DATE REMINDER

This coming saturday 5th Dec: RS Testimony Meeting and scrumptious breakfast.

           - 7:30 AM at sister Jill's house - Clifton Beach.
           - bring a folding chair if possible.
          - remember to offer a ride to those near you, or who may not have transport.
         
Contact sister Piret if you have any questions.

Dec 12th - ward Christmas activity, see noticeboard for details.

Last Sunday

This past sunday sister Adelaide gave her first lesson from the previous General Conference.  It came from Elder Oaks' talk: 'Unselfish Service'.

Sister Adelaide did a wonderful job teaching for the first time.  Congratulations.

We discussed the following in the lesson:
As members of the Church we try to follow the example set by our Saviour, who said,
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" Matt 16:24-25).

We have many opportunities in the church to give service to others.  Some examples include:

- missionary service
- temple and family history work
- callings, including Visiting Teaching
- in our families and amongst friends

Elder Oaks said:
'We rejoice that so many Latterday Saint couples are among the unselfish group who are willing to surrender their personal priorities and serve the Lord by bearing and rearing the children our Heavenly Father sends to their care.....(for) those who care for disabled family members and aged parents.  None of this service asks, what's in it for me?  All of it requires setting aside personal convenience for unselfish service.  All of it stands in contrast to the fame, fortune, and other immediate gratification that are the worldly ways of so many in our day.'
'Latterday Saints are uniquely committed to sacrifice.  In partaking of the sacrament each week, we witness our committment to serve the Lord and our fellowmen.  In sacred temple ceremonies we covenant to sacrifice and consecrate our time and talents for the welfare of others.'

We discussed in class the feelings we have when we take the time to help and serve others.  We all agree that we feel better about ourselves when we give of our time and talents to others.  This is because we are trying to become as the Saviour, we are following His example.  When we do these things, we qualify to have the Holy Ghost with us.

Lets all try to serve others unselfishly this coming month and into the new year.

A Change is in the air...

Sisters we have a few new faces to welcome into our Relief Society callings, and some sisters to thanks for their devoted service.

Sisters Barbara and Josefine have been released as our Visiting Teaching Supervisor and Assistant.  We thank them for the help they have been in organising and following up with our Visiting Teaching assignments.  Without their time and talents this program would not run smoothly.

Sister Josefine has been called to serve as an assistant secretary and as such will be responsible for delivering the flower and missionary meal rosters, meeting and activity notices and invitations during RS time, and keeping our notice boeard up to date.  Please see sister Josefine if you need help with these.

We have three new teachers to welcome.  Sisters Adelaide, Alison and Anne C. have been called as teachers in RS.  We are very grateful to have these positions filled.
Sister Sadie will continue teaching our 2nd sunday classes, sister Alison will teach our 3rd sunday classes, sister Adelaide will teach our 4th sunday classes and sister Anne C. will be our relief teacher and substitute teaching each sunday lesson as needed.

Sisters Dawn and Zanny have been called as our new Visiting Teaching Supervisor and Assistant.  Sister Dawn will be in charge of coordinating the Visiting Teaching list with Rachael, and sister Zanny will be receiving reports from each of you regarding your monthly visits.
Please make sure you remember to tell sister Zanny your report for each month so she does not have to chase you.  This would be greatly appreciated.

If you have any concerns or needs to pass on regarding your visiting teaching, please see sister Dawn or Rachael.  We value the information we receive from you. As a Presidency we cannot visit everyone so you are our eyes and ears.

Thank you sisters for accepting your new callings, we look forward to serving with you all.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Hi Sisters,
here are a few dates for you to remember in the coming weeks......

15th Nov. Seminary and Institute Graduation - Stake Centre. 7pm
17th Nov. Kenneth Cope Fireside - Stake Centre.  7pm

21st Nov. Stake RS Fireside - Stake Centre. 7pm/  Please come and bring a friend!
5th Dec. Ward RS Christmas Meeting.  7.30 AM!!!!!
             Testimony Meeting and scrumptious Christmas Brekky!!

12th Dec. Ward Christmas Activity.

Please remember those who are interested in being involved in the Stake RS service activity making baby quilts to donate to the RHH neonatal unit, we will be gathering them soon.  They can be any fabric and measure 90x90cm.

New Book Club List

The list of books being read by the bookclub are outlined below.
For any information regarding the bookclub and its meeting times, please contact sister Kristie.

November: The Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague--Geraldine Brooks
December: The Good Earth--Pearl Buck

January: The Book Thief--Markus Zusak
February: The Devil's Arithmetic--Jane Yolen

What happened on Sunday

Hi again,

Just some quick links for you today: Our lesson was about Temples, and came from 2 talks given at the April 2009 General Conference:
Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder David A. Bednar
Click on the names above for the full articles.

Thankyou to everyone who helped with this lesson, I really appreciated it.

What happened on Sunday

Today we enjoyed a visit from our stake Relief Society President Louella and her councilor Katie.
They led us in a special lesson based on a talk by sister Elaine S. Dalton (she is the Young Women General President).
To read the original talk, click the link below:
A Return to Virtue Ensign, Nov 2008, 78–80
Katie began the lesson by talking about the Temple. She wrote the word Temple on the board and drew a frame around it to emphasize that the temple is central to what we do (and can become) in the Gospel, and stated that temple worthiness and blessings are the reason behind sister Dalton's call to return to virtue.
There were too many good points discussed to mention them all here. I especially liked the quote from president Monson and also the reminder that the word "virtue" comes from the latin word for strength.

Don't forget that next week there won't be any meetings at the Rosny chapel, as we will all be at the stake centre for the General Conference Broadcast. The Relief Society session will be broadcast the following week (Oct 18th at 7pm).

Food Storage Supplier

Hi Sisters,

I was recently very pleased to discover a good supplier of food storage items. We've been asked to share bargains when we find them, so I thought I'd pass this find on to all of you. See the link below:

Food lovers on Albert

This store is next to the Montile tile shop, and supplies bulk nuts, beans, lentils, bread mix, dried fruits, spices, oils, pasta, rice, drinking chocolate etc. Not all Australian made, but well priced.

I liked the fact that so many different non-perishables are displayed in a small storefront area (the bulk of the stock is kept out the back) so it was easy to quickly browse with my 3 kids in tow, and not feel that I had missed anything.

Prices are on the website, and you can email or phone an order through ahead of your visit. I bought basmati rice, chickpeas, red kidney beans, walnuts and marshmallows (hey - I did say my kids were with me didn't I?). The store keeper loaded my car for me, and was happy to let my girls use the store bathroom.

Next time I'll also buy some bread mix too. My favorite Leucke rye mix is $25/10Kg bag, so my typical loaf will cost me only $1.25. I'll probably get more basmati rice, as it has a lower glycaemic index than the other varieties. I paid $21/5kg which is cheaper than the supermarkets already, but noticed today that the Alberts website says $80/80kg. An unbelievable bulk bargain if not a misprint.

What happened this Sunday.

Our lesson this sunday was given by Rachael.  The topic was Testimony.
We discussed some important points relating to our testimonies.  They were:

• what is a testimony?
• why is it important to have one?
• how do we gain one?
• how do we keep it bright and strong?

A testimony is something we believe, know and have firm conviciton of.  It can give us hope and courage to face the challenges and trials we will face in life.
Gaining a testimony is not simple, it can take a lifetime to build.  However we can gain parts of our testimony along the way.  Begin with a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith.  If we know they are true, then everything else hangs on this knowledge, and we can gain a testimony of more parts of the Gospel as we grow and learn.
Remember that we can help strengthen each other's testimonies as we serve and care for each other, and as we share out testimonies.  Reading the scriptures, praying earnestly and being obedient to the commandments will help us keep our testimonies strong.

In Relief Society today we also had a visit from the missionaries, who shared their testimonies of the restoration and challenged us to pray for opportunities to be a light to those around us and to share the gospel with our friends and families.
Please remember this week to pray for the full time missionaries serving in and from our stake, and to pray for an increased desire to seek out missionary experiences in our own lives.  Our ward missionaries are only too happy to come and offer your family help in doing missionary work.  Ask them how today.

Enrichment Meeting

Well as we wind down to the end of the year we begin to have many events filling up our calendars.
Pleased remember to come along to our next Enrichment Meeting on Thursday 24th September, 7:00 p.m.
Our theme is 'My Body is a Temple'.
Come along and listen as sisters share their experiences of looking after their bodies during the various seasons and trials of life.
How can we make our bodies a temple? Come along and find out.

Please don't forget to invite your VT'ing sisters, and to car pool with those around you or who may not have transport. We'd love to see you all there.

Visiting Teaching Convention

Sisters apologies for the lateness of this post..... Lindy has been released!!

Thank you for attending our Visiting teaching Convention. It is always good to be reminded of the important part we can play in reaching out and touching another sister's heart, lifting a spirit and comforting a soul.

We had a wonderful time working together on our Quilt squares for our Visiting Teaching from the heart quilt. Thank you to all sisters who helped, especially those who shared their time and talents to help us non crafty folk (I mean me....) xoxo

A big thank you also to the service craft group who will be helping to assemble the quilt for Sister Enid.

The 'non crafty' table as we were dubbed. Not to say our efforts weren't fabulous too, we just used fabric pens, iron-on transfers and less sewing....

Miriam, Helen, Helen and Diana all contributing their many craft talents for Enid's quilt.

It's great to see our YSA getting involved.

Rebecca and Louella creating their masterpieces.

Working hard on the 'crafty' table and getting specialist help from Wendy.

Visiting Teaching Convention

Sisters, don't forget to come along and join us for our Visiting Teaching Convention, tomorrow (Friday 7th Aug) at 7 p.m at the Chapel.
We will be creating pieces for a quilt to be donated to sister Enid, in recognition of our love for her and her many years of service and dedication to the sisters in our ward.
Supper will be provided - Rach's special chocolate cake and hot chocolates to warm us up.

Bring along your smiles, your hearts and some quilting epuiptment if you have any i.e. needles, scissors, embroidery thread. If you don't, then just bring yourself!!

President Monson will be making a short appearance, so we'd love to see you there.
Please don't make me eat all the chocolate cake if you don't come!!

Love from Sister Rachael xo

What happened on Sunday

###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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Book Club Information

(Is this what book club members houses look like?) Photo courtesy Flickr

Book 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.