. We have handouts for all that can help you get started and find a way that works for you.
Saturday is our Helping Hands project. Please meet at the Old Cemetery between 9.30 - 10am. This is the entrance at the junction of Cemetery Road and Belvedere Road, there you will find someone to show you where to park and where to go. Please read through the instructions on last weeks blog post so you know what to bring with you and what you need to do before the day.
Thank you to those sisters who signed up today to bring desserts and / or salads. Please note these can be dropped off at the chapel before you go to the cemetery, along with any children nursery aged up to 6yrs of age who will have an activity with the Primary Presidency.
If anyone is planning to come to Helping Hands but did not put their names on the sign up sheet today, please can you email Sara and let her know you are coming so that we count you in on the numbers and ensure we have enough food at the BBQ for all.
On 19th July we have our Stake Fun Day (Sports day) - Damien Watling and Josh Donker are leading the day and would love to have the input of the sisters on the Ipswich team.
Ashlea Sousa, our ward Music Director, will shortly be meeting with the stake music people and needs to know which sisters can play the piano, which can conduct music and any that would like to learn these skills. Can you please let Ashlea know if you did not see the list.
We were also informed today that there are 3 job opportunities which have been placed on the ward notice board - these are Publishing Services Producer, Publishing Services Project Co-ordinator and Digital Media Producer. Please check the board if you are interested, the closing date is 18th July.
Lesson:
Today our lesson was given by Sister Fatima Esteves, the topic, three things we can do that will bring us closer to our Father in Heaven.
1. Exercising Faith in Jesus Christ:
A wonderful quote from Sister Eliza R Snow (a former RS General President): 'Faith is energy....we must be energetic."
Fatima showed us that having faith that will take us close to Christ takes some effort on our behalf, she introduced the example of yeast, water and sugar and how each were vital for us to have in order to make the recipe work. Likewise having faith (yeast) is not enough alone, it takes scripture study, temples, ordinances (water - the living water) as well as fasting, prayer and the gospel (sugar) for it all to come together and the recipe to work.
2. Listening to the Spirit of Revelation:
We must have faith to ask and then be willing to follow those prompting we do receive. We discussed how rarely are we given answers all in one go, more often revelation comes in little packets over time. We were counselled to put difficult questions to the back of our minds and go about our lives, pondering and praying quietly and the revelation will come.
3. Enduring the End:
This can be the harder part! But we want to endure and we want to be firm in our testimony at the end.
We heard a wonderful testimony from Miriam who shared how the Lord blessed her as she put her faith in Him over some difficult decisions and times she recently went through. What a beautiful spirit that testimony brought to our lesson.
Fatima shared a wonderful scripture:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
How wonderful to get to the end of our lives and be blessed to be able to say those same words - I have kept the faith. May that be the case for every one of us.
This evening at 6.30pm there is a stake fireside for all youth who will be attending this years FSOY and their parents.
Wednesday evening we have our next RS Meeting 'Sister Scriptorians' at 7.30pm. We really hope you will come along and join us to learn how to study the scriptures and to LOVE doing so. We have handouts for all that can help you get started and find a way that works for you.Saturday is our Helping Hands project. Please meet at the Old Cemetery between 9.30 - 10am. This is the entrance at the junction of Cemetery Road and Belvedere Road, there you will find someone to show you where to park and where to go. Please read through the instructions on last weeks blog post so you know what to bring with you and what you need to do before the day.
Thank you to those sisters who signed up today to bring desserts and / or salads. Please note these can be dropped off at the chapel before you go to the cemetery, along with any children nursery aged up to 6yrs of age who will have an activity with the Primary Presidency.
If anyone is planning to come to Helping Hands but did not put their names on the sign up sheet today, please can you email Sara and let her know you are coming so that we count you in on the numbers and ensure we have enough food at the BBQ for all.
On 19th July we have our Stake Fun Day (Sports day) - Damien Watling and Josh Donker are leading the day and would love to have the input of the sisters on the Ipswich team.
Ashlea Sousa, our ward Music Director, will shortly be meeting with the stake music people and needs to know which sisters can play the piano, which can conduct music and any that would like to learn these skills. Can you please let Ashlea know if you did not see the list.
We were also informed today that there are 3 job opportunities which have been placed on the ward notice board - these are Publishing Services Producer, Publishing Services Project Co-ordinator and Digital Media Producer. Please check the board if you are interested, the closing date is 18th July.
Lesson:
Today our lesson was given by Sister Fatima Esteves, the topic, three things we can do that will bring us closer to our Father in Heaven.
1. Exercising Faith in Jesus Christ:
A wonderful quote from Sister Eliza R Snow (a former RS General President): 'Faith is energy....we must be energetic."
Fatima showed us that having faith that will take us close to Christ takes some effort on our behalf, she introduced the example of yeast, water and sugar and how each were vital for us to have in order to make the recipe work. Likewise having faith (yeast) is not enough alone, it takes scripture study, temples, ordinances (water - the living water) as well as fasting, prayer and the gospel (sugar) for it all to come together and the recipe to work.
2. Listening to the Spirit of Revelation:
We must have faith to ask and then be willing to follow those prompting we do receive. We discussed how rarely are we given answers all in one go, more often revelation comes in little packets over time. We were counselled to put difficult questions to the back of our minds and go about our lives, pondering and praying quietly and the revelation will come.
3. Enduring the End:
This can be the harder part! But we want to endure and we want to be firm in our testimony at the end.
We heard a wonderful testimony from Miriam who shared how the Lord blessed her as she put her faith in Him over some difficult decisions and times she recently went through. What a beautiful spirit that testimony brought to our lesson.
Fatima shared a wonderful scripture:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
How wonderful to get to the end of our lives and be blessed to be able to say those same words - I have kept the faith. May that be the case for every one of us.
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Announcements & Lesson - 29 June 2014
Announcements:
We are excited to have another sister join our RS this week. Lois, with her daughters Bethany and Star, will be baptized on Saturday at 12.00 - please come along and support Lois and her family on this wonderful occasion.
Next Sunday there will be a Stake Standards evening for all youth (and parents) who will be attending this years FSOY at 6.30pm.
Our next RS Activity will be on Wed 9th July at 7.30pm where we will have an exciting evening looking at how to become Sister Scriptorians and learn to LOVE studying our scriptures.
Helping Hands:
We are really excited about this years HH project where we will be contributing to the Billion Graves Project - this is a worldwide project which is attempting to collect photos of graves around the world and index the information to make a searchable index of all graves to assist with family history work. Although it is not a church owned program the church are supporting its work and encouraging us to get involved and photos can be automatically uploaded to Family Search. It is incredibly important as so many graves are becoming unreadable due to age and condition.
On Saturday 12th July we will be meeting at the Ipswich Old Cemetery at 9.30 / 10am where Brother & Sister Benmore will be co-ordinating all our efforts and giving further instructions. We will be working in families / small teams to clean the graves up a little, photo the graves and then upload them online and index the information on them. There will be parking available and toilets and water on site.
There is a couple of things we need you to do before the day:
1. For each family if you have a smartphone (Android or Iphone) please download the Billion Graves App on at least one phone. This is free and can be done in Play Store or whichever programme you would normally download apps from. You can also put this on an Ipad or Tablet but this will only be of use on the day if you have access to GPS as this will be required.
2. Please visit the Billion Graves website: http://billiongraves.com/login.php#register where you will need to register, so you will be able to upload photos. Once you have registered you will receive an email - you MUST click on the link in this email to complete your registration.
On the day each family will need to bring a few items:
1. Bucket
2. Sponges
3. SOFT brush (this must be soft or it can cause more damage to the graves)
4. Shears / Scissors - to help clip away grass or weeds around the graves
5. Smartphone - with the app already loaded. As GPS will need to be switched on this uses more battery so please make sure they are fully charged.
6. Pen & paper to record the information on graves which are hard to photo. We will also provide large sheets of paper and crayons so children can help by doing rubbings where the writing is not clear.
The primary presidency have kindly offered to have children from nursery aged children up to age 6 at the chapel for the two hours we will be at the cemetery - however when we return to the chapel it is essential you collect your children immediately to free the sisters up to join the activity.
At 12.00 we will return to the chapel for a BBQ and a chance to upload the photos we have taken and to transcribe these on the site. There will be people at church who will be able to assist with this.
Please wear your HH tabards / T-shirts. And please use this as an opportunity to invite friends and serve together in the work of family history.
If you have any problems please let Sara or Neil Klotz know and we will try and assist. We are really excited about the project and hope you will all join us at the cemetery.
Lesson:
Today was our joint R/S and P'hood lesson as it was the 5th Sunday of the month and it built on the subject of love for our ancestors and doing our family history.
Bishop related that he loves Fathers Day and particularly receiving home-made cards from his children. This year Isaac's card said how much he loved his dad telling him stories. Bishop taught us the benefit of stories and time with their families. In fact children who feel loved and part of a family and are told stories do better than other children, they feel a part of something bigger, their self-confidence is greater and they have more resilience to face the world. There is great power in story telling and in families.
We watched the following lovely video: Find Our Cousins
Whilst we are aware of the hastening of the work here we were reminded by Brother Green that this hastening is also happening the other side of the veil - spirits are being prepared to accept the work we are doing for them, and to accept the gospel.
We watched part of the conference talk 'Roots and Branches' by Elder Quentin L Cook who told us that:
51% of adult members do not have both parents added to Family Search and
65% of adult members do not have all four grandparents added
Are we part of that percentage?
Today we were introduced to a wonderful booklet that can help us with our family history as well as helping us record family stories and through this strengthen our own families: My Family, Stories that Bring Us Together.
It is a wonderful booklet to record stories about our ancestors, add photos and record dates temple work is completed.
With the booklet came 2 challenges to each of us:
1. Finish filling the booklet in by the end of the year and take the names to the temple
2. Share a booklet with a friend, use it as a missionary opportunity.
For those of you serving in Primary or who were not at church today and do not have a copy of the booklet, please let us know and we will ensure these reach you.
Alison reminded us that we all will soon have free access to Ancestry, My Heritage and Find My Past and that those who serve in the FHC are more than willing to teach you how to use these tools as well as Family Search so that our homes really can become Family History Centres!
Bev spoke to us to remind us also of those who serve in the ward as Family History consultants and are always willing to help:
Those currently called are: Bev Roddie, Annie Green, Keith and Maxine Adams, Ken and Marian Biggs, Norman and Trish Read, Diana Nunes and Jonathan Rumbold. Please call on them - they want to help!!!
Bishop summed up the presentation with a wonderful thought - When you were baptized your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Those who had never had the chance to accept the gospel and receive the ordinances and had waited centuries for help - now had hope through you! When you are reunited, they will meet you with either with gratitude or with terrible disappointment. Their hope is in your hands.
Do you want to help their hopes be realized? Do you want to keep your children safe and resilient in a troubled world? Do you want to be one of those who has their family safely on family Search and their work being done. You can be! We have all the tools to help, we just have to decide to move forward.
We are excited to have another sister join our RS this week. Lois, with her daughters Bethany and Star, will be baptized on Saturday at 12.00 - please come along and support Lois and her family on this wonderful occasion.
Next Sunday there will be a Stake Standards evening for all youth (and parents) who will be attending this years FSOY at 6.30pm.
Our next RS Activity will be on Wed 9th July at 7.30pm where we will have an exciting evening looking at how to become Sister Scriptorians and learn to LOVE studying our scriptures.
Helping Hands:
We are really excited about this years HH project where we will be contributing to the Billion Graves Project - this is a worldwide project which is attempting to collect photos of graves around the world and index the information to make a searchable index of all graves to assist with family history work. Although it is not a church owned program the church are supporting its work and encouraging us to get involved and photos can be automatically uploaded to Family Search. It is incredibly important as so many graves are becoming unreadable due to age and condition.
There is a couple of things we need you to do before the day:
1. For each family if you have a smartphone (Android or Iphone) please download the Billion Graves App on at least one phone. This is free and can be done in Play Store or whichever programme you would normally download apps from. You can also put this on an Ipad or Tablet but this will only be of use on the day if you have access to GPS as this will be required.
2. Please visit the Billion Graves website: http://billiongraves.com/login.php#register where you will need to register, so you will be able to upload photos. Once you have registered you will receive an email - you MUST click on the link in this email to complete your registration.
On the day each family will need to bring a few items:
1. Bucket
2. Sponges
3. SOFT brush (this must be soft or it can cause more damage to the graves)
4. Shears / Scissors - to help clip away grass or weeds around the graves
5. Smartphone - with the app already loaded. As GPS will need to be switched on this uses more battery so please make sure they are fully charged.
6. Pen & paper to record the information on graves which are hard to photo. We will also provide large sheets of paper and crayons so children can help by doing rubbings where the writing is not clear.
The primary presidency have kindly offered to have children from nursery aged children up to age 6 at the chapel for the two hours we will be at the cemetery - however when we return to the chapel it is essential you collect your children immediately to free the sisters up to join the activity.
At 12.00 we will return to the chapel for a BBQ and a chance to upload the photos we have taken and to transcribe these on the site. There will be people at church who will be able to assist with this.
Please wear your HH tabards / T-shirts. And please use this as an opportunity to invite friends and serve together in the work of family history.
If you have any problems please let Sara or Neil Klotz know and we will try and assist. We are really excited about the project and hope you will all join us at the cemetery.
Lesson:
Today was our joint R/S and P'hood lesson as it was the 5th Sunday of the month and it built on the subject of love for our ancestors and doing our family history.
Bishop related that he loves Fathers Day and particularly receiving home-made cards from his children. This year Isaac's card said how much he loved his dad telling him stories. Bishop taught us the benefit of stories and time with their families. In fact children who feel loved and part of a family and are told stories do better than other children, they feel a part of something bigger, their self-confidence is greater and they have more resilience to face the world. There is great power in story telling and in families.
We watched the following lovely video: Find Our Cousins
Whilst we are aware of the hastening of the work here we were reminded by Brother Green that this hastening is also happening the other side of the veil - spirits are being prepared to accept the work we are doing for them, and to accept the gospel.
We watched part of the conference talk 'Roots and Branches' by Elder Quentin L Cook who told us that:
51% of adult members do not have both parents added to Family Search and
65% of adult members do not have all four grandparents added
Are we part of that percentage?
Today we were introduced to a wonderful booklet that can help us with our family history as well as helping us record family stories and through this strengthen our own families: My Family, Stories that Bring Us Together.
It is a wonderful booklet to record stories about our ancestors, add photos and record dates temple work is completed.With the booklet came 2 challenges to each of us:
1. Finish filling the booklet in by the end of the year and take the names to the temple
2. Share a booklet with a friend, use it as a missionary opportunity.
For those of you serving in Primary or who were not at church today and do not have a copy of the booklet, please let us know and we will ensure these reach you.
Alison reminded us that we all will soon have free access to Ancestry, My Heritage and Find My Past and that those who serve in the FHC are more than willing to teach you how to use these tools as well as Family Search so that our homes really can become Family History Centres!
Bev spoke to us to remind us also of those who serve in the ward as Family History consultants and are always willing to help:
Those currently called are: Bev Roddie, Annie Green, Keith and Maxine Adams, Ken and Marian Biggs, Norman and Trish Read, Diana Nunes and Jonathan Rumbold. Please call on them - they want to help!!!
Bishop summed up the presentation with a wonderful thought - When you were baptized your ancestors looked down on you with hope. Those who had never had the chance to accept the gospel and receive the ordinances and had waited centuries for help - now had hope through you! When you are reunited, they will meet you with either with gratitude or with terrible disappointment. Their hope is in your hands.
Do you want to help their hopes be realized? Do you want to keep your children safe and resilient in a troubled world? Do you want to be one of those who has their family safely on family Search and their work being done. You can be! We have all the tools to help, we just have to decide to move forward.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Announcements & Lesson - 22 June 2014
Announcements:
A huge big welcome to Shanice - our newest member of Relief Society - on her baptism this week. We are all excited to get to know you better.
This coming Saturday is the Stake Family Temple Day - details of timings etc are on the previous blog posts. The Stake Primary will be holding an activity for all children aged 3-12 from 9.30-12.30 so that parents can do a session in the temple. If your children will be taking part please let Sis Sue Kennedy know as asap.
Next Sunday at 6.30pm there will be a Family History Workshop in the FHC at church. If there is any aspect of family history you need help with please come along and Alison Pentreath will ensure there is someone to assist you.
Thank you to those sisters who came and supported our June activity this week - we had a fabulous and uplifting evening. Our next Activity 'Sister Scriptorians' will be on Wednesday 9th July and will be based on getting us excited about the scriptures.
One announcement from our Compassionate Service team - Sister Pat Bines has not been well and is struggling at the moment. We are providing some assistance and a sister is needed who could take a meal for three people on Friday this week. It needs to be suitable for a diabetic. If you can help, please contact Miriam, Sarah S or Cristina.
Lesson:
Todays lesson was given by Sister Annie Green (with a little help from Alison Pentreath!!) taken from Elder Quentin L Cook's talk from April conference 'Roots and Branches'.
You can watch the talk by clicking HERE
As individuals approach the end of their lives here on earth, they begin to consider what is most important to them and as Sister Lo Bianco shared when she has within her employment sat with many as they were dying, it becomes clear that what is most important is family. It is the Spirit of Elijah reaching out and connecting us with our families and those we love which usually includes those who have gone before us - our ancestors.
Elder Cook shared the words of Sister Vilate Kimball as she heard the wonderful news of being able to do the work for our families:
"We had the largest and most interesting conference that ever has been since the Church was organized...President Joseph Smith has opened up a new and glorious subject...that is being baptized for the dead. He says it is the privilege of members of this church to be baptized for all their kinsfolk that have died before this gospel went forth....I want to be baptized for my mother...is not this a glorious doctrine?"
Do we still feel this same excitement for the work of family history?
It is clear to see the Lord's hand in this work of turning the hearts of the children to their fathers with the expansion of interest in family history and the ever increasing resources so freely available on the internet. As one 36 year old mother said "just think we have gone from microfilm readers in dedicated family history centers to sitting at my kitchen table with my computer doing family history after my children are finally asleep.
"Brothers and Sisters, family history centers are now in our homes".
So what will we do about it?
Each member of the ward will shortly be receiving a copy of the booklet 'My Family' where we can learn to record not only dates and names but stories as we come to love our ancestors and find those connections of roots and branches.
It is a work we can all be involved in, the church are especially encouraging our young people who so ably use technology.
Will we take our family names to the temple this coming Saturday? Will we go to the Family History Workshop next Sunday if we need help? Will we use the Family History Centers in our homes?
Will we be connected as roots and branches? What will we do with it?
A huge big welcome to Shanice - our newest member of Relief Society - on her baptism this week. We are all excited to get to know you better.
This coming Saturday is the Stake Family Temple Day - details of timings etc are on the previous blog posts. The Stake Primary will be holding an activity for all children aged 3-12 from 9.30-12.30 so that parents can do a session in the temple. If your children will be taking part please let Sis Sue Kennedy know as asap.
Next Sunday at 6.30pm there will be a Family History Workshop in the FHC at church. If there is any aspect of family history you need help with please come along and Alison Pentreath will ensure there is someone to assist you.
Thank you to those sisters who came and supported our June activity this week - we had a fabulous and uplifting evening. Our next Activity 'Sister Scriptorians' will be on Wednesday 9th July and will be based on getting us excited about the scriptures.
One announcement from our Compassionate Service team - Sister Pat Bines has not been well and is struggling at the moment. We are providing some assistance and a sister is needed who could take a meal for three people on Friday this week. It needs to be suitable for a diabetic. If you can help, please contact Miriam, Sarah S or Cristina.
Lesson:
Todays lesson was given by Sister Annie Green (with a little help from Alison Pentreath!!) taken from Elder Quentin L Cook's talk from April conference 'Roots and Branches'.
You can watch the talk by clicking HERE
As individuals approach the end of their lives here on earth, they begin to consider what is most important to them and as Sister Lo Bianco shared when she has within her employment sat with many as they were dying, it becomes clear that what is most important is family. It is the Spirit of Elijah reaching out and connecting us with our families and those we love which usually includes those who have gone before us - our ancestors.
Elder Cook shared the words of Sister Vilate Kimball as she heard the wonderful news of being able to do the work for our families:"We had the largest and most interesting conference that ever has been since the Church was organized...President Joseph Smith has opened up a new and glorious subject...that is being baptized for the dead. He says it is the privilege of members of this church to be baptized for all their kinsfolk that have died before this gospel went forth....I want to be baptized for my mother...is not this a glorious doctrine?"
Do we still feel this same excitement for the work of family history?
It is clear to see the Lord's hand in this work of turning the hearts of the children to their fathers with the expansion of interest in family history and the ever increasing resources so freely available on the internet. As one 36 year old mother said "just think we have gone from microfilm readers in dedicated family history centers to sitting at my kitchen table with my computer doing family history after my children are finally asleep.
"Brothers and Sisters, family history centers are now in our homes".
So what will we do about it?
It is a work we can all be involved in, the church are especially encouraging our young people who so ably use technology.
Will we take our family names to the temple this coming Saturday? Will we go to the Family History Workshop next Sunday if we need help? Will we use the Family History Centers in our homes?
Will we be connected as roots and branches? What will we do with it?
Thursday, 19 June 2014
The Shoe Fits
Just like our favourite shoe, our Patriarchal Blessings fits only us....
What a wonderful night we had last night as we learnt more about our blessings and enjoyed a wonderful meeting with our Stake Patriarch Barry Lowater.
Following an interesting and insightful view into the experiences of Patriarch Lowater, the sisters had a chance to spend some time with their own blessings....contemplating what the Lord needs them to do and the wonderful blessings that will come as they do their best.
If you want to join in, this is what we did:
It was a wonderful evening with friends new and old and of course cake....lots of cake!!!
What a wonderful night we had last night as we learnt more about our blessings and enjoyed a wonderful meeting with our Stake Patriarch Barry Lowater.
 |
| Ipswich Stake Patriarch Barry Lowater and his wife Shirley |
Following an interesting and insightful view into the experiences of Patriarch Lowater, the sisters had a chance to spend some time with their own blessings....contemplating what the Lord needs them to do and the wonderful blessings that will come as they do their best.
If you want to join in, this is what we did:
Get 3 coloured pencils and mark any words / phrases in your blessing using the following key:
1. Colour One - Counsel and Warnings
2. Colour Two - Blessings Promised
3. Colour Three - Talents / Gifts
Use this information to make goals for your life, to hearken to counsel, to follow direction and to build on talents given.
Write down your goals. "An unwritten goal is only a wish" and refer to them often.
As you do this two things will happen:
1. You will feel the love of the Lord in your life.
2. You will know every day what to do and where to turn for help.
It was a wonderful evening with friends new and old and of course cake....lots of cake!!!
Come and join us for our next activity - Sister Scriptorians on July 9th at 7.30pm
A quick reminder too Sisters of 2 baptisms we have coming up this weekend. Shanice will be baptized at 6pm this Saturday and Sister Ana Marques' friend will be baptized after church on Sunday.
Please come along and welcome them to our wonderful, growing ward!!! If you are able please bring along a plate of refreshments.
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Announcements and Lesson: 15 June 2014
Announcements:
This Wednesday is our RS Activity at 7.30pm and is going to be great. We have our Stake Patriarch Barry Lowater coming to speak with us about our Patriarchal Blessings and how to use them in our lives. There will be time for him also to speak with those sisters who do not yet have their blessings or whose youth are preparing to receive theirs. Please bring a COPY of your blessing with you for an activity.
Saturday we have the baptism of Shanice at 6pm. Shanice is a young sister with a wonderful smile and we are really looking forward to her joining our RS.
It was great to have so many of you sisters come and practise with us today ready for our musical item next Sunday. A reminder to all we will be singing prelude music Hymn 129: Where can I turn for peace. Please be at church and sitting on the stand by 9.45.
Today we also welcomed the remainder of the Giles Family , many of you will already know Bro Giles who came to the ward a couple of months ago. This week Sister Bernice Giles and her children arrived in the ward and we are so excited to get to know them better.
On 28th June we have our Stake Family Temple Day - the details are on the last post. The Stake Primary are organising activities for those aged 3-12 from 9.30 - 12.30 to allow their parents to enter the temple. Please let Sister Sue Kennedy our ward Primary President know if your children will be attending - they will need the name / age of the children. The meeting place is the dining room (next to the distribution center). Some activities will be outside so please bring sun hat / rain coat as necessary. Our children aged 8-11 will also be having a Faith in God activity as part of the morning with Sister Kim Spencer.
A note for your diaries - our next RS Activity 'Sister Scriptorians' will be held on Wed 9th July at 7.30 and will follow on from our lesson given by Sister Louise Lamb on effective scripture study. The response from you sisters was great and this evening will build on that and show lots of examples of how to study and some goodies to take away to help.
Also just a thank you from the Turner family - they have been so grateful for all the help they have received this week with meals. Hugh is going into respite for a week whilst Betty stays with her family for a rest. We will let you know if further help will then be needed while the family try and find a longer term solution. It is likely that we will have several sisters / families who will be needing assistance over the next month or so as we have several due to go into hospital for various procedures. Thank you in advance for the care and love you show one another - we appreciate you all so much.
Lesson:
We had a real treat today as Sister Ana Marques taught the lesson from Chapter 12 of Joseph Fielding Smith 'The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood' building on the lesson we had with Cilla last week.
President Smith said '...the blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and all the faithful women of the Church. These good sisters can prepare themselves, by keeping the commandments and by serving in the Church, for the blessings of the House of the Lord. The Lord offers to His daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord.'
We may not hold the Priesthood but we certainly are able to have the blessings that come from it.
Ana asked today about the blessings that come to us from the examples of great Priesthood holders - a blessing that we can all see in our lives through wonderful bishops, great Home Teachers and righteous men which several sisters shared, just as we heard too in Sacrament meeting today. But equally as Pres Smith shared there is something WE need to do to. Just as the brethren must live righteously to be able to receive these blessings we must too.
Ana shared examples of the need for us to serve and we were reminded of the wonderful and numerous examples we have to do so - in our specific callings, as Visiting Teachers and in fact even just by looking around and seeing a need in a sister by our side. Ana shared a personal experience about a homeless man she would often see in her journeys who unlike many wasn't asking for money but simply for some food to eat. Ana shared her food on numerous occasions but knew she couldn't serve this man alone. She prayed for help and over time saw more and more people stopping and serving this man. What a lovely example of the difference one Sister can make.
President Smith also made a lovely comment we can all learn from:
'There is nothing in all this world as important to each of us as putting first in our lives the things of God's kingdom, as keeping the commandments, as magnifying our callings...as going to the House of the Lord and being offered the fullness of the blessings of our Father's kingdom.
'The blessings of the Lord are offered to the Saints and to the world through the ministrations of those who hold His holy priesthood, who represent Him, who are in fact His servants and agents and are willing to serve him and keep his commandments.'
Sisters - what a blessing the priesthood is. There is much we can do to support the righteous men in our lives as they continue to serve our Father in Heaven and much we can do to ensure we are worthy and able to receive those blessings.
What difference will that make in your life this week?
This Wednesday is our RS Activity at 7.30pm and is going to be great. We have our Stake Patriarch Barry Lowater coming to speak with us about our Patriarchal Blessings and how to use them in our lives. There will be time for him also to speak with those sisters who do not yet have their blessings or whose youth are preparing to receive theirs. Please bring a COPY of your blessing with you for an activity.
Saturday we have the baptism of Shanice at 6pm. Shanice is a young sister with a wonderful smile and we are really looking forward to her joining our RS.
It was great to have so many of you sisters come and practise with us today ready for our musical item next Sunday. A reminder to all we will be singing prelude music Hymn 129: Where can I turn for peace. Please be at church and sitting on the stand by 9.45.
Today we also welcomed the remainder of the Giles Family , many of you will already know Bro Giles who came to the ward a couple of months ago. This week Sister Bernice Giles and her children arrived in the ward and we are so excited to get to know them better.
On 28th June we have our Stake Family Temple Day - the details are on the last post. The Stake Primary are organising activities for those aged 3-12 from 9.30 - 12.30 to allow their parents to enter the temple. Please let Sister Sue Kennedy our ward Primary President know if your children will be attending - they will need the name / age of the children. The meeting place is the dining room (next to the distribution center). Some activities will be outside so please bring sun hat / rain coat as necessary. Our children aged 8-11 will also be having a Faith in God activity as part of the morning with Sister Kim Spencer.
A note for your diaries - our next RS Activity 'Sister Scriptorians' will be held on Wed 9th July at 7.30 and will follow on from our lesson given by Sister Louise Lamb on effective scripture study. The response from you sisters was great and this evening will build on that and show lots of examples of how to study and some goodies to take away to help.
Also just a thank you from the Turner family - they have been so grateful for all the help they have received this week with meals. Hugh is going into respite for a week whilst Betty stays with her family for a rest. We will let you know if further help will then be needed while the family try and find a longer term solution. It is likely that we will have several sisters / families who will be needing assistance over the next month or so as we have several due to go into hospital for various procedures. Thank you in advance for the care and love you show one another - we appreciate you all so much.
Lesson:
We had a real treat today as Sister Ana Marques taught the lesson from Chapter 12 of Joseph Fielding Smith 'The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood' building on the lesson we had with Cilla last week.
President Smith said '...the blessings of the priesthood are not confined to men alone. These blessings are also poured out upon our wives and daughters and all the faithful women of the Church. These good sisters can prepare themselves, by keeping the commandments and by serving in the Church, for the blessings of the House of the Lord. The Lord offers to His daughters every spiritual gift and blessing that can be obtained by his sons, for neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord.'
We may not hold the Priesthood but we certainly are able to have the blessings that come from it.
Ana asked today about the blessings that come to us from the examples of great Priesthood holders - a blessing that we can all see in our lives through wonderful bishops, great Home Teachers and righteous men which several sisters shared, just as we heard too in Sacrament meeting today. But equally as Pres Smith shared there is something WE need to do to. Just as the brethren must live righteously to be able to receive these blessings we must too.
Ana shared examples of the need for us to serve and we were reminded of the wonderful and numerous examples we have to do so - in our specific callings, as Visiting Teachers and in fact even just by looking around and seeing a need in a sister by our side. Ana shared a personal experience about a homeless man she would often see in her journeys who unlike many wasn't asking for money but simply for some food to eat. Ana shared her food on numerous occasions but knew she couldn't serve this man alone. She prayed for help and over time saw more and more people stopping and serving this man. What a lovely example of the difference one Sister can make.
President Smith also made a lovely comment we can all learn from:
'There is nothing in all this world as important to each of us as putting first in our lives the things of God's kingdom, as keeping the commandments, as magnifying our callings...as going to the House of the Lord and being offered the fullness of the blessings of our Father's kingdom.
'The blessings of the Lord are offered to the Saints and to the world through the ministrations of those who hold His holy priesthood, who represent Him, who are in fact His servants and agents and are willing to serve him and keep his commandments.'
Sisters - what a blessing the priesthood is. There is much we can do to support the righteous men in our lives as they continue to serve our Father in Heaven and much we can do to ensure we are worthy and able to receive those blessings.
What difference will that make in your life this week?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)