JUST A REMINDER

Remember this Sunday is the last Sunday to bring something for Sister Helen who arrives back from her mission on Friday. We plan to present her bag of groceries (or bags hopefully) to her next Sunday.

For our sisters in Primary and Young Womens the green grocery bag is under the table in the Relief Society room if you would have something to contribute.

Thanks.

BYU Womens Conference

Have been reading about the Womens Conference held recently in Provo, Utah. Was pretty excited to read the remarks in the Church News about Sister Sheri Dew's talk (still can't believe we missed out on hearing her speak when she came to Australia earlier this year - we were sooo close!) Anyway she talked about women being an influence for good. I will quote from the article:-

"Further she said, "Making of your life a ministry means consciously asking yourself in everyday situations, "Why has the Lord brought me here today?" and then looking for ways to build up people and the kingdom. It means asking the Lord what He needs you to do rather than feverishly working down your list of To-Do's that may or may not have lasting significance. Ministering might mean ...starting a blog to share what you believe online..." "

Yes, go the blogs!!!

Playgroup Activity

Our Rosny Relief Society playgroup activity for this week is an excursion to Richmond to feed the ducks.

TIME: 10:30
WHERE TO MEET: The Bridge wedding area - on the downstream side closest to Richmond villiage there is a small wedding area built right on the rivers edge using picturesque (bumpy and uneven) cobblestones. This is a great spot to feed the ducks … and also a really terrifying place to try and manage your bridal stilletos and ankle length hoop skirt. Who was on that project committee I wonder?

PARKING: For level access, there is a carpark at the river end of Bathurst St – walk up through the picnic area toward the bridge, and you can’t miss the wedding area. Alternatively you could park closer to all the shops and toilets (between the villiage green and the bakery) and walk down the long bumpy stairs to get to the bridge. You can only manage a pram up and down these if you have reasonably large wheels.

Now, there are a few more details you might want to know:

WEATHER FORCAST: Clearing shower, High: 17 Low: 7. W Rain probability: 50% (1-5mm)

You’ll want to bring appropriate clothing, duck bread, picnic food etc.

Later on we’ll probably walk up to the village green (there’s a nice play area with swings etc) and then to the bakery or lolly shop if people are interested. Richmond is a fantastic place to explore, so we’ll just see what happens.

Let Miriam know if you are planning on coming!

What happened on Sunday

1. We missed some of our beautiful sisters today at church and hope that everyone is ok.

2. Sister Helen's grocery bag is looking fuller after some kind donations today. Remember, next week any pantry items would be appreciated.

3. There's a leadership meeting this Thursday for Primary, Young Women and Relief Society leaders - check with your president if it involves you attending.

4. Training session with Elder Sybrowsky on 13th June, 7 - 9 pm at the Stake Centre for members in leadership positions.

5. There will be a Fireside on Sunday 22 June at the Stake Centre for all Young Married, 7 pm start.

6. Sister Peggy shared her favourite hymn with us in 5 minute music today and went through some of the words that had a powerful meaning for her. Her favourite hymn is "Did You Think to Pray". She talked about pray changing our nights into days. So for any sister who is feeling a little low at the moment, remember pray will change your night to day.

7. Sister Clare lead us with the lesson entitled "What Women Know". What a beautiful job she did too. It was uplifting, inspiring, and I am sure touched each sister in the room regardless of their circumstances. Below are some quotes from Sister Beck's talk that we discussed in Relief Society today:-

"...mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.....

Some women are not given the responsbility of bearing children in mortality, but just as Hannah of the Old Testament prayed fervently for her child the value women place on motherhood in this life and the attributes of motherhood they attain here will rise with them in the Resurrection. Women who desire and work toward that blessing in this life are promised they will receive it for all eternity, and eternity is much, much longer than mortality. There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."

Mothers who know:-

• bear children
• honor sacred ordinances and covenants
• are nurturers
• are leaders
• are teachers
• do less (my personal favourite, I'm still trying to learn this one!)
• stand strong and immovable

Thanks Clare, you invited the Spirit and it was there with us all.

Visiting Teaching

Only 6 more days until the end of May in which to do your visiting teaching.

For your convenience we now have on the right hand side a link to the Visiting Teaching Message for the month (and sometimes the month after). Hope this is helpful.

HAPPY VISITING TEACHING!

Reminder: This Sunday

If anyone happens to be checking out the blog Saturday evening just a reminder that if you have a can or two of food (or anything non-perishable) could you please bring it along tomorrow as we are collecting food to help Helen when she comes back from her mission in TWO weeks!

Also the lesson for tomorrow is from the November 2007 Ensign, Page 76 entitled "Mothers Who Know". Fantastic talk, worth a second read if you have already read it. If you want to read click here http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-27,00.html

Missonary Zone Conference

We thought we would do this post to show everyone what our Ward did for Missionary Zone Conference on Friday because you never know when you will be asked to provide food for 24 hungry missionaries!!! and it might help someone with ideas for another time.

Thanks to all the sisters who helped feed the missionaries at Zone Conference on Friday. Thanks to Betty, Dawn and Rachael for the really yummy soups (sorry Betty your soup disappeared so quickly I didn't get a chance for a photo) and to Sam, Diana, Barbara and Belle for the delicious salads.

As a presidency we really are grateful to have so many willing sisters to help us. Also thanks to Betty and Bek who helped at the Stake Centre and set tables, dished up and washed up.

So, if you are wondering what the menu was it went as follows:-

Soup and bread rolls (2 dinner rolls each and they all disappeared!)

Cold chicken and salads

Cake, biscuits and iceacream (4 litres disappeared in minutes!)

Our ward is providing lunch at Zone Conference again sometime in July so if anyone else is willing to make something to help out please let us know.

To finish this post we'll conclude with a scripture that refers to missionaries and the blessings of service rendered to missionaries:-

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up. Whoso receiveth you receiveth me; and the same will feed you...." (D&C 84:89)

Chocolate Chip Pudding Recipe

I have had quite a few requests lately for this recipe I received from a wonderful visiting teacher many years ago - Judy, who now lives in Queensland. Thanks Judy.
This is a quick, easy recipe, great for unexpected guests, Sunday night supper or to share with another family. It's also very filling and you will probably have most things in the pantry.

2/3 cup Self raising flour
1 tablespoon Cocoa
pinch Salt
1/4 cup Choc Chips ( Bek likes to use a whole packet!)
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Water
1 beaten egg
1/4 cup Oil

Sift together flour, salt, cocoa. Add Sugar. Beat together egg, water, vanilla. Fold into dry ingrediants with oil and choc chips. Put into six ramekins. Microwave each for 50 seconds or until dry around sides.

What happened on Sunday

1. Sister Helen arrives home from her Temple mission on 6th June. The sisters who meet at Sister Yvonne's home on the 2nd Tuesday of the month have donated some non-perishable food to help her get re-established when she gets home. If any sister would like to donate something can they please bring it along on this coming Sunday or the 1st June and we will present it to her on her on the 8th June.

2. It was great to see Rachael back at church today and she managed to stay the whole time.

3. Piret lead us with the lesson today regarding Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

• The ordinance of baptism is necessary for exaltation


• In all dispensations Saints have been baptised in the name of Jesus Christ


• The gift of the Holy Ghost brings peace, joy, divine guidance, and other gifts into our lives.

"Tell the people to be humble and faithful and sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren (& sisters) to keep their hearts open to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the spirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will whisper peace and joy to their souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife and all evil from their heart; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren (& sisters) if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right." Joseph Smith

4. All members are invited to attend Tithing Settlement. A roster is posted on the Ward Notice Board and includes weekdays as well as Sundays

Young Women Presidency

Just wanted to pay tribute to the Young Women Presidency in the Ward, Tanya and Mary-Anne who love and teach the young women in the Ward. We appreciate the support they give to Relief Society and their participation with the Young Women in both Ward and Stake Relief Society Activities and Meetings. It's great that the Young Women are able to come and join with the sisters in Relief Society on the first Sunday in the month and
some of us 'oldies' in Relief Society are slowly catching on to be able to say parts of the young womens theme! We'll get there eventually!!! We have to say a big thank you to the Young Women who take their turn in conducting on the first Sunday of the month - a daunting task but they do a great job. Let us know if you have any activities that you would like to be involved in.

Sisters in Nursery

Lynda, Faye and Rachael are our faithful sisters who serve in the Nursery every week. We miss seeing them in Relief Society but we are grateful for their commitment, dedication and service to the little ones in our Ward.

"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children." (Isaiah 54:13)

Daniel's special day

Sister Charmaine was all smiles last Saturday afternoon when her grandson, Daniel, was baptised. Lots of family came to show their love and support for Daniel as well as members of the Ward including the Young Mens President and family and some of the young men and their families. Congratulations Daniel, you are part of a big ward family now who are here to help you and support you as you grow in the gospel.

What happened on Sunday

Just to fill everyone in about Sunday Relief Society:-

1. We welcomed Kristy Mitchell with her beautiful baby girl, Julie Ann (the newest member of the Ward) to Relief Society and also Kristy's mum who is visiting from Arizona and will be leaving on Saturday.

2. We reminded everyone about the Craft group on Tuesday and the Quilting group on Thursday.

3. The BYU Young Ambassadors arrive Monday night and will be performing at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on Tuesday night. Dawn Sayers advised us that they will be on ABC radio Tuesday morning at 11 am if anyone wants to hear them then. We are SO hoping everyone is coming along to the DEC. Remember it won't be too late a night, so young and old come along!!

4. Our ward is also providing a meal for the Missionary Zone Conference next Friday 23rd May and we asked for some volunteers to make soup or a salad. If anyone else is happy to make a salad please let a member of the Relief society presidency know.

5. Diana Chick showed us some old versions of the LDS Hymn Book that she has on her bookshelf and next week we will be singing a song from an earlier version that is not in the latest edition. (It is one of Diana's favourites and she is sad it is no longer included).

6. Miriam gave us a very uplifting lesson about John the Baptist and I certainly learnt much.

7. To conclude Relief Society we had the beautiful primary children and their teachers and leaders come and sing "Love is Spoken Here". They did such a wonderful job and bought tears to many of the sisters. It was a lovely end to our meeting.

Quilting with Wendy

Thursday night saw the quilting enthusiasts up at the Chapel with sewing machines, irons and ironing boards, busily working on their fencepost quilt under the expert eye of Wendy. In less than two hours two quilts tops were cut out, blocks all sewn together, and rows started to be completed.

Even when too many strips were cut or strips cut too wide Wendy's comment would be "don't worry, it'll work out, we'll just do this.....or that ...." whatever the case may be. Hey with this kind of instructor anyone can learn to quilt!!! Wendy is even known to have said "all quilts should have at least one mistake in them". Yes, that's what we like to hear.

We are looking forward to next Thursday evening of sewing and ironing and maybe even some completed tops ready to baste together. Anyone is welcome to join us, even if you don't want to quilt - just come for a chat!

Thanks must go to Colin who got triplets into bed plus three others so that Wendy could come over to the Chapel to share her talent with us and who then came to the Chapel later to lug the machine and ironing board home.

Teachings for our Times lesson this week

The lesson this week is from Chapter 6

- The Mission of John the Baptist.

"John the Baptist held the Aaronic Priesthood, and was a legal administrator, and the forerunner of Christ, and came to prepare the way before him."

Just reminding everyone that next Tuesday night the Young Ambassadors will be at the Derwent Entertainment Centre. From what I hear about the performances on the mainland so far they have been fabulous and well worth keeping the kids up a little later to take all the family and friends to. (The show goes for approximately an hour and a half). Here's a link to give you a bit more information about them http://pam.byu.edu/encorepage.asp?Issue=Spring%202008&snumber=9

· The Young Ambassadors are a group of singers, dancers, and musicians who have gained a reputation for entertaining excellence through energetic, heart-warming musical theater entertainment.

· The Young Ambassadors perform The New American Songbook, a stage production celebrating the best of Broadway, country music hits, Disney tunes, and songs from the 60s and 70s. The Young Ambassadors combine professional sound and staging with captivating choreography into a 90-minute presentation.

· The New American Songbook includes a 10-piece band and a performing cast of 26 singers/dancers. The group is also supported by nine student technicians who control lighting, sound, and give backstage support.

· The Young Ambassadors will depart in May of 2008 for a three-week journey to Australia and Tasmania. This tour will mark only the group’s second foray to the land down-under in their 38-year history of international tours.

Enrichment Activities for May

Here's what is happening this month.

Quilting Group - Thursday 8 May, 7 pm Chapel

Service Craft Activity - Yvonnie's home, Tuesday 13 May 12 noon

Quilting Group - Thursday 15 May, 7 pm Chapel

Family History Group - Lindy's home, Thursday 22 May 7 pm

PlayGroup Sessions - contact Miriam

If you are interested in any of these activities and need more information just contact a member of the Presidency.

The hard-working, behind the scenes worker!

Here's our fabulous secretary who keeps us all organised and who does so many things to keep the relief society running in our Ward. From organising the missionary meals roster to taking mintues at presidency meetings to reminding us of what we are supposed to be doing, we can always rely on her. Thanks Belle.

The legendary sisters who work in Primary

Just wanted to say a big thanks from Relief Society to all the wonderful sisters who serve in Primary. We so appreciate all you do for the children of the ward and we also wanted to say thanks for all your support to us in Relief Society.

Part of the reason for creating this blogspot was so that those of you who serve in other auxilliaries can still keep up with what is happening on the Relief Society front!

Sadly, Erin and Lauren are missing from this photo and also the wonderful Nursery Leaders but don't worry we'll catch up with you.

Presidency

We plan to have lots of photos on this blog so thought we would start with a photo of Rachael, Miriam, and Lindy. (Just in case you didn't know who we were!!!). Belle was away the week we took the photo so she will get a special photo all on her own!

Poor Rachael is recovering from surgery at the moment and hope that she will soon be well enough to check out the blog!! We are all thinking and praying for you Rach at this time and wish you a speedy recovery.

Welcome to our Blog

Hi everyone,

We have decided to make a blog so that everyone can keep up with all that is happening in Relief Society in our Ward. We hope you find this blog informative and we are always open to suggestions. We will put on announcements once a week regarding upcoming events and will post photos of activities and meetings as appropriate.

Happy reading,

Love from the Rosny RS Presidency