Fall 2009 Presidency Message

As I read the theme for Relief Society "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17 the first thing that came to my mind was service in the temple, that we need to attend the temple more often and serve those who have gone before us and that we need to make a commitment of how often we as individuals will go. I know with our busy schedules it may be difficult for a lot of us to go but as I was reading the April conference talks, I read Elder Scott's talk: Temple Worship: The Source of Strength and Power in Times of Need. He said “Each member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is blessed to live in a time when the Lord has inspired His prophets to provide significantly increased accessibility to the holy temples. With careful planning and some sacrifice, the majority of the members of the Church can receive the ordinances of the temple for themselves and for their ancestors and be blessed by the covenants made therein. When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.”

I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple? The First Presidency has invited "adult members to have a current temple recommend and visit the temple more often" where time and circumstance permit and encouraged members "to replace some leisure activities with temple service."

Sisters it is my prayer that we will set a goal to attend the temple more often, that we may be able to receive the blessings of the temple, that we may bless the lives of those who have passed on before us, and that our relationship with Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father may grow so we can receive the blessings and revelation they want to give us.

Presidency Message Summer 2009

In Mosiah 4:26, we are instructed on how to serve each other. The last line of that verse tells us to “….visit the sick and administer to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” After experiencing a cool and wet spring, we are now in the “dog days of summer.” Air conditioners are humming, swimming pools are crowded and children are enjoying the warm days and popsicles. However, not everyone is blessed with air conditioners or fans. It is time to check on all of the sisters in the ward, especially the elderly, to see if they need assistance coping with the heat and “administering to their relief.”

Our Stake Relief Society theme for this year is taken from Mosiah 2:17 “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” There are many ways to serve and looking after the needs of each other is what our Heavenly Father would have us do. Summer not only brings heat but also is our growing season. Those having vegetable gardens are now enjoying the fruits of their labors. The flowers are in full bloom, but so are the lawns and weeds. Another form of service this summer would be to help those who are living alone or unable to do yard work take care of their yards. Organizing “work parties” would be a fun and useful way to help those who need it. It is my prayer that we may see the needs and serve others, that we may as stated in Mosiah 4:26 “….walk guiltless before God.” Have a great summer!

Presidency Message

Spring has got to be one of the best seasons of the year. We say goodbye to the cold, grey days of winter and greet warm, sunny days with crocuses, daffodils, and tulips. Leaves are appearing on the trees and the grass is green once more. Best of all, there is General Conference and our chance to hear the Lord’s words to us through his servants, the prophets.

When the windstorm hit the Cincinnati area last fall, those who heeded the counsel to be prepared were only slightly inconvenienced. There were plenty of candles and flashlights to compensate for the temporary loss of power. With the current economic crisis, we have all been adversely affected. Yet those who heeded the counsel to get out of debt, build a financial reserve and an adequate food storage will certainly fare better than those who did not. We live in challenging times, and the Lord has provided prophets to help us navigate safely through the storms of life. In D&C 21:4-5, it reads:

Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me;

For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

Sisters, let us revisit the General Conference talks on the internet, study the May Ensign, ponder the counsel given, identify those things that are most applicable to our personal circumstances, and let us apply them in our lives, in our families and in our callings. We will find answers to our questions, solutions to our problems and the comforting guidance of the Spirit.

2009 Food Storage Theme

Our 2009 Theme for Food Storage is "Today While the Sun Shines".

Visiting Teaching

Visiting Teaching
The purpose of visiting teaching is to "build caring relationships" and "offer support, comfort, and friendship." (See Relief Society Handbook, p. 194) Our theme for 2009 is taken from Mos. 2:17 and emphasizes service. A new year usually motivates us to set goals/make resolutions. These three come into alignment at this time and provide a unique opportunity for each of us as visiting teachers. Let us make a goal this year of building caring relationships with the sisters we visit teach by doing our visiting teaching in the spirit of love and service. By looking at our visiting teaching from this perspective, it becomes less of "something we have to do" and more of "something we get to do."

Spring Into Service - Spring Enrichment Meeting

Stake Spring Enrichment
Saturday March 7th 9am-1pm
Lunch will be served
RSVP to your RS President

Here's some information about the organizations we'll be serving.

The Oxford Community Choice Pantry serves the NW part of our Stake. It is a "choice" pantry which means that the clients pick their own items off the shelves with the help of a pantry worker. High need items include: Cereal, spaghetti noodles (or any other type of pasta), macaroni, grains, canned tuna fish, toilet paper, personal care items, peanut butter and canned beans. We're asking that everyone who can bring 1 or 2 items for the pantry.

Project Linus is a national volunteer organization who's mission it is to "provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer 'blanketeers.'" We'll be making tied quilts and fleece blankets.

The Veteran's Hospital in Cincinnati takes care of those who served our country. We're making hanging 'Thank You' tiles with vinyl lettering for these men and women as a show of support for the service that they have rendered on our behalf.

The Thank You Foundation's mission "is to show appreciation and express gratitude for members of the U.S. Military both past and present." We'll be making cards and writing messages of appreciation to local families who have a family member serving overseas.

The Drake Center is a 314 bed facility that provides physical and medical rehab for a variety of patients. They offer short term outpatient as well as long term inpatient services. We're making dinner tray favors to brighten their day.

Presidency Message

Presidency Message

A new year is upon us which gives us a chance to reflect on our goals and plans for the future while we look to the past year and its successes. This year we've chosen our theme to come from King Benjamin's great sermon "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17). Service can be rendered in many small and large ways. This spring we'll gather together in our Stake Enrichment Meeting to serve our community. But throughout the year opportunities to serve abound. The October 2008 Ensign (page 24) shares a variety of ways members have found to serve those around them. Many are small and simple acts of service, yet their reward is great. Let's be an example in our communities this year as we continue our efforts to do as the Savior and serve our fellowmen.
--LC