4th October update

So who went to watch the Relief Society Broadcast last night? I hear it was wonderful. I remembered all during the week, and it was even on my calendar, but completely forgot about it on Saturday until it was already half way through. Ugh. So I went online and read the transcripts on the LDS.Org website. The talks are great and I really wish I'd attended last night now! Click HERE to read them for yourself.

An interesting paragraph I found was this one by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society General President. She says: "All of our meetings and activities are meetings of Relief Society sisters. For the past number of years, we have called additional Relief Society meetings home, family, and personal enrichment meetings. In response to concerns about the complexity of that title and the different interpretations about the purpose of those meetings, a decision has been made that the name “home, family, and personal enrichment” will be discontinued effective now. In counsel with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, it was determined that rather than give these additional Relief Society meetings a new title, all such meetings and activities will now be referred to simply as Relief Society meetings. Individual Relief Society meetings that are held during the week can be called whatever they are: Relief Society service, classes, projects, conferences, or workshops."

So there you go. Easy huh. She also talks a bit about Visiting Teaching and the importance thereof: "Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task. Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence of our discipleship." Go read the rest of the talk - it's a good one.

We have more to announce today. Sister Elva Gallagher has been released as our Mountfort Ward Relief Society President. She is off to a new ward and a new home in Howick, and we wish her all the very best. Her tireless devotion to the Relief Society under her care was an inspiration to the rest of us in the Presidency and I'm sure the whole ward. We will miss her very much. The departure of one president means the arrival of a new president and counselors. Sister Charlene Otene now fills the position of RS President, with Sister Ioanna Leelo as first counselor and Sister Iunisi Vakaukamea as second counselor. We are beyond excited to welcome the new presidency, and look forward to serving the sisters of the Mountfort Ward.

Our RS Activity night on Tuesday 13th Oct will consist of 3 mini classes. Family History, Sewing, and Crafts. A little something for everyone, but especially for our younger sisters who are still building up their repertoire of homemaking skills. We all learn it somewhere - why not in a loving environment with your fellow sisters! If you happen to have some of the following items at home, please bring them with you. If you don't have them, then don't worry, just bring yourself along: Scissors, needle & thread, fabric and sewing patterns. The evening starts at 6.30pm as usual, and you are welcome to bring a plate of supper if you're able. Again, no pressure if you can't.

You can buy tickets directly from Jennis. There are only 20 available, so get in quick. Remember all proceeds go directly towards helping our youth attend EFY next year. If you don't know Jennis' phone number, call me (RS Secretary) at home (number is on the front page of your October newsletter) and I will give you her number. We don't like posting phone numbers on the internet for obvious reasons.

Whew, OK, I think that's it for now. Go have yourselves a fantastic week, and we'll see you at Conference on the 10 and 11th, or at the activity on the 13th. :)