###NEWSFLASH###
We have a new Relief Society Presidency member:
Sister Lindy was released last week and we welcome Sister Piret as our new 2nd councilor.
Sister Lindy has been the main force behind our Blog, and has done a wonderful job with her compassionate service, enrichment and visiting teaching responsibilities. We have really benefited from her loving service. Thank you Lindy, with all our hearts.
Sister Piret is well known in our relief society and has been teaching our 3rd Sunday lessons for some time now. She greeted everyone today with a huge hug and an an even bigger smile, so we are off to a fabulous start (although she did admit to a few hours lost sleep during the week as she contemplated her new calling). Congratulations Piret!
###OUR LESSON###
Miriam's lesson was based on Elder Robert D Hales talk at April conference: Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually (link here)
If you missed it, take a look at the poster Sister Diana has put up in the Foyer, it is a fabulous summary, and includes some lovely quotes and scriptures.
We talked about two basic principles of provident living: (1) not making expeditures we can't afford and (2) when we actually can afford a particular item, look hard at the reasons why we desire it. Examine the choice in the light of our long term goals, and choose wisely.
I was impressed by the contributions made by the sisters in attendance. We talked about love languages, quality of life, the individuality of families and relationships and about how much we can benefit from involving our loved ones in financial discussions and plans.
We also talked about identifying our weaknesses, and some practical ways to overcome them. One way to disempower temptation is to invite the Lord to assist us in changing our hearts: we have to want righteousness more than unrighteousness in order to sustain change (see Mosiah 5:2; Alma 5:14).
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Service in Action
Many of us know how talented sister Yvonne is. Recently she joined with Dawn to attend a Craft Fair at the DEC.
Dawn wrote:
'Attached is a photo of Yvonne and me at the Craft Fair in June at the Derwent Entertainment Centre as part ofthe ABC's exhibit of knitting blankets for the Giving Tree. Yvonne was a big drawcard with her fantastic creation. Lots of people stopped to ask how to knit the 'non-joining' blanket. She had hand-written copies of the pattern to give out... that's a real feat on its own!! '
It is wonderful to see the talents of our sisters being shared with the wider community. What a wonderful missionary example for others to see us involved in community projects such as the ABC Giving Tree and helping those in need, wherever and who ever they may be.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
What happened on Sunday
1. We welcomed the Stake Relief Society Presidency who visited with us today.
2. It was also wonderful to welcome back Joy who joined the church in our ward a few years ago and then shortly after moved to Melbourne but is now back living here so we are thrilled to have her with us again.
3. We are also delighted to have Helen visiting with us for about 10 weeks so it's lovely to have her 'home' for a while and I'm sure we will be using her many talents while she is here! (that's right Helen, there's no rest for the wicked!!!!! - just kidding of course!)
4. Diana presented another very informative 5 minute music regarding the origins of gospel music and then played a version of the Battle of Jericho by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - fabulous.
5. Piret led us in the lesson today entitled Redemption for the Dead in the Joseph Smith Manual (chapter 35). The story of Joseph's brother Alvin is a wonderful story (worth reading from manual) and so comforting for all whose loved ones have died. "The great Jehovah...knows the situation of both the living and the dead, and has made ample provision for their redemption."
6. We have been invited to participate in a Stake Relief Society Service Project during September and we are invited to provide specific items to make up kits for teenagers who need to be put in emergency foster care. The list will be given to the Primary and Young Women workers next week.
2. It was also wonderful to welcome back Joy who joined the church in our ward a few years ago and then shortly after moved to Melbourne but is now back living here so we are thrilled to have her with us again.
3. We are also delighted to have Helen visiting with us for about 10 weeks so it's lovely to have her 'home' for a while and I'm sure we will be using her many talents while she is here! (that's right Helen, there's no rest for the wicked!!!!! - just kidding of course!)
4. Diana presented another very informative 5 minute music regarding the origins of gospel music and then played a version of the Battle of Jericho by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir - fabulous.
5. Piret led us in the lesson today entitled Redemption for the Dead in the Joseph Smith Manual (chapter 35). The story of Joseph's brother Alvin is a wonderful story (worth reading from manual) and so comforting for all whose loved ones have died. "The great Jehovah...knows the situation of both the living and the dead, and has made ample provision for their redemption."
6. We have been invited to participate in a Stake Relief Society Service Project during September and we are invited to provide specific items to make up kits for teenagers who need to be put in emergency foster care. The list will be given to the Primary and Young Women workers next week.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Priesthood in Relief Society????
Yes, here are the three prospective priesthood holders and future missionaries, who attend Relief Society with their mums on a regular basis - this top photo is Minol at the end of Relief Society, not upset because he didn't want his photo taken, we are sure, but devastated that Relief Society was over and he won't get to see all the wonderful sisters until next week!!!!
These other two, below, Levi and Eamon, seemed pretty non-chalant really about what was happening but it won't be long before they will be up investigating everything with Minol (although sadly, Minol may be in Nursery by then). We love having you boys, you bring a new dimension to Relief
Society and it's great to have you all with us.
You are all gorgeous, and we don't mind how much noise you make, we'll just speak louder!!
Just think, we have a whole bishopric in the making here - all these relief society lessons will pay off in the end!!
Look out for a photo of Spencer who sometimes comes to Relief Society with his grandma but today he only wanted his mum, so the Young Womens got to enjoy him.
These other two, below, Levi and Eamon, seemed pretty non-chalant really about what was happening but it won't be long before they will be up investigating everything with Minol (although sadly, Minol may be in Nursery by then). We love having you boys, you bring a new dimension to Relief
Society and it's great to have you all with us.You are all gorgeous, and we don't mind how much noise you make, we'll just speak louder!!
Just think, we have a whole bishopric in the making here - all these relief society lessons will pay off in the end!!
Look out for a photo of Spencer who sometimes comes to Relief Society with his grandma but today he only wanted his mum, so the Young Womens got to enjoy him.
Better late than never!
We love to welcome new people to the Ward and like to introduce them on the blog so that everyone can get to know them.
Well I was advised recently that we didn't actually ever acknowledge that Nikki is back in our Ward - so, welcome back Nik, we now you are here for a while this time! So it lovely having Nikki, Corey, Olivia and now Levi in our Ward.
We are also really excited to have Bethany and Joel in our Ward - although we could actually say welcome back to the Ward also, as both of them spent a considerable amount of time when they were younger in the old 'Derwent Ward' which is now part of Rosny Ward. Great to have you both with us. I think Bethany only got to sit with Joel one week before he was called into the Bishopric but we hope you feel comfortable to sit with any of your 'Ward' family. Welcome.
What happened on Sunday
1. It was lovely to have Cecily visting with us again and also to see some of the regulars who've been away back with us again.
2. THANK YOU to the sisters who came and helped do the 'extra' cleaning duties up at the chapel yesterday - and to all those sisters who told us they didn't know about it (even though it was announced in Relief Society and put on the blog!) we will make a special point of inviting you to help us clean next time - it's a few months away but keep posted!!!
3. 5 Minute Music with Diana was interesting - she is so creative and thinks of new ways every week to get us thinking and learning about the hymns. Great job.
4. Sadie led us in the lesson this week entitled "The Power of Forgiving" . It was a very moving lesson, some wonderful stories shared. Thanks Sadie.
5. We hope all the sisters in the Auxilliaries had a spiritually uplifting morning, we so love to hear the beautiful music coming from downstairs and we hope you know we love you and appreciate your service to the children and youth of our Ward.
2. THANK YOU to the sisters who came and helped do the 'extra' cleaning duties up at the chapel yesterday - and to all those sisters who told us they didn't know about it (even though it was announced in Relief Society and put on the blog!) we will make a special point of inviting you to help us clean next time - it's a few months away but keep posted!!!
3. 5 Minute Music with Diana was interesting - she is so creative and thinks of new ways every week to get us thinking and learning about the hymns. Great job.
4. Sadie led us in the lesson this week entitled "The Power of Forgiving" . It was a very moving lesson, some wonderful stories shared. Thanks Sadie.
5. We hope all the sisters in the Auxilliaries had a spiritually uplifting morning, we so love to hear the beautiful music coming from downstairs and we hope you know we love you and appreciate your service to the children and youth of our Ward.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
What happened on Sunday
1. We welcomed Bethany's mum visiting with us this week as well as several others that I have forgotten the names of and didn't write down so I apologise.
2. We updated the sisters on Barbara and Enid - Barbara, still in hospital, Enid back at Lillian Martins.
3. We enjoyed having the young women in with us, and Maryanne led us with our lesson on one of the Young Women's values - Choice and Accoutability. We divided into small groups and discussed one of the options under that value (hope this is making sense).
4. We reminded every one about our responsibilities with regard to 'extra' chapel cleaning that we as a Relief Society need to do. Rachael asked us to meet at the chapel at 9 am on Saturday morning, and hopefully if lots of sisters come we will be finished all the work in about an hour. So spread the word, lets all pitch in and help make our chapel sparkle. (If you can't make it Saturday morning please contact Rachael if you can do something at another time during this week - I'm heading up on Friday so you can join me then if you like).
2. We updated the sisters on Barbara and Enid - Barbara, still in hospital, Enid back at Lillian Martins.
3. We enjoyed having the young women in with us, and Maryanne led us with our lesson on one of the Young Women's values - Choice and Accoutability. We divided into small groups and discussed one of the options under that value (hope this is making sense).
4. We reminded every one about our responsibilities with regard to 'extra' chapel cleaning that we as a Relief Society need to do. Rachael asked us to meet at the chapel at 9 am on Saturday morning, and hopefully if lots of sisters come we will be finished all the work in about an hour. So spread the word, lets all pitch in and help make our chapel sparkle. (If you can't make it Saturday morning please contact Rachael if you can do something at another time during this week - I'm heading up on Friday so you can join me then if you like).
Friday, July 3, 2009
Book Club Information
(Is this what book club members houses look like?) Photo courtesy FlickrBook Club members had a great time last night at Kristie's. Lots of discussion generated from the group reading the Power of One and they now have a list of books they will be reading for the next year!!!
Next month's gathering will be held on Thursday, 6th August - venue to be confirmed.
Thank you Jill for starting as our specialist for this enrichment activity, and thank you to Kristie for now being the specialist for this group.
Next month's book is "Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" by John Boyne. Happy reading.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Relief Society on Sunday
This week our lesson came from Elder Ballard's October 2008 General Conference talk, titled 'The Truth of God Shall Go Forth.'
The lesson focused on the faith of the early Saints in spreading the Gospel despite opposition from many sides. Elder Ballard used their example to help us find faith and courage to spread the Gospel today. He mentioned that although the challenges and obstacles we face are different, they are no less demanding. However, we can take hope and courage from the early Saints' example and follow in their legacy, thereby fulfilling Joseph Smith's prophetic declaration that the Gospel would spread throughout the earth.
"The Standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independant, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehova shall say the work is done." (History of the Church, 4:540)
We should take courage that Heavenly Father is in control, this is His work and He will help us in our efforts to share the Gospel message with those around us.
The sisters were challenged to go home and review their family Mission Plans, and think of ways they can help this great work to move forward.
The lesson focused on the faith of the early Saints in spreading the Gospel despite opposition from many sides. Elder Ballard used their example to help us find faith and courage to spread the Gospel today. He mentioned that although the challenges and obstacles we face are different, they are no less demanding. However, we can take hope and courage from the early Saints' example and follow in their legacy, thereby fulfilling Joseph Smith's prophetic declaration that the Gospel would spread throughout the earth.
"The Standard of truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independant, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehova shall say the work is done." (History of the Church, 4:540)
We should take courage that Heavenly Father is in control, this is His work and He will help us in our efforts to share the Gospel message with those around us.
The sisters were challenged to go home and review their family Mission Plans, and think of ways they can help this great work to move forward.
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